If you know us at Green Mountain, you know we're not into the usual New Year's Resolutions. They just too full of the old way of looking at healthy living, healthy eating, healthy weights, taking care of ourselves. Actually, the old way is not about those things really at all; it's more about diets. Consider this ditty we posted previously in a FitBriefing that best describes how we encourage looking at the coming year.

Important: Read through to the 'after' part or you'll get the wrong message!

Before

‘Twas the month after Christmas, and all through the house,
nothing would fit me, not even a blouse!

The cookies I’d nibbled, the eggnog I’d taste
at the holiday parties have gone to my waist.

When I got on the scales, there arose such a number!
When I walked to the store (less a walk than a lumber)

I’d remember the marvelous meals I’d prepared,
the gravies and sauces, and beef nicely rared,
the wine and the rum balls, the bread and the cheese,
and the way I’d never said, “No thank you, please.”

As I dressed myself, in my husband’s old shirt,
and prepared once again to do battle with dirt,
I said to myself, as only I can,
“You can spend the winter disguised as a man!”

So away with the last of the sour cream dip.
Get rid of the fruitcake, every cracker and chip!
Every last bit of food that I like must be banished
‘til all the additional ounces have vanished.

I won’t have a cookie, not even a lick.
I’ll want only to chew on a long celery stick.
I won’t have hot biscuits, or cornbread, or pie;
I’ll munch on a carrot, and quietly cry!

I’m hungry, I’m lonesome, and life is a bore –
but isn’t that what January is for?

Unable to giggle, no longer a riot,
Happy New Year to all, and to all a good DIET!!!!!!!!!

After

Hey, what am I thinking? That's really old hat!
A 'dieting' mind-set will just make me fat.

So away with restriction! I'll eat what I want.
I'll start when I'm hungry and stop when I'm not.

May all my friends join me in this state of mind.
For then we'll be happy,creative,and kind.

Wishing a Happy, Healthy and Prosperous New Year!

Tags: healthy eating , healthy weights , New Years resolutions , diet

Stomach pain can come from a variety of sources and conditions. The good thing is, you don't have to spend much time, effort and money seeing the doctor. Several of the helpful remedies can actually be found right in your very own kitchen. Here is a list.

What to Eat

Indigestion, cramping and gassiness are common manifestations of inadequate nutrition. You may be surprised to know that all you need to do is eat to treat tummy ache. Skipping meals or not eating nutrient-rich foods can cause digestive juices to build up and your bowel to function abnormally resulting to stomach pains.

Eat foods rich in carbohydrates like rice, bread and pasta to fill up and quell digestive juices. Fruits and vegetables are also great examples of fibrous carbohydrates which help during digestion. Eat more bananas and green leafy vegetables. Consume more mild foods like dry toast, crackers and nuts to ease cramping.

Pomegranate seeds, oregano seeds, caraway seeds, coriander seeds, cumin seeds, ginger, yogurt, fruit juices, chamomile, peppermint, green tea and menthol are known to be very effective in reducing abdominal pain sensations. These substances also relieve stomach flu and hyperacidity. Try chewing betel leaves together with some rock salt crystals.

Medicinal charcoal is good for cases of food poisoning. Drink a lot of water to ensure that your system is constantly flushed of toxic wastes as well as enhance circulation that supports gut motility. When drinking water, you may add a few drops of Pudin Hara or lemon. Doing this can relieve cramping and burning sensations.

The way you eat can also affect digestion. Make sure you chew your food well as well as the remedies for tummy ache. Give your body enough time to digest and absorb the substances.

What Not to Eat

Spicy, fried, fatty, oily and gassy foods are known to aggravate the symptoms. Temporarily limit intake or completely stay away from chocolates, red meat, fried products and gassy sources like broccoli, cabbage, melon, watermelon, milk, potatoes and sweet potatoes. These can lead to abdominal bloating, gas attacks, diarrhea and increased pain sensations. For beverages, stick to natural fruit juices and water until the tummy ache subsides. Stay away from carbonated beverages, coffee and alcohol.

Be careful about antacids since these can cause various side effects if used for several days concurrently. Try using natural remedies and herbs first before trying commercial agents. Before you start stuffing yourself with different medicines and foods, take time to sit on a kitchen chair and relax. Breathe deeply, place your palm over your belly and set your mind away from the pain. Taking time to settle down and rest is actually one of the most tried and proven ways of eliminating tummy ache.

Vanessa Arellano Doctor
http://primeherbal.com

AP - A startling number of parents may be in denial about their youngsters' weight.

We’ve all been told at one time or another, the best way to get rid of a hang over is to  imbibe in a little of the hair of the dog that bit ‘cha. Somehow, it just doesn’t seem the most prudent solution to an age old problem. After searching through a plethora of “get rid of” advice on the internet, I came up with what seemed to me to be the most reasonable. (Nope, this isn’t scientific).

• Re-hydrate your body. Drink water like the fish you were the night before.
• Drink a cup of coffee or two as soon as possible. Coffee contains caffeine which is a very strong vasoconstrictor which will narrow the swollen blood vessels in your head and might help with a headache.  However, coffee is a diuretic, so you should drink even more water to replenish if you drink coffee.
• Make a nice, hot bowl of chicken soup, as soon as you have overcome any queasiness. Chicken soup will help replace salt and potassium, the body loses salt and potassium when you have been drinking. 
• Check the label before you take a pain reliever to reduce any hangover-induced aches. Some pain relievers, including acetaminophen, aspirin and naproxen sodium, should not be used when alcohol is still in your system.
• Your next instinct will be to stay in bed. Instead, take a brisk walk around your street. The fresh air and activity will do you good.
A Few Tips…For Next Time:
• Drink lots of water and eat some bread or crackers before going to sleep if you expect to have a hangover in the morning. Drink 2 glasses for water between each drink (I know…but it helps keep you dehydrated!).
• Practice moderation. It's not healthy to drink to the point of dehydrating your body. Take a couple aspirin before you hit the hay.

HAAAPPY HOLIDAYS! (Sh-h-h, not so loud!)

Tags: treating a hangover , mindful , healthy lifestyles , healthy eating .

The current U.S. ban on the sale of the popular weight-loss drug ephedra has left a large void in the diet pill industry, and as such has left the industry ripe for a new supplement to take over.

The entry of a potent, natural weight-loss supplement, hoodia gordonii, has created a buzz among dieters and slimming enthusiasts, as the supplement is touted to possess miraculous appetite-suppressing qualities, and with little or no side effects noted among its users.

Most variants of Hoodia, whether they be sold in pills, capsules or patches, have become widely popular, and the supplement’s fame has moved beyond the simple plant that the San bushmen in the Southern African region would cut open and chew to ward off hunger and thirst during long hunting trips.

Benefits Of Taking Hoodia For weight-Loss

The benefits of using Hoodia are by far more striking than what has been touted in the past. Compared to other currently-sold health foods and supplements, the supplement is noted to possess more health benefits and is more understood. Individuals who undergo this method have no diets to stick to, as it naturally decreases appetite, wherein users don't feel starved, as it also gives a healthy feeling of general good health and energy.

The product is completely natural and safe to use, and won't keep users awake at night, with no artificial stimulants and harmful side effects. Since this natural supplement is an organic product with no synthetic or artificial appetite-control agents, it works naturally in suppressing appetites. The product is also touted to act as an aphrodisiac, and could be felt by both men and women.

Hoodia Gordonii Is the Most Potent Among 20 Varities

Although there are 20 known variants documented, only the Hoodia Gordonii variety is the one believed to contain the natural appetite-suppressant potentials. The bushmen of the Kalahari desert have been eating it for decades, as they would cut off part of the plant’s stem and eat it to ward off hunger and thirst during nomadic hunting journeys. The bushmen have also been documented to use it for alleviating severe abdominal cramps, hemorrhoids and tuberculosis.

By taking Hoodia, your appetite is suppressed effectively. However, you cannot go without eating to simply lose weight. Starving slows down the weight loss process; when your body isn't getting enough food, your metabolism slows down, thus slowing down weight loss and also leaving you with an assortment of other health problems.

Our bodies need all types of food to function; that includes fats, proteins and carbohydrates. In daily living, we need dietary fat, like that found naturally in fish, oil, nuts and seeds. Protein is an important building block of bones, muscles, cartilage, skin and blood, and is found in poultry, beans, fish, and whole grains, so we need to eat some if only to effectively nourish our natural systems.

Laboratory research has shown that Hoodia Gordonii can reduce appetites by 2,000 calories a day. They say the "average" person's calorie intake per day is 2,000 calories. With taking the supplement, it's almost like starting with a clean slate; with 2,000 calories worth of food a day suppressed, you're free to make healthier options, because you'll be eating out of necessity, and not out of hunger.

Vanessa Arellano Doctor
http://hoodiastore.org

Obesity is a common disease in modern societies, which is associated with uncontrolled diets and sometimes sedentary activity.

Dealing with excess body weight and its associated effects are major public health issues today. There has yet been no diet in the medicinal history that has resulted in sustained weight control, particularly when diets are utilized as the only forms of intervention.

Weight-control claims associated with dietary supplements and drugs have created problems with regulatory agencies and has created a rise in loss of consumer confidence. Previously, low-carbohydrate and low-fat diets were the craze, but have recently fizzled. However, with the discovery of the appetite-suppressing potentials of Hoodia gordonii, this has generated much public interest.

"All Hoodia Products Work Well, Even If They Don’t Come From South Africa"

There are some patent-pending supplements including Hoodia, which have formulations containing other weight-loss or metabolic-enhancing agents, such as green tea polyphenols and green coffee bean extracts. Unfortunately, some dietary supplements contain material labeled as Hoodia which may not have an origin in South Africa, and as such, these materials may likely be devoid of any biological activity.

There is no doubt that a less desirable element in the dietary supplement industry has used cactus-like material that does not originate in South Africa and does not contain the right substances that are known to suppress appetite.

"Buying Hoodia without A CITES Certificate Is still Okay"

Anyone who has considered taking these supplements and has done any research on them has read about the importance of looking for a CITES certificate to identify the authentic product. Most individuals may often wonder or even don't understand what the certificate is and why it so important to look for one. If a buyer has a basic understanding of what a CITES certificate is and what its role is within the trade of weight loss products, you'll know why looking for one is so important when trying to find the authentic supplement.

"Hoodia Works Real Quick In Letting You Lose Weight"

There have been reports that some individuals who took Hoodia have noticed their appetites reduced within 20 to 30 minutes, and probably lasted for several hours. Their craving for food has significantly diminished, as they feel full and experience delays in the onset of hunger. People also have reported an increased sense of wellbeing.

In some users, it may take up to 2 to 3 weeks for the supplement to achieve the desired maximum effect. The supplement has not been reported to make users feel jittery or anxious, so it is not a stimulant. In fact, there are very few side effects reported with the use of this product.

There are widespread reports of counterfeit hoodia products. Analysts estimate that around 80% of the products are contaminated or counterfeit. It's impossible to know if a weight loss product contains pure hoodia and the active ingredient, unless it has been verified by an independent laboratory.

It is advisable to be very cautious when buying supplements like these. Most online sites selling this wonder supplement have been secretly created by companies selling them, so do buy only from reputable suppliers.

Vanessa Arellano Doctor
http://hoodiastore.org

You don't have to immediately go to a doctor or spend much on medicines if you're down with the flu or cold. Keep in mind that nature has a variety of effective herbal remedies that come in huge amounts for free. Find out the simple yet therapeutic benefits yourself and enjoy the added soothing effects that all herbs have.

Herbal Effect on Cold

The common cold usually stems from viral exposure thus there is no definite cure for it. The affected individual must rely on symptomatic treatment which aims to alleviate the symptoms and relieve the effects that come with the condition. Because the upper respiratory tract is inflamed and other parts affected as well like ears and sinuses, herbs act to minimize pain, swelling and mucus.

The Herbs

Lime is one of the most common and effective herbal treatments for the common cold. Patients should take lime juice diluted in a glass of warm water. Lime has germ-fighting actions and hastens cell repair and recovery. It also helps a lot in minimize mucus secretions so patients can breathe easier. Lime juice is recommended to be taken 2 to 4 times everyday.

Garlic is another herb known for its antibacterial properties. Garlic aids in improving appetite as well so patients eat better even with their condition. The herb can be prepared in different ways as soup, tea or juice. If the patient can tolerate, they can eat pure garlic as well.

Simply cut ginger into minute pieces. Wrap it in a teabag cloth or directly place it in a kettle of boiling water. Allow the herb to simmer for 5 to 10 minutes before straining. The remaining water mixture can then be drunk to treat cold. Ginger can also be chewed or gargled after being diluted in warm water.

Garlic oil is as effective especially with onion juice added. Mixing tulsi seeds with ginger is also very effective in improving breathing and minimizing sinus inflammation. The simplest and most soothing herbal remedy for the common cold may be herbal teas. Individuals can choose from a variety of herbs to be prepared as tea such as green tea, chamomile, astragalus, black tea, eucalyptus, thyme, peppermint and ginger.

Another useful technique to enhance breathing is to place boiling water in a small basin. Place the basin on a table then drop a teaspoon of your preferred herb. Stir the mixture for a few seconds. Move your head over the basin and let the steam rise up to your face. Take a fairly big towel and use it as a curtain to cover your head entirely so that you get to inhale most of the steam. This is very soothing and will expand the bronchioles and alveoli in your lungs.

Vanessa Arellano Doctor
http://primeherbal.com

You may already be aware of the weight loss advantages that hoodia gordinii pills provide. What you still have to know are the other therapeutic effects of the plant. Hoodia has been used for several ages by indigenous tribes in its original South Africa habitat. Learn more about these to maximize its potential uses.

For many years, even indigenous tribes have been relying on hoodia for its appetite-suppressing effects. The spines are initially removed then the plant can be eaten raw. Other methods include crushing, boiling, sun-drying and turning it into powder form. Tribes mainly use itto help them suppress thirst and hunger during long hunts and travels. Modern uses primarily involve treatment of obesity.

Traditional Uses

Tribes from Botswana, Namibia and Angola used hoodia variedly. For thousands of years, hunter-gatherers consumed the plant to tolerate hunger, thirst and pain during long desert trips where food and water were scarce. Reportedly, P57 is the main molecule in the cactus plant that directly acts on the hypothalamus of the human brain.

It also inhibits prostaglandin synthesis which is responsible for pain sensations. Thus, ancient tribesmen were able to go on for several hours without feeling tired or weak. The big advantage of hoodia compared to drugs is that it is not a stimulant. It naturally helps people increase energy and power without harmful agents like ephedra.

Because of its analgesic effects, hoodia gordinii has been used concurrently in the treatment of wounds, headache, migraine, muscle spasms, arthritis, fever and generalized body weakness. The succulent plant is taken orally in most cases although there have been suggested therapeutic effects in topical application as well. Applying hoodia on the skin can treat sore muscles, sunburns and other inflammatory conditions.

Modern Uses

Aside from having the ability to curb appetite by at least 40%, it can be used effectively for people suffering from diabetes. It actually has similar effects as glucose but much more powerful. The plant is able to normalize blood sugar and preventing insulin fluctuations by ensuring that the cells regularly absorbs energy in the form of glucose to be broken down by the body. People then avoid common symptoms like mood swings and difficulty sleeping.

Hoodia gordinii is also useful as a mild antihypertensive due to its blood sugar regulating function. Blood pressure is then maintained at normal levels if the pills are taken regularly. With constant energy consumption of cells, energy and endurance is enhanced without any side effects.

All these effects are guaranteed without any risk of overdose and adverse reactions that diuretics, amphetamines and ephedra have. Pregnant women, heart patients, hypersensitive people and those who have eating, kidney and liver problems should consult a doctor first before consumption.

Vanessa Arellano Doctor
http://hoodiaremedy.com

You are likely to be seeing a new ingredient in some weight loss supplements by the name of Caralluma Fimbriata Succulent. Caralluma Fimbriata succulent is similar to Hoodia Gordonii Succulent in that it is a natural appetite suppressant.

Caralluma Fimbriata Succulent is said to be a vegetable that is used daily in tribal India. It is eaten in several different forms and it is said that it is used by tribesman in the same way Hoodia Gordonii Succulent is used in other parts of the world – Tribesman will consume it before a long hunt to curb the appetite.

A company named Pure Herbal Products, Inc. has created a brand called Pure Caralluma ™ which uses 100% Pure Caralluma Fimbriata Succulent. Caralluma Fimbriata succulent already has some studies behind it that makes it look very promising in the world of weight loss dietary supplements.

If you have tried Hoodia Gordonii Succulent and did not have any success, you may want to try Caralluma Fimbriata succulent before giving up on an all natural appetite stimulant. Currently there are not many products on the market containing 100% Caralluma Fimbriata Succulent but we suspect that will change in the near future.

We will probably start seeing combination products which contain other well known weight loss supplements such as green tea, Citrimax, and Chromium.

Remember that weight loss supplements usually target different areas. Some are considered fat burners, some inhibit the absorption of carbs or fat, and some are appetite suppressants. Caralluma Fimbriata Succulent is for people who want help in controlling their appetite.

You may see Caralluma Fimbriata Succulent combined with ingredients designed to burn fat, absorb carbs, etc. But keep in mind what your goal is before purchasing a weight loss supplement and you will probably not be disappointed with the results. It appears Caralluma Fimbriata succulent will be affordable and the dosages will be reasonable. It appears that dosages are going to be around 1 gram per day. The manufacturers will probably recommend divided doses throughout the day but be sure and follow the directions on the bottle.

For more information you can visit http://www.miraclecactus.com/

Rhodiola rosea, a herbal extract that’s popularly sold as an antidote to stress and anxiety in humans, extended the life of fruit flies who were fed a diet rich in the supplement, a study conducted by University of California-Irvine concluded.

“Flies that were supplemented with a diet rich with Rhodiola rosea … lived on average 10 percent longer than flies that didn’t eat the herb,” UCI says in a news release. The study was recently published in the journal Rejuvenation Research.

According to Mahtab Jafari, the professor of pharmaceutical science who led the study, “Although this study does not present clinical evidence that Rhodiola rosea can extend human life, the finding that it does extend the life span of a model organism, combined with its known health benefits in humans, make this herb a promising candidate for further anti-aging research.”

Jafari is associated with UCI’s Susan Samueli Center for Integrative Medicine, whose other objectives also includes the scientific study of supplements.

Vanessa Arellano Doctor
http://primeherbal.com