32 Health Benefits Of Ginger

Originally published Dec 2012
What a powerful herb! Ginger has been around for centuries. It is one of those herbs that everyone should have in their kitchen.  It is so potent and good for many different ailments and overall maintenance of optimal health. I love ginger. I always have some on hand. I make tea with it and use it in my gravies.

Now of course you know I cannot have a herb in my kitchen and not know what it's good for. Well I can but what good would that do. I need to know the power of the natural things that God has placed on the earth for man to thrive.  So I've done the research and now I'm sharing with you. See how much I love you? I'm saving you the time and hassle of searching for the information yourself.  LOL. So, without any further ado, here are the health benefits of ginger:

1. May be used to stimulate blood flow to the extremities in cases of blood circulation problems
2. Promotes perspiration
3. Induces gastric secretions
4. Useful for slow or difficult digestion
5. Helpful with flatulence
6. Aids in relieving colic
7. Alleviates sore throat when used as a gargle
8. Helps to alleviate menstrual cramps
9. Useful for colds and flu
10. Anti-inflammatory
11. Good remedy for arthritis
12. Reduces and regulates blood cholesterol
13. Lowers blood pressure
14. Helps prevent the formation of blood clots
15. Excellent for morning sickness
16. May help prevent strokes
17. Could be used to prevent hardening of the arteries
18. Is a blood thinner
19. Reduces fevers
20. Relieves vomiting
21. Soothes the stomach and spleen
22. Good for internal body cleansing
23. Alkalizes the system
24. Use in respiratory and lung/chest clearing combinations
25. Kidney stimulant to increase kidney filtration
26. Reduces migraine headaches
27. Combats nausea caused by motion sickness
28. Stops griping and cramping especially in the abdominal and intestinal area
29. Arrests excessive menstrual flow
30. Increases the flow of urine
31. Beneficial during pregnancy
32. Contains lots of minerals

Need I say more. Me! I'm not giving up ginger in my kitchen "papah". It's too good of a herb.

Jenn
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For God's Glory!

Sources
Little Herb Encyclopedia: The Handbook of Nature's Remedies for a Healthier Life
Amazing Power of Healing Plants

Being Vegetarian Is Not Boring or Is it? Stop Lying To Yourself

So you love meat and claim you can’t give it up because vegetarian food is boring. Oh please. Spare yourself(not me). It’s either you want to be healthier or you don’t. Just look at the benefits of eating vegetarian.  Look at them.

Benefits of Eating Vegetarian

1. Aids in the prevention and treatment of certain diseases, such as cardiovascular disease, hypertension, diabetes, cancer, osteoporosis, renal disease and dementia, as well as diverticular disease, gallstones and rheumatoid arthritis.
2. Longer life span - On average, vegetarians live about 7 years longer than meat eaters and vegans live up to 15 years longer.
3. High in antioxidants which protect our cells from damage by cancer causing free radicals, such as pollution and smoking.
4. Helps reduce the signs and effects of aging.
5. Better cholesterol levels
6. Lower body weight
7. Helps reduce the need for diabetes medications for those with type 2 diabetes
8. Increased energy
9. Reduced risk of food-borne illnesses
10. Eases menopausal symptoms
11. Bowel movements are regularized

Do you want to experience those benefits and more in your life or don’t you? It’s a simple matter really. My husband says it’s a MOM thing. MOM meaning Mind Over Matter. I've had to make myself do what I did not want to do so many times because the benefits far outweighed the results of not doing what I had to do. What’s stopping you?

Are family members ridiculing you? Are they more important than your health? I love my husband more than I can even express. He is the star of my life after Jesus but you know what?  If I put my husband above my health then I will not be able to enjoy our love because of sickness or death resulting from my bad eating choices. How will you be able to enjoy your children if you are always running to the doctor from some sickness or the other that could be prevented?  Come on. Forget about the ridicule, you’re doing it for them (though they may not appreciate it). Or better yet, do it for yourself. You’re the one who will feel good or NOT.

Spaghetti and Veg Balls in Tomato Sauce

Let’s talk about the boring now. If you've ever tasted good vegetarian cooking you will literally eat those words and kick yourself.  Have you tried some of the recipes on this site, like the Spaghetti and Veg Balls in Tomato Sauce you see up there? Have you visited any vegetarian restaurants or ordered vegetarian fare when you eat out? No? Well, just stay there and imagine the blandness – it will get you nowhere.  If you have done those things and still find that the food has no taste, then what are you going to do about it? You’re the cook! Add the spices to make it taste your kind of good.

Get a vegetarian cookbook. Amazon has tons of them. Here are some downloadable ones for quick access. All less than $3.00

Vegetarian Recipes for Meat Eaters: Simply the Best Vegetarian Entrées and Main Course Meals with Easy Carnivore Variations, Volume One


Vegetarian Slow Cooker Recipe Book: 30 Easy Set It & Forget It Meals


35 Vegetarian Casserole Recipes - The Vegetarian Casserole Cookbook (Vegetarian Cookbook and Vegetarian Recipes Collection)

If you prefer hardcover then check these out.

Fresh & Fast Vegetarian: Recipes That Make a Meal

Meatless: More Than 200 of the Very Best Vegetarian Recipes

Vegetarian Cooking for Everyone


Quick-Fix Vegetarian: Healthy Home-Cooked Meals in 30 Minutes or Less

There are really no excuses other than food allergies or an inability to eat that should keep you from doing what you want to do for your own health and wellness. Nobody is forcing you to eat vegetarian. You are the one who wants to but says it’s boring. It’s a cop out. Don’t listen to the lies. Just do it!

The Bible says in Ephesians 5:14 - "Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church."  So that's what I did just now - spoke the truth in love.

Telling you like it is in love,

Jenn
If you liked this article and want to know when I post new articles and recipes, subscribe to the Fruitful Vine Newsletter. 

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Sources:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed
http://www.streetdirectory.com/food_editorials/
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com
http://www.medicinenet.com/
http://www.vegetariantimes.com/

Image courtesy of Stuart Miles/FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Pets and Stress Reduction

Do pets add to the stress that pet owners experience or do pets help relieve stress?

Research exists that show how pets relieve stress. Animals have been known to diffuse anger when you pet them.  Sometimes even having a pet like a bird of fish that you obviously cannot pet has helped to reduce stress.

According to the Harvard Medical University Health Publication, “Pets have been shown to lower blood pressure, improve recovery from heart disease, and even reduce rates of asthma and allergy in children who grow up with a Fido or a Frisky in the house. Pets also improve people’s psychological well-being and self-esteem.”

Aquariums have been noticed in the offices of many doctors these days. Do you think it’s just a coincidence?  Maybe not.  The stress levels of the patients in the waiting room diminish while they sit watching the swimming fish as they wait. Much better to focus on that than on what terrible diagnosis the doctor may have. Several nursing homes have adopted pets to help their elderly residents experience the benefits of lower blood pressure and reduced stress and depression.

This study shows how pet ownership blunts home blood pressure responses to mental stress.  Some pets can be high maintenance causing added stress from the burden of caring for them so be careful when you select a pet.  If you don’t want to invest in actually getting a pet yourself then just think of different ways to get the same benefits.  You can offer to be a pet sitter for your friend from time to time.  You could spend some time with friends that have pets and play with them. If you live close to a pet owner who is your friend you can offer to walk the dog a couple of days a week. If you want to do this your imagination is the limit.  You could also volunteer at an animal shelter on weekends or a couple of days a week, whatever fits your schedule.


I came across a video the other day that shows the relation between pets and stress.  Watch the video below.

If you are unable to view this video, click here - Pets and Stress Reduction - to go to the video page.

Students are experiencing the benefits. Why not you?

Ebook in the works - The Ultimate Stress Relief Guide

To your stress reduction,
Jenn
If you liked this article and want to know when I post new articles and recipes, subscribe to the Fruitful Vine Newsletter. 

If you have a question on vegetarian eating that you would like me to answer then fill in this short form to submit your question. I'll answer in an Ask Jenn video on Wednesdays.

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For God's Glory!


Sources
http://www.health.harvard.edu/blog
http://uhu.islate.si/

Laugh Your Stress Away

Is smiling a bit difficult for you? Do you constantly work, work, work and find it hard to relax? Are your stress levels too high for comfort? Then I’ve got another stress buster for you.

One word – LAUGH!

You heard me right. I’m serious, just like you’re seriously looking for an answer to lower your stress levels. A dose of laughter can do tons to relieve your stress. As a matter of fact the good book – the Bible says in Proverbs 17:22, “A merry heart does good like a medicine…” Merry gives the picture of fun and laughter. Why challenge the wisdom of one who is perfect and knows us better than we know ourselves. He is the one who created us.

So laugh a little or a lot. If you find it hard to laugh by yourself then get a funny movie and watch it either with other people or by yourself. Studies have shown that persons who laugh a lot are less tense than those who don’t. It is said that laughter helps the body produce the fee good hormones that promote relaxation and stress relief.

I laugh a lot. I laugh at myself, our boys, my hubby, funny movies. I just love to laugh. I laugh when I'm angry, tired, stressed just to get a load off without exploding or imploding.  When I'm extremely tired, I cry and then right after I start laughing.  I tend to talk silliness and laugh at my own jokes triggering even more laughter at those times when I'm tired. When I start, my hubby teases me and says, “It’s past your bedtime huh?” When I’m done I find that I’m more relaxed and immediately feel less stressed.

I read somewhere that laughter can equal aerobic workout depending on the amount of time you spend laughing. I read that every time you laugh 100 times, it’s equates to 10-15 minutes on an exercise bicycle or a rowing machine.  Watch this and get a dose of laughter today. It's less than a minute and a half.


It’s a known fact that when you are stressed, your blood pressure rises creating even more stress for you. It seems like an unbeatable cycle. Well, beat the cycle and laugh, then laugh some more and again. Laughter gives a euphoric feeling which reduces your pressure and thus lessening your stress.

It may seem like laughter should come naturally but for some it doesn't so if you’re that kind of person, schedule it and let yourself go during those scheduled times. Watch funny clips on youtube or TV.  Amazon has tons of comedies available via Instant Video for you to watch. It costs less than $5, many less than $2 and some for nothing if you are an Amazon Prime member.

You can do it. Relieve your stress with laughter.

Ebook in the works - The Ultimate Stress Relief Guide.
Jenn
If you liked this article and want to know when I post new articles and recipes, subscribe to the Fruitful Vine Newsletter. 

If you have a question on vegetarian eating that you would like me to answer then fill in this short form to submit your question. I'll answer in an Ask Jenn video on Wednesdays.

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Know Your Herbs: Health Benefits of Turmeric

Up until a few months ago I had no idea that turmeric was grown here in Dominica. It looks like ginger but the inside is bright bright yellow almost orange.  Here is a picture of the two of them together so that you can see what I'm talking about. The turmeric roots are the smaller ones in the picture.

I've been discovering a lot of things since we starting serving at our new church, like the mangosteen discovery for example. I usually just use the powder but was delighted to know that the root is grown here. I plan on getting some one of these days from one of our church members to see the difference in preparing food when I use the root versus the powder.

I love to read and learn and by now you should know what's coming next. Yes, I researched what turmeric was good for and I was blown away.  So without any further ado, here are the benefits of turmeric as I discovered them:

Benefits of Turmeric

1. Reduces and may prevent some of the damage of cancer-causing free radicals
2. May help in cases of prostate, skin and colon cancer
3. It is anti-inflammatory
4. Aids in joint pain
5. Natural painkiller
6. Helps to detoxify the liver
7. The ingredient curcumin found in turmeric greatly aids in fighting cancer
8. Helps in reducing skin rashes
9. Assists in reducing gum infection
10. May help prevent Alzheimer's
11. May help keep blood sugar in check thus reducing the risk of diabetes
12. Used to treat depression in Chinese medicine
13. May assist in the treatment of psoriasis

Fun fact about turmeric:
When lime is added to turmeric, it turns into a brilliant red colored powder and is used for adorning women in India.

Curcumin is available on Amazon here - Buy Curcumin and you can find turmeric here - Turmeric available.
Jenn
If you liked this article and want to know when I post new articles and recipes, subscribe to the Fruitful Vine Newsletter. 

If you have a question on vegetarian eating that you would like me to answer then fill in this short form to submit your question. I'll answer in an Ask Jenn video on Wednesdays.

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For God's Glory!

Sources: mnn.com, riseearth.com, bewellbuzz.com, altmedicine.about.com, rebellesociety.com, healthdiaries.com
Image courtesy of smarnad/FreeDigitalPhotos.net

What Should A Pregnant Vegetarian Eat and How Often?

Hi everyone,
Welcome to today's edition of Ask Jenn. You ask any question regarding healthy eating, nutrition etc and I answer in a video on Wednesdays. Today's question comes from Kalinago. Enjoy!


If you are unable to view this video, click here - What Should A Pregnant Vegetarian Eat and How Often? - to go directly to the video page.

Here is the link to the Vegetarian Nutrition website article on vegetarian pregnancy that I found to be a solid resource with more specifics in answer to this question - Vegetarian Diets During Pregnancy.


Jenn
If you have a question on vegetarian eating that you would like me to answer then fill in this short form to submit your question. I'll answer in an Ask Jenn video on Wednesdays.

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Say No and Reduce Your Stress!

How full is your schedule? Is it filled to overflowing? Are you able to find time to relax with all that is going on in your work and home life? Does striking the perfect balance elude you? Do you find time to relax? But still you add more on. You take on more projects though you know how full your schedule is.

Whenever you mother, brothers or sisters need support, they call you. Your friends are often calling or dropping in to see you to share their problems. Other people call you when they need a stand-in instead of using the other people who are available. It’s good to be a giver but if it is to the detriment of your health and sanity, it’s time to stop the madness.

Sounds like you might be having a challenge saying no. You find that though you don’t want to do something you are unable to say no because according to you, you don’t have a good enough reason to say no. Tired, but you say yes. Exhausted, but you still say yes.

When you’re tired or you just don’t feel up to doing a particular thing that you are asked to do, what do you do? Do you speak up and say no? You don’t have to answer out loud, but I bet I know the answer. You most likely don’t. Do you know what this means for you? It means that more than likely people are taking advantage of you more often than you may care to admit.

Listen to me and listen well. If you don’t speak up for yourself, who will? Your friends, co-workers and family members may not readily realize how full your plate is and so they keep on asking because you keep on saying yes. Relying on them to recognize when you have too much to handle is not wise. It’s your life and you have the full picture of what’s in it, not them.

You are the one who is responsible for you. Your husband or wife, brother or sister may love you and care for you but ultimately the responsibility for your life is all yours. You may feel uncomfortable about that but that’s just the way it is. Being a generous and giving person is one thing but to be so to the extent that you are under too much stress is just not good. If you are unable to find time to relax and unwind then your health is being seriously compromised both physically and mentally.

You have to get to the point in your life where you realize that this path is dangerous and begin to place care of yourself as #1 on your priority list. If you are not well you cannot help anyone anyway. So if you find fulfillment in being there for others, you need to take care of yourself so that you can continue helping others.

This starts with learning when to say no. You may have to make yourself a little less accessible during times when you need to relax and unwind. You need to plan some alone time and treat it just like you would treat an appointment to help someone else. You are still helping someone – yourself. Turn off the cell phone, shut off the computer and take time for yourself. Say no if you’re already overbooked. One good way to help you say no is not to accept an invitation right away. Always let the person know that you will check your calendar and get back to them. That gives you a little breathing space to properly evaluate whether you are truly able to help them or not.

So, today’s tip to reduce stress – SAY NO AND REDUCE YOUR STRESS! 

Try it! You’ll like the results.

Coming soon - The Ultimate Stress Relief Guide. Look for it!

To your stress reduction,
Jenn
If you have a question on vegetarian eating that you would like me to answer then fill in this short form to submit your question. I'll answer in an Ask Jenn video on Wednesdays.

Visit and like the Fruitful Vine Facebook Page for even more articles and links on healthy living.
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Image courtesy of zirconicusso/FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Neutralize Stomach Acid with Pumpkin and Other Health Benefits of Pumpkin

Pumpkin is a delicious vegetable and wonderful for so many things. I personally love pumpkin! The color, the taste, it all lends to an exquisite dining experience. Pumpkin is so good that I sometimes use it to flavor my gravies(a tip I learned from my mother in law).

Pumpkin comes in a variety of shapes and sizes. Long, round, small, large. My father in law plants pumpkin on the land he farms and he has had some huge pumpkins that surprised me. I never knew pumpkins could get that big. Of course, since then I've seen pictures of humongous pumpkins online but at the time it was super huge to me and still is by normal standards.

Now here is a list of the health benefits

1. Low in fat
2. Low in sodium
3. Rich in beta-carotene
4. Rich in potassium
5. Rich in calcium
6. Significant soluble fiber
7. Has hypotensive properties
8. Has diuretic properties
9. Has laxative properties aiding in constipation
10. Had anticarcinogenic properties
11. May assist with coronary heart disease
12. Capable of neutralizing excess stomach acid
13. Has an emollient and protective effect on the stomach lining
14. Aids in dyspepsia(indigestion)
15. Helpful in cases of pyrosis(heartburn)
16. Good for cases of gastroduodenal ulcer

Here are some pumpkin recipes for you experience the benefits a bit more often.



Jenn
If you have a question on vegetarian eating that you would like me to answer then fill in this short form to submit your question. I'll answer in an Ask Jenn video on Wednesdays.

Visit and like the Fruitful Vine Facebook Page for even more articles and links on healthy living.
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Does Juicing Decrease Nutritional Value? Video - Ask Jenn

Hi everyone,
Welcome to another edition of Ask Jenn. You ask any question on vegetarian eating, health, nutrition and I answer in a video on Wednesdays. Today's question comes from Bonnie. Enjoy!


If you are unable to view this video, click here - Does Juicing Decrease Nutritional Value? to go directly to the video page.

Jenn
If you have a question on vegetarian eating that you would like me to answer then fill in this short form to submit your question. I'll answer in an Ask Jenn video on Wednesdays.

Visit and like the Fruitful Vine Facebook Page for even more articles and links on healthy living.
For God's Glory!

6 Simple Ways to Manage and Reduce Stress

If you don't find a way to manage stress, it will find a way to manage you. Invasive is the nature of stress and it will take over your life if you are not careful. Stress causes you to feel defeated sometimes even before you attempt anything.

The blame does not lie with your boss, spouse, children, traffic or anything else. Those are things that are out of your control. People will say and do things and you can’t control what they say or do but you do have control over yourself, your response and several other things. Manage the things you can manage and leave the rest alone. When you take the steps to handle what you can the result is that you reduce your stress.

There are several ways to handle, manage and reduce stress. We've discussed 6 ways already. To recap here they are.  Click through each link to view more detail on each method listed.

1. Look around you. Do you see clutter? Reduce some of the stress by getting rid of some of the clutter around you. Reduce clutter and reduce your stress. 
2. Have you had moments where your heart was racing for no conceivable reason? Relax and reduce your stress. The hyperlinked article has ways to help you do just that. 
3. Return to a time less hurried than our present time and use herbs to reduce your stress. In this article you will find the Top 8 Stress Relief Herbs. 
4. Do you lead a mostly sedentary lifestyle? Exercise and watch your stress reduce dramatically. 
5. Are you always indoors? You go from home to work early before the sun is up and you get back after the sun goes down. Get more sunlight to deal with your stress. 
6. Last but certainly not least on this list today is gardening. Gardening is good stress therapy.  

And for the executives here are 6 Tips for Executives Looking to Reduce Stress.

Here's a bonus way to relieve your stress from my archives. Thanks Aqiyl of Natural Life Energy for the comment which reminded me of that post - Relieve Stress With Deep Breathing Exercises.

To your stress reduction,
Jenn

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Image courtesy of David Castillo Dominici/FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Become A Vegetarian - Step 7 - Video

Here is Step 7 in your journey to become a vegetarian. Enjoy!


If you are unable to view this video click Become A Vegetarian - Step 7 to go to the video page.
Jenn

Visit and like the Fruitful Vine Facebook Page for even more articles and links on healthy living.
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Become A Vegetarian - Step 6 (7 Steps) - Video

Here's the sixth step in your journey to become a vegetarian. Enjoy!


If you are unable to view this video click Become A Vegetarian - Step 6 to be taken to the video page.
Jenn

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http://www.jennifervalerie.com/2012/04/becoming-vegetarian-how-do-i-do-it.html

Become A Vegetarian - Step 5 (7Steps) - Video

Hi everyone. Excuse the puffy and red eyes in this video, I'm feeling a bit tired.


If you are unable to view this video click Step 5 To Become A Vegetarian to go directly to the video page.

See previous steps here - Step 1, Step 2, Step 3, Step 4.
Jenn

Visit and like the Fruitful Vine Facebook Page for even more articles and links on healthy living.
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Stress Therapy - Gardening

Welcome to today’s edition of tips and techniques to reduce stress. You’re here because you or someone you know needs a bit of stress relief. We’ve had several articles with different ways to relieve stress already. If you’ve not read them yet, you should. Those articles contain a wealth of information to help reduce stress.

Today’s stress reliever is quite simple - GARDENING. 

Now you might be thinking – gardening? Who has time to garden? My schedule is already full as it is. I’m looking for a way to reduce stress not add to it with another chore. You’re right and wrong. You’re right – your schedule is already full. And you’re wrong gardening will not add to your stress as you will see as you continue to read this article.

I am well aware that some of you live in apartments or condominiums or places where there may appear to be no space to garden. I am also aware that there are those of you who live in homes where they pay someone to do the gardening for you because you’re too busy to do it yourself.

Gardening is an activity that is tranquil and peaceful. It takes time and so it seems that you may not have time to do it. That’s just it. You are looking for a way to reduce stress in your life and gardening is a wonderful way to do just that. Its very tranquility as you get off the daily grind and attend to the plants helps reduce your stress. If you live in an apartment you can have some plants in containers and still enjoy the healing advantages and benefits of gardening.

Gardening has become a regularly recommended prescription as a form of stress therapy. Psychologists and physicians have recognized how therapeutic it is and are recommending it more and more to their patients.

We live in a world that is far removed from the world of our great-grandparents. Back then, the pace of life was much slower. Today we want what we want and we want it now. This type of mindset is what gets us feeling so stressed. Take a step away and enter a more peaceful world where you get a break from the stressful activities and relieve some of that stress.

When you are gardening time isn’t as important anymore. As the plant matures and grows they need attention and care. Their growth does not happen overnight. You get back from it whatever it is you put into it. You learn patience which it seems is a quality that people who are highly stressed lack.

So if you’re on the fast track to burnout and stress from your work or your personal life then look into gardening. Gardening will help you and give you a place to let go of all that stress. If you’re fortunate to be able to garden outdoors you’ll experience another stress reliever (hyperlink sunlight article) we’ve talked about before.

High blood pressure is many times a side effect of an extremely stressful life. Slowing down enough to garden will help lower your blood pressure as well. Two birds with one stone – pretty good in my humble opinion. As you experience the therapeutic stress reducing benefits of gardening, you might just find that you’re addicted. It’s a good addiction though – which reduces your stress and improves your surroundings and your life.

Want more tips to reduce stress? Click here - Previous Tip To Reduce Stress ~ Next Tip To Reduce Stress

Ebook coming soon - The Ultimate Stress Relief Guide - 52 Simple Ways To Beat Stress and Enjoy Life!


Jenn

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Image courtesy of marin/FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Use Sunlight to Deal With Stress - Video and Text

Welcome to another edition of tips and techniques to reduce stress.

If you are unable to view this video click here - Use Sunlight To Reduce Stress - to go directly to the video page.

Have you ever heard of heliotherapy or phototherapy? I didn’t until I was doing the research for this article.  What I found out was that phototherapy is the use of light (particularly ultra violet(UV) light) in the treatment of physical or mental illness and heliotherapy is the use of sunlight to treat disease. A deficiency or lack of sunlight causes depression or what is known as Seasonal Affective Disorder(SAD) which in itself is a stressful condition to be in. Whether you're suffering from SAD or you're simply stressed, the solution is here.

Stress Release In The Sun

Now, we know that the sun emits UV light that we need to protect our eyes from using sunglasses or shades. So the same effects of the UV light in a controlled medical facility can be had by just stepping outside and taking a sunbath. Sunlight has been known to not only give light but also much needed Vitamin D.

What most people don’t realize is that exposure to the sun gives the added benefit of reducing stress. Acording to tanwithoutsand.ca, heliotherapy is a chiropractic treatment used for muscular stimulation and relaxation. I see the word relaxation in there. Relaxation translates to less stress. 

Some people spend a lot of time inside or work all day under fluorescent lights and then go home at a time when the sun is setting or gone. The following day, they leave for work early and repeat the same routine.  This little contact with the sun is not healthy.

If you’re one of those persons, then you need to change your schedule to include time outside. Let your skin soak in some sunlight. This is not the ‘get a tan’ type of outing in the sun, therefore you need to protect your skin. Use a sunscreen that has a high SPF(Sun Protection Factor).

Another set of people who may experience light deprivation and stress are frequent travelers. My recommendation is to take a walk if you can outside the airport and the hotel where you’re staying. When you expose yourself to sunlight before and after a long flight the symptoms of jet lag can be lessened thus reducing the stress that you feel.  It is said that even NASA employs this method by exposing the astronauts to bright lights gradually to get them ready for launches that take place late at night.

Fight winter blues and increase alertness with this Phillips Golite White/Blue

Spas and medical facilities are able to simulate UV light to help persons heal but the real thing is always better.  If you are unable to get out into the sunlight and you can afford the cost of heliotherapy of phototherapy go for it. I saw Amazon has this Philips Hf3321/60 Golite, White / Blue machine (pictured above) that helps to decrease winter blues and increase alertness. It costs about $99 at the time of writing this article and comes with free shipping. However, if the cost of booking yourself into a spa or getting this machine is cost prohibitive, why don’t you use God’s free way of reducing stress and get out into the sun on a regular basis. A side benefit of this is that if you suffer from skin disorders like psoriasis this kind of sun therapy may help heal that too according to studies done.

The sun has a way of elevating the mood so if you’re under a lot of stress use this method. Here are some helpful suggestions to get more exposure to sunlight:

1. Park at the far end of the parking lot when you go to the office or the store and walk in the sun to and from the building.
2. If you use the bus, and it’s a sunny day then leave home a bit earlier if you can and get off a couple of blocks before your stop and walk the rest of the distance.
3. Leave the office early enough to get an hour or so of time outside either playing with your children or just sitting in the sun.
4. If the time is not possible on a weekday or even if it is, use your weekends and spend as much time as you can outdoors in the sun playing a sport or other game, enjoying a picnic or just a casual walk around the neighborhood.

According to your own particular circumstance you may be able to come up with more ways. Go for it!  As you begin to feel the stress release you’ll be so elated that you won’t be able to do without your daily dose of sunlight.

Read more on the curative properties of the sun here - The Healing Sun: Sunlight and Health in the 21st Century and The Curative Value of Light: Sunlight and Sun Lamp in Health and Disease 1932.


Get out into the sun and eliminate stress!

Want more tips to reduce stress? Click here - Previous Tip To Reduce Stress ~ Next Tip To Reduce Stress

Ebook coming soon - The Ultimate Stress Relief Guide - 52 Simple Ways To Beat Stress and Enjoy Life!
Jenn

Visit and like the Fruitful Vine Facebook Page for even more articles and links on healthy living.
For God's Glory!

Image courtesy of graur razvan ionut/FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Become A Vegetarian - Step 4 (7Steps) - Video

This is step four in the video series 7 Steps To Become A Vegetarian.  Enjoy!


If you are unable to view this video click here - Step 4 To Become A Vegetarian - to go directly to the video page.

Related posts:
Step One To Become A Vegetarian
Step Two To Become A Vegetarian
Jenn

Visit and like the Fruitful Vine Facebook Page for even more articles and links on healthy living.
For God's Glory!

Become A Vegetarian - Step 3 (7 Steps) - Video

As we progress in the video series 7 Steps to Become A Vegetarian here is Step 3. Watch, enjoy and share your feedback in the comments section below this post.


If you are unable to view this video click here - Step 3 To Become A Vegetarian to go directly to the video page.


Jenn

Visit and like the Fruitful Vine Facebook Page for even more articles and links on healthy living.
For God's Glory!

Do Vegetarians Need More Protein Than Meat Eaters? Ask Jenn - Video

Faith asked why is it that a particular website she visited stated that vegetarians need more protein than meat eaters. Here's my take on it. Enjoy and give your feedback in the comments.



If you are unable to view this video click here - Do Vegetarians Need More Protein Than Meat Eaters? - to go directly to the video page.

Jenn

Visit and like the Fruitful Vine Facebook Page for even more articles and links on healthy living.
For God's Glory!

Become A Vegetarian - Step 2 (7Steps) - Video

So you want to become vegetarian. In this 2nd video in the 7 Steps To Become A Vegetarian series I'll be giving you Step number 2.

Enjoy and feel free to post your questions and feedback below this post in the comments section.


If you are unable to view this video click here - Step 2 To Become A Vegetarian - to go directly to the video page.

Related posts: Step One To Become A Vegetarian
Jenn

Visit and like the Fruitful Vine Facebook Page for even more articles and links on healthy living.
For God's Glory!

6 Tips for Executives Looking to Reduce Stress

If you are unable to view this video click here - Intro to 6 Tips For Executives Looking To Reduce Stress - to go directly to the video page.

The executive life tends not to be one owned by the executive. Shuttled from place to place, meeting to meeting, your life has become a long, repetitive chain of airport terminals, single-shot plastic bottle vodka tonics and meetings where it is required of you to smile and look well groomed after a desperate caffeine-driven 18-hour plow across 3 different states.

Image courtesy of chanpipat/FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Unwinding under such duress is, alas, somewhat of an art form, but there’s a few things you can do to keep the stress down.

1. Mobilize your computing Technology is a wonderful thing. Modern devices allow us to remain connected to our families even when 35,000 feet in the air. With VOIP software, a good Wide Area Network and a pair of headphones, you can keep communication with the family routine, instead of occasional. Call the kids to check on their homework, call the spouse to make sure the house hasn’t burned down in the four months since you’ve seen it.
   
   Keeping communication routine goes a long way towards making life feel less far away from work. 


2. Develop 30-minute hobbies Watch cartoons. Find video games with short rounds. Take up knitting. Install an e-reader app on your smart phone. The key here is that whatever this activity is, it should be something you can put down easily after about 30-40 minutes, and it should take your mind away from work.

Click here - 6 Tips For Executives Looking To Reduce Stress to read the rest of this article.


Want more tips to reduce stress? Click here - Previous Tip To Reduce Stress  ~  Next Tip To Reduce Stress

Ebook coming soon - The Ultimate Stress Relief Guide - 52 Simple Ways To Beat Stress and Enjoy Life!


Jenn

Visit and like the Fruitful Vine Facebook Page for even more articles and links on healthy living.
For God's Glory!