7 Amazing Benefits of Cabbage!

 Cabbage is really easy to grow even in cooler climates...

Cabbage are amazing. It’s packed with nutrients, minerals and vitamins that help our bodies be healthy and it’s relatively inexpensive. I often get asked whether cabbage can be juiced, and the answer is YES. Almost all vegetables have the potential to be juiced! The cabbage family which includes Brussels sprouts and bok choy provides excellent sources of vitamin C, calcium, iron, and potassium.

Here are 7 essential nutritional benefits of cabbage.

1. Dithioltiones & Sulforaphane

Dithioltiones induce antioxidant and detoxification mechanism. Dithioltiones also have anticancer properties and increases the body’s production of glutathione. Glutathione is a great antioxidant and your body naturally produces it. Carcinogens from the environment like smoke or pollution can actually deplete your glutathione production. Sulforaphane also helps stimulate the production of glutathione.

2. Beta-carotene

I always thought that that only orange or yellow fruits and vegetables contain beta-carotene. But in actuality cabbage and other greens even if they’re not orange or yellow still contain the amazing beta-carotene. Beta-carotene has anticancer properties and may lower risks linked to heart disease.

3. Anthocyanins

Anthocyanins are responsible for the red color found in red cabbage. They are also very valuable antioxidants that help neutralize free radicals and the oxidation of molecules in the body.

4. Indoles & Isothiocyanates

Indoles and isothiocyanates may help against breast and prostate cancer.

5.  Vitamin C

Cabbage is packed with vitamin C. Vitamin C is important in neutralizing free radicals, regenerating vitamin E supplies, and improves iron absorption (WH Foods). To get the most vitamin C from cabbage you should juice it or eat it raw.

6. Detoxifier

Cabbage is great in helping the body detoxify and clear the body from toxins due to it’s ability to increase antioxidant defense mechanisms (Murray, 1992).

7. Coumarins & Phenols

Coumarins are amazing for blocking the reaction of cancer causing compounds.  Phenols also induce detoxification enzymes and have anticancer properties that help prevents the formation of carcinogens (Murray, 1992).
Raw cabbage cleans the waste from the stomach, improves digestion and reduces constipation. Raw cabbage also stimulates the immune system, kills bacteria and helps stimulate circulation.

Tips:

Goitrogens are found in raw cabbage and also broccoli. Goitrogens may actually slow down the thyroid. If you have thyroid issues you should consult with your physician before eating raw cabbage and broccoli.
Buy organic.

Check out these cabbage juice recipes and let me know what you think

For more tips, juice recipes, and motivation check out Juicing Vegetables.  

 

Visit "Fit TV" for more great articles...

 http://fitlife.tv/7-amazing-benefits-of-cabbage/

 

The Medicinal Uses Of Raw Apple Cider Vinegar

Posted by: Belinda Ford

 What Is The Difference Between Clear Vinegar &
 Raw Apple Cider Vinegar?

 

Clear vinegar has none of the benefits of raw organic apple cider vinegar. Through its processing and distilling, it’s been stripped of everything beneficial and can be detrimental to your health due to the fact that it is dead instead of alive.

Only raw organic apple cider vinegar has the “mother of vinegar” that makes the vinegar so beneficial. The “mother” is made up living nutrients and bacteria. You can actually see it settled in the bottom of the bottle like sediment.

 MOTHER OF VINEGAR
The stringy mass of goop called the "mother of vinegar" is said to have exceptional healing properties as well. The "Mother of vinegar" is a term used to refer to the mass that forms on top of cider when alcohol turns into vinegar. 

Chewing on a little of this slime every day is supposed to prevent most infectious diseases and keep germs and parasites from invading the body. It also refers to the cloudy substance that develops in stored vinegar. It is actually bacteria and yeast cells that have died. The presence of the mother shows that the best part of the apple has not been destroyed. 

Vinegars containing the mother contain enzymes and minerals that other vinegars may not have due to over processing, filtration and overheating.

APPLE CIDER VINEGAR 
It's a powerful detoxifying and purifying agent. It breaks down fatty, mucous deposits within the body. 

By breaking down these substances it improves the health and function of the vital organs of the body, such as the kidneys, bladder and liver, by preventing excessively alkaline urine. It also helps to thin out the blood, which is important in helping to prevent high blood pressure.

Apple Cider Vinegar also promotes digestion, assimilation and elimination, all the while neutralizing any toxic substances that enter the body. Apple cider vinegar has been found to kill any harmful bacteria that may be found in certain foods. 

When a mixture of apple cider vinegar and water is taken before a meal (particularly food served in restaurants or at picnics where the preparation or duration of food left uncovered and not refrigerated is questionable), it seems to prevent diarrhea or digestive upsets.

Great article... Follow link below...

The Medicinal Uses Of Raw Apple Cider Vinegar

http://www.neuro-vision.us/ad/Article/The-Medicinal-Uses-Of--Raw-Apple-Cider-Vinegar/5716

Generation Y

Sent by a reader...

 

People born before 1946 were called

The Silent & Powerful Generation.

 

 

People born between 1946 and 1964 are called

The Baby Boomers.

 

 

People born between 1965 & 1979 are called  Generation X.

 

 

And people born between 1980 and 2010 are called Generation Y.

 

Why do we call the last group Generation Y?

 

 

Y should I get a job?
Y should I leave home and find my own place?
Y should I get a car when I can borrow yours?
Y should I clean my room?
Y should I wash and iron my own clothes?
Y should I buy any food?

 

 

But a cartoonist explained it very eloquently�

 

All about Licorice...

Great share from a friend.... Thanks Belinda

 

Historical Roots

Native to southern Europe and parts of Asia, this much beloved “sweet root” legume is a member of the Pea Family (Fabaceae) and can be found in apothecaries across the world. Considered one of the most important medicinal herbs since ancient times, Licorice has been used throughout history as a demulcent to help soothe irritated membranes, support the immune system during viral infections, quell inflammation and allergic reactions, calm coughs, remedy adrenal fatigue, and as a sweet flavoring agent.
Glycyrrhizin is the sweet tasting chemical compound in licorice that has been measured at 30 to 50 times sweeter than sucrose. This sweet constituent can also exacerbate health issues for some folks, and as always, you should do your own research and consult with a healthcare professional to decide if an herb is right for you.

Traditional Preparations

Licorice root is used as a tea or tea ingredient, tincture, lozenge, or capsule. It is also used to flavor candies, soups and savory broths, tobacco products, root beer and other soft drinks. Whole sticks and slices can be chewed and are pleasantly sweet, although some find the flavor quite cloying and prefer it only when formulated with other herbs.

Herbal Curiosities

Among precious jewels and treasures, a fortune of Licorice root was discovered in King Tutankhamun’s tomb. The pharaoh requested the root so he could enjoy the popular sweet drink mai sus in the afterlife.

For educational purposes only. This information has not been evaluated by
the Food and Drug Administration. This information is not intended to diagnose,
treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Consult with a licensed healthcare
practitioner before use to discuss effects and possible interactions.

Homemade Castile Body Wash

Shared by: Belinda Ford

How to Make Your Own Natural Body wash: Liquid Castile Soap

http://lifeblessons.blogspot.com/2011/09/how-to-make-your-own-natural-bodywash.html

Pre-Planned Gardens

Thanks for the share Belinda...

 You all are going to Love this! 

Now we can really get our Gardens planned!

Great site where you can design your own garden beds by clicking and dragging the plants you want, and then placing then where you want them. Then you can print your planting map with very detailed planting directions.

www.gardeners.com/on/demandware.store/Sites-Gardeners-Site/default/Page-KGPPreplanned#

See more from Gardeners supply Company http://www.gardeners.com/

Benefits of Probiotics

Thanks Natural News.com 

 

 

Best Plants for Bees

 Thanks for the share Naomi,

Who Happens to be a 

"Self Reliant Network" Reader. 

I love a great share don't you?

 What are the best plants for bees?

http://www.themelissagarden.com/plants.html

What are the plants that bees love? And why should we care? Why should we make sure we plant bee friendly gardens? Because thanks to a mystery illness called Colony Collapse Disorder, they need all the help they can get.

Worldwide honeybee stocks have been waning since 2004 because of a puzzling illness scientists called Colony Collapse Disorder, which causes adult bees to inexplicably abandon their hives and their broods. However, bees also appear to be suffering from other ailments.

Colony Collapse Disorder has killed off the weakest colonies in recent years and parasites such as the varroa mite are threatening those that survived. Intensive farming techniques, pesticide drift and climate change are also being blamed for the sudden decline in the bee population. It could cause serious problems for agriculture and food production since bees are essential to pollinate many plants, including fruits and vegetables.

That is why we should care about attracting bees to our gardens!

For other great article from: http://www.squidoo.com/

 

GMO Crops Killing Bee's

Many GMO crops are engineered to produce their own pesticide (such as Bt toxin), while others have been created to withstand large applications of herbicides like Roundup. Both have had devastating consequences for pollinating species like honeybees.

Last week, 1,500 colonies of honeybees were destroyed in Campeche, Mexico from the fumigation of Monsanto's GMO crops nearby: http://www.theyucatantimes.com/2013/02/1500-colonies-of-honeybees-die-in-campeche/

Raw goat's milk offers many benefits

    

(NaturalNews) In western civilization, most milk consumption is in the form of pasteurized and homogenized cow's milk. Although such milk is portrayed as being healthy, it actually can lead to impaired health, including allergies, tooth decay, colic in babies, arthritis, heart disease, and even cancer. A much better choice is raw milk, and, though generally more difficult to find, the best raw milk of all is raw goat's milk. As the Journal of American Medicine states, "Goat's milk is the most complete food known."

Goat's milk is the most highly consumed milk in many other parts of the world and it is delicious as well as extremely nutritious. Goat's milk has vitamins, minerals, trace elements, electrolytes, enzymes, proteins, and fatty acids that are easily assimilated by the body. It is interesting to note that goat's milk is digested in 20 minutes; whereas, it can take up to 24 hours to digest cow's milk.

Pasteurization and homogenization are not what nature intended. These processes destroy valuable natural enzymes and nutrients that our bodies utilize to sustain health. They also alter food chemicals and make fats rancid.

Cow's milk and goat's milk differ greatly in their nutritional composition. Goat's milk does not contain the complex protein that stimulates allergic reactions, making it less allergic. It also helps to boost the immune system. Goat's milk alkalizes the digestive system and also helps to increase the ph level in the blood stream. Furthermore, goat's milk does not produce mucus and will not worsen allergic respiratory conditions such as asthma.

Goat's milk also contains less of the enzyme xanthise oxidase. When entering the blood stream, this enzyme can cause tissue on the heart to scar that results in the liver supplying more cholesterol in order to protect the heart. Arteriosclerosis can be the result of this mechanism. Additionally, homogenization of milk products has also been linked to heart disease.

People who are lactose intolerant may find goat's milk to be a good alternative source of milk. Goat's milk contains less lactose than cow's milk and passes through the digestive system more rapidly. Most lactose intolerant people have no difficulty tolerating goat's milk.

Additionally, raw goat's milk fights microbes, primarily due to the healthy medium-chained fatty acids it contains, such as capric and caprylic acids. It is very important to note that raw goat's milk is rich in selenium, a necessary bodily nutrient known for its immune strengthening and antioxidant properties.

Raw goat's milk soothes the digestive tract. People with conditions such as bloating, diarrhea, asthma, and irritability may very well be suffering from an allergic reaction to cow's milk. Raw goat's milk on the other hand can be comfortably consumed without triggering these allergic responses. Because of its effective acid buffering capacity, goat's milk has been used to treat conditions such as ulcers.

Children with problems digesting cow's milk may have a viable alternative in raw goat's milk. Goat's milk is a natural food that children can consume comfortably, even if they are sensitive to cow or other forms of milk. In fact, goat's milk is very similar to human milk. Children who drink goat's milk tend to remain more satisfied between meals and sleep through the night.

In conclusion, goat's milk provides excellent health benefits, is delicious and is well tolerated - as opposed to today's pasteurized and homogenized varieties, which are not only less nutritious and less tolerated, but also can be a precursor to poor health.

Sources:

http://preventdisease.com/news/10/111810_dangers_pasteurization_homog...

http://www.roseofsharonacres.com/raw_goat_milk_benefits

http://www.dynamicchiropractic.com/mpacms/dc/article.php?id=38646

About the author

Luella May is a natural health advocate helping people to heal naturally. Luella is in the midst of editing her ebook, "The 8 Invisible Stains of Our Souls" which will be available in the next few months. She partners with Tony Isaacs, who authors of books and articles about natural health including "Cancer's Natural Enemy" and "Collected Remedies" Luella contributes to The Best Years in Life website for baby boomers and others wishing to avoid prescription drugs and mainstream managed illness and live longer, healthier and happier lives naturally. Luella co-moderates the Cure Zone "Ask Tony Isaacs" forum as well as the Yahoo Health Group "Oleander Soup" and hosts her own yahoo group focusing on the natural well-being of pets "

Carrots: baby or Not!

BY: Belinda Ford

Baby Carrots: or are they?
 

The following is information from a farmer who grows and packages carrots for IGA, METRO, LOBLAWS, etc.

The small cocktail (baby) carrots you buy in small plastic bags are made using the larger crooked or deformed carrots which are put through a machine which cuts and shapes them into cocktail carrots - most people probably know this already.

What you may not know and should know is the following:
Once the carrots are cut and shaped into cocktail carrots they are dipped in a solution of water and chlorine in order to preserve them (this is the same chlorine used in your pool).

Since they do not have their skin or natural protective covering, they give them a higher dose of chlorine.

You will notice that once you keep these carrots in your refrigerator for a few days, a white covering will form on the carrots. This is the chlorine which resurfaces. At what cost do we put our health at risk to have esthetically pleasing vegetables?

Chlorine is a very well-known carcinogen, which causes Cancer. I thought this was worth passing on. Pass it on to as many people as possible in hopes of informing them where these carrots come from and how they are processed.

The Herbal Artist: When and How to Harvest Herbs from Garden

You might think that all fruits should be collected when they are ripe. But if a fruit (or its seed) is being used for its medicinal properties, it may be collected before it is ripe.

 

 http://www.motherearthliving.com/your-natural-home/the-herbal-artist-when-how-to-harvest-herbs-from-garden.aspx

How To Make Kombucha

What Is Kombucha Tea?

Kombucha starts out as a sugary tea, which is then fermented with the help of a scoby. “SCOBY” is actually an acronym for “symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeast.” It’s very close cousins to the mother used to make vinegar.

The scoby bacteria and yeast eat most of the sugar in the tea, transforming the tea into a refreshingly fizzy, slightly sour fermented (but mostly non-alcoholic) beverage that is relatively low in calories and sugar.
The SCOBY

Let’s talk about that scoby. It’s weird, right?! It floats, it’s rubbery and slightly spongy, brown stringy bits hang from it, and it transforms sugary tea into something fizzy and sour. It’s totally weird. But if you take a step back, it’s also pretty awesome.

There are a lot of theories about why the bacteria and yeast form this jelly-like layer of cellulose at the top of the kombucha. The most plausible that I’ve found is that it protects the fermenting tea from the air and helps maintain a very specific environment inside the jar that is shielded from outsiders, aka unfriendly bacteria.

Probiotics?

Which brings us to the next question: what’s actually in kombucha? Kombucha is indisputably full of probiotics and other happy things that our intestines love and that help boost our overall health. Claims that kombucha cures things like arthritis, depression, and heart burn have less of a proven track record, but hey, our bodies are all different and I say go for it if it works for you.

I love it!
Drew

Part 1 You tube How to make Kombucha
 http://youtu.be/-bdvdkm0C9o


Part 2: You Tube How to make Kombucha
  http://youtu.be/R2xi0drLaEM

Starting an Orchard: Apples, Cherries, Peaches, Plums and Pears

I love an Orchard.

 This article from "Mother Earth News"

 will help you start a beautiful Orchard... SRN

//www.motherearthnews.com/organic-gardening/starting-an-orchard-zmaz7301zhol.aspx#ixzz2Kz87PSBn

Clear Skin: A simlpe Solution...