To Achieve Your Dreams Remember Your ABC's...

Avoid negative sources, people, places, things and habits.
Believe in yourself.
Consider things from every angle.
Don't give up and don't give in.
Enjoy this moment, in a dance with the lessons of yesterday, and the dreams of tomorrow.
Family and friends are hidden treasures, seek them and enjoy their riches.
Give more than you planned to.
Hang on to your dreams.
Ignore those who try to discourage you.
Just show up - 90% of life is just showing up.
Keep trying no matter how hard it seems, it will get easier.
Love yourself first and most.
Make it happen. Never cheat and always strike a fair deal.
Open your eyes and see things as they really are.
Practice makes perfect.
Quitters never win and winners never quit.
Read, study and learn about everything important in your life.
Stop procrastinating.
Take control of your own destiny.
Understand yourself in order to better understand others.
Visualize it.
Want it more than anything.
X me !!!!(I changed that one)
Your results are the simple result of your effort.
Zero in on your target and go for it!"

Favorite Brown Sugar Vanilla Body Scrub...With a Kick!

Favorite Brown Sugar Vanilla Body Scrub...With a Kick!

1/2 Cup Brown Sugar

1 Cup Fresh Coffee Grinds

1 Tablespoon Vanilla Essential Oil

1/4 Cup of Sweet Almond Oil.

Mix together all the above ingredients, then put into a glass container with a lid. You can find decorative jars at a craft store that are made for this kind of thing. If the scrub begins to dry, add a little more oil. Using a Loofah Scrub, rub all over body while in shower then rinse. This mixture will keep for a few weeks or even longer.

Because oil is a natural preservative, this will prevent the coffee from molding. I like to keep mine in the fridge to keep it fresh and bring it into the shower with me as I need it. It makes a great holiday gift to friends and family if you put a customized label. Better than those cellulite creams that you pay an arm and a leg for! The coffee grounds are excellent for circulation.

Enjoy!

Roasted Red Pepper Salad with Scoop of Tuna

Get a pre-washed box of salad like the mixed spring greens or baby romaine as the base. Also get the Pepperocini peppers as garnish (about 5 or 6) usually found in the Italian product section of any grocery store.

Here is the salad dressing:

Best Ever Roasted Red Pepper Balsamic Dressing
1/2 cup extra virgin Olive Oil
1 clove garlic minced
2 fresh basil leaves
1/2 cup balsamic dressing
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1/4 cup of honey
1 whole roasted red pepper

parsley
pinch of paprika
Pinch of salt
Pinch of pepper

In a blender, add olive oil, Dijon mustard and garlic and slowly drizzle in balsamic vinegar. Add roasted red pepper. Once emulsified, add honey and remaining ingredients. Adjust to taste.

(You can omit the red peppers and the basil leaves if its not handy it still tastes great).

Then for the tuna, get a can of solid white tuna packed in water, drain it and put it in a bowl, add a tablespoon of lowfat Hellmann’s, chop ½ an apple and chop 1 celery stalk. Add some chopped parsley and pepper to taste. Mix together.

To plate, add salad, drizzle dressing over it, place pepperocini peppers scattered and then scoop lastly the tuna and serve.

Therapeutic Wild Mediterranean Oregano Oil

Not be be confused with the grocery brand variety which can sometimes be Marjoram, therapeutic Wild Mediterranean Oregano Oil found in many health food establishments, is known for it's significant immune boosting powers. It is possibly the most powerful antibiotic, antiviral and anti fungal remedy. It's the first thing I take when a cold or sore throat makes it's presence known. In fact, read on and I promise you that you will be amazed at it's many healing properties. Let's start with a few of the highlights:

• Anti-Viral
• Anti-Fungal
• Immune Stimulant
• Anti-septic
• Anti-biotic
• Anti-oxidant
• Anti-parasitic
• Anti-venom
• Anti-pleomorphism, (Bacteria, viruses and fungi are able to change form in the body as a result of changing chemistry within the body)
• Increase in Blood Oxygen levels

Although not known for it's pleasant taste, I normally don't endorse any particular brands but came across one brand that is very potent yet does not have the distinct bitter taste that usually accompanies most labels. A brand called Health First Oregano Oil and it's priced in Canada in the $50.00 range but well worth it.

Daily doses of Oregano Oil (about 3 drops 3 times per day) will help keep your immune system strong. In lab tests, Oregano Oil has been shown to be effective against numerous strains of bacteria and even viral infections such as Staph, E. coli even Hepatitis and Herpes are 2 viral infections that have responded well to treatment with Oregano Oil.

For AIDS and cancer patients as well as diabetics and patients that are bedridden, Oregano Oil is an effective weapon against potentially deadly bacteria and against many known forms of pathogens. I suggest that you have some included in your first aid kit as it can neutralize venomous bites from bees, snakes and spiders. In addition, carry Oregano Oil with you when you travel on a plane, train or bus to ward off any airborne illnesses and you can also avoid food poisoning and Montezuma's revenge by taking a few drops before or after meals and add a few drops to the water. It is also effective on gum disease. Use Oregano Oil on teeth and gums, it destroys bacterial that form plaque. You can put an undiluted drop of Oregano Oil under your tongue and swish it around before swallowing or put a drop on your toothbrush.

Candida infection is a form of fungus that occurs naturally in the gut. However, pharmaceutical antibiotics kill some of the good flora in the intestinal tract. Candida feeds on sugar and refined grains and it can end up in the bloodstream. It can cause things like nail fungus, yeast infections, skin disorders, allergies and chronic fatigue. Oregano Oil is effective in treating fungal infection and is an powerful anti parasitic.

Oregano Oil may even help with arthritis, carpal tunnel even back ache. It can be rubbed topically on the affected area in addition to taking it orally. You may consider mixing it with a bit of Olive Oil if you want to use it as a topical application. Only a few drops are needed. As an anti-inflammatory, researchers describe how it superseded traditional anti-inflammatory pharmaceutical drugs to reverse pain and inflammation and is nearly as powerful as morphine without all those nasty side effects. In conclusion, this is one of the supplements I feel most strongly about, I recommend it to all of my friends and co-workers - especially those who have been promoting echinacea and goldenseal as Oregano Oil is far more potent than either of these herbs. I hope that you will consider this now that the cold and flu season is upon us and please feel free to send me your feedback with your results.

Cheers!

The Lemonade Diet/Master Cleanse

Lemonade Diet Recipe (Master Cleanse)

I have had a lot of people ask me about the Lemonade Diet/Master Cleanse by Naturopath, Dr. Stanley Burroughs. I wouldn't recommend it as a weight loss aid but you will lose weight because you are not consuming any solid foods. Personally, I think it’s always a good idea to cleanse your system prior to any diet or exercise plan in order for your body to function more efficiently. Although this diet does take a lot of stamina and willpower as you do not consume any other foods/nutrients over the 10-day period and when you return to solid foods - you must introduce food gradually. I, myself, have tried the diet but only made it past the 3-day mark. It’s a bit drastic for me but there have been many people who are followers of this cleansing ritual, including countless celebrities who need to lose weight in a short period of time. However, always contact a medical professional before starting any type of dieting, exercise or cleansing program. Cleansing programs can flush out nutrients needed. Too much water can reduce salt levels to dangerous levels. Contact a registered physician before starting this plan.

The benefits:

· Rids the body of Toxins

· Dissolves and eliminates toxins and congestion

· Cleanses kidneys and digestive system

· Purifies glands and eliminates waste and hardened material in joints and muscles

· Maintains healthy bloodstream and blood pressure

· Weight loss at a rate of approximately 2 pounds/day

· Eliminates fatigue

*This diet recommends that you stay on it for 10 days for the best results

Drink around 10 servings per day of the following:

• 2 Tablespoons of fresh-squeezed lemon or lime juice (about ½ a lemon) preferably organic if possible
• 2 Tablespoons of Organic Grade-B maple syrup
• 1/10 Teaspoon of Cayenne Pepper
• 1 Cup of purified/distilled or spring water, NOT tap water

*Tip: Take an empty gallon water jug and filling it with the following for your daily serving of the diet.

• Juice of 5 lemons
• 1 1/4 cup of organic Grade B maple syrup
• 1 teaspoon of cayenne pepper
• 10 cups of purified/distilled/spring water

Mix/shake and you can sip it all day.

It’s recommended to do the salt water flush along with the Master Cleanse/Lemonade Diet for the most favorable results. Although some people have ventured on without it and still have had successful results. Discuss with your physician/nutritionist whether this is a good option for your specific and unique health needs.

Salt-Water Flush Recipe

• 2 level teaspoons of uniodized sea salt
• Quart of lukewarm spring/distilled/purified water – mix and drink immediately.

Drink it every morning as soon as you wake up, don’t plan on running off to any appointments for the next half hour, (at least), as your body will begin eliminating.

Preferably right before you go to bed, drink the smooth move herbal laxative tea to help with elimination.

Herbal Laxative Tea (Smooth Move Laxative Tea Brand available at health food stores)

After you've completed the Lemonade Diet, invest in a Probiotic to introduce the “good bacteria” back into your system that you may have lost during the cleansing process, however, do not take it during the cleanse itself.

Noticeable side effects can be migraines or headaches due to caffeine/soft drink withdrawal.

Hunger, but this will subside after 3 or 4 days into the cleanse.

Weakness - If you experience any abnormal weakness, do check with your doctor as you may be advised to stop the cleanse altogether.

Following the Cleanse

It’s recommended that you drink fresh squeezed orange juice (approximately 8-10 glasses) for the following 2 days after the cleanse to slowly introduce solid foods, while drinking several glasses of water. On the third day, gradually begin to add solid foods such as soups and raw vegetables and fruits.

Asian Green Bean Recipe and Classic Green Beans Recipe

Sesame Green Bean Recipe

Pound and a half of green beans washed and trimmed
1 and ½ to 2 Tablespoons of dark sesame oil
Juice of one orange
2 Tablespoons toasted sesame seeds
1 tsp. of Low sodium soy sauce
1 tsp. Asian chili garlic sauce

Steam beans for approximately 10 -12 minutes and then toss in a hot wok with sesame oil for 1 minute. Squeeze OJ over beans, and finish with the toasted sesame seeds and remainder of ingredients. Then serve.

Classic Green Bean Recipe

Pound and a half of green beans washed and trimmed
1 tablespoon butter
Pinch of garlic powder
1/3 cup sliced almonds (toasted)
Lemon wedges (optional)

Although this recipe is simple, it's quite tasty and satisfying, it’s one of my favorites. Steam green beans for approximately 10-12 minutes until texture is a little bit firm but not mushy. Remove from steamer and place in a separate bowl, add butter and season with a pinch of garlic powder and toss. Finish with toasted almonds and garnish with lemon wedges and serve.

Milk Thistle - The Gate Keeper

Milk Thistle is a powerful antioxidant and herb - more potent than Vitamin C or E. It protects the liver from toxins and drugs, poisons and chemicals. It is known to reduce the damage to the liver from excessive alcohol and treats liver disorders like Cirrhosis and Hepatitis. In addition, it aids in the treatment and prevention of gallstones and helps clear Psoriasis.

Before beginning any supplementation, again I must remind you to always talk to your physician prior to any vitamin or herb regime. That said, the most important benefit of Milk Thistle is it's ability to fortify the liver. The liver is one of the body's most important organs, second to skin, which is the largest organ of the body for those trivia experts.

The liver processes nutrients, fats and food, it neutralizes and detoxifies such things as drugs, pollutants and alcohol. It also helps promote the regeneration of healthy new liver cells which replace the old damaged ones. Milk Thistle benefits cancer patients too. It can limit the damage to the liver after chemotherapy. This herb can also reduce the inflammation associated with Psoriasis. It is also beneficial in preventing or treating gallstones and improving the flow of bile, (the cholesterol laden digestive juice).

Look for brands that contain 70-80% Silymorin, the active ingredient in Milk Thistle. Watch for alcohol based tinctures. Some can be harmful if taken in large doses and defeat the cleansing nature of the herb. It's most effective if taken between meals. Benefits can be seen in as little as 2 weeks though long term treatment is often needed for chronic conditions. It's considered safe for pregnant and lactating women and it's also one of the safest and studied herbs on the market.