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 By Ray Subs

There are so many diet programs available these days - endorsed by celebrities, health professionals and infomercials. I'm very sure that a lot of people have tried a program or two in their lifetime. What about you? How many diet programs have you tried? There are some people who may have gone in and out of diet program, or hop from one program to another. The main reason some people cannot keep to a single diet is that the program must not have worked for them. Let's face it. The main reason, usually, for people to signup for diet program to the next is to lose weight. There is one very effective diet program that most people overlook - the raw food diet.

Simply put, raw food diet is a program wherein the menu is composed of uncooked, unprocessed, organic and plant-based food. Raw food diet is very beneficial not just to those who wish to lose weight, but to those who wanted to live a healthier lifestyle. Raw food contains essential enzymes that have positive effects on your health. When food is subject to heat and other cooking processes, the essential enzymes within the food are greatly diminished. All cooking processes break down the enzyme and vitamin content of food, making the food you eat very slow to digest. Raw food diet improves the digestive system because the roughage of raw food will clean up the toxins within your digestive track and sweep the acids, fats and other materials not needed by the body. Raw food contains very little or no fat at all. This is why raw food diet is very effective to those who would like to lose weight and to those who would like to maintain their weights after successfully getting rid of their excess poundage.

Raw food diet is very simple to prepare. The foods that are needed for this regimen are sprouting seeds, grains, beans, dried fruits, juicing fruits and vegetables. Raw food diet helps in a lot of ways other than shedding off fat. Among the many positive effects of raw food diet are increased energy levels, a better skin appearance (skin is less oily and acne is less likely to breakout), and reduced risk of heart disease.

It is very healthy to commit yourself to raw food diet. Raw food can be very delicious, contrary to most claims that it tastes bland or not as good as cooked food. You can try different salads and fruit shakes to add variation to your raw food diet. Just look around the internet and you will definitely find different methods in preparing your raw food diet menu.

Whole Foods Supplements

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One of the advantages of being disorderly is that one is constantly making exciting discoveries.

A.A. Milne

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Essential Oils and Wellness

By Jann Griffiths, MS, CMT, CR

It has been my honor to share the health supporting properties of 100% therapeutic grade essential oils with my clients during their massage and Reflexology sessions over the past two years. The opportunity to educate my clients so they can manage their personal health challenges as well as those of their loved ones and maintain their good health is very important to me. I’d like to share a few things I’ve learned that I think might be beneficial to you as well.

Frankincense, grapefruit, and cypress are wonderful essential oils for breast health as they have anti-tumor properties. One drop of each can be mixed with jojoba oil or a small amount of organic water based lotion and applied to the breasts daily.

A blend of tangerine, orange, ylang ylang, patchouli and blue tansy, known as Peace and Calming, is wonderful for restless leg syndrome. It can be either inhaled or applied to the bottom of the feet at bedtime for best results. A diffuser is a wonderful way to use this oil and many other oils that work well through inhalation therapy over a prolonged period of time, i.e. over night.

Cypress is a wonderful essential oil for circulation and vein health. A few drops can be added to a carrier oil, lotion, or cream and gently applied to the legs for varicose veins. It is important not to massage varicose veins vigorously.

Though many essential oils possess anti-inflammatory properties, i.e. bergamot, lavender, and chamomile; peppermint is one of my favorites. One (1) drop of peppermint oil equals 30 cups of peppermint tea. It can be applied topically or ingested in water. I have used it for headaches, hot flashes, and inflammation of joints and muscles. A blend of basil and black pepper is also very good for inflammation accompanied by muscle soreness.

While most essential oils have anti-bacterial, anti-viral, anti-fungal, and anti-septic properties, Thieves Blend is my absolute favorite. When taken internally with thyme and oregano oils it can knock out viruses and bacteria that attack the respiratory system.

In January I had my cholesterol tested and was shocked to find it had increased considerably since my previous test a year earlier. I promptly started on a liver cleanse using Juva Cleanse, a proprietary blend from Young Living. I started with 3 drops daily and increase to 10 drops over the course of 3 months. I took it internally in a double 00 gel capsule, but it may be applied topically over the liver. I am now using Juva Tone for the next 3 months. I will repeat this 6 month process to conclude a year long liver cleanse that also helps support liver function. In just 4 months my cholesterol dropped by 40 points. This was a decrease in my LDL and an increase in my HDL.

Raindrop Technique (RDT) was developed by D. Gary Young N.D.; and I use it in my massage therapy practice regularly. I have seen wonderful results for my clients. During Raindrop Technique, nine essential oils (singles and blends) are applied along the bottoms of the feet and dropped onto the spine. In addition to relaxing the muscles it also releases viruses and pathogens that live in the spinal region.

The three major application methods include topical, inhalation, and ingestion. Above are just a very few uses for essential oils. The Essential Oils Desk Reference is invaluable to me and my clients as we continue to learn additional applications for these precious fluids. I am also fortunate to be associated with a wonderful group of individuals who use essential oil regularly for their personal well being and that of their loved ones and are willing to share their knowledge and experiences freely for the benefit of all.

Do not use inferior essential oils and expect to get the same results that you will with 100% therapeutic grade essential oils from a trusted source. It is important to remember that when using essential oils the top of the bottle should never be touched as it may cause contamination to the contents of the bottle. It is also important to drink plenty of water to flush all of the toxins and pathogens from your body that are released from the tissue with the use of essential oils. If you have any type of unpleasant reaction to an essential oil, i.e. excessive and uncomfortable heat, apply vegetable oil over the area where the essential oil was applied rather than using water, which can accentuate the affect of the oil.

Jann Griffiths , MS , CMT, CR is a certified massage therapist, Reflexologist, and a Reiki Master Practioner. She currently leads an essential oil discussion group and provides classes in aromatherapy and essential oils as well as Raindrop Therapy. She only uses 100% therapeutic grade Young Living essential oils in her practice. She can be contacted via her website http://TwoCompassionateHands.com. See the scheduled classes below.

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Exercise Your Willpower Support Group Mailing List

If you need more motivation and some group support, feel free to subscribe to the Exercise Your Willpower mailing list. There is a great group of people who help motivate each other. To get more information, visit the website at: http://www.exerciseyourwillpower.com

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For your health and creating wealth use 100% therapeutic grade Young Living Essential Oils

"Great is the matter of birth and death,
Time passes quickly.
Wake-up! Wake-up!
Don't waste a minute."

-on the wall outside of the Zendo at the Zen Center of Denver