Simple Food: Thoughts on Practicality

Some people have reacted negatively to the idea of a reduced-reward diet because it strikes them as difficult or unsustainable. In this post, I'll discuss my thoughts on the practicality and sustainability of this way of eating. I've also thrown in a few philosophical points about reward and the modern world.
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Vaginal Odor : Causes and Natural Home Remedies

Vaginal odor is any abnormal odor which originates from the vagina. An abnormal vaginal odor is often described as having a "fishy" smell. Abnormal vaginal odor is often associated with other symptoms such as vaginal itching or irritation and vaginal discharge. Left untreated, this condition may cause not only physiologic problems but also emotional (stress) and social problems (the person feels uncomfortable thinking the odor is detected by others.

The most common cause of vaginal odor is bacterial vaginosis (BV), which is associated with an overgrowth of certain bacteria in the vagina. Some of the causes of smelling vaginal include:-

* Douching
* Over washing
* Application fragranced articles on the affectionate areas
* Smoking
* Eating a bad diet
* Application an IUD
* Having unprotected sex
* Wearing panties fabricated from constructed bolt or deeply applicable trousers
* A vaginal infection
* Pelvic inflammatory disease

Many women wish to know of ways for reducing vaginal odor but do not whom to turn to. They are frustrated and embarrassed but prefer wincing from the problem. Usually, women are not very comfortable in discussing problems related to their private parts. You can get rid of foul vaginal odor and you can really do it right in the comfort of your own house. These natural remedies are designed to not only rid the smell, but to also kill the infection.

Natural Home Remedies for Vaginal Odor

. Wear cotton underwear. Cotton is a distinctive fabric in that it enables oxygen to pass by way of, but absolutely nothing else. Silk doesn�t have this identical top quality.

. Tea tree oil in your bath will help to eliminate bacteria that are getting the odor. Just a few drops in the tub are all it takes. Tea tree oil is antibacterial oil and it will fight off the unhealthy bacteria while leaving the healthy bacteria intact.

. Yogurt is one of the foods that a woman should eat everyday to make sure that there is a balance between the good bacteria and the bad bacteria in the body. Yogurt contains live finishes that will bring the body into balance.

. You can create a wash to use specifically for this area of the body with grapefruit oil and water. Make sure that the oil is diluted effectively.

. Put a cup of apple cider vinegar in the bath as this will do the trick to obviate vaginal odor. The apple cider vinegar is one of the home remedies for vaginal odor that is also used for bacterial vaginosis.

. Mix 2 to 3 drops of tea tree oil to 5 to 6 ounces of water. The solution is to be applied to the vagina. Tea tree oil has antibacterial nature.

. Add 1 tablespoon of chlorophyll in 7 to 8 ounces of water and consume the mixture. Green plants produce chlorophyll. It acts like a natural deodorizer.

. Dip a tampon in yogurt and then insert it into the vagina. This would ensure that the healthy bacteria tackle the harmful ones successfully.

. Vitamins C which is ascorbic acid should be included in the diet. You should consume as many citrus fruits as you can as they are rich sources of this vitamin.

. Use a solution of vinegar, salt, and water to wash the vaginal area several times a day, another effective choice in home remedies for vaginal bacteriosis.

. Use baking soda solution to wash the vaginal area. Just a little baking soda and some water can do the trick. Baking soda is very alkaline and when you mix some thing really alkaline with some thing really acidic, you neutralize it.

. Use fresh garlic and make a paste that is applied to the outside area of the vagina at night and remove it the following morning. 

. Be sure and drink plenty of water. Water helps keep the vagina flushed of bacteria and other contaminants. It also helps flush away the sugars that act as fuel for yeast infections.

. Wash the vaginal area with an antiseptic solution made by mixing turmeric and water 1:5 ratio.

. Crush a clove of garlic in a cup, add half a cup of yogurt with 1/4 tsp turmeric powder and take this first thing empty stomach every morning for 6 weeks.




~source:bettermedicine.com~

Goitre : Causes, Symptoms and Home Remedies

A goitre or goiter, is a swelling in the thyroid gland, which can lead to a swelling of the neck or larynx (voice box). Goitre rarely occurs when the thyroid gland is functioning properly. Over 90% cases of goitre are caused by iodine deficiency. The thyroid gland is in the lower part of the front of the neck. It lies just in front of the trachea (windpipe). It has a right and left lobe which are connected together by a narrower band of thyroid tissue. (It is roughly the shape of a butterfly.) You cannot usually see or feel a normal thyroid gland. If the thyroid enlarges it causes a swelling in the neck which is a goitre.

The common causes of goitre:

.Juvenile goitre due to congenital hypothyroidism

.High consumption of certain foods that neutralise iodine, such as cabbage, broccoli and cauliflower. Other foods, like soy, may also induce goitres.

.Puberty, pregnancy

.Dyshormonogenesis, a genetic enzyme deficiency that interferes with normal thyroid hormone synthesis.

.Benign or malignant tumours of the thyroid gland.

.Certain drugs, such as lithium and phenylbutazone


Some symptoms of goitre:

.Diminished power of concentration.

.Emotional upsets

.Depression

.Irritability

.Swelling of the thyroid gland.

.Breathing problems, if the goitre is large enough to press on the windpipe (trachea).

.Swallowing problems, if the goitre is large enough to press on the oesophagus.


Treatment always depends on the size and cause of the goiter swelling and whether it is causing other symptoms. Many of those who suffer from goitre will require lifelong medication treatments in addition to any other treatment used. Fortunately for those who are against modern drugs or simply cannot afford them, there are home remedies which one may utilize instead.

. All foods containing iodine should be taken liberally. These are lettuce, turnips, carrots, garlic, onions, oats, pineapples, whole rice, tomatoes, watercress, strawberries, guavas, citrus fruits, egg yolks, and sea foods.

. Watercress is one of the best sources of the element iodine. A paste made of this vegetable can also be applied beneficially over the affected parts. It helps to reduce swelling.

. A teaspoon of swamp cabbage juice with tea almonds should be given once or twice daily as a medicine.

. Kachnar, botanically known as Bauhinia variegata, has been used as a folk medicine for treatment of goitre in India. About 30 ml of the decoction of the bark should be given twice a day in the morning on an empty stomach.

. Dandelion has been found valuable in treating goitre. The leaves of this salad vegetable should be smeared with clarified butter, warmed and bandaged over the swollen parts for about two weeks.

. The flax seeds should be grounded in water, heated and applied over the affected parts. The leaves of the tree should then be bandaged over them.

. Do the neck stretches and exercises daily. These help stretch the muscles that are attached to the thyroid gland. Aerobics and jogging also help relieve a person suffering from goiter.

. Regularly intake of water nut (shingara) lotus reed, stem to the lotus tube of Plancuperous tuberosus and pineapple.

. Take equal parts of sorrel leaves and olive oil and mash them. Spread this paste on the goiter. It would help relieve a person suffering from goiter.

. Cucumber is a rich source of diet for goiter affected people. It should be included in the daily diet in the form of salads.

. Fluoride, chlorine and iodine are related with each other in the sense of chemistry. They block an entrance of iodine into thyroid. So try to avoid chlorinated water, fluoridated water and toothpaste containing the same.

. Vitamin A is necessary for iodine. Take enough of that to cure goiter.

. Vitamin B complexes nourish the thyroid gland and also help to utilize the iodine. Take enough Vitamin B complex to prevent thyroid malfunctioning.

. Another best way to get rid of thyroid malfunctioning is go for fasting. Keep yourself on fruits and vegetable juices. After couple of weeks, start with light but nutritious diet.

. Regularly drinking barley water is one of the easiest natural home remedies for goitre.

. Take tea almonds with one teaspoon of juice made from cabbage leaves.

. Drink pineapple juice on a daily basis for controlling all your thyroid related problems.

. Bananas and oats are also very effective in stimulating the thyroid.

. Pound few cloves of garlic,make a paste and tie the paste in cloth,use as poultice over neck.




~source:home-remedies-for-you.com~

How Does Gastric Bypass Surgery Cause Fat Loss?

Gastric bypass surgery is an operation that causes food to bypass part of the digestive tract. In the most common surgery, Roux-en-Y bypass, stomach size is reduced and a portion of the upper small intestine is bypassed. This means that food skips most of the stomach and the duodenum (upper small intestine), passing from the tiny stomach directly into the jejunum (a lower part of the upper small intestine)*. It looks something like this:
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Blocked Milk Duct : Symptoms, Causes and Natural Home Remedies

A blocked milk duct sometimes occurs in breast-feeding women. A blocked milk duct can cause a painful swollen area in a breast. The overlying skin is sometimes red and inflamed, but not so intense as with infective mastitis. When you feed your baby, the pain may increase due to the pressure of milk building up behind the blocked duct.

A blocked milk duct will usually clear within 1-2 days and symptoms will then go. However, in some cases a blocked milk duct becomes infected and develops into a mastitis. So, some cases of mastitis develop as a complication of a blocked milk duct, but some cases occur without a preceding blockage.


Symptoms of Blocked Milk Duct

.Tenderness or bruised feeling.
.Lumpiness in one area.
.Pain as your milk lets down.
.Redness. This is inflammation - may not be infection.


The most common causes for blocked milk duct are:

.A hurried feed or missing a feed.
.Baby having a cold, leading to difficulty feeding.
.Unusual food has made your milk taste different, and baby did not like it.
.Pressing your finger on the breast to allow air to baby�s nose.
.Tight bra, clothes, seat belts.
.Sleeping in a position that squashes the breast.
.Milk dried into one of the ducts in the nipple


While medical remedies are available for all these contingencies there are some home remedies also and these home remedies are time tested and they have been time and again proven to be effective.

. Make sure that you nurse your baby frequently. This practice is very necessary in order to empty the breast completely. Breast feeding the baby often, can help increase comfort and reduce inflammation of the breasts. It is one of the most natural remedies for treating blocked milk duct.

. Massage the sore area of breast frequently, especially after every feeding. To massage it effectively, start from the top of the breast and gently work towards the nipple area. Sometimes by hand pressing the breast, particularly while taking a warm shower, the clog tends to open up and dissolve so that the milk can flow freely. In some cases, it has been found that the combination of warm shower and massage helps to remove the dried milk lump lump that has blocked the nipple.

. Placing of warm compress, towel or heating pad on the nipple before breast feeding can also help the blocked milk ducts to open up and in the process allow milk to drain uninterruptedly.

. Holding your baby in different positions every time while breast feeding ensures that the milk ducts empty properly. When the breast is sore and milk duct is blocked, it is a very simple natural remedy to try positioning your baby in a way that the chin of the baby is pointing towards the sore point. This would direct the suction towards the clogged duct and improve the healing process.

. Avoid wearing tight bras and clothing as they aid in blocking the milk ducts. Under wired bras should also be avoided as they tend to cut the breasts and thereby cause infection. While nursing, your bra should be well fitting and should allow you to breathe easily.

. Massage the breasts with a comb. Use a wide-toothed comb, or one without sharp teeth; soap the blocked area, and �comb� from the outside towards the nipple. This can help break up the blockage. Try not to leave soap on your nipple.

. Arm-swinging exercises encourage circulation: washing windows or cleaning the car.

. Check your nipples for a white �spot� that may be dried milk. Gently squeeze or pick it out.

. A sufficient intake of vitamin C helps prevent clogging of milk ducts and at the same time promotes healing of clogged ducts.

. Drink hot herbal infusions of lecithin and Echinacea. These will help relieve the pain and unclogging the ducts.

. Soak your breasts in warm water with some Epsom salts added. (one handful of Epsoms with every 2L of water). Rinse your breasts afterwards just to remove the saltiness.

. Dangle feeding (breastfeed while leaning over baby) can be used in order for gravity to pull the blocked ducts open.

. Get one teaspoon of castor oil and gently massage the breast starting at the center of your chest side of your breast and work across toward the other side of your breast in the direction of your arm pit area. Be sure to include massaging around and underneath the nipple, and to the sides.

. A warm compress using a cabbage leaf is an excellent way to help loosen the blockage in a clogged milk duct. Simply microwave a cabbage leaf for a few seconds in the microwave and then place it on the breast for 2 to 3 minutes (make sure it is not too hot). Repeat this every hour throughout the day.

. Refrigerate a potato for a few hours, and then grate some of the potato. Apply the grated potato over the affected breast and cover with a clean wash cloth or towel for 5 minutes while lying down. Repeat this every hour throughout the day using some freshly grated potato.

. Two teaspoons of dried leaf of goat�s Rue put in boiled water if taken regularly, the quantity of secretion of breast milk will increase by almost 50% and it also clears the milk ducts of all types of clogging.

. Take some parsley and put it on a cotton diaper. Tie the ends securely and dip the diaper in boiling water for about 15 minutes. Cool the diaper to the required temperature and gently compress the breasts with the diaper.




~source:naturalhealthanswers.co.uk~

Asthma Remedies : Natural Cure For Asthma : Asthma Alternative Treatments

Asthma is a very common respiratory disease, it affects the trachea and bronchial tubes by becoming inflamed and plugged with mucus. This causes the airways to narrow, restricting the amount of air going to the lungs, and makes it very difficult to breathe. Asthma can occur in anyone but is very common in children and young adults.

Modern medicine can offer very little to children with asthma, most drugs can only produce a temporary effect. Natural cure for asthma can be very helpful, not only reducing attacks but also strengthening the lungs and immune system. Here are some popular alternative home remedies for asthma.

. Magnesium helps asthma patients to breathe more easily.  Most foods which are high in magnesium (green leafy vegetables, whole grains, beans, nuts) will help to improve health in other ways as well.

. Take Vitamin B6 , Vitamin B12  and Vitamin C supplements as they are very important nutrients to treat asthma decreasing the inflammation in the lungs and to fight infection, increase the amount of oxygen and reduce inflammation.

. A study found that choline reduced inflammation in the lungs, reduced the production of mucus , and helped to prevent airway obstruction. Choline can be found in liver, muscle meats, fish, nuts, beans, peas, spinach, wheat germ, and eggs. Choline can also be taken as a supplement, in tablet form.

. Hold a jar of honey under the nose and inhales the air that comes into contact with it. This helps breathing easier and deeper.

. Dilute the juice of 1 lemon in a glass of water. Drink during meals. Lemon kills the germs, which are present in the mucus underlining the air vessels.

. Five grams of gooseberry mixed with one tablespoon of honey forms an effective medicinal tonic for the treatment of this disease. It should be taken every morning.

. Take ten garlic cloves, boil them in 30 ml of milk. This remedy is recommended once daily for the patient of asthma.

. Make an expectorant by mixing 1 teaspoon ginger juice, 1 cup decoction of fenugreek and honey as per your taste. You can also make by mixing 1 tablespoon fenugreek seeds in 1 cup water. Drink twice a day.

. Add a pinch of turmeric paste in 1 glass of water. It makes a good medicine for reducing the mucous lining. It is most effective when taken in empty stomach.

. Half a teaspoon of Safflower dry seeds powder, mixed with one tablespoon of honey, can be taken 1 or 2 times in a day to treat asthma.

. Prepare a soup of the bunch of Drumstick leaves and 180ml water. After boiling for 5 minutes let it cool than add seasoning, pepper and lemon juice for extra flavour.

. Mix one teaspoon of the Bitter Gourd root paste with an equal amount of honey or juice of the holy basil leaves. Take it once every night for a month.

. Mullein oil is used to fight respiratory congestion, is very important to make it as a tea for faster results.

. Mix 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon powder with 1 teaspoon honey to consume before sleeping.

. Take 1 glass hot milk and add turmeric and lots of butter to cure cough and congestion.

. Eat salmon 3 times a week and take salmon oil capsules.

. Drink coffee and soft drinks with caffeine (colas), caffeine dilates the bronchial airways.

. Blend radish, honey and lemon juice together in a blender. Mix for 20 minutes and cook in small pan on less heat. Take one teaspoon of it in the morning daily. This is good asthma remedy.

. Boil 4-5 cloves in 125 ml of water. Add one teaspoonful of honey and drink the mixture twice or thrice a day. This is a good home remedy for asthma.

. 1-2 teaspoonfuls of Spiegel seed with warm water twice a day helps in minimizing asthma attacks and this is considered as effective asthma remedy.

. Soak dry grapes in water at night and keep in cold milk for half an hour and chew them. Good home remedy for asthma.

. Take fresh dry grapes with seeds and soak them in 150 grams of water at night. Remove the seeds in the morning and chew them slowly, one by one. In the remaining water add a little sugar and drink it. In a month the lungs will be strengthened and poisonous wastes will be removed from the body.

. Mix one gram of dry ginger powder and one gram of black pepper in one teaspoon of molasses of honey. This remedy is also considered as one of the effective and simple home remedies for asthma.

. Peel dry pomegranate and keep them in a jar. Boil two raisins and some part of the peel in 250 ml of milk. Drink this milk twice a day. This is one of the good asthma remedies.

. Steaming ginger tea with minced garlic cloves should be given twice a day (morning and evening). This asthma remedy is good natural remedy for asthma.

. Boil garlic cloves in thirty grams of milk and drink this daily. This is also a good home remedy for asthma.


Asthma Alternative Treatments

. Use your air conditioner. Air conditioning reduces the amount of airborne pollen from trees, grasses and weeds that finds its way indoors. Air conditioning also lowers indoor humidity and can reduce your exposure to dust mites. If you don�t have air conditioning, try to keep your windows closed during pollen season.

. Keep indoor air clean. Keep a check on your air conditioner and furnace. Change the filters in your furnace and air conditioner when its due. Also consider installing a small-particle filter in your ventilation system. If you use a humidifier, change the water daily.

. Maintain a proper hygiene is very important for asthma patients. One should always sleep in a clean bed. Use separate towel, bed sheets, pillows and other items of daily use. Avoid dust, insects, pets, plants and strong smell of perfumes, flowers or chemical sprays. Keeping yourself clean, bathing properly and avoiding catching cold are valuable tips for the patient to keep in mind.

. If you�re allergic to dander, avoid pets with fur or feathers. Having pets regularly bathed or groomed also may reduce the amount of dander in your surroundings.

. Eat proper diet. Diet should contain a limited quantity of carbohydrates, fats and proteins which are �acid-forming� foods, and a liberal quantity of alkali-forming foods consisting of fresh fruits, green vegetables, sprouted seeds, and grains.

. Phlegm producing foods, such as rice, sugar, lentils, and yogurt should also be avoided. It is also recommended to avoid fried and other difficult to-digest foods, strong tea, coffee, alcoholic beverages, condiments pickles, sauces and all refined and processed foods.

. Get regular exercise. Regular exercise can strengthen your heart and lungs, which helps relieve asthma signs and symptoms. Avoid exercising in cold weather, but if you do exercise in cold temperatures, wear a face mask to warm the air you breathe.




~source:natural-homeremedies.com~

Fitness Guide for a Beginner

Benefits of Getting Fit

Start a fitness program positive benefits of physical and mental health. Regular exercise can reduce the likelihood of heart disease and some forms of cancer. Also, by increasing your physical activity, you will lose your weight makes you feel more confident and ultimately help you live longer. The benefits of mental exercise is often underestimated. Increase in the atmosphere makes you feel better and also had better sleep. You've heard the saying "a healthy mind in a sound body." Now, with the exercise you will experience a state of improvement in both body and mind. 

Define your goals 

Your reasons to start a fitness program may be above or you may have other reasons. The fact that you're reading this means you want more exercise and get fit. This is an excellent starting point and will help you keep your eyes off your goal. When setting your goals, make them realistic. If you've been inactive for some time not trying to run a marathon. It is a sure way to fail. Rather small set of achievable goals are hard enough to see the progress and keep you motivated. 

How do I do? 

The best thing to remember is that you do not need to spend hours each day in the gym. This will only lead to illness and injury which means you can not or will not continue. This is often referred to as overtraining. Many experts recommend exercise for 30 minutes 5-6 days a week. However, if you are just starting to work up to 30 minutes 3-4 days a week is good. 

Remember that we are all different and how you should do depends on your current fitness level. If you are not able to handle 30 minutes you should do as long as you can in light to moderate levels of effort. It means feeling a little hot and sweaty and become just a little breathless. Using the test expression is perfect for monitoring your effort level. If you can not speak clearly as you work too hard. After 3-4 weeks, you can work on improving your time before the workout of 30 minutes. 

It is always advisable to consult your doctor or physician before doing any exercise program. If you have an underlying condition that they will help you find the exercise of this right and the energy levels. 

What exercises should I do? 

Just increase your activity level throughout the day can be seen as the exercise and will help you to feel the benefits. This could mean taking the stairs instead of the elevator or to clean up more difficult than usual. However, the most popular type of exercise walking, running, swimming or cycling. Remember that it is easier to stay motivated if you choose activities you enjoy. These activities are grouped under the headings of cardio and relatively inexpensive to make. 

However, it is recommended to mix cardio with weight training, sometimes called resistance training and flexibility to develop the overall fitness. Strength training often involves using fillers to increase strength and very useful. 

Ultimately, you want to do cardio work three days a week and resistance training three days a week with one rest day. For example do cardio Monday, Wednesday and Friday, and perform your resistance work on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Remember this is what you are working towards. Do not try this on your first week. 

Safety First 

Before doing any exercise you should warm up by doing light exercises 5 to 10 minutes. The goal here is to gradually raise your heart rate and get your body ready for the stress that is about to undergo. 

As a result, the exercise should be complemented by a cool 10 minutes, gradually reducing the heart rate and stretch your muscles. Warm up and cool down with stretching will greatly reduce the risk of injury. Make these habits before and after practice as soon as possible would be beneficial to your long term goals. 

As mentioned above began to slow and steady. If you go at it full speed as soon as you overtrain and end up sick or injured. 

Consulting a doctor is always recommended. However, more important for people with existing illnesses and pregnant women. It does not happen that you can not exercise, it may be that you are limited to what you can do. Physicians will be able to give personal advice on what you can do. 

Maintain good nutrition is essential to achieve your goals. This implies the onset of your workout by eating 2-3 hours before exercise. You can also drink plenty of water before, during and after exercise. 

Motivation 

Staying motivated is one of the most difficult during startup. The best way to keep the exercise is to make it a habit. Slots set aside each day makes it much more difficult to avoid if you try to fit in your schedule. Keep a diary of everything you do and track your progress and motivate you more to help you stay on track. 

Equipment 

Do you work at home or in a gym you'll need a pair of shoes and clothing. This is essentially all you need. If you want to exercise at home after a book or DVD can be great to make sure you do the exercises correctly. There's a big treadmill, bicycles and exercise equipment available at home, the benefits outweigh the costs of membership can purchase sports and spend time waiting on the equipment you want to use. 

At this point you should have some ideas of activities you want to do. Remember to set realistic goals and work slowly and steadily to achieve them.