FYI 2: Mother Nature's Cure-All

Copyright 2011-All Rights Reserved


Feeling down? Blue? Foggy-brained? Feeling like your self-esteem took a permanent hike?

Catch up with your self-esteem, boost your mood, charge up your memory. How? By spending some time outside in Mother Nature. Research shows that ONLY 5 minutes of  "green or outside exercise" like fishing, cycling, gardening, or walking will do wonders for you. And the good news is... it's free!

What does the outdoors do for you?
Gives you geater exposure to the sun's health-promoting Vitamin D.
Battles depression.
Boosts your brain's memory, thinking, perception, judgement (cognitive) functions.
Increases your compassion.
Could mean you spend less or no time in the doctor's office.

santa monica's farmer's market

                                                    malibu's will rogers beach


Think about this: It's selfish not to take care of yourself physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually. Mother Nature fixes what ails you! A parting shot: A walk at the mall isn't going to substitute for walking outside.

                                                            Kenneth Hahn State Park

                                                           

FYI 1: Brain Seasonings

Brain Seasonings: Spice Up Your Life 
Copyright 2011-All Rights Reserved

Here's useful information I'm passing along. According to research, these 5 spices are good for our brains.

Tumeric (associated with curry).
Spice up your brain! Sprinkle a couple of teaspoons of tumeric on/in chicken salad.  Researchers think the active ingredient in tumeric, curcumin, may break up the abnormal protein build up that is the hallmark of Alzheimer's. In India where people eat curry almost every day, this disease rate is 1/4 the U.S. rate.

Ginger
Stave off migraine headaches by combining ginger with the herb, feverfew. A recent study found that more than 80% of migraine-prone patients the headache didn't go to full-blown migraine. Spice it Up! Grate 3 teaspoons ginger (get it at the supermarket) into 1 cup of boiling water. Steep 10 minutes, strain and drink.

Saffron
Chase your blues away without an antidepressant. Eat more of this pungent herb. Researchers discovered that twice a day doses work as well as Prozac in mild to moderate depression. Spice it Up! Add 1/2 teaspoon of saffron to boiling water in preparing 2 cups of rice.

Garlic
Besides garlic's heart-healthy benefits, it was noted in a 2007 study that garlic based treatments for brain cancer are a good future possibility. Spice it Up! Use half teaspoon garlic powder or 1 or 2 garlic cloves  with basil and tomatoes in your marinara sauce.

Cinnamon
Cinnamon helps regulate blood-sugar levels. This helps you stay focused. Spice it Up! Sprinkle 1 teaspoon on your oatmeal or other breakfast foods--pancakes, waffles. Or make yourself some cinnamon toast. Yum!

Maggie Smith/FreeDigital Photos.net

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My Photographic Eye V: Moon Glow

Copyright 2011-All Rights Reserved

                           Spellbound by Moon Glow

dance, spellbound,
under
veiled moon madness
under
waxing moon shadow
dance, possessed,
by moon glow lighting the night.

waxing lady moon

                                                                veiled lady moon