Recommended Reading 03/26/22

 

Miso says it's time for Recommended Reading!

Some housekeeping first. A while back, Blogspot changed its format, resulting in not being able to edit the "Menu Sidebar".  I am no longer able to add new posts to the sidebar. My last post on July 31, 2021 is on the sidebar. After that, you will have to scroll back from new posts. It is what it is.

Let's get started with:

Health and Food

The Superfoods You Should Be Eating

Regenerative Farms: This dramatically increases the nutrient density of your food.

The Amazing Benefits of Arugla

Oven Baked Broccoli and Cauliflower Steaks

Environment

Wildfires Continue to Increase and Spread

What is Really Going On With Gas Prices?

Geothermal Plants Could Solve The Lithium Problem

Human Role in Climate Change is Nothing New

Crazy Shit

What Happened to Starbucks?, maybe this will help: EV charging stations?

 Too "Baaad", this isn't happening more often.

This is just "CRAZY SHIT": God help us, what planet is he from?

Stay The Course

Actions ripple out, both good and bad.

So let's just take a minute to remind ourselves of the importance of spreading love.

Thank you for reading, Judd

When the power of love overcomes the love of power, the world will know peace. 

Jimi Hendrix

Lemons, "A Great Morning Ritual"

 

Lemons

A Great Morning Ritual

According to Ayurvedic philosophy, choices that we make regarding our daily routine either build up resistance to disease or tear it down. Ayurveda invites us to get a jump-start on the day by focusing on morning rituals that work to align the body with nature's rhythms.  Once we begin to get into a good morning ritual and begin to see results, we start to wonder why we didn't start doing it earlier.

I start every day with Oil pulling. I use organic unrefined coconut oil and the process attracts and removes bacteria and toxins that accumulate in your mouth and throat overnight. It also pulls mucus and congestion from your sinuses. Coconut oil also helps in whitening your teeth! 

But, if you can only make time for one ritual that will improve your health, let it be this...

Start your day with a cup of warm water and the juice of half a lemon.

The benefits are amazing:

1- It boosts your immune system: lemons are high in Vitamin C and potassium.

Vitamin C is great for fighting colds and flu, and potassium stimulates brain and nerve function, and helps control nerve function.

2- It Balances pH: lemons are an incredibly alkaline food, although very acidic on there on, when metabolized they are alkaline. An alkaline body is the key to good health.

3- Aids in digestion: warm water stimulates the gastrointestinal tract and the lemons (high in minerals and vitamins) help loosen toxins.

4- Gentle natural diuretic:  Lemon juice helps flush out unwanted materials because lemons increase the rate of urination in the body. Toxins are, therefore, released at a faster rate which helps keep your urinary tract healthy.

5- Clears skin: Lemon water purges toxins from the blood and Vitamin C decreases winkles and blemishes.

6- Helps with weight loss: Lemons are high in pectin fiber, which helps fight hunger cravings.

7- Hydrates the lymph system: This starts your day on a hydrated note. When your body is dehydrated, or deeply dehydrated (adrenal fatigue) it can't perform all of it's proper functions, which leads to toxic buildup, stress, constipation, and the list goes on. Your adrenals happen to be two small glands that sit on top of your kidneys, and along with your thyroid, create energy. They also secrete important hormones, including aldosterone. Aldosterone is a hormone secreted by your adrenals that regulates water levels and the concentration of minerals, like sodium, in your body, helping you stay hydrated. Your adrenals are also responsible for regulating your stress response. So, the bottom line is that you really don't want to mess with a deep state of dehydration! (from an article by Ashley Dentino on www.mindbodygreen.com/

Have a great week.

Be kind.

Judd

Recommended Reading 12/19/21

This photo was taken at The Garden of Gods in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

It has been quite a while since the last post (July), so I apologize.  

Let's finish off the year with a recommended reading list.

 Health/Food

If you don't know yet, Cardiologist Dr. Joel Kahn tells us "Everything You Need to Know To Start A Plant-based Diet"

From "The No Meat Athlete": 7 Foods Worth Eating Eating Single Day How many do you consume? He along with Robert Cheeke have an incredible new book out called "The Plant-Based Athlete"

Did you know that our bodies produce molecules called cannabinoids, the body's own version of THC and CBD

What the hell is "Sulforaphane" and "Why it is so good for you"  then check out

 "Broccoli- The DNA Whisperer"

Environment

The environment and our health go hand in hand.  Climate change is REAL and our food and lifestyle choices should be the first option in doing our part in helping curb this CRISIS.

How much food is wasted in the world? 1.4 BILLION TONS per YEAR! 80 Billion pounds in the United States alone, which equals 30-40% of food produced. 

The U.S. could feed 800 million people with the grain that livestock is fed.

India is turning "Waste to Watts" using biogas digesters to turn organic waste into electricity.

Did you know the world's largest living single organism is in Pando Forest, Utah?  Alarmingly, deer and elk are devouring it. 

Here in Florida, they are thinking a 20 foot seawall will save Miami from rising sea water.

The year was 1856. Scientists understood physics of climate change.  What The Fuck!

For a free e-book on Climate Change and Global Warming

CRAZY SHIT

When we thought we had heard everything about 9/11, comes the "Great Maritime Rescue of Lower Manhattan"

How Camels- "the ships of the desert" were part of a dark history of  American West.

I will land the plane with "A Letter From 2030"

For an free awesome outlet of environmental, etc. short and full length documentaries check out:

Waterbear 

Have a wonderful Holiday Season.

Be safe.

Judd

Breathe-Increase Your Prana

 

Take a deep breath right now. Are your shoulders raising?

If your shoulders are raising when breathing instead of your belly, you are probably shallow breathing or thoracic breathing.  Being a shallow breather can lead to a long list of health issues.  Stress leads to shallow breath, shallow breath leads to a constant state of stress.  Not good!  It deprives your muscles and joints of oxygen, which leads to tightness, chronic pain and stiffness.  It can also lead to sleep apnea, insomnia and restlessness.  In other words, a crappy sleeper.

We must reteach our bodies to breathe.  Belly breathing or diaphragmatically is the most beneficial way to go.  Watch how a baby breathes, its belly rises and falls.  Try drawing air in through your nose into your lungs and expand your belly, like a baby.  You will be getting more well needed oxygen that your body can use.

Meditation requires intentional breath work.  The more you focus on how your mind and body feel when breathing, the more it will become naturally.  You will feel better and know how to calm yourself in stressful situations.

In yoga, the Sanskrit word for breath or life force is "Prana"

In living beings, Prana is considered to be responsible for the body's life, heat, health and maintenance.  Prana is the force behind life itself.  Increase your Prana through the Five Elements.

Start practicing to belly breath and feel the difference.

Go deep!

Have a great week.

Be kind.

Please get your vaccination and wear a mask.

Judd 

Recommended Reading 06/27/21

 

Miso says it's time for Recommended Reading.

I realized that I haven't done a post since March on reading/viewing suggestions.

I hope you enjoy these as much as I do.

Let's get started with:

WELLNESS 

I'm pretty sure all of us have had some unwanted anxiety and stress over the past year.

From an awesome eco-conscious company, Waterlust: "Anxiety and the World Around Me"

From The Beet: "Feel Like Your Stuck in a Life Rut?"

You don't have to live in a Blue Zone region to reap the benefits of a longevity lifestyle: "7Things to Do Now to Make Healthy Eating Easy and Fun"

While you are on a healthy plant-based diet, make sure you are getting all the nutrients you need:

"7 Nutrients You May Be Missing and What to Do About It"

"What Will Future Foods Look Like" from Nutrition Studies.

FOOD and RECIPES

Eating fish has it's own set of environmental issues, why not try "Vegan Sushi" or "5 Mushrooms That Can Replace Fish in Your Diet"

From No Meat Athlete: "The Only Plant Power Bowl You'll Ever Need", They also just published a New York Best Seller called "The Plant Based Athlete", check it out.

For the 4th of July try "Easy Balsamic Potato Salad"

If you have trouble deciding what to eat everyday, for under $2 a week you can get all the help you need with Rich Roll's "Plantpower Meal Planner"

ENVIRONMENT

For a multitude of Food, Environmental and award winning content about our world,  you have to checkout a FREE site.  WaterBear  By becoming a WaterBear member(FREE) you will also have a planted a tree in the Scottish Highlands and help rewild Scotland. #1member1tree

Things you need to know about the  Extreme Drought in California

It's a world wide climate emergency: "It's All About The Heat"

"Why Dead Trees Are the Hottest Commodity"

Things we take for granted: "Demand for Water"

"Water Rich, Water Poor"

CRAZY SHIT

Why is this not taught in school? "Long Hidden Tulsa Massacre"

This why: "The Invention of Whiteness"

Out of sight, out of mind: Just 10 Miles of Los Angeles"

"Keeping The Lights On"

For you cyclists: "Tour de France: How Many Calories Will the Winner Burn?"

 Mobile phones have come a long way, "70 Years"

I'm reading a very interesting book titled: "The Hidden Life of Trees", the connections and similarities of humans and trees are fascinating.

"An organism that is too greedy and takes much without giving anything in return, destroys what it needs for life and dies out"

Have a great week.

Be kind.

Judd

Vitamin N

 

All vitamins and minerals are very important and essential for proper health.  Vitamin N is one that is probably overlooked more than any other.  Vitamin N is essentially a prescription to spend more time in nature. Vitamin "Nature" makes us feel great.  It is why when the sun comes out everyone jumps for joy and heads outside.  Did you know Nature can heal your over-stressed brain, but just how much Vitamin N do we need?  Spending just 10 minutes 2-3 times per week in nature can really make a difference in how you feel.

Here's 5 ways nature can help you be a better you:

*Nature clears your head: A 90 minute walk in a natural environment has a positive impact with lower levels of anxiety and obsessive worry.

*It improves your mood and lowers stress: All types of green exercise activities improve self-esteem and combats negative moods like anger, tension and depression.   

*It spurs creativity: Are you stressing about a big project or exam, take a walk in the woods.  Problem solving skills are thought to originate in the same area of the brain as we use for selective attention and threat detection.  Researchers are concerned that our ability to think creatively is being overwhelmed by the constant stimulus of digital and indoor life.

*It improves your immune system: Sick of getting sick?  Walking in nature has been found to increase our natural killer cell activity.  Natural killer cells are our bodies weapons against invading bacteria and viruses. 

*You're less likely to snack on unhealthy foods: Being more active means decreased likelihood of overeating while being sedentary.

Have you ever heard of "Forest Bathing"?  

For more reading: Why we need Nature

Grab some hydration and go take a walk.

Have a great week.

Be kind.

Judd

Vitamin K

Vitamin K

Vitamin K was discovered in 1929 by Danish researcher Henrik Dam.  He named it after finding it prevented chickens on a fat-free diet from bleeding out.  He called it the "koagulation" vitamin using the German spelling. 

The body needs Vitamin K to produce prothrombin, which is a protein and blood clotting agent.  It is important in blood clotting and bone metabolism. Vitamin K1 or phylloquinone comes from plants, such as kale, when it is eaten, bacteria in the large intestine converts it to it's storage form of vitamin k2.  It is then stored in the small intestine to be used (combined with Vitamin D)when needed for bone health and blood clotting.

Vitamin K may help keep blood pressure lower by mineralization, where minerals build up in the arteries.  This enables the heart to pump blood more freely.

The RDA is only 70-90 micrograms per day.  1 cup of raw chopped kale is 472 mcg!, so it very easy to be getting enough K.  By eating a balanced healthy diet you will get enough. 

Here are 2 articles for more information:

Food Revolution: Vitamin K

Health Guide: Vitamin K