Earth's Enrichments Archives

Posted on November 21, 2014August 19, 2015 by Earths — Leave a comment

Health and Living – The FYI on Blood Pressure

Have you ever had a moment of high stress and/or a point when you were so fed up with something that you may have said it make your blood boil or it raises your blood pressure? We are pretty sure you have had one of those moments a few times. But what actually raises your blood pressure and how can you keep it under control?

Blood pressure is the pressure exerted by the blood on the walls of your arteries. It is also the rate upon which it circulates and the heart pumps your blood. High blood pressure also known as hypertension is when the pressure readings reach 140/90 and over. It is basically that your heart is pumping too much blood at a time.

This can happen because your arteries are too narrow to handle the increased amount of blood. In some cases, high blood pressure can lead to other forms of health issues like heart attack or stroke. This, of course, depends on other extenuating circumstances of the individual that has high blood pressure.

In all situations concerning your health, it is important to talk to a professional to see where you in your health. Consulting a doctor can help you see where your health stands and what you could do to improve it. There are ways you can help reduce your chances of high blood pressure:

regulate your sodium intake because it can contribute to high blood pressure.
reduce your stress levels and find some ways to cope healthily
exercise to keep your body fit and ready for whatever comes its way
practice eating healthy
foods that exclusively helps reduce blood pressure:
- berries like raspberries, blueberries, and strawberries have flavonoids that help blood pressure
- leafy greens have potassium and are great for lowering blood pressure
- beets contain nitrates that can help reduce blood pressure.
- oatmeal has low sodium and fat, which is great for a high blood pressure
- bananas are just good for everything, the potassium is great for adding to a healthy diet.

The EE 411: Smoking, Blood Pressure, and Health

We figure we’d highlight a quick tid-bit about smoking health risks. As you all are well aware, there have been studies that show how smoking can have adverse effects on an individual’s health. Smoking, as research has shown, can make getting health more difficult. It can affect breathing and other aspects of your health. In terms of this week’s topic, smoking has been correlated with high blood pressure. It has been connected to lung cancer and cardiovascular disease. Smoking is definitely something to consult your doctor about, especially if you are thinking about quitting. Also, the second hand smoke can pose health risks to others. It is nice to be mindful of others when smoking and others to avoid too much exposure to second-hand smoke.

Share with Us: What foods do you enjoying eating that helps with blood pressure?

(This post was brought to you by Earth’s Enrichments. Similar posts can be found by visiting our Blog. More information about our company and products (USDA Certified Organic Soaps, Organic Bath Salts, Organic Sugar Scrubs, Organic Body Balms and Organic Lip Balms) can be found on our Website. Thank you Earth’s Enricher!)

Posted on November 14, 2014August 19, 2015 by Earths — Leave a comment

Health and Living – The Many Faces of Cholesterol

Hey Earth’s Enrichers

Do you know what cholesterol is or what it can do for your body? Remember how we used to say that everything has a good side and a bad side? Well, there are two types of cholesterol that can play different roles in your body. This week we learn about the good and bad roles cholesterol can play in your body.

Before we get into the nitty-gritty of the cholesterol’s good and bad roles, let’s talk about what cholesterol is and what it does. Cholesterol is a type of lipid that is necessary for cell and hormone synthesis. It can help your body produce hormones and help you digest your food.

Cholesterol can be found in animal food products, particularly animal fats. High cholesterol has been associated with high intakes of sugar as well. Like many healthy aspects, too much of one thing can cause problems, so be cautious when consuming high amounts of sugar. Too much cholesterol can lead to many conditions that are not favorable. So, it is best to keep track of your cholesterol levels.

When cholesterol becomes a problem, it is usually because there is too much of it in your body. LDL, also known as bad cholesterol, is lowdensity lipoprotein that carries cholesterol through your blood vessels and arteries. When an individual has too much cholesterol or a high LDL, it can clog the arteries and have adverse health effects such as heart disease. It’s never a good thing to have too much of something in your body. Now, LDL is generally healthy for your body at a balanced level.

Remember, cholesterol isn’t all bad. High density lipoproteins or HDL carry cholesterol to other body parts and through the liver which eliminates the cholesterol from your body. HDL is usually associated with a low risk of heart disease. Cholesterol in general is good for your body, just too much of it can cause health issues. So make sure you have a healthy balance of both HDL and LDL.

Keeping track of your cholesterol is very important because it isn’t the easiest thing to do. If you have never concerned yourself with your cholesterol levels, it may be time to visit your doctor. That way you will know where to start in terms of your cholesterol levels. Don’t be afraid to ask your doctor about any possible concerns. He or She is there to help you understand what exactly your body needs. You owe it to yourself! 🙂

The EE 411: Cholesterol – Need to Know Basis

Cholesterol can build up when an individual eats more calories than necessary. That is one reason why it is so important to eat the right amount each day. Calories should coincide with your daily activity. Their purpose is to give you enough fuel to work through your day. Not having enough calories can slow you down, while having too many could weigh you down. It’s best to try and reach a perfect balance. The best way to do that is enter into healthy eating and physical activity on the daily.

To prevent unnecessary buildup of bad cholesterol (LDL) and minimize its impact try to use discipline when ingesting the following:
● Limit or monitor your intake of carbohydrates
● Limit or monitor alcohol intake
● Also, it is recommended to give up smoking
● Limit or monitor your consumption of fatty foods
● Keep track of your blood sugar
● Exercise, exercise, exercise!
● Monitor your sugar intake

As always we encourage you to do more research and consult your doctor or a professional when it comes to your own personal health needs.

Share with Us: Was our information useful?

Posted on November 6, 2014August 19, 2015 by Earths — Leave a comment

Living Healthy – The Making of a Healthy Diet

Hey Earth’s Enrichers

Let’s talk facts here ladies and gentlemen! The fact is that healthy balanced diets improve the quality of life! Yes, yes they do.

There are some awesome health benefits that come along with taking on healthy eating habits. Just think about it when you balance your diet appropriately, you fashion a disciplined schedule that eliminates over eating and overdoing saturated fats. This combined with a healthy workout plan, you could reduce and keep control of your weight.

Now, when setting up your meal plan, you should eliminate the unhealthy parts of your diet and replace them with healthier options. You are not just eliminating them! Everyone knows what happens when a person stops eating–they get angry. Not eating enough can cause mood swings; not eating right can just give you feelings like the “itis.” Balancing your diet appropriately can help improve your mood.

In all instances your body needs food for energy. Fuel is important for the body to do what is necessary. If you have a car that takes premium gas and some poor unfortunate soul puts in diesel, your car will not run. The same goes for your body it needs premium gold, the good stuff. When you feed it the good stuff, it helps give it enough energy to run, and boost its ability to fight disease. I’m not kidd’n.

Last but certainly not least, with all the healthy choices you are making, you are taking steps to improve your health. Not to mention that all of these benefits are encompassed with physical activity or exercise. Once you have worked with your doctor and established a healthy balance then you are increasing the span of your life. Unhealthy eating especially without minimal physical activity can invite possible health risks. That is why it is important to check with your physician or a health professional annually to check the status of your health.

The EE 411: Cholesterol is a type of lipid that is necessary for cell and hormone synthesis. It can help your body produce hormones and help you digest your food.Guidelines

These are some basic guidelines to you get started with creating a healthy diet:

● Select foods and drinks that don’t contribute extra or unneeded calories. Also, look out for saturated, trans, or added sugars, salt, or alcohol. They are not necessary for health.
● Balance your calorie intake for the amount of activity you have in your daily life. The more energy you are going to expend, the more calories you need. Calories contribute to weight when you’re not working them off.
● Do some sort of physical activity! Take the stairs instead of the elevator, walk to places (park farther away in safe situations), or chose greener ways to get to work.
● Balance your meals with the appropriate food groups. Fruits, vegetables, and whole grains are great for maintaining one’s energy and health.
● Choose fiber-rich fruits like Apples (with the skin on them), vegetables, and whole grains.
● Try to consume less than a teaspoon of salt per day. (the biggest challenge of them all!)
● Prepare your food with care.

For more tips on health and nutrition check out Food and Nourishment. Also, to review what you know about Apples. We always encourage you to do more research to help you determine what’s best for you. Until next time! 🙂

Share with Us: What do you think about calorie counting?

Posted on October 29, 2014August 19, 2015 by Earths — Leave a comment

Organic Health – Healthy Power Breakfast

Hey Earth’s Enrichers

It’s time for a little talk about the most important meal of the day–breakfast! Ever since you were a kid, your parents always told you about the importance of having a good breakfast. Not only did having it wake you up in the morning, but it also got you ready for the day.

They weren’t lying, breakfast is important to your day because it helps you kickstart your body. It boosts energy by feeding your metabolism. Think about it: you sleep for 7 to 9 hours a night–sometimes even more– and then you wake up. Your body hasn’t had any food put into since dinner. You literally haven’t eaten for about 7 to 9 hours and that’s why it’s so important for your body to begin the day right.

However, what makes a breakfast? Better yet, what makes a healthy breakfast? Around the world breakfast has it’s different elements; it doesn’t always have to be bacon and eggs. It could even be a healthier option sometimes. In some cultures they start out with a cappuccino and something sweet in others, perhaps, the familiar omelet. Now some other kinds of breakfast can be really out of the box like vegemite and toast, or tofu, and rice with various other types of meat.

The point is this- no matter where you come from, breakfast is different for different people depending on geography, food availability and personal preparedness, but there is one thing that should be universal–health. Breakfast, being your most important and crucial meal of the day, should be healthy. Not too sweet or full of other fatty qualities. It should be made of foods that help boost energy and won’t leave you feeling and tired and ready to go back to bed on your way to work.

Off the top of your head, what are some of the most healthy breakfasts that you can think of? Were any of them fruit, oatmeal, cereal, parfaits, eggs, or muffins? It’s all about the decisions you make. For instance, the majority of us all love the bacon! It is the all-too-familiar meat option for breakfast. It doesn’t have to be bad for you, but it can be if you eat too much of it. So, why not switch it up?

Instead of having bacon to go with your whole grain toast and egg, try turkey or tofu bacon. That way you are getting your protein and filling your meat category. It’s as simple as research and proper substitution. Don’t be afraid to try new things. There are plenty of options out there. Be sure that when you do your research, you look for the healthy choice and also keep your personal health in mind when searching. ^-^

The EE 411: Breakfast – The Game of Substitution

Following is a list of a few healthier options for breakfast:

Fruit (with or without Yougurt) smoothies
Muffins, bagels, or toast (whole grain usually fills you up)
Green tea or orange juice with breakfast instead of coffee
Scrambled eggs with your choice of additions, with whole grain toast
Fruit salad or parfait
Oatmeal with fruits and nuts
Bananas
Whole grain waffles with fruit of choice
Egg sandwich
Oatmeal squares or granola bars
Whole grain cinnamon french toast with fruit

We always believe it best for you to do your own research especially when it comes with more exotic breakfast options. If you are getting bored with these breakfast options, try looking for other ethnic and cultural options. They may also be healthy decisions and, as always, look out for your best interests–you deserve it!

Share with Us: What is your favorite breakfast food?

Posted on October 16, 2014August 19, 2015 by Earths — Leave a comment

Organic Health – Go Nuts

Hey Earth’s Enrichers

Excitement is in the air, especially as we approach the World Series. Speaking of the Baseball, do you remember singing “Take Me Out to the Ball Game” when you were out at the baseball game?

We believe there was one special line in that song that everybody remembers, “just buy me some peanuts and crackerjacks; I don’t care if I never get back.” Well, Earth’s Enrichers were Jack Norworth and Albert Von Tilzer on to something? What are the health benefits of peanuts or the health benefits of certain nuts in general?

We hope to answer those questions today. Believe or not, nuts provide great health benefits and better snacking options. However, just like every good thing, it comes with limits. We will be looking at several different types of nuts today, but let’s first look at the overall good and bad of eating nuts.

When selecting your favorite brand of nuts there are a few things to consider. For instance, look for brands that use natural flavoring like sweeteners. You don’t want to ruin the nut’s natural benefits by coating it with unhealthy amounts of artificial sweeteners and sugars. Also, pay close attention to packaging and buy them in portioned individual packaging. This way you are not overeating the recommended amount of the selected nuts.

There is one more important fact about selecting your brands of nuts, look out for your salt intake. Although salt pairs well with a majority of different types of nuts, be careful. Look for lightly salted nuts so that you don’t end up overpowering the nuts or overdoing sodium.

For those of you that are not in to eating nuts by themselves, there are some great and healthy ways to pair nuts with your food. Naturally honey roasted nuts can go great with yogurt. Also, they can be sprinkled on salad, chicken, and pastas/noodles (like Pad Thai). Peanut butter or other kinds of nut made butter can be spread on toast or fruit.

Following these simple parameters when looking for your favorite types of nuts will help you determine how to get the full benefits. Avoiding unnatural flavoring, large amounts of salt, and looking for prepackaged portions will keep you from overdoing it and help you benefit from what nuts have to offer. Also, don’t be afraid to try new things. Try pairing your favorite nut with anything; it may bring excitement to your dish.

The EE 411: Nuts for What

Walnuts

Good for the heart
Has protein, magnesium, and fiber.

Almonds

Lower Cholesterol
Fiber
Calcium
Vitamin E

Peanuts

Good for the brain
Is actually a bean, not a nut.

Cashews

Iron
Folate and Vitamin K which is good for the bones and normal blood clotting.
Zinc

Macadamia nuts

Good for the heart (monounsaturated fat), this helps the nervous system.

Brazil Nuts

Good for the thyroid
Has selenium, which boosts immunity

Pecans

Good for the prostate
Lowers cholesterol

Chestnuts

Low in fat
Low in Calories
Has Vitamin B and B6

Pistachios

Lutein, which is great for vision and skin.
Potassium

Share with Us: What is your favorite kind of nut?

Posted on August 5, 2014August 7, 2015 by Earths — Leave a comment

Healthy Lifestyle – Massage Therapy

Hey Earth’s Enrichers

Earth’s Enrichers, summer is coming to an end and this is probably one of the most stressful moments. This is the time the students are preparing to return to school and when work seems to be piling up the highest. However, just because the summer is nearing its end does not mean summer is over!

Now is the time to prepare yourself for what’s ahead, while enjoying the weeks of summer you have left. This is no time to get tense! Well some of you may already be tense. No worries we have a solution. First things, first; tension can be caused by anxiety and stress. Although these are forms of mental stress, they can manifest themselves in physical ways like headaches, back, or neck pain.

So, ladies and gentlemen, what’s the best way to remove physical tension, while also soothing your mental tension? A massage! Yep, the kind of massages you’d find in a spa. Massages are meant to work out the tension in muscles and reduce the discomfort it brings. They’re not just for relaxation purposes.

Massage therapy is an actual therapeutic and medical process of relief. It’s been known to be help with anxiety, headaches, sports/work injuries, joint pain, stress, sleep/digestion disorders, nerve pain, and pain & muscle tension. A nice natural, soothing, handy option for relief. It can also improve posture, increase range of motion, improve circulation, lower blood pressure, and can even strengthen the immune system.

Massage therapy or massages in general are a form of treatment and with most treatments there are some things you must do to help prepare your body. It is important that you prepare your mind for what is about to happen, especially if you have never had a message. So, do some research to find out what to expect and/or meditate on it. You must be open and relaxed in order to experience the benefits of the therapy.

To help keep your mind on what’s going on during the process, it is recommended that you not eat before your session. That way your body isn’t trying to digest your food, while it’s supposed to be relaxing. Also, to keep yourself relaxed, try not to frazzle yourself too much before your session. If you are relatively anxious or stressed, it may take you longer to relax during the massage.

There is no hidden rule that says you cannot talk during your massage. In fact, communication between you and your massage therapist is recommended. This way you can inform them of what is uncomfortable or what is making it harder for you to relax. For instance, if there is a certain part of your body that is particularly sensitive or if the music played is distracting, you can just let them know. They are totally cool with it. It’s about making your experience a relaxing and beneficial one.

Speaking of making yourself relaxed during your massage, you don’t have to be naked if you don’t want to be. Just let your massage therapist know what you’re comfortable with and wear clothes you consider fairly comfy. Also, be sure to tell them if you are allergic to any oils or lotions. That way you won’t end up breaking out after your session.

To complete your spa experience, be sure not to rush into movement. Take your time with getting back into your normal grove; getting up too fast might cause you to get dizzy. Remember your body will be going from extreme relaxation to outputting energy. So, take your time. Next, hydrate your body. The water helps flush out the toxins in the body.

Let’s not forget, a massage is not just therapy, it’s relaxing “me time.” So, enjoy it the way you want. Play the music you want to hear, use the oils you like the best, dress (or don’t dress) the way you see fit, and relax. The experience will be different for everybody and the benefits may not immediate. It may take some time to notice the changes after a massage. If you have never experienced a massage, we recommend you do more research and try it. You may love it! Remember, summer is not over yet!

The EE 411: Types of Massages

There are many types of massages and they are used for different purposes. We have ten popular massages listed below:

Deep Tissue– This massage strives for deeper contact with muscles and the strokes tend to be slower. This is usually used for individuals with tight muscle pain, strain, issues with posture, or who are recovering from an injury.
Back– Usually brief massages that focus on the back. Tend to be generic spa massages.
Aromatherapy– Massages that usually incorporate complementary, relaxing scents to help relax the body and mind of the individual.
Swedish– A very familiar massage that incorporates kneading, circular motions that target the superficial layers of the muscles. Usually, tame and soothing. This is the best options for newbies to start out with. J
Sports– Kind of like the Swedish massage but more for folks with sport or activity related injuries.
Shiatsu– This is a Japanese style massage that uses fingers to target acupuncture patterns. At each point, they linger for a few seconds to increase energy flow and maintain balance. A very pleasant experience.
Thai– This is similar to a Shiatsu, but it uses pressure points to increase energy and you are a bit more active because of the series of postures and positions you’ll be in. Great for reducing stress, increasing range of motion and flexibility.
Hot Stone– This is a massage that incorporates fairly large smooth heated stones that are positioned on certain parts of the body. They are there to loosens tension. The therapist usually applies slight pressure on the stones.
Reflexology– (or foot massage) This uses pressure points on the foot that corresponds to different organs of the body.
Trigger Point– This focuses on tight muscle fibers that usually happen when they are over used.

Posted on July 30, 2014August 20, 2015 by Earths — Leave a comment

Living Healthy – Heart Healthy

Okay, Earth’s Enrichers–We need to you to stand up, take your right hand and place it over the left part of your chest and repeat after us, “I pledge allegiance to my heart, the most important organ in my body. For as long as I breathe, I dedicate myself to its well-being in my pursuit of healthy living!” Give yourself applause!

To help you fulfill this pledge we will share a few heart healthy tips. First things first, what do you know about your family’s health history, particularly in reference to heart disease? This is a very important aspect of your health. It’s like your life’s cheat sheet. It gives you insight into possible health challenges in your future and time to conceivably avoid health issues that your grandparents or parents could not.

Did you know that most heart diseases are hereditary? This does not mean there is a 100% chance you will end up with some form of heart disease if it is found in your family’s history. It just means that there is a likely chance you’re a candidate and you may need to think about changes in your lifestyle.

When it comes to a healthy heart there are four things we want you to keep in mind: exercising, managing stress, making healthy food choices and finding a hobby.

When it comes to exercising for the heart, cardio and stretching are great ways to strengthen the heart. Aerobic exercises (cardio) like jogging, biking, swimming, or even power walking are great for the heart. It’s just like any muscle. The more you work out the heart, the better it gets. In fact, the stronger it gets. Cardio or staying active in general (with regular practice) could burn calories, lower bad cholesterol, and help reduce blood pressure. The lovely thing about cardio exercise is that you could start at any time (consult your doctor too). When starting off, it’s better to start out easy. Perhaps, one day start by walking at a certain speed for a certain amount of time and increase your goals over time. Stretching like yoga, is great for relaxing the body and helping to reduce stress. Stretching is also an opportunity to meditate, this could help you find solutions to your problems and also relax the tension in the body.

Unmanaged stress can contribute to heart disease. It has a tendency to raise blood pressure and increase cholesterol. Stress is a part of life and cannot be avoided; however you must manage the stress and not let the stress manage you. Stress affects your whole body, including your heart. If stress is unmanaged it could even lead to stress eating in some cases. Don’t give in. Stress eating is another factor that affects heart health.

Some foods are designed with the heart in mind. Take for instance, rich dark chocolate, has an ingredient that can help stave off heart disease (eat responsibly). Tree nuts like almonds, walnuts, or pecans are also great for your heart. It tends to lower bad cholesterol. Also, foods that have a lot of salt should be excluded out your diet. Salt is one of the main factors contributing to heart disease. Highly processed and fast food can contain high amounts of salt. Along with high amounts of salt, eating fatty foods should also be consumed at a minimum.

Monitor the amount of calories you have taken in during your day, especially if you aren’t physically active. Physical activity disposes any calories your body doesn’t need or is not using. Keeping track of your calorie intake will help you balance out your diet to take the unnecessary work off your heart.

This is probably most important or at least the most fun — find a hobby. Find something you enjoy doing and most importantly, make the time to do it. It will help you relieve stress. You deserve to engage in activities that are solely for enjoyment. Try new things to see what you really enjoy doing. Take a painting class. Have you always wanted to learn to play an instrument? Do it. You deserve it, even if it is keeping up with your favorite TV show or comedy. Did you know that laughter is good for the heart? It literally stops stress from eating away at your health.

Your body should be taken care of like a well-oiled machine. Your heart is the engine that helps keep the machine going. Give it what it needs to keep it running smoothly. Begin with small steps. On you next shopping trip, park further away from the mall. Walk a little more. Take the stairs. Try a cool yoga pose in the morning before going to work or class. Book a class or get a book for that hobby you have always wanted to try .Try making better eating choices. Chose the meal or snack with the less sodium. Chose the snack that has the nuts. Chose dark chocolate instead of the bag of chips. Go with the lean instead of the fatty piece of steak, no matter how hard that choice might be. Trust us, we know that’s a hard choice to make 🙂 but it’s all worth it in the end.

The EE 411: Good Choices

Here at EE we always encourage you to take care of your body and do your own research to help you give your body the best care possible. You deserve it. We encourage you to become more active in the pursuit of healthy living.

In the meantime here are some good choices we have come across when it comes to maintaining a healthy heart:

Quit smoking and stay clear of second hand smoke. Cigarettes are the leading cause of heart disease.
Avoid salt and fatty foods.
Eat fish two to three times a week. The fatty acids (omega 3) in fish could help reduce heart disease, but consuming too much fatty acids could cause other health problems. Eat responsibly.
Eat dark chocolate in moderation. No problems here.
Go for the red wine. When consumed properly, it helps improve the level of good cholesterol and lower chance of blood clotting.
Tree nuts are a better snack than chips.
Laugh
Find a hobby.
Exercise
Spend time with your pets. If you like animals pets can be another great means of relieving stress because they love you no matter what.
Keep track of your blood pressure. It’s good to know where you stand in terms of health. It is also important to test your blood sugar sometimes too.
Have some tea. Teas like Green and Black may be good for your overall health besides, it’s really good.
Have some blueberries. They contain vitamin D and Fiber along with antioxidants. Considered great at fighting diseases.
Start your morning off with oatmeal. It lowers cholesterol, helps your body detox, and reduces the risk of heart disease.
Eat your spinach. The nutrients in spinach help protect against heart disease. It is full of minerals, fiber, and vitamins.
Sleep! When your body is well rested, it’s one less cause of stress. A good night sleep is a key to a successful day.

Posted on July 23, 2014August 20, 2015 by Earths — Leave a comment

Organic Health – An Apple a Day

Hey Earth’s Enrichers

You know what? We think red may be your color, or green, or yellow, how do you feel about all three? What’s with that look? We are talking about your color in fruit—apples, to be exact. Remember, the classic Red Delicious apples, the Granny Smith (green) apples, the Golden Delicious (yellow) apples, and the Gala apples?

We are pretty sure you are wondering why we are talking apples this week. It’s because the old saying may be true. An apple a day could keep the doctor away. The majority of you know that apples are healthy, but how many of you know how healthy? An apple by itself has a ton of benefits for you and your body.

Apples contain many benefits and these benefits can be found in certain areas of the apple. A word to you apple peelers! The skin of the apple is the most beneficial part; skinning it removes about 50% of its healthy charm. Apple skin contains most of the apple’s fiber and antioxidants. The dietary fiber can help reduce the amount of bad cholesterol in your blood. So you may want to stop peeling.

The apple as a whole has benefits like vitamin C and B. The vitamin C in the apple contains potent antioxidants that can help against radicals and boost the body’s immune system (keeping the doctor away^-^). The vitamin B or B-6 along with riboflavin, and thiamin can help maintain the red blood cells and the nervous system.

Other health benefits of apples tend to look after long-term problems like lowering the levels of bad cholesterol and reducing the risk of diabetes and breast cancer. However, with all good things too much can be a problem and result in counterproductive means to getting health.

An apple a day is okay and could keep the doctor away. An apple every day, all day, could give you a one way ticket. Eating apples to often can be bad for your teeth because of the acidity of the fruit. It’s best to eat smart. Also, be careful to not eat the apple seeds; they contain cyanide and can be dangerous if consumed one too many times.

Last, but certainly not least, look after your body. If you are worried about eating apples or if you have diabetes and are not sure which fruits to consume, it is best to consult your doctor. Stay healthy and cool!

The EE 411: How many ways can you eat an apple? 🙂

We’ve checked out some healthy ways to eat a delicious apple. Here is what we came up with:

Natural or organic applesauce
Baked with cinnamon
Mixed in with yogurt (greek or plain)
Sliced
Turned into a milkshake, smoothie, or juiced
Apples + Peanut butter= yum!
Add them to meals like stir fry or salad
Add them to your deli sandwich
Fruit salad
With or in your oatmeal

Also, for your special treat, we were thinking you might want to know what different types of apples were out there and there are so many. Epicurious and Depin Heights both have an extensive log pertaining to the varieties, uses, recipes, seasons, and descriptions of the apple.

Share with Us: Do you have any healthy apple treats or recipes that you’d like to share?

Posted on July 16, 2014August 7, 2015 by Earths — Leave a comment

Living Health – Yoga

Hey Earth’s Enrichers

Even during those summer days, waking up can be a nightmare especially when it’s early, but what do you do when you wake up? Think about it, the first thing you do is stretch to wake up your muscles. Stretching your muscles is and should be a part of your everyday physical activity and/or exercise.

If your body is getting its preparation, what about your mind? Is there an exercise that prepares your body as well as your mind? Well, there is! You all have heard of yoga, right? Yoga is an exercise and meditation activities that helps you unite your mind and body. It uses techniques or poses to help with your posture, flexibility, and strength. It also teaches you how to breathe during the practice of these particular exercises.

Before we go on to the physical part, let’s talk about the meditation (or the mind exercise) that happens before or during your practice of yoga. Meditation is not always a religious practice; it’s a way of getting your mind together whether you’re contemplating your spirituality or how to make your kids eat their vegetables. It’s a way to get in touch with your body as well. Remember how we always say get to know your body? Meditation can help you with that during the poses in yoga.

When or if beginning yoga for the first time, you may not find it easy for your body and you may discover new things about your body. For instance, you may discover poses that you like or poses you don’t like. This depends on how the poses feels to your body. It also shows you where and how you need to improve physically. It’s challenging but yoga is a progressive exercise practice. When we say “practice,” we mean with more practice comes more improvement. You’ll find, over time, those uncomfortable poses won’t be so uncomfortable anymore.

Yoga inspires stretching and positioning your body in ways that will improve your flexibility. It also encourages you to use muscles you haven’t used or never knew you had. When your yoga instructor directs you to take a specific pose or certain posture, it conjures those dormant muscles. Over time, they build and tone. For instance, the use of good posture strengthens your core muscles.

If you’re looking for a way to become one with yourself (an exercise for your mind and body), and to progressively improve your fitness (flexibility and strength), give yoga a try. It may be one of the best ways to exercise for you.

The EE 411: For the Newbies 🙂

There are a few things that beginners should keep in mind when starting yoga: (1) how do I prepare for yoga and (2) what type of yoga do I like or is best for me?

How do I prepare for yoga?

Determine if yoga is right for you by checking with your doctor. Medical considerations like hip surgery or pregnancy should be taken into account. Although, it is recommend that those expecting should not practice yoga—still consult a professional.
Keep Hydrated. This is important in general! This is also really important if you are thinking about practicing Hot Yoga or Bikram.
Eat. A rational meal two to three hours before practicing will give you energy to put forth the necessary effort.
Know your limits. Do not perform a task just because everybody else in the class can. If you cannot do it, do not push it to the limit. Do what your body is prepared for; in time your flexibility and strength will improve. Also, know what time of day you are more flexible. For instance if you are your stiffest in the morning, morning yoga classes may not be the best for you.
Warm up! Pre-stretches for ten or fifteen minutes help ready your body for the work it’s going to put in during yoga.

What type of yoga do I like or is best for me?

Anusara- Popular and designed in the US, this type of yoga inspires elegance with a focus on alignment.
Ashtanga- This style encompasses a series of postures with matching breathing. It is a physically demanding work out, so bring a towel.
Bikram –This yoga is heated, literally. It takes place in an artificially heated room. It consists of 26 poses in a sequence. You will sweat—this is another towel demanding yoga practice.
Hatcha- This is a generic, universal form of yoga. It is one of the common practices and is generally used for introduction because of its gentle style and more relaxed environment.
Hot Yoga- Do not forget your towel! It is similar to Bikram except the sequence of the poses is different, but the room is still heated.
Iyengar- this yoga practice is scrupulous and requires you to pay the utmost attention to detail. It requires configuration in your poses. It also summons the use of props during the practice. It requires plenty of discipline and is not for the faint hearted or fidgety.
Restorative- Do you consider yourself a nervous person? This yoga works to relax and calm the nerves. This yoga also uses props like blankets and instructs the students to take less disciplined poses. It requires less effort and restores your body to its proper balance.
Vinyasa- If you like to dance this may be the yoga for you. Its practice is to incorporate more harmonious movements that are sequenced to flow smoothly. However, the sequences are almost never the same. So, it is less consistent.

Posted on July 9, 2014August 20, 2015 by Earths — Leave a comment

Living Healthy – Staying Cool

Hey Earth’s Enrichers

The summer temperatures are ripe this year! They range from 80 to anywhere in the 90s and above. In this kind of weather, you must bring your A-game of coolness. So we ask you, how are you staying cool in the toaster summer of 2014?

We at EE are natural at staying cool. So this week we are going to let you in on the scoop; that way you’re not burning up out there. It is very important that you keep several things in mind during the summer time heat: (1) the clothes you wear, (2) keeping yourself hydrated, (3) the shoes you wear, (4) your skin’s protection, and (5) keeping an eye on your body’s signals.

In order to prepare for those five things, it is a good idea to know the temperature and the temperature changes throughout the day. Typically, the hottest time of the day is anywhere between 3pm and 6pm. These are the times that you should be most prepared for.

So, when you dress in the morning and you have learned that it will be a very hot day, stray away from wearing black—even if it’s your color! We all know how we look good in black, but we guarantee you it will not feel good in 90 degree weather. It is recommended to wear light colors, because sun rays are drawn to darker ones making it feel way hotter than it is.

Invest in a water bottle, one that you won’t dispose of easily. This way you’re one step closer to sparing the environment and keeping yourself properly hydrated. Try not to leave the house without your icy water-filled bottle. These water bottles can usually hold a minimum of 16 oz. Keeping your body hydrated keeps you from tiring, getting headaches, and possibly getting nauseous while going about your daily activities in the scorching sun.

The right shoes are very necessary. If you’re planning on doing a lot of walking in the hot sun, believe it or not, black sandals aren’t the best either. They get terribly warm when you’re walking. This could cause “some” discomfort. So, when you’re putting that outfit together and you plan on being outside indirect sunlight, try building the outfit with a lighter pair of shoes.

One of the most important parts of this list is protecting your skin properly from the sunlight. It is important to use sunscreen when going out in hot weather (where the sun and its rays thrive). You could also find moisturizers that have sun protection. There is nothing worse than being sun burnt or having sun poisoning. This is important even if you’re not at the beach because it’s better to be safe than sorry.

Last but not least, pay close attention to your body and know your body’s distress signals. If you feel faint, find some shade and take a little break. Sip some of that water that you prepared in that reusable water bottle, and take your time getting back in the mix. If symptoms like exhaustion, headaches, nausea, and irritated skin persist, seek professional medical attention.

The EE 411:

Here are some other cool tips:

If you exercise, shift your schedule to when it is cooler. Try going out early in the morning or later in the evening. That way, you don’t subject yourself to harsh heat.
Invest in a spray bottle. There are some really cool ones with fans attached to them. J
Wear cotton or synthetic breezy clothing.
Bathe frequently and keep up with your skin (cleansing, moisturizing, exfoliating, etc.)
Avoid caffeine and/or alcohol; it dehydrates you.
Go where the air conditioning is! If you don’t have any at home, travel to the library or mall.
Heat rises! If it is too hot upstairs, then spend some time downstairs or on the floor. When in doubt watch your house pet; they will find the coolest spot in the house.