Last week I turned 35. (Did I just admit that publicly?) As I drift into a new age bracket and scan my face for superficial changes, I am reflecting on what I've learned and who I've become over the past decade. I am often mistaken for my mid-twenties (thank you plant based diet!) and I feel better than ever. A friend recently asked me if I would go back to being 25 if I could. "Only if I could know then what I know now," I said. In a letter to my younger self, I'd share these bits of wisdom that I've accrued over the past 10 years. 1. Be the best YOU you can be! Stop comparing yourself to others as you can only ever be you. Be inspired by others but celebrate your uniqueness. Embrace your quirks. Why fit in when you can stand out?! 2. Let go of past hurts. When you dwell on the past you are not truly living in the present. We have all been hurt by someone in our lives but holding on to anger, resentment and pain can damage interpersonal relationships and lead to stress and depression. Practicing forgiveness of people that have hurt me in the past has truly set me free. 3. Break free from expectations, they only lead to disappointment. This was perhaps the most valuable lesson I have learned. I have strong principles and values and had previously expected others to abide by my standards and would be let down if they didn't. I now know that other people's beliefs and priorities may not be the same as mine and that I have no control over how they will think or act. 4. You can't please everyone and if you do you aren't living authentically. When I was younger I wanted everyone to like me and would often put others needs before my own. Learning to say 'no' was one of the most empowering things I have learned. 5. Live each day like it's your last. It sounds trite but this lesson really hit home for me when I lost my younger brother a few years ago. Rather than adopting a 'woe is me attitude' and wallowing in depression, I decided to uproot my life, sell my apartment, abandon my private practice, leave my family and friends behind to live my dream of taking a year-long trip around the world, solo! Let go of the reins, relinquish control and see where life takes you. Live the life you want to live NOW. 6. “Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food.” Hippocrates knew what he was talking about! Growing up on a diet of processed, chemicalized foods led to food intolerances and chronic allergies. After transitioning to a plant based diet rich in fruit, vegetables, nuts and seeds, my allergies are now under control and I rarely need to take Prednisone anymore. 7. Never settle for less than you deserve. Don't waste time on people who don't make you feel good. 8. There's no growth in the comfort zone, no comfort in the growth zone. I will never forget the day my art professor in college uttered this phrase. It became my mantra. Do things that scare you. The only way to grow is to challenge yourself. Step out onto the ledge and jump! (figuratively speaking of course) 9. Trust your gut; it's rarely ever wrong. We are instinctive, intuitive beings. We have to tap into this side of ourselves and believe that the body sometimes knows what the mind won't acknowledge. If you get a strong visceral reaction to something it is likely with good reason. 10. Accumulate less things and more experiences. In my twenties, I worked really hard and accumulated a lot of possessions; shoes, clothes, furniture etc. I fell into the trap of thinking that material things equated to happiness. I have since learned acquiring things breeds a constant desire for more and to what end? Lately I have been donating, selling and just getting rid of 'things'. Having a lot of stuff adds to mental clutter and ties you down. No one lies on their deathbed ruminating over material possessions, rather they reflect on cherished moments with loved ones, a family trip, a cooking class with a spouse or watching their child's first steps. Now it's time to find your own truths. All life experiences are valuable; seek wisdom in them, for it is not just the peaks in life, but the valleys that hold the key to our personal growth and development. I am still growing and learning myself, and I am excited to see what I have to share a decade from now in What I Wish I Knew In My 30's. Stay tuned. By Jackie Knechtel
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Aloe Vera Aloe Vera is one of the most famous plants in the world, and it has been used frequently in history for its medicinal properties. Legend has it that the Aloe Vera was Cleopatra's beauty secret, is mentioned in the Bible in over a dozen passages, and now has scientific research to support its benefits. The Aloe Vera plant is easy to grow even in cold climates and many people grow it as a house plant. Aloe Vera extracts can be taken as a juice, applied as a topical lotion or taken in dried extract capsules. When you are purchasing gel or juice, look at the concentration of the product to ensure its not diluted and you are buying pure Aloe Vera. What's in Aloe Vera gel: • Water • 20 minerals • 12 vitamins • 18 amino acids • 200 active plant compounds (phytonutrients) 1. Makeup Remover - Nature provides the answer of how to remove your makeup safely and gently protecting the delicate skin around your eyes. Aloe is a perfect alternative to oil based removers, plus you know exactly what ingredients are being applied on your skin. Refrigerated Aloe Vera Gel soaked in cotton balls also provide a great compress for tired, puffy eyes. 2. Skin & Sunburn Soother - Acne, eczema, and skin irritation respond well to the natural antiseptics in Aloe. Apply gel 2-3 times a day to the area until it is healed. Aloe also contains cooling properties similar to menthol which makes it a great way to sooth sunburns. It acts as a protective layer on the skin and helps replenish its moisture. When the skin is hydrated, then it will recover faster from the sunburn. 3. Natural Shaving Gel and Aftershave - Aloe Vera is anti-inflammatory thanks to its enzymes and with its high water content, it is very hydrating. It provides a smooth surface on your skin giving you a very close shave. Aloe also can be used as an aftershave to prevent razor burn. 4. Wrinkle Repair - Skin loves Vitamins C and E which are present in Aloe, helping to improve skins firmness and keep it hydrated. Combining virgin coconut oil can make a creamier way to supplement nutrients, essential fats and moisture. Aloe Vera gel penetrates skin almost four times faster than water, and its super emollient qualities help it moisturize the under layers of skin. 5. Internal Health - Loaded with vitamins A, B1, B2, B5, B12, C, E, Folic Acid and niacin, Aloe helps replenish vitamins and amino acids to our diets. What better way than by drinking in these vitamin benefits of Aloe Vera juice while building the body's defense system naturally against stress. Start in small amounts and check with your doctor before beginning Aloe Vera regimen. A great started for supplementing Aloe Vera to your diet is through juicing. Start small with these two recipes, and later you can add in more aloe. Exotic Aloe Cocktail
Aloe Vera Good Juice
Our society has largely lost the wisdom of generations past. There is a lot to be learned from our grandparents' and great-grandparents' ways — so much, in fact, that it can literally save our lives. Here are a few kernels of wisdom we should apply immediately: 1. Grow your own food. Invest some time and energy in growing your own food. Not only is there an incredible sense of accomplishment and wonder in growing your own fruits and veggies, but the quality control is unparalleled. You can ensure that your crops aren't sprayed with pesticides and you can control the types of seeds and transplants that you sow and grow. Choose heirloom varieties whenever possible. Whether you're living on a large plot of land or in a tiny apartment, you can grow some of your own food. Square foot gardening is an incredibly effective method to produce a robust share of food in a small space. 2. Get back in the kitchen. Nothing beats a home-cooked meal. First off, the intention and love you put into cooking for yourself and your loved ones is incredibly nourishing. Secondly, if you prepare your own food, you can control what goes onto your plate and into your body. You can make more empowered choices and ensure that you are eating a whole foods, organic, non-genetically modified diet. 3. Make your own cleaning products. Say goodbye to toxic household chemicals and cleaners and scrub your home down with easy-to-make homemade products. Get comfortable using baking soda, vinegar, lemon, castille soap, and essential oils for most of your cleaning needs. For a general household cleaner and disinfectant mix a couple of drops of castille soap into 2 cups of hot water. Stir in 30 drops of lavender or tea tree oil- both of which have antibacterial properties, and you have a great, all around cleaning product. Pour into a spray bottle and use on all surfaces except for glass. 4. Get some home remedies under your belt. Many of us have been taught, or at least been exposed to, home remedies that have been passed down from generation to generation. Well, there is some serious wisdom in a lot of these teachings! Learn how to combat a cold with garlic, ginger, and onions. Fight seasonal allergies with nasal saline rinses and green tea. Soothe a bug bite with lavender oil or a plantain poultice. 5. Don't discount the power of broth. Broth was the foundation of most foods a couple of generations ago. Learn how to make your own homemade broth from scratch and consume it on a daily basis. Make pot full of broth once and week and use it as the base for your weekly cooking. You can use grass-fed animal bones (chicken, beef, or fish) or vegetables for a mineral dense and incredibly nutritive broth. 6. Ferment your own foods. Almost 80% of your immune system exists in your gut, which contains about 100 trillion bacteria. Here’s some perspective – you have 10 times more gut bacteria than the number of cells in your whole body! The gut also houses your body’s second nervous system- you have the same amount of neurotransmitters in your gut as your brain.For optimal immune and nervous system function, you need adequate friendly microflora populating your gut. Consuming fermented food on a regular basis can help rebalance and repopulate health-promoting bacteria in your gut and redirect your body towards good health. 7. Find a tribe. People who have close relationships with others and maintain regular social commitments have a 50% lower risk of death than those who live more isolated lives. Researchers have found that “weak” social ties were more harmful to overall health than heavy smoking, a sedentary lifestyle, and obesity. So, host that monthly Pinterest party, start a knitting circle, or find a group of folks to work-out with. Get connected with others and foster those relationships throughout your life. 8. Spend time outside. Go outdoors! Get some vitamin D and give your eyes a break. Vitamin D is a powerhouse in the body- it boosts your immunity and functions in hundreds of processes body wide. And spending time outdoors is great for your over-stimulated eyes. Your pupils contract, similar to muscles, when looking at various distances - simply by strolling around outdoors, your eyes have a chance to both focus on the ground in front of you and the landscape around you, which is great for our vision. And finally, let's not forget the benefits of simply being in nature. Run around the yard with your pets or kids, read a book on a park bench, or take a stroll around your neighborhood. Spend time in natural light and connect with our beautiful planet. By Dr. Alejandra Carrasco
№5 - cleaning of the Liver «Detox System - Gold VG» Imperial Gold patch "Detox system GOLD VG - №5" with natural ingredients is designed to remove toxins, harmful chemicals and heavy metals from the human body. The use of the Imperial Gold patch "Detox system GOLD VG - №5" helps cleanse the body of toxins, primarily affecting the liver. How do the patches work? For centuries, Eastern medicine has studied the movement of toxins in the body. Toxins move down the body and accumulate in the feet and ankles. It also became clear that the accumulation of toxins leads to many degenerative diseases. In reflexology, feet are believen to be a channels to many vital organs, with over 60 acupuncture points on the feet. Patches "Detox system" contain natural ingredients which stimulate these points through the combined action of wood and bamboo vinegar, infrared energy and negative ion emissions. This stimulation leads to the destruction of toxin molecules that block the circulation of the lymphatic system. The lymphatic system plays a vital role in the human body, regulating and nourishing the immune system. When the lymphatic fluid is blocked by toxins, stagnation is noted, which leads to the formation of cellulite and the accumulation of excess weight. Cleansing the body starts with our feets. Along with cleaning the process of transportation of nutrients to the cells of the body results not only in weight loss, but also improves the skin state, slows down the aging process. Swelling under the eyes disappear, stabilizes artherial blood pressure and heart rate, improves overall health, sleep normalizes, as well as accelerating the process of recovery from existing chronic and acute diseases. Composition: 100% natural composition. Main components:
Indications for usage:
During the patch application, cleansing begins with the intestines, thereby helping to lose weight. Since the liver is a filter of blood, all the harmful substances are trapped there. Over time, accumulation of toxins leads to the formation of stones in the gallbladder and bile ducts. The essence of the process of cleansing of the liver, is to make the gall bladder constringing and open bile ducts. The components of the patch "Detox system - Gold VG - №5" help to improve the liver function (liver easier copes with its function of blood cleaning). The patches are beneficially effecting the nervous system, reduces headaches, relieves irritability, and also have an overall positive effect on the entire body. The course of treatment: 3 months. Content: Includes 14 pcs (treatment for 7 days) Contraindications: Individual intolerance. Not recommended for nursing mothers. Allergy to any of the product components. Precautions: The patch "Detox system" is intended for external use only. In rare cases, weak allergic reactions may appear. If you have any allergies, stop using them. Do not apply patch on an open wound. Storage: Keep away from direct sunlight Shelf life: 2 years Certification: SGS Nr. SHFD0100303328FD It is not a medical product |