Think before you eat.

Pesticides and herbicides are used on our foods constantly to improve yields and cut down on time at most industrial farms, but they can be VERY bad for your health no matter how much you wash them as these residues can seep into your foods. We have done a little bit of research and found the fruits and vegetables you should avoid unless you are sure that they come from an organic farm.

Either excessive pesticides are being used or these fruits have a higher absorption rate then others and are harder to remove the residues that can cause poor health in you and your family.

Source: Organic Food Blog

1. Peaches
2. Apples
3. Sweet Bell Peppers
4. Celery
5. Nectarines
6. Strawberries
7. Carrots
8. Cherries
9. Pears
10. Squash

Guest Contributor: Shane Grissum
Website: http://gingerlove.ca/

Stress can Kill!

Coming into the new year and out of the holiday season, most people will no doubt begin to slowly slide back into their stress filled lives.  For those of you who don’t get stress then you are a lucky minority, however for others it’s an everyday occurrence.  So we thought we had better compile a helpful Top Ten list of way’s you can remedy your stress levels and bring your blood temperature back to normal.

1. Exercise – Get the endorphins pumping through your blood stream and release that stress by throwing tin, running, bag work, what ever your preference.  Along with a great stress release it also has all the other added benefits.
2. Breathing Exercises – Yep, it’s a simple case of taking a step back and getting some deep, controlled breaths which helps oxygenate the blood and reinvigorate the brain.  For more info check out these breathing exercises.
3. Meditation –  As cliched as this may sound, mediation (if done correctly and you have the patience) can provide a huge release from stress.  The focus on nothingness joined with focused breathing is a recipe for enlightenment.
4. Sex – What better way to get rid of your daily stress levels by par-taking in some horizontal dancing.  Whilst this might not be the right answer for the single people out there it certainly gets the blood pumping so to speak.
5. Music - Get your iPod, find your version of soothing music, find a comfy place to sit, close your eyes and loose yourself in the music.   It’s a form of escapism that puts more focus on your imagination rather than your stressful issues.
6. Massage –  Stress is as much mental as it is physical.  So take some time (and a bit of cash) and treat your muscles to a relaxation massage.  It’s a proven way to reduce the harmful hormones (cortisol, GH and norepinephrine) produced when under stress.
7. Diet - Making sure you have all the right nutrients in your body to counter the effects of stress is exceedingly important.  If your diet is not right and you have an energy crash at a stressful time it can emphasize the symptoms.
8. Sleep –  One of the best pieces of advice that I now live by is “take a night to sleep on it”.  If you are in a stressful situation where you are at risk of acting emotively then take the time.  Go home have a nice dinner and get some well deserved sleep.  Along with the sleep deprivation you may have already been suffering it gives you a chance to revitalise and prepare yourself properly for the the next day.
9. Humor – Laughing is one of the easiest ways to get rid of stress. It’s another outlet that will let you stop and see that perhaps the world is not going to implode tomorrow.
10. Hobbies –  Have some other activities in your life that do not relate to the stressful part of your life in any way shape or form.  This will allow your brain to re-focus on something else and give it a chance to re-charge.

Elixer

1. Wear a high factor sun screen everyday (min SPF30)
2. Stay out of the sun or wear a hat in the sun
3. Drink lots of water
4. Eat foods rich in omega oils
5. Moisturise the skin day and night
6. Chose a moisturiser that has antioxidant protection
7. Nourish the skin with a face mask once a week
8. Avoid too much sugar or alcohol in your diet
9. Ex foliate twice a week to reveal new skin
10. Don’t smoke