When it comes to buying fruit, most people gravitate toward oranges, apples, bananas, and grapes. They often skip over the more unusual fruits. One of the fruits that are over looked is the kiwifruit. The kiwifruit is native to China. Many regions of Europe, South America, and North America have shortened the name from kiwifruit to simply kiwi. This little fruit has a brown peel which contains many hairs. Inside the peel, the fleshy part of the fruit is green, and the pulp in the center is white. The black seeds are located around the pulp and are edible. The taste of the kiwifruit is sweet and is described to be a mixture of strawberry, banana, and pineapple. The kiwifruit health benefits range from protecting against age related macular degeneration to having anti-oxidant properties that fight off aging.

Fights Diseases & Lowers Cholesterol
Kiwifruits are high in fiber, making them good for digestion. Fruits that are high in fiber help to improve diseases like diabetes. A natural occurring sugar alcohol, called inositol, is present in the kiwi. This compound might have a positive effect in the regulation of diabetes. This compound might also help with nerve conduction velocity, which is found in diabetic neuropathy.

Fiber helps to control sugar levels, and binds to toxic substances located in the colon. This helps to eliminate the toxic compounds from the colon which makes the organ function better. Diets high in fiber have also been proven to lower cholesterol levels, improve the health of people suffering from cardiovascular diseases, and lower the risk of a heart attack. One of the aspects for a healthy heart is an adequate sodium to potassium ratio. This ratio is excellent in the kiwifruit. This aspect lessens the chance that a person will have hypertension.

Good For Your Eyes
The kiwifruit contains high amounts of vitamins A, C, and E which are the most typical anti-oxidant vitamins. The Archives of Ophthalmology have published a series of studies that has proven that eating three servings or more of fruit can lessen the risk of developing macular degeneration, which is an age related eye disease. The study was performed on 110,000 men and women that took place over several decades. The study showed that the people who ate fruits containing a high amount of vitamins A, C, and E had a better protection rate against macular degeneration than those who ate fewer of these fruits.

Fights Aging
Along with protecting against macular degeneration, the vitamins A, C, and E are very powerful in helping to fight off signs of aging. The high amounts of these vitamins in the kiwifruit have been proven to fight off damage done by free radicals. Free radicals can destroy the cells in the body and cause early aging signs as well as various diseases, such as cancer and cardiovascular disease.

Contains Minerals
Another great benefit of the kiwifruit is the fact that it is loaded with a variety of minerals, or electrolytes, that are necessary for the replenishment of these electrolytes during exercise. This electrolyte replenishment is especially important for people who live in a hot environment. The Chinese came up with a kiwi-based sports drink that was designed particularly to help boost electrolytes in athletes that trained in hot environments. They added a 5% increase of carbohydrates to this juice to help regulate and maintain glucose levels while the athletes were training.

Aids in Weight Loss
A weight loss fruit, the kiwifruit is an excellent fruit to eat when losing weight. One kiwi contains just 45 calories, 3 grams of fat, 1 gram of protein, 11 grams of carbohydrates, and 2.5 grams of fiber. This is one of the fruits that are lowest in calories. The fiber in the kiwi will help you feel fuller longer, and there’s no harm at all in eating more that one at a time. Kiwifruits are also high in potassium, in fact, they have the same amount as bananas. Potassium is great for sore muscle relief.

Other health benefits that kiwifruits can provide are the following:

• Prevents coughing and wheezing, particularly in children
• Prevents asthma
• Protects again DNA mutations
• Helps with impotence
• Boosts the immune system
• Helps with depression

As you can see, kiwifruit health benefits range all over. Next time you’re at the store, don’t just walk by these odd looking fruits. Put a few of them in your cart and try them out.

This article was submitted by Linda who runs NaturalHealthEzine.com a natural health blog dedicated to helping people live the best life possible.

Getting enough Vitamin D is all the rage lately. Heck, I’ve even heard talk about forgoing sunscreen because it may interfere with your vitamin D intake! The famous Dr. Oz speaks in the video below stresses the importance of Vitamin D and wearing sunblock, but he fails to mention that most sunscreens are unsafe and how to choose a natural one. I already wrote about that a few years ago here.

So to wear sunblock or not?!

But I’ve been thinking I really dislike sticky sunscreen. It’s quite an inconvenience. So I figure from all this, as long as you don’t get burned, why even wear sunscreen!? There are supplements that you can take internally that can help your skin from burning.

For example, super antioxidants like “Vitamin X” AKA “Astaxanthin” act as internal sunscreens. It is derived from microalgae and not only will protect you from burning in the sun but also great for treating pain weather it be arthritic, repetitive strain, or athletic related. Read more about the supplements backed by Mike Adam’s, “The Health Ranger”, here.

Vitamin D Spray to the rescue

Vitamin D spay is also a clever way to get the supplement. I really believe in supplements in liquid form over capsule / pill form. And if you read my blog you will notice I always talk about how much more economical they are, how much faster they are absorbed into our system etc. And this spay is a heck lot tastier than that cod liver oil Diane Sawyer took in the video above. Yuck!

In Conclusion

I say your best bet is to forgo sunscreen and take Vitamin X to increase your resistance to getting burned. I also say always keep the natural safe sunscreen with you in case you will be exposed to sun longer than your vit x can hold off a burn from happening. In the winter months, take Vitamin D Spray.

You can buy the Vitamin X here Vitamin X

You can buy the Vitamin D spray here Vitamin D Spray

For the best natural safe sunscreen I’ve ever seen click on the link below:

Cabbage is a strong and sturdy vegetable that is abundant in almost all cultures and countries. Unfortunately, many American families don’t buy cabbage. The only form of this vegetable they eat is coleslaw. Coleslaw is loaded with high fat ingredients such as mayonnaise. The only other dish that cabbage normally appears in American household meals is corn beef and cabbage, which is usually eaten on Saint Patrick’s Day. Cabbage is one of those vegetables that just goes unnoticed. If people only understood the high nutritional value of this food staple, maybe they’d buy it more often. What are the health benefits of cabbage? In a word, plenty.

Cabbage is loaded with nutrients, and is very low in calories. Just one cup of cabbage contains 15 calories! No wonder cabbage has been named to be one of the best foods to eat when on a diet. Along with being low in calories, cabbage contains Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, and Vitamin B. Each of these nutrients is valuable to the human body. Vitamin A is important for healthy skin and eyesight. Vitamin B helps to boost energy metabolism and maintains the integrity of nerve endings throughout the body. Vitamin C is important in the burning of fat and is an anti-oxidant. Lastly, Vitamin E helps to maintain the integrity of the skin due to it being a fat soluble anti-oxidant.

There are many deficiencies that cabbage can help remedy. A Vitamin C deficiency can lead to issues such as Scurvy. Scurvy causes anemia, gingivitis, and weakness. Scurvy impairs the immune system, and the body is more vulnerable to infections and diseases. Cabbage provides a lot of Vitamin C. In fact, it has more Vitamin C than an orange. With so much of this nutrient, cabbage is great for repairing the body from wear and tear. It’s helpful in treating depression, ulcers, certain cancers, and strengthening the immune system.

Another deficiency that cabbage can help with is a deficiency of roughage. Roughage, otherwise known as dietary fiber, is the part of the plant that is not able to be digested. It holds on to water and improves the function of the intestines. A lack of roughage in foods can lead to constipation. Constipation is the main cause of ailments such as headaches, stomach ulcers, indigestion, intestinal cancer, and many other problems. Cabbage is loaded with roughage. It’s a great food to eat if you’re dealing with constipation.

A deficiency in sulfur can lead to a weakened immune system. The body is less efficient at fighting off infections when it lacks sulfur Cabbage is abundant in sulfur and can be very beneficial in the healing of wounds. Sulfur is another nutrient that is important in the healing of stomach ulcers.

Along with remedying certain kinds of deficiencies, eating cabbage is also great way to detox. Cabbage helps to purify the blood and remove free radicals and uric acid from the body. Both free radicals and uric acid have a hand in causing arthritis, gout, rheumatism, and certain skin problems, such as eczema.

Cabbage is also rich in iodine, a vital nutrient that aids in proper brain function. Iodine is one of the nutrients people lack, and is hard to find in foods. Along with helping the brain to function properly, cabbage also helps the nervous system to function normally.

The health benefits of cabbage are many, not only helping with certain ailments, but also helping to slow down the aging process. Cabbage is definitely one super food that should be added to your grocery list.

This article was submitted by Linda who runs NaturalHealthEzine.com a natural health blog dedicated to helping people live the best life possible.

I have a confession, I’ve never felt the most unhealthiest than I do now. I believe in a little help from our super food friends and keeping our nutrition in balance, but let’s face it– life is stressful and it’s easy to fall off the wagon and drink 3 cups of coffee and one alcoholic beverage daily! Perhaps from this nasty habit, is why my body is feeling achy and inflamed. It’s very hard to wake up in the morning– I’m groggy and achy (and yeah, stumbling for the coffee first thing instead of water). Coffee ain’t the only thing brewing, I always feel a headache brewing as well.

I decided I need to not only cut back on the bad habit but supplement my body with what it needs to recover. So I headed over to sunfood.com and prescribed myself with the following items. I’m anxiously awaiting their arrival and I’ll explain why I chose the products I did and how I expect them to help me. I hope I have great results to share later!

I’ll try not to complain too much about what ails me, but hoping I’m not the only one who feels like crap and figured this could help someone in the same boat as me!

Water isn’t hydrating enough?!

Naturally I recognize I should drink enough water. And I do! But I can drink 4 glasses in a row and not feel hydrated. For some reason my bottled water that I have delivered in 5 gallon jugs just isn’t wet enough?! To solve this issue I bought “Crystal Energy“. I’ll try to keep the description simple and not scientific. Crystal Energy is in liquid form and you put 40 drops per each 32 oz. of water, and it reportedly makes your water more hydrating. Tiny mineral clusters developed by
Dr. Patrick Flanagan apparently create the negative ions to make your water more thirst quenching. That’s exactly what I’m looking for!

Every health nut needs a quality greens powder!

When I used to drink plenty of raw juices and wheat grass I felt much better. I’ve been looking for a quality greens powder to add to my smoothies or just sprinkle in whatever I can think of! I know green powders are excellent blood purifiers and would help balance out my acidic ph level and inflamed limbs. There were a few choices on sunfood.com but I felt the spirulina powder by Healthforce was what my body was craving. Spirulina is blue green algae.

The benefits of Spirulina I’m expecting are:

• It contains chlorophyll which is identical to our body’s hemoglobin molecule whose job is to oxygenate our blood. So taking spirulina powder can help oxygenate my blood which in turn cleanses my blood (from toxins) which in turn helps protects me not only from getting sick, but from pollution and aging as well.
• It contains a a long-chain Omega-6 fatty acid which reduces aches and pains due to joint inflammation which I’m certain I have from being hunched over the computer all day and just generally living a modern life in an urban city. Omega-6 helps hair, nails and skin so it’s a beauty related as well!
• believe it out not, it’s a complete protein!
• it also contains an essential amino acid tryptophan, which creates seratonin, which should help balance my mood and make me more able to deal with stress, because lately, I can’t handle much stress!

Buy the spirulina powder at sunfood.com

Those yoga sessions just aren’t loosening me up anymore!

I admit my yoga mini sessions only last about 20 minutes but I’m still doing them fairly regularly 3 times a week at least and I only feel temporary relief. Yeah I should do longer sessions but a little help couldn’t hurt? Enter MSM Powder 16 oz. (Methyl-Sulfonyl-Methane). Modern farming and cooking food removes MSM from our food. It helps flexibility, so yoga should be more enjoyable and I’ll practice longer and it helps sore muscles heal which I need to not discourage me from taking jogs and long yoga sessions on a out of shape body. Again it is also a beauty product as it helps build collagen for smoother skin. I already have had great success taking MSM pills for my old ankle injury (tendon on inner ankle bone suffered a deep cut from a rock 10 yrs ago) which if I don’t take MSM will throb and act up. So I feel the powder form will take me back to those results I felt from taking the pills by replacing the chore of taking pills and will be more economical.

Buy the MSM powder at Sunfood.com

Wish me luck!

I’ll do a follow up post in a few months and let everyone know how this is working out. I am setting out to do a gradual change, nothing drastic like a fast or all raw foods diet. I can’t shock my body into that lifestyle again from the state it is in now. My goal is to cut back my bad habits and live more in balance and moderation and use these supplements as aids to help me feel less miserable as I do that!

I chose products which were in liquid form because I believe not only is it more economical, but that they absorb into the body easier this way.

I’ve written an update to this post here.

Photo by BurningQuestion

As spring has sprung I’m feeling a serious need to some spring cleaning, not just in my home, but my body! Dr. Sachi (A Doctor of Oriental Medicine- whom you may remember from our last interview: Fit, Fabulous, Over 50…and Sharing Secrets!!) runs many fasting retreats and shares some tips with us below:

In Dr. Sachi’s Words:

I’m often doing a detox- no one can avoid it now, especially children. ADD and autism are mostly due to deficiency and toxicity of our environment.

Children need to start eating detoxifying foods such as bitter greens that support liver function at a young age, otherwise it’s very hard getting a small child to eat such things!

The liver is the largest organ responsible for detoxification. Things that support liver function for example are:

• dandelion
• milk thistle
• broccoli rabe
• basically most things with bitter tastes

In Chinese Medicine, meals should have all 5 elements. Bitter is one of them!

Parasite Cleansing

After the importance of cleansing the liver we need to consider parasites in our intestines. We have a higher incidence of parasites due to travel and imported produce. It used to be we only dealt with our own parasites, but now we are getting world parasites.

things that combat parasites in daily use are spices such as:

• turmeric
• garlic
• ginger

These are great detoxifiers and help to kill parasites.

Fasting

Another important key to detox is fasting. I fast one month out of the year.

Either I do:

• Three 10 day fasts
• Two 2 week or Four 1 week fasts at each season- whatever my body tells me.

During my fast I just drink liquids with lots of raw vegetable drinks. No supplements or vitamins are taken at this time.

Please read more about Sachi’s Fasting Retreats and check out her interview Fit, Fabulous, Over 50…and Sharing Secrets!!

Introducing: Jade’s list of Secrets to Younger Skin.

This list of articles are written by your’s truly and are all a part of my Secrets to Younger Skin series:

• Stop using toxic skincare products- Clean up your cleaning act!
• Non-toxic skincare- Lessons from my Dad’s Skincare Products
• Naturally heal your skin problems- Ancient Mineral’s Topical Magnesium Products
• Choose a high quality SPF that doesn’t contain cancer causing ingredients (the very reason why you are using it right?)- Summer S.O.S. (Save Our Skin!)

Dr.Sachi- Acupuncturist

Dr. Sachi is fit, fabulous, and over 50 years old! (Look at the picture. Can you believe?) She is a practicing Doctor of Chinese Medicine, an Acupuncturist, and Yoga Instructor, in the South Florida Area. She gives many workshops. (Find out more at her website: http://sachispirit.com.

I always found her health, poise, figure and youth amazing, and was eager to follow the same health habits that got her there!

I asked her a few questions in this regard, and she was more than happy to share, of course!

Jade: What are your core healthy habits you have that keep off weight and prevent aging?

Sachi:

Well you can get away with a lot of things when your 20, like staying out late and drinking, but it catches up after certain age and you need to follow some basics for continued health.

Here’s a quick list:

• Really good quality of food
• Eat very little or none at all of already prepared food, like microwavable dinners, or things that have been preserved.
• Eat in a happy environment. Eating should be sacred and not in front of the TV or after or during an argument for example.
• Eat only organic when possible.
• I believe the vibrations of food enter our body so I don’t eat meat as the animal was killed. I’ve been a vegetarian for over 20 years and I’m strong and healthy.

Jade: What kind of diet do you eat?

Sachi:

Aside from being vegetarian, I listen to my body and it guides me as to what I want and what I need. I’m Italian and sometimes I want pasta. I know gluten isn’t the best or healthiest, but it’s happy food and reminds me of my roots and I greatly enjoy having pasta and bread and wine… and it’s [occasionally] a good thing for me!

Sometimes I just want a salad or just roots such as parsnips, sweet potatoes, and carrots with a few dried Chinese roots tossed in such as ginseng, astragals, and dong quai – they are tasty sautéed with a chunk of ginger or onions and some fresh coriander as a side garnish.

Jade: Do you believe in supplements?

Sachi:

I believe we need supplements to make up for how deficient our soil has become. We no longer get the vitamins and minerals we need from it. So we need to look for ways to get those missing nutrients.

I’m also a fan of supplements that convert fat into lean muscle mass. I recently lost too much weight, and the secret of keeping the body at an ideal weight if you lose a lot of weight is not to gain fat! 100 calories of cake for example is not the same as 100 calories of broccoli! So try to eat healthy! Not unhealthy fats and empty calories.

I’m currently taking alpha lipoic, congeline to help build muscle mass and not store fat. It’s important in this situation to take supplements that convert fat into lean muscle mass and that’s what I’m doing.

Jade: What about Antioxidants and Vitamins?

Sachi:

I start everyday, after tea, with a fruit smoothie with fiber, flax oil, and lecithin.

I also take about 20 vitamins once to twice a day when I remember and I’m constantly rotating. As a Doctor of Oriental Medicine, I’m like a kid in a candy store. I pull off the shelf what I feel like I’m needing.

Jade: What about exercise?

Sachi:

You absolutely need exercise. I once saw somebody walking into a big fancy building and then get in the elevator and take it to the floor of the gym they were going to work out at. Kinda funny.

So many of us lead sedentary lifestyles. You have to make an effort and exercise. You can schedule time and make time to do it but also exercise can be worked into our lifestyles just by using the stairs or parking far from the store.

I like to do some cardio and yoga which stretches rather than bulks.

Jade: I know you do yoga. How often?

I wish I could say everyday. I at least practice a few times a week, even small amounts. I’m currently working on a second yoga video, a morning and afternoon short series.

I don’t like the power yoga; I think the best benefit is the ability to turn inwards. Yoga and tai chi are the only forms of exercise that have the meditative effect of yin and yang balance (mental side) together with exercise.

Jade: What about meditation?

Sachi:

We all need quiet time. Nobody can keep a clear mind unless they are enlightened. In meditation, we are taught to practice viewing all our thoughts that come in, but not to chase them or get involved with them. A lot of people get pissed when I tell them this, and say, “But I get way too many thoughts!” And I say, “Great! Bless them!”

Life is not going to go smoothly. When things come at you, meditation enables you with the experience and training of how not to go after these and get so involved, upset and emotional.

The golden part of meditation is learning how not to allow your thoughts disrupt peace! NOT to completely still the mind.

Jade: You Meditate every day don’t you? How do you stay motivated to wake up every morning and meditate first thing?

Sachi:

Oh I look forward to meditating! First thing I do in the morning is brew a cup of tea, and while it’s brewing, I go meditate. I like a nice Indian chai tea with caffeine cloves and cinnamon. After I meditate, I sip my tea and integrate my morning meditation thoughts. It’s my meeting with myself.

Q; What other advice do you have for us?

Sachi:

Stay positive! Have a good attitude, be nonjudgmental and come form heart. Relate to someone as a soul. You don’t have to like them, but you can love them, and that keeps you from getting involved in their human side. When I get fed up, I say to myself “look at their soul!”

Jade: What do you have to say about people who are afraid of herbal medicine treatments?

Sachi:

I would ask them to look at why. There’s probably a reason. Read a book called “Death by Prescription.” It documents all the deaths by correctly prescribed Western Medicine drugs. My advice? Try gentle first! Try herbs before toxic medicine.

If it doesn’t succeed, you have other options. Thankfully we have them (Western Drugs) if we really need them. But if you start first with the toxic prescriptions, then where do you go from there? You are worse off from the side effects, and the herbal remedy has to take much longer now.

Jade: What is the most important thing to you in keeping a healthy home?

Sachi:

First thing after my tea, I light Japanese incense candles that are free of chemicals and don’t use wood so that no wood is fallen for their production. These are the purest ones. I light 5 and put one in every room, and I go in each room and do a blessing. For example, in the kitchen, I say something like may this food prepared here bring health to everyone that eats it. I also put one at my altar and say a prayer.

When I enter my home, I stand at my front door and consciously drop concerns that I don’t need to think about now, and I take off my shoes. This is a ritual that is preparing to enter home purposefully. I then burn lots of good clean candles made of beeswax and soy for example.

Jade: Finally, What do you have to say about people that think health and weight is all in your genes?

Sachi:

I think we have a genetic predisposition such as blood type or body type. There is a lot of truth in it. If you have blue eyes, you can’t make them brown! If you have a large bone structure then you can’t shrink your bones.

However, you can do so much [with your body], such as reshape and tone. Half of the time it isn’t so much genetic as it is learned behavior! Like eating the same foods as our family raised us on, holding stress the same way.

I deal a lot with learned behavior everyday. It is a proven fact that in cases of people with multiple personality disorder, that in separate blood tests (one done on each persona) the blood tests differed! When in one personality, the blood will be that of a diabetic! And in separate persona, the blood returned to normal. It’s a proven medical fact!

So that said, if you have this disposition that “nothing can be done”, then I say we have no idea of the power of the mind!

Give your belief a try! I’ve been able to change people’s body types. People who were really heavy all their life and so unbalanced, who had assumed this was going to remain unchanged their whole life… and it wasn’t true. But they accepted it and it became part of their belief system and that is a very hard thought pattern to break out of.

Race and religious problems come about the same way: People believe they are in their “box” and that’s what we believe and make others believe. When we see souls all as one, these problems will disappear.

If you enjoyed this interview, you may also enjoy my interview with Dr. Simm

It’s summer (or else, you live in a really sunny place, in which case, you need to worry about this all year round!) and I’m sure my readers (like pale old me!) are searching for an effective, safe sunblock that won’t cost more than a guesthouse in Florida. I don’t think I need to tell anyone at this point in history why wearing a safe sunblock is important. Just in case you need a review, here is a link that should scare the pants off you (or, rather, scare the hat and cover-up on!)

I did some research for us (Thanks, Jade!) and have been scouring the Internet for the best, safest, most natural sunscreens, and then checked them against the Cosmetic Safety Database. I made sure each sunscreen checked out “safe” according to their lab test results. And these guys are tough! (Even most health food store brands don’t check out well with them…Be warned!)

Here are my results…. Drum roll, please:…

Kiss My Face Sunblock – SPF 30 With Oat Protein

Kiss My Face combines Oat Protein and Oat Beta Glucan, a dynamic duo of patented ingredients reduce irritation and inflammation and also fight against damaging free-radicals as they lubricate and moisturize your skin. Talk about hard workers! Oat Beta Glucan has been clinically proven to reduce burn cells by 80%. But that’s only half the story. Kiss My Face starts with a base of Titanium Dioxide to block out dangerous rays and Microat E to act as a cooling agent. It?s easy and quick to apply, water resistant, fragrance-free, and as natural as possible. Protects Against UVA & UVB. As always, our products contain no animal ingredients, artificial colors, or unnecessary chemicals and were not tested on animals. Also Available in SPF 18 here: Kiss My Face Suncare Sunblock – SPF 18 With Oat Protein Complex, 4 oz

Alba Botanica Water-Resistant Sunblock SPF 30

Very Water Resistant. Provides a full spectrum shield (UVA and UVB) against damaging sun exposure and premature aging. Blended with certified organic herbs, natural moisturizers and vitamin antioxidants for optimum skin care. Soothing organic lavender provides natural insect defense. Whether you’re seeking safety from UVA rays (aging), UVB rays (burning), or UVC rays (constant), Alba’s full spectrum of sun care protection will help keep you covered. Formulated with an advanced delivery system of natural emollients and therapeutic antioxidants, these light textured, non-greasy lotions provide healthy moisture, healing benefits and confident protection. Smooth, light textured, and non-greasy, they are easy to apply and comfortable when used throughout the day. Suitable for all family members, (except for infants under 6 months).

All Terrain Sunblock AquaSport SPF 30

If your idea of fun involves lots of water (kayaking, surfing, triathlons, windsurfing or just hangin’ at the beach, etc.), then we designed waterproof and sweatproof AquaSport Sunscreen for you. Its unique super dry formula ensures a non-slip grip on your surfboard, paddle, fishing rod, ski rope, or whatever equipment you rely on in the water. And our formula won’t run into your eyes, but if you do get it in your eye, it won’t sting. Sun and water are hard on skin, so we added antioxidants and moisturizers to AquaSport to promote healthy skin. AquaSport is available in 3.5-oz tubes of SPF 15 and SPF 30+.

Nature’s Gate Sunblock SPF 30

A special formula that goes on dry, leaving no slippery residue to affect your grip. Extracts of Rhatania, Wild Pansy and Coffee along with other active ingredients help provide UVA/UVB protection by blocking out sun rays. Grapeseed Extract and Vitamin E are added for antioxidant benefits and Aloe Vera Barbadensis for its deep moisturizing properties. Cruelty free. pH balanced. Biodegradable.

This is what my research has turned up in the way of safe sunscreens! I’ve always quite liked the Alba brand a lot. It feels very light! Feel free to share others that you know of in the comments!

Dr. Simm Gottesman is an Acupuncture Physician from Florida in possession of vibrant health and youth, a great niece (me!), and much wisdom on natural health secrets.

Simm was the first one to influence me to change my eating habits. I have never been the same since she shared her health secrets with me, more than a decade ago. She is over 50 years old chronologically, but physically, much younger. Her face barely has a crease and she’s maintained a perfect weight for her height for years.

Simm received her acupuncture license in 1982, one of the very first people in the USA to become a licensed Acupuncture Physician (#36 to be exact!). Since then, she has inspired many other people to become practitioners, and there are now almost 2,000 licensed Acupuncture Physicians, in Florida alone.

I asked Simm some frequently asked questions …

Q: What are your main healthy habits to keep off weight and prevent aging?

Qi gong

Qi Gong (Ancient Chinese form of exercise involving gentle movements)- It’s a way to keep you in touch with your body and is a kind of moving meditation to calm mind, body and spirit. It moves the energy, or Qi, in your body, improving your metabolism.

Connecting with nature

Every day, take a walk outside. Hug a tree! Stand on soil- not just on concrete.

I am blessed to have wild life in my back yard. Wild Iguanas, along with an array of ducks and water birds, graze through my back yard everyday. Whenever I have leftovers I always share with my animal friends. I grow plants and herbs like rosemary, lavender, and sage. I also grow milkweed, the only plant that monarch butterflies need to stay on the planet, so that I can be mother to the Monarch Butterflies! I’m always checking on their eggs and caterpillars and making sure they have enough to eat.

Some of the new plants I’ve recently met are stevia and the “dragon fruit plant.”

Eating Healthy

I don’t always eat the same way (eg: just vegan or just vegetarian or just omnivore.)
If you eat the same way all the time I believe it just can make you feel bored and crazy! I believe that variety is the spice of life.

• I alternate between eating 60-70% vegetarian and 60-70% raw, and I switch between them.
• I suspect that one of my other health secrets is dark chocolate! at least 70% dark.
• I also make raw smoothies – about 1 a day, or at least 4 times a week. Click here for Dr. Simm’s smoothie recipes
• I love a cup of coffee in the morning! (I drink Organic coffee because I like the idea of supporting the small farmer co-ops.) Research has proven that coffee has many health properties, and 1 cup a day can have medicinal properties such as:
  • excellent antioxidant
  • prevents Parkinson’s
  • prevents Alzheimer’s
  • prevents Bladder Cancer
  • helps Diabetes
  • excellent antioxidant

I also add soy milk and honey! not sugar and milk! I love to see the confused looks on people’s faces when I ask if they have honey for my coffee and the questions I get about that one.

As mentioned above, I like variety. Forgive yourself if you have desert once in awhile. You deserve it, as long as you know how to balance it with the healthy diet I outlined above. Don’t beat yourself up; think of it as an opportunity to practice forgiveness! We have to remember to treat ourselves like our own best friend!

Q: What form of exercise do you do and how often?

I start off every morning with my morning meditation for about 10 minutes. I play my morning meditation music do some ohming chants and some conscious breathing techniques with silent prayers. Then I move on to my Chi machine. This is a way to get the lymphatic system moving. It is a device that lets you rest just your ankles in it and it gently rocks your legs to and fro while you lay on your back relaxing. Then I do a somersault and a headstand.

I also practice Qui Gong (see above) regularly.

Q: What are your core supplements?

I’m actually not a big believer in supplements. Too many supplements can clog the colon. I used to give colonics and actually saw all the gel capsules that didn’t dissolve and were lodged inside people’s colons there! My suggestion is that if there is a supplement that you want to take, test it out by putting it in a glass of water and see how long it takes to dissolve.

Here’s what I do believe in:

• Alkaline water
  (Also called ionized water.) It hydrates you more than regular water. The alkalinity of the water creates an alkaline environment in your body that cancer can’t live in.
• Probiotics
  Not necessarily just those tablets that are from a bottle! You can also get other probiotics that you need, from the food that you eat – such as things like sauerkraut and yogurt.
• “Holy” basil
  This herb has been revered by holy men in india for thousands of years as an outstanding anti-inflammatory.

Those who wish to consult with Simm Gottesman, Acupuncture Physician, may do so by contacting her by email direct: acusimm(at)aol.com. She is available for acupuncture treatments in the South Florida Area.

Read more here on Dr. Simm’s natural healing advice.

I’d like to thank Dr. Simm, Acupuncture Physician, for taking the time to do this interview with me. She is an Inspirational person who is staying young, thin, and disease-free and over 50 too! I thank her for all her wisdom and natural health secrets and sharing it here!

If you enjoyed this interview you may also enjoy my interview with Dr. Sachi