Say Yes!

No is so powerful and used or thought so often.  Yes, is so much more powerful to think and use.  Please consider it more.

Consider yes especially in the areas of disease and health.  Most are willing to die rather than say yes to be open to the possibility that another protocol, practice or natural way exists. Isn’t it funny how this way is called the alternative way when in reality the over medication, burn and cut is so much newer, in essence is the real alternative medicine? 

Mother Nature's Gifts

Following the rhythms of nature and the bounty of herbs and practices handed down for millennium have had and still have astounding results.  They were created to do so, as were our bodies to heal themselves. Those who have presented science to prove with data, that many more healing and healthful ways do exist; have been exonerated and called quacks.

The tide is starting to turn, a shift is happening towards a new openness as we see our health spending escalate dramatically yet our nation is one of the nations of the world at the bottom rather than at the top of the list regarding good health.  Functional medicine and solid nutrition geared to an individual not the masses are becoming more readily available.

As an individual like you and a health coach, I want all of the information, not only the propaganda or profits first cures, to make my daily decisions.

The healthcare industry makes tons of money, has received oodles of money over the last 40 – 50 years as donations from people and yet they are still chasing cures.  Did you ever wonder why there is still no cure?  Research is looking for the band aid.  Not the cause, where scientific data does exist.

Well my friends there are cures available right now.  I believe in unbiased, proven methods that allow us, our friends and families to live long happy lives.  Key words here are long, live and happy.  Live versus manage, long versus being cut short and happy versus pain ridden, fearful, depressed and more. 

I could go on here for hours. But that is far from the point of my writing this article today.  Life is too precious to lose it too early because you or your beliefs keep saying no. We have all lost many friends and loved ones who would be here today had it not been for a no or two on a deep level, and they said no.  They didn’t stretch towards the possibility of a new possibility.

My tip to you is to be open.  Sit and be still, to quiet your mind, or go for a walk, listen to your favorite music, your favorite way to be still and ask yourself if you think you are worthy of being happy, healthy and to live a long life.  If your answer is yes, and you have a debilitating, degenerative disease like Cancer, Diabetes, CHD, Crohn’s Dis-ease, MS, Autoimmune diseases no matter what the stage of the disease is, explore the web, Google alternative or holistic practices and healing, read books (do some research) and if you have any questions please connect with me. 

I offer free 50 minute discovery and breakthrough sessions where you talk, I ask a couple of questions and listen.  And please know that there are many success stories of folks who have been told, "I can’t help you anymore. You have 2 weeks, months (whatever the number is) to live."  And after 10, 20 years they are still alive because they said no to a life sentence and yes to life.

In health and joy,

Barbara

Barbara S. Greenhouse

Certified Health Coach

Member, International Association for Health Coaches

Member, American Association of Drugless Practitioners

Refresh Your Life Now
Bethel, CT 06801, 203 216 6889

www.BarbaraGreenhouse.com

RefreshYourLifeNow@gmail.com
http://RefreshYourLifeNow.blogspot.com
Like us on Facebook, facebook.com/refreshyourlifenow
Follow us on Twitter, @bgsuperfoods

Barbara Greenhouse shares her passions of Food, "Cooking", Cruelty-Free, Ahimsa, the Nutrition and Health Connection, and the Sharing of Unbiased Information for a healthy and informed world.  She guides her clients through their journey to live their deepest dreams, simply and holistically, with compassion and by incorporating some delicious live raw whole foods, fruits and vegetables.  She is currently authoring her first book, "Sacred You, The Delicious Journey"®  -  © copyright Refresh Your Life Now - 2013 Connecticut, USA

Why Manage Life? Live It! ®  Refresh to the Good Life! ®

Chocolate Greetings!

Deep, Dark, Chocolate.  According to David Wolfe, engineer, living-food nutrition expert, superfoods expert and longevity expert, cacao, aka chocolate, has the highest amount of antioxidants in any other source on the planet. 

Chocolate with pistachios, CAHHC party 2012 

Chocolate grows on trees, the Cacao tree.  Minimally processed raw cacao is produced from the cacao seeds often referred to as cacao beans.  Chocolate comes to us from the Mayans who used the nuts for drinks and as currency.  Cacao trees grew wild in the Amazon basin and South American rain forests.  They were discovered by the Spanish Conquistador Don Hernán Cortés who brought cacao beans to Europe.  The love affair with chocolate continues to this day.

Cacao trees today are the #1 cash crop of the rain forests which greatly benefits the numerous indigenous people of the rain forests with employment.  This benefits the rain forests greatly themselves.

Forms of cacao are the seeds/nuts/ beans, pulp, as a powder like cocoa, cacao butter and cacao nibs. Cacao nuts have 15x the antioxidants of wild blue berries and they are the most eaten nut on the planet more popular than almonds. The beans in the cacao nuts are used to produce chocolate oil.  Minimally processed and non-heated cacao is raw chocolate and these oils and their healthy benefits remain intact. Chocolates with percentages of cacao above 70% are the best, health wise, where 55% is acceptable.  If  you can get your hands on raw cacao nuts even better.  

The chocolates with the least amount of sugar products are also best as certain degenerative dis-eases feed on sugar.   Plus, the amount of sugar most Americans eat per year is way too high, 150 - 180 pounds per year.  Yikes!  Added fruits, nuts, coconut, or essential oils add sweetness, flavor and texture. Chocolate products are best without dairy as well, as many of you are sensitive to it and don't necessarily know it. Plus, dairy causes mucous build up throughout the body and inflammation, a precursor to dis-ease.  Most chocolate that is found in stores is not healthy at all. Over processed, laden with sugar and milk products, artificial flavors and colors, do your body no good.

Do you have muscles that cramp up often? Low magnesium levels are the culprit many times. Personally, this has been an issue for me. Thank goodness I love healthy raw chocolate products.   Cacao is the highest source of magnesium. Magnesium has kept the painful charlie horse cramps at bay in my legs.  When I slip in eating healthy chocolate my legs cramp up again. Research has shown that magnesium is required for healthy muscles.  Remember, your heart is a muscle, so have your magnesium level checked with a number of vitamins and minerals at least once a year by your doctor, Naturopath or health practitioner.

Some benefits of Dark Chocolate are:

• Contains the highest amount of antioxidants in the world.  Research has shown that fruit has less antioxidant activity and flavanoids than dark chocolate and dark chocolate products. A chart online specifically lists all the fruits antioxidant levels and chocolate’s level.
• Contains theobromine which is good for your nervous system
• Contains phenylethylamine found in the nervous system.  It has a mood boosting effect due to it releasing the neurotransmitters norepinephrine and dopamine in the brain.
• Contributes to cardiovascular health by lowering blood pressure and increasing blood flow
• Raw chocolates have the added benefits of retaining the original nutrients and minerals the body requires
• Chocolate is the #1 anti-aging food in the world. It contains polypehols and resveratrol
• Chocolate is the #1 food for magnesium in the world, highest source of iron, manganese and chromium of any other major food in the world, and is necessary for blood building , stabilization of blood sugar(chromium) and stress reduction– David Wolfe
• Chocolate is the #1 raw food  
• Very rich in phosphorus for healthy bones and great for your teeth and zinc and copper.  – David Wolfe

David has been interviewed numerous times about cacao/chocolate. His videos are a Google search away, “David Wolfe Benefits of Chocolate” and on Youtube.  The TED talk February 2012 and a few interviews with Supreme Master Television are packed with information. 

There are many decadent raw chocolates and raw snack bars on the market to choose from.  So just maybe this year and moving forward, you will think of chocolate in a new light, I mean dark, dark chocolate that is.

So ladies, to chocolate! Indulge. Valentine’s Day, and every day.

Do you have a favorite chocolate dessert or recipe you'd love to share?  Simply put your fingers to the keyboard, give them some exercise, and let us know.  

In health and joy,
Barbara

Barbara Greenhouse

Certified Health Coach

Member, International Association for Health Coaches

Member, American Association of Drugless Practioners

Refresh Your Life Now
Bethel, CT 06801, 203 216 6889

www.BarbaraGreenhouse.com

RefreshYourLifeNow@gmail.com
http://RefreshYourLifeNow.blogspot.com
Like us on Facebook, facebook.com/refreshyourlifenow
Follow us on Twitter, @bgsuperfoods

Barbara Greenhouse shares her passions of Food, "Cooking", Cruelty-Free, Ahimsa, the Nutrition and Health Connection, and the Sharing of Unbiased Information for a healthy and informed world.  She guides her clients through their journey to live their deepest dreams, simply and holistically, with compassion and by incorporating some delicious live raw whole foods, fruits and vegetables.  She is currently authoring her first book, "Sacred You, The Delicious Journey"®  -  © copyright Refresh Your Life Now - 2013 Connecticut, USA

Why Manage Life? Live It! ®  Refresh to the Good Life! ®

Sugar Coated Holiday Blues

What a combination, sugar and the holiday blues.  One is enough to live with.  But really, so many of us have both of them.  There is definitely a connection between them. As far as sugar blues goes, many Americans have them and have been exporting them around the world.

What are they? Please continue reading this article by clicking here: Sugar Blues.

To stress free, less sugar and memorable holidays,

In health and joy,
Barbara

Barbara Greenhouse
Refresh Your Life Now
Bethel, CT 06801, 203 216 6889

www.BarbaraGreenhouse.com

RefreshYourLifeNow@gmail.com
http://RefreshYourLifeNow.blogspot.com
Like us on Facebook, facebook.com/refreshyourlifenow
Follow us on Twitter, @bgsuperfoods

Barbara Greenhouse shares her passions of Food, "Cooking", Cruelty-Free, Ahimsa, the Nutrition and Health Connection, and the Sharing of Unbiased Information for a healthy and informed world.  She guides her clients through their journey to live their deepest dreams, simply and holistically, with compassion and by incorporating some delicious live raw whole foods.  She is currently authoring her first book, "Sacred You, The Delicious Journey"®  -  © copyright Refresh Your Life Now - 2012 Connecticut, USA

Why Manage Life? Live It! ®  Refresh to the Good Life! ®

Refreshing Anytime Tips for the Holidays

So many of us are wondering, where did 2012 go!  December starts tomorrow and we are in the joy of another holiday season.

My top refresh tip is to keep up your self care and even step it up a bit.  This way you can count on being energized, joyful and in balance over the next four weeks of holiday celebrations and beyond.

My top 14 self care refresh tips are:

1.  Breathe deeply through your nose into your belly and take it up into your chest and heart.
     Breathe out slowly through your mouth. This is the perfect time to think or say a mantra.
     My favorite of late is All is well!  Repeat 4 times. Increase a breath each day up to 5, 6 ...
2.  Relax with a casual walk.
3.  Write a poem, story or in your journal to slow down your pace.
4.  Hum or sing while working or shopping or straightening up your home.
5.  Decorate for the holidays not a task to be done, but in joy.
6.  Brush your skin with a special bath brush to invigorate your skin to relax and increase circulation
     to it.
7.  Smile as much as you can. Your endorphins will keep you in a great mood.
8.  Give hugs often. The return to you is heart warming.
9.  Reflect on the joy of your divinity, your relationship with Source and know that you are Sacred.
10. Look in the mirror first thing each day and say I Love You. Repeat until you believe it.
11. Tell all whom you know and love that you love and appreciate them and tell them why.
12. Drink non sugar drinks: tea, fresh juices, coconut water and plenty of fresh filtered water, to stay
      in balance and to feel refreshed.
13. Have a cup of your favorite tea with some warming herbs like cinnamon, ginger, cayenne. Sit and
      sip slowly and savour the flavors.   My newest favorite is Jasmine Green Tea which leads to my 
      last self care tip.
14. Create lasting rituals for yourself and separate ones with you and your family or friends.

I'd love to hear about your favorite self care practices.  Looking forward to hearing about them in the comments below.

Wishing you beautiful days and memories,

In health and joy,
Barbara

Barbara Greenhouse
Health Coach
BarbaraGreenhouse.com
RefreshYourLifeNow@gmail.com
Facebook.com/refreshyourlifenow

A Convenient Life.

Convenience.  Is it good for you?

This topic came to me in a funny and an unusual way.  I locked my car keys in my car at the library.  I picked up my house keys by mistake.  The police station in my town is conveniently next door to the library so a short walk solved my problem easily.  This is a positive experience related to convenience.

However, with this experience it got me to thinking, to think about the words convenience and convenient.   How often are they a good thing in my life and in yours?

We live a convenient life.  What does this mean?  In a nut shell it boils down to saving you time.  But does it really accomplish much for you? What ends up in this saved time?

There are convenience stores, convenience foods, texting, cell phones, ipads all of which are convenient.  I'm sure you can come up with a much longer list as to what is convenient in your life.

The other side of convenience is loss of quality.  The top two conveniences on my mind with significant loss of quality are relationships, all types: to self, others, the Divine, the planet, our neighbors.  The second is food.

For an enlightening exercise take a piece of paper, yes, please not on the computer, draw a line down the center of the paper.  Next, title the left side CONVENIENCE and on the right side title it LOSS of QUALITY.

Go as deeply as you can with this, take some time.  The purpose is to gain insight on how you are truly not living a life of quality, which is only one part of living YOUR life, the life of your dreams.  Because with out quality, their is lack.  With quality their is life.  If you have an example of where your quality has improved, do write that in.

The last part of this exercise is to write up a sentence or paragraph or two, or if you are more artistic, draw what you wish to do, that will counter each of the of loss of quality that you have listed.

An example:

The convenience:   Purchase and eat convenience store and fast food.

Loss of quality: (use I, not you, of course)

Many:  You have no idea what is in your "food", you have lost the connection to lovingly prepare and connect to delicious food and it's source for your self and/or others, fast food tends to be scoffed down running from here or there, not properly chewing the food, no down time, where is the enjoyment and nurturing, loss of new flavors and foods, added chemicals, taste enhancers etc. that keep you hooked.  The big loss is not sharing the love of creativity and healthy food preparation with children if you have them, which is great bonding time and they feel empowered by helping and learning, doing something fun and with mom or dad.

New quality:  Starting today I will visit the grocery/health food store and explore the whole food section.  I will look for color and items I would like to try.  I may ask someone to tell me about an item I know nothing about.  I may explore organic humanely raised meat as well, if I eat meat today or in the future.

If today I decide to purchase new organic vegetables and fruit I will start with simple new ways to prepare them or just wash and eat them.  I will look for simple recipes online, in a cookbook, ask a friend or my health coach if I have one, for some new recipes using my new found foods. Otherwise I will decide when I would like to do this. 

I will set the time I previously used to drive to the convenience store or fast food restaurant to slow down, take a deep breath and simply cut, chop or slice food and steam, saute or eat raw my new found foods.  The world of delicious fresh juices and smoothies I have heard about will eventually be added to my daily routine.  I can't wait to invite my spouse and children to be my assistant chefs.

Of course you then build on this until you wean yourself off of the junk and less nutritious foods as you will have filled your meals with such nutritious and healthy foods, there won't be much, if any, room for them. It may also mean cutting back some activities to allow for optimal health. 

Why is this so important?  Lack of quality of life, especially related to food, can set the stage for illness and dis-ease such as diabetes, cancer, coronary heart dis-ease, auto immune arthritis and obesity, ADHD, increase stress, create binging and so much more.

The actual qualities behind these are connection/relationship, better quality for this example food, which equates to better quality of life and health, respect for yourself and more...   As you go deeper still, with each deeper connection that comes to light, you will find they lead you to a deeper connection to the Divine.

So tell me, is convenience really good for you?  Or does it steal from you? (for every gain, what are the losses if any?)  Please let me know below.

One more example of loss of quality, not gone into detail here, is the use of electronic and mobile devices for example cell phones, TV, video games.  They kill the connection component of relationship.  This is a whole separate article coming your way in the future.

These topics and more tie in nicely to my upcoming work shop, "Why Manage Life? Live It"!®  Discover how to turn you Health and Lifestyle challenges into a life of Wellness and Happiness, rescheduled for Tuesday evening, October 30th from 7-9 pm.  Healthy and organic nutrient based refreshments will be served at the conclusion of the workshop.

There is limited space, so please rsvp sooner rather than later so you will be able to attend. Pre-registration is required by Friday October 26th.  I am looking forward to seeing you on the 30th.

Please sign up using www.BarbaraGreenhouse.com:

1. Click the Connect tab

2. Click the Free Consultation tab

3. Input your name etc.

4. Input your yes or no rsvp in the comment field.

5. Mail your $20 check to:

Refresh Your Life Now

c/o Barbara Greenhouse

35 Maple Drive

Monroe, CT 06468

In Health and Joy,

Barbara

203-216-6889
www.BarbaraGreenhouse.com
RefreshYourLifeNow@gmail.com
Follow on Twitter, @bgsuperfoods
Facebook.com/RefreshYourLifeNow
http://RefreshYourLifeNow@blogspot.com


This post may be reprinted on your blog, website or in your e-zine with my blessing as long as you include the following in tact:  

Barbara Greenhouse shares her passions of  Food, "Cooking", Cruelty-Free, Ahimsa, the Nutrition Health Connection and the Sharing of Unbiased Information for a healthy and informed world .  She teaches, guides and supports her clients along their journey to achieve their goals one step at a time, to live their dreams simply, holistically and with compassion.  

By recommending some delicious live raw whole foods their progess to a healthier and happier life begins with reduced stress, less pain, weight loss, optimal health.  She is currently authoring her first book, "Sacred You, The Delicious Journey"®    © copyright refreshyourlifenow, - 2012 Connecticut, USA

July's Herb of the Month

It's hard to believe that we are in the second half of 2012. Summer is a wonderful time for you to relax, have more fun, and rejuvenate; to refresh your body and soul.  July's herb of the month aligns perfectly with the summer season.

Derived from the Greek word Mintha.

Mint is another fine example of the thorough knowledge the earliest civilizations had about natural remedies and healing.  We are slowly returning to the natural wisdom nature has provided us for millennia.

This versatile herb was brought over by the colonists on the Mayflower.  It is steeped in history and had and still has a variety of uses. The Egyptians, once again, used this herb over 3,000 years ago.  Other earlier civilizations are documented for their use of mint too.  There are 40 varieties of mint, the most common are spearmint, peppermint and penny royal.

Mint makes you feel good through your sense of smell, it can be both uplifting and calming and healing with it's cooling properties throughout your body and for the stomach.  It aides in digestion, motion sickness, colds, the flu, fevers, is used in chest rubs and cools skin irritations.  It is antispasmodic, diaphoretic and a stimulant.  If you have GERD or take certain medications check with your health practitioner before using or eating peppermint. The jury is still out with regards to it's use with homeopathic medicines due to new studies and inconclusive findings.

Mint on the Rocks

Mint goes wonderfully in recipes with fruits, vegetables and or meat.  Since mint has a cooling effect it's use is very welcome during the hot summer. Some cooling uses of mint are mint iced water, mint sun tea, mint ices or sherbet and in dairy or non dairy ice cream where homemade is supreme sans all the chemicals.  I love chocolate and mint together. My favorite summer cool down treat is anything frozen and partially thawed that is chocolate and mint. Then there is the delicious southern drink the Mint Julep, for those inclined to something fancy.

Mint is also used to flavor yogurt, dressings, soups, for dental health in toothpaste and chewing gum and adds a nice cooling effect in liqueurs.

This is a salad recipe I concocted with ingredients on hand that would be cooling on a hot summer day.  Feel free to use any ingredients you like.  I have a new found favorite salad ingredient that I just love, fresh peaches. 

And remember, use organic fruits and vegetables for great taste, better health, and to support your local small farms and markets.

Ingredients:

Salad greens, baby spinach, rainbow chard, kale any or all of your favorite greens

1 large cucumber

1 large fresh peach

1/2 cup fresh blueberries

2 large pinches of a variety of your favorite sprouts

1 mango cut into pieces optional - not local of course

6 - 8 mint leaves

Dressing:

Your favorite 2 oils, non-hydrogenated

White wine vinegar

1-2 Fresh squeezed sweet valencia or sweet blood orange

1/8 small red onion

1/2 medium sized clove garlic

Mango juice

Peach Juice

Basil

Mint

Red chili pepper seeds, to your hotness level, optional

Method:

Wash the greens and tear into pieces place in a large bowl

Cut cucumber in small chunky pieces place in the bowl

Cut peach into chunky pieces, if juicy cut over a small bowl

to reserve the juice, place fruit in the bowl

Cut mango into pieces reserve the juice, place fruit in the bowl, optional

Wash blueberries place in the bowl

Wash and add sprouts

Chop garlic

Rinse, chop or tear the mint and basil leaves

Drizzle the oils on the salad to your liking, toss

Combine the vinegar, orange juice, reserved juices in a separate bowl, whisk

Chop red onion add to this bowl

Add chopped garlic

Add some of the basil and mint, whisk

Add some stevia or your favorite sweetener if needed, optional, whisk

Add dressing to the salad tossing well to incorporate

The amount of dressing you make is equal to the size,

number of servings, of the salad you make or make plenty and store

in the refrigerator

Add the remaining basil and mint

Dressing works well as a marinade for tempeh, tofu, fish or meat.

Tip: Oils can be seed, nut, or vegetable oils for example hemp, flax, sunflower, pumpkin, grapeseed, sesame, almond, hazelnut, or olive.

What are some of your favorite summer salads?  Let us also know if you like to be creative, reach out to different/unusual  salad ingredients and use what you have on hand in the refrigerator in the comment section below.

Homemade Raw ice cream:

Ingredients:

2 Frozen organic bananas

3 Heaping TB of raw cacao powder, more if you like

2-3 TB  organic peanut butter

20 -24 Drops peppermint spirits extract or a non-alcohol extract

2 oz Coconut water 

Sweetener to your taste, optional - raw coconut sap, raw green stevia, raw honey, 

maple syrup (not raw), xylitol (not raw - from the Birch tree is best, most now from corn)

Tip: double, triple recipe etc. for the number of servings you want.

These amounts make 1 serving.

Method: 

Add coconut water to your blender or food processor

Cut frozen bananas into slices 1 inch thick

Add bananas couple at a time to the blender/processor

Pulse slowly

Add a drop of water to cacao, mix

Add cacao slowly into blender/processor, mix, then add more

Add peanut butter slowly, a little at a time until everything is

incorporated

Scrape down sides and blend again

Add peppermint, blend

Place in glass bowl(s)

Tip: For a creamier ice cream you may add one of the following:

fresh coconut meat of 1 Thai coconut

1 medium unfrozen ripe banana, it should smell sweet

1 -2 TB  Lucama powder (also a thickener)

Irish Moss powder this affects the taste some (also a thickener)

1- 3 TB Arrowroot powder  (also a thickener)

For the last 3 put one in a little at a time and stir or blend. Let ice cream sit 20 minutes or so in the refrigerator to see how well it thickens. Add more if you like it creamier and thicker.  Stir  or whisk to make it creamier. Place in freezer.

For more of an ice do not make it creamier or thicker.

June's Herb of the Month

Cinnamon

Cinnamon Sticks

Did you know that cinnamon is tree bark?  Until recently I didn't know that two kinds of cinnamon existed. Where have I been!  Cinnamon commonly sold in the US is from the Cassia tree.  Our second choice for cinnamon is Ceylon cinnamon hailing from Sri Lanka by way of an evergreen tree of the laurel family.  While it is not as sweet as Cassia cinnamon it does provide a more delicate flavor for your favorite recipes.

Cinnamon is also medicinal and has been used since ancient Egyptian times for a variety of illnesses and dis-eases.  It can help insulin resistance and weight loss.

In one study reported by the Diabetes Care Journal, cinnamon reduced blood sugar levels and increased the natural production of insulin, while it lowered their blood cholesterol also.  Specifically, their blood cholesterol levels were lowered in the range of 10 to 26 percent, affecting overall cholesterol levels and reducing the LDL (known as the bad cholesterol) but not reducing levels of HDL, the good cholesterol. For more information and the data source - Thyroid-info.com.   

What are some of your favorite drink, and food recipes that you make using cinnamon? Head on down to the comments section below and please let us know. 

In Health and Joy,

Barbara

203-216-6889
www.BarbaraGreenhouse.com
RefreshYourLifeNow@gmail.com
Follow on Twitter, @bgsuperfoods
Facebook.com/RefreshYourLifeNow
http://RefreshYourLifeNow@blogspot.com


This post may be reprinted on your blog, website or in your e-zine with my blessing as long as you include the following in tact:  

Barbara Greenhouse shares her passions of Food, "Cooking", Cruelty-Free, the Nutrition Health Connection and the Sharing of Unbiased Information for a healthy and informed world .  She teaches, guides and supports her clients along their journey to achieve their goals one step at a time, to live their dreams simply, holistically and with compassion. By recommending some delicious live raw whole foods their process to a healthier and happier life begins.  She is currently authoring her first book, "Sacred You, The Delicious Journey"®    © copyright refreshyourlifenow, - 2012 Connecticut, USA