I love having good skin!  Keep your skin smooth, firm and fresh with these foods.

1. Low-fat yogurt: Low-fat yogurt contains vitamin A and live bacteria called acidophilus, which is good for digestion and the skin.
2. Strawberries: Strawberries contain one of the highest levels of antioxidants and free radicals, which protect the skin against cell damage and sun damage.
3. Flaxseeds: Flaxseeds are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which is vital to skin health.
4. Cantaloupe: Cantaloupe is recommended for firm and bright skin because of its free radicals and ability to reduce wrinkles and dryness.
5. Green tea: Green tea is rumored to have a range of health benefits, and it is also believed to be a good promoter of skin health. Green tea contains the highest levels of EGCG, which reduces inflammation and lowers your risk of skin cancer.
6. Salmon: Salmon is also high in omega-3 fatty acids, which is necessary for cell membrane health. Cell membrane health is important because it helps your body expel the bad stuff and retain all of the good nutrients.
7. Spinach and kale: Spinach and kale are rich in vitamin A and are necessary for good skin.
8. Whole-wheat breads: Whole-wheat breads are high in selenium, which prevent cell damage and are a healthy alternative to white-flour foods that can cause break-outs.
9. Water: Drinking lots of water each day keeps your skin hydrated and refreshed. It can also clear up your complexion, and if you drink hard or mineral-rich water, you’ll also help your body get more nutrients.
10. Citrus fruits: Fruits that are very high in vitamin C, like lemons and oranges, keep collagen strong

To Read More Now go to:www.massagetherapyschools.net/blog/2009/50-foods-that-can-help-you-look-and-feel-younger/

Science has long understood that certain nutrients can increase concentration, enhance memory and diffuse stress. Today, medical research increasingly shows that certain foods can protect your brain from age-related deterioration and illness and make the most of brain function, making you smarter and sharper. Here are the foods and nutrients you need to enhance memory and mental focus and protect your brain health.

B Vitamins
Essential to brain health, B vitamins are the building blocks for neurotransmitters. For example, choline and vitamin B12 are both needed to create the neurotransmitter acetyl-choline, which is responsible for memory function. B vitamins are found in large quantities in legumes (kidney beans, chickpeas, lentils) as well as leafy green veggies and orange juice. Eggs, brewer’s yeast, wheat germ and soy products are very rich sources of choline. Vegetarians may find it difficult to get enough B12 in their diets because it’s not abundant in plant foods. However, soy foods such as miso and tempeh are good sources.

Antioxidants
Think rainbow foods. Brightly hued fruits and veggies are loaded with antioxidant vitamins like C, E and beta-carotene. These nutrients are necessary to keep arteries clean for maximum blood and oxygen flow to the brain. Antioxidants also clean up the free radicals that damage cells in the body and brain. Vitamins C and E in particular inhibit blood clotting which helps to prevent strokes. Research has also shown that vitamin E is useful in preventing Alzheimer’s disease.

Fill up on dark green leafy veggies like spinach, collard greens and kale. Eat more cruciferous veggies like broccoli, cabbage and Brussels sprouts. Deep red, yellow, blue and orange produce like tomatoes, red peppers, cantaloupe, carrots, apricots, red grapes, blueberries and raspberries contain high concentrations of antioxidants too.

Protein
Builds brain tissue and triggers the creation of the neurotransmitters norepinephrine and dopamine which are responsible for clear thinking, attention and concentration. Lower fat proteins such as soy milk and textured vegetable protein, low-fat yogurt and legumes are good choices. Higher fat proteins like cheese and peanut butter require more energy to digest and slow the production of dopamine and norepinephrine which can dull mental sharpness.

Good Fats
Omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids (EFAs) and monounsaturated fats enhance brain function. These healthy fats are found in nuts such as walnuts, nut oils like olive and flaxseed, avocados, and fish like salmon and tilapia. Research also shows that they protect the brain from damage and heal it once damage occurs. A diet that is too high (more than 20 grams per day) in saturated fat is bad for your brain as well as your heart. Too much saturated fat can slow you down and lead to clogged arteries and ultimately a stroke. Vegetarians can find EFAs in dried seaweeds such a nori and kelp that are usually found in natural food stores.

Good Carbs
Eating complex carbohydrates will stimulate the creation of the relaxing brain chemical serotonin, which can help us focus in times of stress. Good sources of complex carbs are fruits and veggies, whole grains and pasta. Complex carbs work best when paired with low-fat proteins and fiber as this combination prevents the neurotransmitter tryptophan from flooding the brain and making us groggy.

Of course, heredity, age and environment all factor into building a sharp mind, but giving your brain the nutrients it needs will help you make the most of what you’ve got.

Author: Laurie Wiker

Article Source: www.examiner.com/x-6785-Wilmington-Wellness-Examiner~y2009m6d9-Foods-that-boost-brain-power

There's so much emphasis on avoiding bad carbs, bad fats, and all other bads in our diets.  Let's try and realize the good foods that are out there too!

The immune system has many different mechanisms that can cause a reaction to food. Food allergy symptoms may come on immediately OR up to four days after eating an offending food, so allergies are difficult to pinpoint by merely "observing" food reactions. A food allergy blood test can determine food allergies,
sensitivities and "intolerances" and recommend a rotation diet to prevent these reactions.

DIET AND LIFESTYLE RECOMMENDATIONS

An "elimination/challenge diet" can help determine food allergies, but such an avoidance diet is difficult for most people to do AND many offending foods can be "missed" through this method.

Food allergy testing using blood (a finger-stick which you can collect yourself) is accurate and can quickly pinpoint difficult-to-detect food allergies.

PRIMARY SUPPORT

* Maxi Multi: 3 caps, 3 times per day with meals. This daily "multiple" contains high potency antioxidants. If you use another formula, be sure to use only those that are hypoallergenic, since additives in vitamin supplements can cause reactions.
* Omega 3 fatty acids:
Flax seed meal, 2 teaspoons per day with food
OR
Flax seed capsules: 2-4 caps, 3 times per day (target dose range: 6-12 caps per day)
OR
Flax seed oil: 1 tablespoon per day
OR
Max EPA (Omega-3 rich fish oil): 1-2 caps, 3 times per day with meals (target dose: 3-6 caps per day).

An imbalance of Omega 6 to Omega 3 fatty acid ratios, common in the American diet, leads to hypersensitivity and excess inflammation. Increasing Omega-3 fatty acid intake decreases the tendency to inflammation and "hyper" immune reactions.

* Similase: 1-2 caps, 3 times per day with meals. This digestive enzyme formula improves digestion and absorption of foods. It is known that incomplete protein digestion can trigger allergies, especially those that appear food-related.
* Since a decrease of gastric acid production is a leading cause of food allergy in adults, a Gastric Acid Function Self-Test should be performed.

ADDITIONAL SUPPORT

* Vitamin C: 3,000 - 9,000 mg per day in divided doses (buffered vitamins C is best when taking higher doses). High dose vitamin C decreases histamine levels when taken over time.
* Grape Seed Extract: 1 cap, 3 times per day with meals. (Target dose: 150-300mg daily). Grape seed extract acts as a natural anti-histamine with a more immediate effect than vitamin C. It is also a potent antioxidant.

Article Source: http://drmyattswellnessclub.com/foodallergy.htm

I came across an interesting website www.etsy.com/view_listing.php that markets a computer wrist keyboard and mouse pillow.  These are made from all organic material and filled with flaxseed and some lavendar to make them smell good.  The reason they use flaxseed in their product is because "the actual seed of flax contains 30 – 40% of an oil known Flaxseed Oil. This oil remains inside the seed. When the seeds are heated, the soft shell of the seed allows for moisture to be absorbed. As the seeds cool, a moist heat is released. Flaxseeds unique thermal and oil content allow for it to heat quickly and retain heat for 30 -45 min, making it an ideal natural heating product. Flaxseed offers a moist therapy relief."  So if you have strained wrists or carpal tunnel, check this out.  Let me know how they are if you try them.  The benefits of Flaxseed never cease to amaze me.  Carol