Apples help break down body fat
This fruit is a super star, high in pectin higher than pears, a soluble fiber that helps cleanse the intestines (helps to gently relieve constipation) and helps detox the body. Very important in conditions like arthritis to keep the bowels working well, helping to reduce imflammation, aches and pains.
They lower cholesterol levels. Apples contain a plant compound called malic acid which helps to break down and eliminate fatty deposits in the body’s cells. Apples also help relieve inflammation and the pain associated with arthritic type conditions. Help to stabilize blood sugar levels and are filling. They make a good snack.
Read MoreAnti-aging Disease Prevention and Weight Management
Includes the Anti-aging, Disease Prevention and Weight Management
Objective:-
This program is a voyage of personal discovery that will give you all the knowledge you need for a longer life,( you receive a copy of our Anti-aging and Weight management Twelve Essentials Manual). Many aspect of individual health are covered, we not only look at your lifestyle but also the role of internal inflammation in accelerated aging, the role of enzymes to slow aging and how to use this knowledge to stay younger, protected and healthier longer, these are just some of the topics covered.
You will also receive an individual nutritional and lifestyle plan that is built around your own personal health and physical requirements. The building blocks of your life and indeed your decline comes from the food you eat, an inappropriate diet has two consequences. Firstly too much of the body’s resources goes into digesting foods your body has no use for or even worse foods that are detrimental to your health. This process of understanding is an individual one and each person has different nutritional requirements and some foods that are good for one person can cause internal inflammation in another person. Some people estimate the energy requires to digest an inappropriate diet is as high as 80%, this leaves little energy left to deal with toxic waste matter, the efficient replacing of millions of cells that replicate themselves each day and most importantly keep you fit and young looking. Secondly by replacing foods that age you with those that slow down aging we get an overall positive effect. This part of the program is undertaken by Howard Jones AAc and Sonia Jones ND who is highly experienced in this field and has written several books on the subject including the Anti-aging and Weight Management Twelve Essentials Manual).
As part of your stay we have an in-dept assessment of your current health status and to identify any indicators to future problems. Then your individual nutritional and lifestyle plan is put together with three aspects in mind a) to allow your body to rebuild itself without stressing the system b) as prevention is the key, to give you protection against any serious chronic diseases your body might have a weakness towards and lastly c) help you with any current health issues. During your stay you will also have 2 one to one questions and answer sessions on how to use the different elements contained in the Essentials manual and the opportunity to have treatments as included in the package.
Program includes:-
The Anti-aging and Weight Management Twelve Essential manual (the client receives this prior to arrival so they are familiar with the essentials and can come armed with questions)
Use of all the facilities
7 nights accommodation includes a light healthy breakfast.
An in-depth assessment of your health and nutritional status with a written report
2 question and answer sessions on the anti-aging manual
6 one hour treatments ie massage or facials, acupuncture or remedial therapies.
We recommend the option to do a Detox during the first 4 days to include juices and castor oil packs, cost $75.00.
Additional Options:- more treatments, low level laser face lift treatments and anti-aging facials
Structural assessment (check up for pain relief and joint restrictions) includes advice and treatment options to improve any pain or restrictions and improve flexibility and stability.
Prices:-
Low season $1728 single occupancy and double occupancy is $1334 per person.
High season $1840 single occupancy and double occupancy is $1403 per person.
(programs can be mixed please enquire about the costs)
Read MoreArthritis eases up when you’re not dehydrated, a common problem
Water is good for you, everyone knows it and would agree. You are probably thinking to yourself this is rather obvious and doesn’t need stating. However, research is revealing a different picture, I might be stating the obvious but most people are ignoring this simple fact. You seriously need to think about your fluid intake, if you want to feel better and help with those aches and pains of arthritis. I come across a lot of tired people that certainly look older than they are and tell me they feel older than they are. There are many reasons for fatigue, aches and pains but one of the reasons is dehydration. Dehydration is common.
Drinking enough water relieves pain and joint stiffness of arthritis. If you suffer from headaches, maybe you are not drinking enough hydrating fluids. When you are dehydrated your cells contract and retain waste products. When you are well hydrated your cells expand allowing them to get rid of their waste products, allowing them to maintain the correct pH balance, enabling the cells to take on nutrients, slowing down the aging process. This very important aspect of health is often over looked by practitioners and patients a like. Being hydrated is fundamental to any health and pain relieving program. But surprisingly is easier said than done for some people.
We all know how important water is, no need to explain. Or is there? Survey after survey tells a completely different story. We are not taking water seriously enough. Research has revealed that many people are dehydrated and that some people are very dehydrated. As we get older the situation seems to get worse. Being dehydrated is very aging, a bit like a dried up old prune. Our organs find it extremely stressful trying to function correctly under these circumstances. Over a period of time being in this state will have some very serious health consequences.
However many people including children tell me how they drink plenty during the day.
It is possible to drink yourself into dehydration? The answer is yes it is.
It is estimated that a lot of people are only getting one third of the hydrating fluids they need!
|
Did you know? Drinking 5 to 8 glasses of water a day reduces are risk of all sorts of cancer and other diseases. |
Water is -
a) major component of blood
b) prevents constipation
c) flushes out toxins
d) prevents muscle stiffness
e) prevents joints from being painful as in arthritis
f) maintains a normal metabolism
g) temperature control
h) needed for protein digestion
I am often asked ‘how much water should I drink’?
The answer will depend on several things like your activity levels, the climate, how much you sweat, how much alcohol you drink, the amount of stress in your life, how much tea and coffee you drink and what you eat – some food is very dehydrating and some are hydrating.
The average person will need about 6 to 8 glasses a day. This amount would increase if for instance if you are in training and live in a hot country.
What are the symptoms of dehydration? This list of symptoms is not exclusive to dehydration it must be added.
Before you consider taking a medication, (which by the way is also dehydrating) for the symptoms listed below, first make sure your are well hydrated and you are eating well. Many people find these symptoms disappear or at the very least lessen to a large extent, it may take a week or two before you notice a difference.
* frequent headaches
* spots and blemishes
* stiff muscles
* painful joints
* dry skin
* saggy skin
* lack of energy
* hunger
* fluid retention
* fuzzy thinking
|
Did you know? Research shows that the brain gets confused between hunger and thirst. People often eat when in fact our bodies are crying out for a hydrating drink. |
Balance It is important to start increasing your consumption of hydrating drinks and decrease your intake of dehydrating drinks.
Hydrating fluids – water, herbal teas, fruity teas, vegetable juices and fruit juices diluted with at least 50% water
Dehydrating fluids – coffee, tea, sodas, milk shakes, alcohol, chocolate drinks etc
Read MoreOsteoporosis, what you need to know?
20th October is International Osteoporosis Day
Mention the word osteoporosis and the first thing you think of is calcium supplements, dairy products and menopausal women. Both men and women get osteoporosis and not always when they reach old age. Our bone density peaks at the age of 35ish. So we need to think about our bone density before our 50s. We recently saw a guy of 35 who had painful osteoporosis.
In Asian countries especially in China the incidence of osteoporosis is much more unusual. Things are changing though as more people in China start adopting a more Western style diet. The highest consumption of dairy products and calcium supplements is in the US yet they have one of the highest incidences of osteoporosis! This disease costs the US in excess of 11 billion dollars a year. Over the last 30 to 50 years the incidence of osteoporosis has increased dramatically.
Just for a moment think about the cows that produce the gallons of calcium rich milk for dairy products. However, when was the last time you saw them pop down the shops for a calcium tablet? Or indeed buying a pint of milk to supplement their diet? ePreventing osteoporosis is not just a simple matter – of getting cow’s milk or taking some cheap calcium carbonate tablets. Absorbing and utilizing calcium in these forms is extremely difficult, especially as we age.
There are many foods that contain calcium in a form that that is easier to digest, breakdown and absorb correctly. Foods like almonds, sesame seeds (tahini), green vegetables especially the darker ones, natural plain yogurts (much easier to digest that milk), the grain millet and many more. These foods are nutritious and contain the other nutrients needed for utilization of calcium.
In order to prevent or treat osteoporosis there are several dietary strategies that need to be taken into consideration. The body uses calcium reserves from the bones to neutralize an acidic environment that has been encouraged by the average Western type diet. So the more acid forming foods you eat the more the body uses calcium from the bones as a buffer this acidity. The foods and drinks that can cause acidity are alcohol, meat, sugar, wheat, rye, tea, coffee, soda, or artificial sweeteners. There are also compounds in certain foods and drinks that hinder the absorption of minerals like calcium and other minerals that calcium relies on for absorption. Compounds found in wheat, coffee, and tea.
I am not suggesting for a minute you need to give up your glass of wine or become a vegetarian. However, you do need to cut down on the amount of acid forming foods and drinks in favour of more alkaline forming foods and drinks like fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, grains; quinoa, millet and brown rice to maintain a better balance. These foods are also rich in calcium and the co-nutrients. Maintaining a better alkaline acid balance will cut down the need for the body to use your calcium reserves from your bones.
As for supplements you will need to avoid calcium carbonate buy other forms of calcium, read the label carefully it will tell you what type of calcium it is. Also check the label to see how much magnesium if any and vitamin D your calcium tablets contain, start taking magnesium supplements 400mg with your calcium supplement.
If you take antacids, this can have a detrimental effect on calcium breakdown and absorption as antacids generally lower acidity levels or prevent so much from being produced. Either way this has a knock-on effect. Getting regular exercise is important. Get out in the open as much as possible, if only for short periods of time to get UV rays, this will help the body to manufacture vitamin D. Here I am not necessarily suggesting you sunbathe, I mean maybe a 30 minute walk.
Read MoreYour food shopping list – to ease Arthritis Pain and Inflammation
Sonia Jones ND from the Haven Spa and Health Clinic
A shopping list to simplify things for you -
PROTEIN SECTION
Avoid pork – very acid forming
Free-range or organic if possible
Beef is second to pork, in the acid forming stakes then
Lamb
Chicken
Duck
Venison
Turkey
_________eat less of the protein foods above this line_____________
Fish
Tofu – organic
Eggs
Goat’s cheese
Natural plain yogurt
Beans or lentils mixed with whole grains (for complete protein) – least acid forming
Nuts and seeds
Raw nuts and seeds – good source of ‘essential fatty acids’ and protein
Almonds
Walnuts
Sesame seeds
Flaxseeds (Linseeds)
Hemp seeds
Cashews
Sunflower seeds
Pumpkin seeds
Other raw un-salted nuts
FRESH FRUIT and VEGETABLES
Lots of them, in as big a variety as possible
If you want to get rid of your pain – no oranges and no tomatoes (fresh or canned)
Secondly – cut down drastically on potatoes, eggplants and bell peppers
GRAINS and seeds – only whole grains
Oats
Millet
Quinoa
Brown rice
Spelt
Kamut
Buckwheat
Amaranth
Corn
To a lesser extent Barley,
Avoid wheat and rye (white or wholemeal) these are extremely acid forming.
SWEETNESS – in moderation or better still educate your taste buds so you don’t need these sweeteners
Dried fruit
Honey
Molasses
Stevia
DRINKS
Water
Herbal teas
Smoothies – made with fruit, some protein powder, and a plain yogurt
Green tea (contain low levels of caffeine)
White tea
Rooibos tea (red tea)
Home made vegetable juices
Alcohol in strict moderation
PASTA
Rice noodles occasionally
Soba noodles made from 100% buckwheat
GENERAL
Organic apple cider vinegar
Low-Salt
Black Pepper
All Herbs
All Spices
All Beans
All Lentils
Goat’s Milk
Rice Milk
Oat Milk
Brown Rice
Tamari (soy sauce without wheat)
Tahini (sesame paste/butter)
Butter (no margarine)
Ghee
SPROUTING
Mung beans
Lentils
All whole grains
All beans – except red beans and soy beans
OILS – extra virgin, cold pressed, expelled or first pressed
Olive oil
Sesame oil
Coconut oil
Walnut oil
Hemp oil
Flax seed oil (never heat)
TREATS
70% or more cocoa chocolate bar
Dried fruit
Natural popcorn, made yourself
Natural nut butters, buy in glass jars or make yourself
Fresh fruit
Raw nuts and seeds
Read MoreIs healthy eating possible on a budget?
I have heard many times over the years when discussing with people about changing their eating habits, that it is impossible to be healthy on a tight budget. This is a misconception. Convenience foods are generally not healthy and more expensive for what they are. Here are 20 tips that might help you save money, get you eating healthier to reduce inflammation and stiffness.
1) There are always fruit and vegetables that are cheap, especially when they are in season. Supermarkets now have offers on fresh fruit and vegetables – buy one get one free etc.
2) Try local markets they often have cheaply grown local produce that is in season.
3) ‘Pick your own’ can be a very good way to get cheap local produce for the freezer.
4) If you are unable to grow your own fresh produce for one reason or another, and you know of someone who does grow their own, offer to buy their surplus (there is always surplus) or trade with them – for instance some sprouts you have grown (see below).
5) Whenever you see anything on offer – prepare it and freeze it.
6) Bought frozen vegetables and fruit can often be cheaper and there is no wastage.
7) Sprouting is a really wonderful way of getting highly nutritious fresh food for pennies. Sprouts can be grown all year round in your kitchen (big or small), take up almost no space, no expensive equipment, and next to no time needed. It’s as simple as ABC. Sprouts really are amazing as they can be used in soups, salads, stews, and stir-fries, they are extremely versatile. It is possible to sprout all seeds, whole grains, beans and lentils (easy to digest when eaten this way).
8) Buying fresh herbs is expensive so start a herb garden, they take up very little space and are decorative. Herbs look good and will save you a fortune, medicinally and culinary wise. If you don’t have a garden you can grow herbs in window boxes or in pots indoors and/or outdoors. Herbs are very useful as part of any health program. Use them fresh, frozen or dried herbs in cooking or for making teas.
9) Forget the hype avoid any thing with lots of fancy packaging that ends up in the bin, that is only wasted money.
10) Eating more beans and lentils with grains like rice (to get your protein) and cutting down on meat can help the budget, is healthier and increase your life expectancy. Bean and lentils are cheap, extremely versatile and good for you.
11) Getting together with 3 to 4 friends, to share the cost of buying things in bulk, this is a very good way of cutting costs. The difference in the cost of buying some brown rice for instance in small packets compared to buying a 25lb bag/sack, the saving per person is considerable.
12) Generally homemade food is cheaper and better than pre-pared processed foods. The Internet is full of free recipes and the local library is bursting with cook books from healthy ethnic to vegetarian to raw foods.
13) Saving a little on gas or electricity and time – make two three or four times the amount you need. For instance if you cook some chicken in the oven for dinner, add some extra chicken to eat cold the next day with a salad that includes your home grown herbs and sprouts. Also place another dish or two in the oven at the same time, on another day can just be heated up quickly.
14) Look in the supermarkets for the reduced section, there are always foods that have almost reached their sell-by-date, you can pick up some amazing bargains, leave the unhealthy ones, just pick up the healthy ones.
15) Breakfast cereals in general are very expensive especially when you think of the cost per pound. Eat porridge, or make your own muesli, much more filling and better good for you.
16) Can’t afford to go out to eat, find some like-minded friends that also like healthier food and take it in turns once in a while to eat in each others home. It is fun and you get to go out occasionally.
17) Supplement on a budget Spiralina is a broad spectrum supplement full of a wide variety of nutrients. Buy in powder form it’s cheaper than buying capsules or tablets.
18) Go out during the autumn months and pick blackberries they are free and freeze them. Berries are bursting with plant compounds and anti-oxidants.
19) Wild crafted dandelions – it is very important you know for sure they have not been sprayed with weed killer. Dig up the whole plant use the fresh leaves in salads or dry the root and the leaves an excellent tonic for the liver and kidneys.
20) Wild crafted nettles are extremely good as a general health tonic, makes really good tea. Pick the nettles wearing gloves, then tie them into loose bunches and place the leaves down into a large paper bag this protects the leaves from flies and dust. Then hang these bunches up by their stems. Any leaves that fall off will end up in the bag. It is important to hang any drying herbs in an area that is dry with air movement, maybe a garage, utility room, laundry room or airing cupboard.
Read MoreA-Z of powerful arthritis strategies
ARACHIDONIC ACID from too much meat in the diet sets up a chain of events that encourages inflammation and suffering within the body.
BOWL OF FRUIT keep one well stock in sight and easy to reach – out of sight out of mind. Most suffers find if they avoid oranges, their pain and stiffness eases.
CHLOROPHYLL is the green pigmentation in plants, fruits and vegetables it is a really powerful detoxifier.
DEADLY NIGHTSHADE family – many suffers have found great relief form pain and stiffness by not eating anything from the deadly nightshade family. Tomatoes seeded to be the worst offered but this can vary from person to person. Potatoes, pepper and eggplants are also included.
ENZYMES from fresh foods – are vital, they encourage healing and repair.
FIVE-A-DAY is the very minimum daily requirement that is given to the general public as a guide line, which most people ignore. Evidence shows few people eat that much in a week let alone a day!
GO GREEN, introduce less chemicals into your home you will feel so much better. Use aromatherapy instead of those chemical air fresheners. Use chemical-free house hold cleaners from most supermarkets these days. The less chemicals your body inhales absorbs or consumes – so less energy is used on dealing with the extra toxins and more is devoted to regeneration and repair.
HERBS and SPICES in your kitchen cupboard should be used as much as possible – they all have a positive effect on your health and many will improve digestion, circulation, ease inflammation, encourage healing, and so much more.
INFLAMMATION is a really big key to reducing your suffering. Take a look at the deadly nightshade family cut down on meat, avoid chemicals in foods, increase vitamin C rich foods, like most fruit and vegetables, and eat more oily fish.
JUNK – completely clear out your kitchen cupboards – sort out all the food you have stored. Throw out all the out of date stuff (there is always some), put aside all the unhealthy stuff – read all the ingredients labels carefully – do you really want to be eating that? Put it aside and give it all to charity. Make a list of all the healthy food you would like to replace it all with.
KEEP WRITING A food-mood journal has shown to help people sort out what is making their condition worse or better. It is like detective work every clue helps.
LIVER It’s a good idea to help the liver – dandelion tea, fresh lemon juice and milk thistle capsules.
MINERALS, it’s important to get enough minerals eat plenty of whole grain and seeds like sesame, millet, quinoa, buckwheat, etc
NUTS are a good thing to eat in moderation, due to the essential fatty acids that have anti-inflammatory properties and also help to ‘oil the body’ so to speak.
Important rules – never peanuts, only raw unroasted and unsalted nuts ie walnuts and almonds.
OFF THE COUCH – get moving anyway that suits you or anyway you can.
PLANT COMPOUNDS like anti-oxidants there have been reports for years that the lack of antioxidants speeds up aging and deterioration. Bio-flavonoids are also plant compounds that ensure healthy organs, veins, arteries, connective tissue. Bio-flavonoids also enhance the properties of vitamin C a natural anti-inflammatory and anti-histamine and is very important to the formation of connective tissue
QUESTION the hype like ‘take this capsule for three week and it will cure your arthritis’. Nothing is that easy if it were no one would e suffering any type of arthritis. It takes a concerted effort to change your lifestyle some people manage to become pain-free with continued vigilance while others have reduce and stiffness.
RELAX, everyone needs some R and R occasionally. Stress can increase pain and suffering by changing our body chemistry.Everyone has stress you need to find ways of handling it better.
SLEEP, that is good quality sleep has been proven to help people who are suffering to pain. Help you to cope better, find.
TASTE BUDS need re-educating, it’s important to get them on your side in your quest for better health and less suffering.
UNITE with someone, maybe you can get a friend to join you or a family member in your quest to get healthier it’s easier if you have support.
VOLUMIZE with more fresh food – they are detoxifying, full of nutrients to help with repair, bursting with enzymes encouraging healing.
WATER Research points out that a lot of people are dehydrated – drink more water and less tea, coffee, sodas etc and you will reduce stiffness, aches and pains. Just because you are not thirsty is not an indicator, the brain get confused between hunger and thirst signals, after years of poor food choices.
X-RATED All artificial chemical sweeteners should be banned from your diet – research has indicated that it can cause or increase aches and pains – besides it’s not a food, it’s a chemical, adding to your toxic load.
YOGURT Choose a natural plain yogurt – fully of good bacteria – helping to ensure autointoxication is reduced.
ZEST FOR LIFE. Change your thinking and your outlook. More laughter, start by watching more comedies – spend less time with miserable people. Laughing more encourages the body to produce more natural painkilling chemicals
Read MoreArthritis & Pain Program at The Haven
