Saturday, July 24, 2010

Pain Fighting Foods – An Explanation

Publisher: Earl Williams
The Affiliate Mini Mall

The suggestion that certain foods can help manage pain may surprise some people, but it is nothing new. Humans have been seeking relief from pain for centuries - long before there were pills to pop. These foods are still around today, and they can really help manage pain.

How Painkillers Work

When you take a prescription or over-the-counter painkiller, it relieves your pain. It does so by various mechanisms.

# Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen, aspirin, and naproxen sodium work by blocking certain enzymes, particularly cyclooxygenase (COX), in the body. These enzymes are operative in the production of prostaglandins - hormones that increase pain, swelling, and inflammation.

# Narcotic painkillers like morphine work by blocking pain receptors in the brain, or blocking pain signals from reaching the brain.

There are foods that are strongly anti-inflammatory, and since reducing inflammation is a key component of NSAIDs, it stands to reason that anti-inflammatory foods would reduce pain.

Here is a list of foods considered effective at managing and reducing pain, and how they do so.

* Oranges - These sweet citrus fruits are considered anti-inflammatory and are recommended in anti-arthritis diets. Oranges contain beta-cryptoxanthin, a phytochemical that has been shown to decrease the development of inflammatory joint conditions. Some other foods that have beta-cryptoxanthin are apricots, plums, watermelons, peaches, and papaya.

* Red Grapes - Red grapes (and to a lesser extent, green grapes) have resveratrol in their skins. Resveratrol inhibits the COX enzyme, which is what NSAIDs do. Resveratrol is also found in mulberries.

* Seeds and Nuts - Sunflower seeds, sesame seeds, peanuts and hazelnuts contain tryptophan. This chemical helps reduce pain sensitivity.

* Beans and Whole Grains - Beans, whole grains, and lentils also contain tryptophan. A good pain-fighting dish would be beans over brown rice with some nuts on the side.

* Fatty Fish - Fish like salmon and mackerel contain large amounts of essential fatty acids (Omega-3s) which are anti-inflammatory.

* Cherries - Recent studies have shown the anti-inflammatory properties of cherries. Cherry juice works well, too.

* Blackberries, Strawberries, and Blueberries - These berries have antioxidants, which help prevent cell damage. This can inhibit or prevent painful conditions like arthritis. Other studies have also found these berries to be anti-inflammatory as well.

* Chickweed - You may not recognize this as a food, but it is an edible plant that you can probably find in your yard. Chickweed helps reduce swelling and helps ease internal pain. It can be eaten as a salad green or brewed into a tea.

* Ginger - Ginger is a tasty anti-inflammatory that reduces those pesky prostaglandins. It seems to work especially well for muscular pain.

* Celery Seeds - The anti-inflammatory chemical in celery and its seeds is apigenin. Celery seed is recommended for managing gout pain and preventing attacks of gout.

Take a look at some of these foods and enjoy creating pain-fighting meals and dishes.


About the Publisher: Earl Williams is a real entrepreneur who is making money with his online marketing business using some of the largest Affiliate programs on the Internet. He uses the affiliate programs to setup Affiliateminimall.com where you can fine discount shopping along with great coupon deals. To learn more visit: www.shoptamm.com

Sunday, July 11, 2010

Top Tips to Keep Your Children Hydrated This Summer

Publisher: Earl Williams
The Affiliate Mini Mall

It's important to stay hydrated in the summer months, and kids can easily forget to drink enough. And if your kids drink the wrong kind of drink, it can do more harm than good. Here are some tips on keeping your children healthy and hydrated in the hot summer months.

1. Fluids

Drinking water is very important. However, kids tend to drink water only when very thirsty. For good hydration, you need to drink frequently even when you're not thirsty. Also, water does not have any minerals or carbohydrates in it. For proper hydration, the body's electrolytes must be kept in balance. That is why sports drinks contain so much sodium - it's a mineral you lose when you sweat, and you need some sodium to encourage the body to hold water.

Your child doesn't need that much salt, though, nor does he or she need the artificial color and corn syrup in these commercial drinks. For good hydration that includes water, minerals, and some carbohydrates, consider these inexpensive, home-made drinks.

Fruit Smoothies

These yummy mixtures provide water and great flavor. You can pop a pinch or two of sea salt into one for electrolyte balance. You can freeze the fruit beforehand or add ice cubes for extra cold and added water. Here are some fruit combinations to try in your blender:

*Strawberry, watermelon, and peach
*Banana, peach, and strawberry
*Cantaloupe, watermelon, and grape
*Strawberry, kiwi, and pear

Freeze leftovers in ice cube trays to add to the next smoothie, or freeze in Popsicle molds.

Slushies and Ices

In your blender, you can make tasty slushies. Simply combine fruit juice or fruit puree with ice cubes and whiz. Or, you can crush ice in your blender, scoop it into a cup, and pour fruit juice or fruit puree over it. You can add some raw honey, agave nectar, or stevia to the blend if your child likes it sweeter. The honey and agave will add some calories and energy, which give your kids a boost.

Use the leftovers as you would for smoothies - freeze into popsicles or cubes.

Herbal Teas

Herbal teas come in a variety of flavors that can be sweetened with natural sweeteners. Some children love mint tea, or fruity herbal teas like raspberry, cranberry, or orange. Just brew, chill, and serve, or add a squeeze of lemon for pucker and added minerals. You can also add fruit juices to the teas. Try iced cranberry herbal tea with some orange juice.

Iced herbal teas can be frozen into popsicles or cubes too.

2. Drinks to avoid


Caffeine stimulates the kidneys and acts as a diuretic, so it may actually dehydrate the body. While some sugar or carbohydrate is an asset in hydrating drinks, excessive sugar can deplete the body of important vitamins and fluids. Besides, excessive, refined sugar is quickly absorbed, providing quick energy followed by a slump.

3. Foods

There are ways to stay hydrated besides just drinking fluids. Eating juicy fruits and vegetables, for example, helps children stay hydrated. Here are some foods your kids can eat that will hydrate their bodies.

* Peaches
* Pears
* Grapes
* Watermelon
* Tomatoes
* Other melons

Enjoy a hydrated summer with your kids!


About the Publisher: Earl Williams is a real entrepreneur who is making money with his online marketing business using some of the largest Affiliate programs on the Internet. He uses the affiliate programs to setup Affiliateminimall.com where you can fine discount shopping along with great coupon deals. To learn more visit: www.shoptamm.com

Monday, July 5, 2010

Healthy Home-Made Dog Treats


Publisher: Earl Williams
The Affiliate Mini Mall


There are lots of advantages to making your own dog treats; they're healthier and you can customize the ingredients, for example. Once you get the hang of it, you can create your own healthy dog treat recipes. Just be sure to avoid chocolate, grapes, walnuts, and raisins.

Here are some recipe ideas to get you started.


1. Crunchy Breath-Freshening Treats

Most of us are familiar with the sprig of parsley on the side of our restaurant entree, but you may not know that it is there because of its reputation as a breath freshener. This dog treat recipe contains parsley to help with doggie breath.

Ingredients:

* 1 cup minced parsley leaves, stems included (you can use flat or curly-leafed parsley)
* 1/4 cup carrot, grated finely
* 1 tablespoon canola oil
* 1 cup whole wheat flour
* 1/2 cup fine cornmeal
* 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
* 1/4 cup water

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Mix together the parsley, carrot, and canola oil. In a larger bowl, combine the whole wheat flour, cornmeal, and baking powder. Add the veggie mixture and mix it with your hands. It will begin to look like large crumbs. Then add the water and knead the mixture until it comes together in a ball.

Roll the dough out on a level surface dusted with flour. When the dough is about 1/2 inch thick, cut into whatever shapes you like. Bone-shaped cutters are fun, but your dog probably won't care. Use holiday cookie cutters if you like. Just bear in mind that the larger the shape the longer the baking time, and vice versa.

Bake on a parchment paper-covered baking sheet for 30 minutes. Cool treats in the oven with the door cracked after you turn off the heat.


2. Wheat and Corn Free Peanut Butter Treats

Dogs love peanut butter! Here is a treat without wheat flour or corn for dogs with allergies to these foods.

Ingredients:

* 1 cup natural, crunchy peanut butter (no added sugar or salt)
* 2 cups liquid - low-sodium or home-made chicken or beef stock, veggie stock, or just water
* 1/3 cup oil, such as safflower or flax (these tend to be anti-inflammatory, which can help an allergic dog)
* 1 cup rolled oats
* 1 cup oat bran
* 3 cups rice, oat, or rye flour

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

In a saucepan, heat the peanut butter, liquid, and oil. Bring to a simmer while stirring frequently. Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the oats and oat bran. Allow the mixture to cool to a comfortable temperature, because the next step involves your hands.

Gradually add the flour of your choice, kneading and adding up to another cup of flour to get the right consistency. Dough should be smooth.

Roll dough out on a floured surface to about 1/4 inch thick and cut into whatever shapes you like. Bake for 30 minutes. Then turn the treats over and bake another 30 minutes. Cool on wire racks, or leave in the cooling oven for extra crunch.


3. Liver Treats

These treats are simple - they are just dehydrated liver. They are good for training because they have no fillers and are absolutely irresistible to dogs.

Simply cut a pound of calves' or beef liver into strips. Lay them on a parchment paper-covered baking sheet, making sure the strips aren't touching. Bake at 200 degrees for 2 hours, rotating the tray halfway through. Cool strips on the parchment paper on a wire rack. Freeze up to four months or refrigerate up to two weeks.


About the Publisher: Earl Williams is a real entrepreneur who is making money with his online marketing business using some of the largest Affiliate programs on the Internet. He uses the affiliate programs to setup Affiliateminimall.com where you can fine discount shopping along with great coupon deals. To learn more visit: www.affiliateminimall.com

Tips to Make Your Garden Eco-Friendly


Publisher: Earl Williams
The Affiliate Mini Mall

Chances are, if you garden, you are conscious of your impact on the earth. At the same time, you still want to get rid of pests and weeds and grow lush, healthy plants. There are numerous eco-friendly approaches you can take that will provide for a healthy, beautiful garden. Here are some tips.

1. Insect Control

Go for natural pest control. You can make your own soap insecticide by mixing a tablespoon of biodegradable dish soap into a gallon of water and spraying it on your plants. You can increase the amount of soap if the above ratio is ineffective.

Diatomaceous earth is a natural form of pest control that works well on slugs, snails, pill bugs, and a variety of insects. It works mechanically, not chemically, by drying out the bug's body.

Neem oil is another natural form of pest control. You can mix neem oil with soapy water and spray it on your plants (try adding it to your home-made soap insecticide), or buy a commercial product containing neem.

You can also arrange your garden plants for maximum pest control. For example, sage repels cabbage loopers and tomato worms; thyme repels cabbage loopers and white flies; and garlic repels aphids and Japanese beetles. Plant these pungent herbs near your vegetables and roses.

If deer are garden pests in your area, consider deer-resistant ground covers and other plantings.

2. Make Your Own Compost


If you're not already doing this, go for it! It's a money and time saver, and it puts your kitchen and lawn waste to good use.

3. Consider Native Plants

Natives are naturally pest and disease resistant, meaning you won't have to intervene as much with pest control. Also, native plants support the surrounding, natural ecosystems.

4. Containers

If you garden in containers, consider using recycled materials for your plants. Some manufacturers produce pots and planters made from rice hulls, glass scraps, and other recycled materials. You can make your own containers, too. Even old tires can be used as planters. Recycle broken kitchen pots and kettles, baskets, milk jugs, and plastic bottles into planters.

Two-liter plastic bottles can be used to make mini terrariums as well. And remember, when planting in containers you have to water more often.

5. Lighting

Solar lights with stake-style bases can be purchased for less than $5 each. You can get more elaborate with other lighting, but just make sure it's solar. These bright lamps will automatically come on at dark and they produce a pleasant amount of light.

6. Weeds

No one likes to weed, but pulling them out is much more eco-friendly than pouring chemical weed killer on them. Doing so when the ground is soaked makes it infinitely easier. If you don't want to (or can't) yank the weeds, you can pour white vinegar directly on them. Wet the leaves thoroughly with the vinegar and let some of it soak into the ground. For a real weed-killing punch, add 10 drops of clove or cinnamon essential oil to a quart of pure vinegar. Shake well and spray or pour on weeds.



About the Publisher: Earl Williams is a real entrepreneur who is making money with his online marketing business using some of the largest Affiliate programs on the Internet. He uses the affiliate programs to setup Affiliateminimall.com where you can fine discount shopping along with great coupon deals. To learn more visit: www.affiliateminimall.com

How To Save Energy At Home

Publisher: Earl Williams
The Affiliate Mini Mall


It is so tempting to crack up the air conditioning when it gets the slightest bit hot! But that begins an energy-wasting cycle of ever-colder A/C temperatures as you try to keep your home cool while the outdoors heats up. Here are some tips on how you can avoid this cycle and save energy this summer.

1. Don't turn the A/C on as soon as it warms up. Open windows and spend lots of time outdoors instead. It is said that the body takes about 2 weeks to adjust to seasonal temperature change. So give it some time in the beginning and the rest of the summer will be more comfortable and you'll use less energy in keeping cool.

2. Break out the fans. Putting a fan in the window draws cool evening and early morning air into your home. Double fans that fit into the window frame are particularly effective. Ceiling fans are also good choices; they do not block the view from windows, nor do they take up floor space.

3. Cold foods can really help by lowering your core temperature. Try a frozen fruit smoothie for breakfast, and enjoy natural fruit popsicles. Eat chilled melons and frozen grapes.

4. Awnings save a great deal of energy by shading windows and doors. There are roll-up styles available for when the weather turns colder and you do want the sun to come in.

5. Draw curtains and shades when the sun is beating in through the windows. When it's cooler outside, open the shades and blinds as well as the windows.

6. Open windows across from each-other to generate cross-ventilation.

7. Use the heat to dry your laundry. Hanging your clothes out saves a lot of energy.

8. Apply temporary tinting to your home's windows. This is a technique that has been used by those who own antiques and other precious items subject to sun damage. Tinting has the added effect of keeping your house much cooler.

9. Turn off your lights as often as possible. When you do turn lights on, make sure you use fluorescent lights, either compact or tube bulbs. Fluorescent lights are much cooler than incandescent bulbs.

10. Plant trees or shrubs as natural sun-blockers around your home. Some shrubs and even trees can grow at remarkably rapid rates. Mimosa, forsythia, and some hybrid poplars will grow 6 feet or more in one season.

11. Spritz yourself with cool water as often as you like. For an extra-cooling spritz, mix 1/4 cup water or cool peppermint tea with 2 tablespoons rubbing alcohol. Add 2-4 drops of peppermint essential oil, shake, and spritz. Spray your feet, too!


About the Publisher: Earl Williams is a real entrepreneur who is making money with his online marketing business using some of the largest Affiliate programs on the Internet. He uses the affiliate programs to setup Affiliateminimall.com where you can fine discount shopping along with great coupon deals. To learn more visit: www.affiliateminimall.com