1. Stay hydrated! Even though they are liquid, sodas and coffee are not hydrating. So, drink lots of water to stay hydrated. Hydration is a major factor in staying well and healthy!
2. Juice half an organic lemon or lime and add to a glass of warm purified water. Drink this first thing in the morning before anything else goes into your stomach. This will help cleanse your organs, give you a vitamin C boost and help alkalize your system.
3. Make your healthy breakfast and/or lunch your largest meals of the day. You need this to give your body sustainable energy throughout the day.
4. Eat healthy fats. Fats are good for you in the right form, quality and quantity. These “good fats” will actually give you more energy, help you lose weight, fight inflammation and support your brain function.
5. Exercise at least 50 minutes 3 times a week. This helps you get oxygen flowing throughout your body and cuts down on stress.
6. Take time for yourself. Take a long hot bath, a walk, a nap, a massage or manicure. Even if it is just for 15 minutes, nurture yourself, breathe deeply, and think of peaceful thoughts. Play some uplifting music. It is amazing how rejuvenating this can be!
7. Volunteer. There is no better way to invigorate your life than to do something in a volunteer way. No matter how low things seem to be, when you volunteer, it puts everything into perspective and can empower you! It is a great activity to do as a family or a group. There are so many worthy groups out there that could use some help. If you are lonely, it is a great way to get out, meet some new friends and have some fun. When we give, we always get much more back in return.

Remember, if you don’t take care of yourself, you can’t take care of others. So, be patient and kind to yourself during the holidays.
I wish you and yours a merry holiday season! Love, Nancy
copyright@nancyaddison2012 for more information go to wwww.organichealthylifestyle.com

The post Survival Guide to the Holidays! by Nancy Addison appeared first on Organic Healthy Life - Nancy Addison - Nutrition.

When the early English colonists arrived in North America, the only apple tree they found was crab apple. However, there are now over 7,000 varieties growing in the US. The colonists brought many seeds and seedlings with them over the years, but the first apple trees the colonists brought didn’t bear much fruit, because there were no honeybees in North America. The colonists started bringing over hives of honeybees as early as 1622 to pollinate the trees.

A New York Publication in 1670 stated: “You shall scarce see a house, but the South side is begirt with Hives of Bees. The Native Americans loved the new apples that the colonists brought with them and cultivated them extensively throughout the US.

The apple is one of the most nutritious foods with remedies dating back to the earliest times of history. The apple is a member of the rose family and the blossom looks very much like a wild rose. One medium apple, fresh, raw, and with the skin, has high levels of vitamin C, potassium, iron, calcium, phosphorus, vitamin A, boron, and folate. All of those nutrients are packed into a small fruit with only 81 calories. Boron is a trace element, which has been shown to strengthen bones.

Pectin is a soluble fiber in apples which removes cholesterol, toxic metals such as lead and mercury, and the residues of radiation. In addition, the fiber content of one apple is equivalent to a serving of bran cereal. The malic and tartaric acid found in apples inhibits growth of disease-producing bacteria in the intestinal tract.

The American Cancer Association says that the apple is a lung strengthening food and can lower the incidence of lung cancer, while studies have also shown that the liver and gallbladder benefit from the cleansing properties of the apple and apple juice. Furthermore, the antioxidant phytonutrients found in apples helps fight the damaging effects of LDL, which we know as bad cholesterol.

The physical benefits of apples have also been noted. A poultice of grated apples placed over the eyes for up to 20 to 30 minutes can help with swelling, sunburn, and “pink eye.”

This simple recipe is much like the Waldorf Salad recipe I learned from my mother. This recipe makes a great light lunch to pack for school or work.

Recipe

Apple Salad

Salad Ingredients:

3 large red apples cored and cut into bite size pieces.
2/3-cup pineapple (fresh is the best choice) crushed or cut into cubes.
1/ 3 cup celery, diced
3 Tablespoons Raisins
3 Tablespoon pecan pieces

Dressing Ingredients:

3 Tablespoons plain yogurt
2 teaspoon mayonnaise
1 Tablespoon pineapple juice
1/8 teaspoon cinnamon

Directions:

In a medium bowl, combine the salad ingredients.

In a small bowl mix together the dressing ingredients and then mix the dressing in with the fruit.

Variations I add grapes to this salad when available. Walnuts can be used instead of pecans.

For more information go to: www.organichealthylifestyle.com

You may like to see Nancy’s international award-winning cookbooks on her author page on Amazon.

copyright@nancyaddison2012.

The post Apple Salad Recipe With Crisp Fresh Apples of the Autumn Harvest appeared first on Organic Healthy Life - Nancy Addison - Nutrition.