Say Bye-Bye-Bye to Blemishes!

Face it when it comes to blemishes you’ve got to really put up your dukes against the excess oil, redness, inflammation, and bacteria. In the midst of this race to the fountain of youth more and more people discover the many benefits antioxidants have on our skin and the pharmaceutical industry is cashing in big time.

Before you too go rushing out to buy the next big thing don’t forget the one time-honored natural source of antioxidants that seems to be over looked quite frequently:  Sea Buckthorn Berry.

Do NOT Under Estimate it’s Power

Sea-Buckthorn’s latin name is Hippophae Vhannoide  L., translated to mean “giving light to horse”. Refer-to its reputed power of curing blindness in horse-Who am I to dispute that one!  When Sea Buckthorn Berries aren’t curing horses from blindness they’re improving people’s skin, one blemish at a time.

Delivering A One-Five Punch!

This antioxidant punch has bacteria-killing disinfectants as well as antioxidants that soothe the skin, balance oil production and even reduce the inflammation of cystic acne, the most severe acne condition of all.

Next time you visit your Health Food Store, try looking for some Sea Buckthorn Oil and finally say bye-bye-bye to Blemishes!

Love,

Brandi

http://anewfeast.com

4 Symptoms NOT to be Taken Lightly

While I consider myself pretty informed when it comes to Cancer, when my friend was recently diagnosed I was dumbfounded to say the least. Her Cancer not only took me by surprise, but also her doctors due to her age and her overall healthy lifestyle.

This form of Breast Cancer is apparently sweeping the nation, unfortunately going undetected most times. It is called Inflammatory Breast Cancer. One of the most aggressive forms of Breast Cancer, getting it’s name “inflammatory” by blocking the lymph vessels in the skin of the breast making it often look swollen and red, or “inflamed”.

4 Symptoms to Look For:

1. Redness, swelling, and warmth in the breast, often without a distinct lump in the breast.
2. The skin of the breast may also appear pink, reddish purple, or bruised.
3. The skin may also have ridges or appear pitted, like the skin of an orange, which is caused by a buildup of fluid and edema in the breast.
4. Heaviness, burning, aching, increase in size, tenderness, or a nipple that is inverted.

These symptoms usually develop quickly; over a period of weeks or months. Because Inflammatory Breast Cancer affects the lymph nodes, IBC may also present itself under the arm, above the collarbone, or in both places.

Inflammatory Breast Cancer tends to occur more frequently at a younger age and in African American women more than any other race. IBS is not only more likely to metastasized at the time of diagnosis, the survival rate is between 25-50%, which is significantly lower compared to other forms of cancer.

To find out more information

I encourage you to visit http://cancer.gov. Thank you to all those whom said a prayer for my dear friend during her surgery to remove this ugly Cancer. She made it through safely and will soon begin her chemotherapy treatment!

Stay Informed!

Brandi

http://anewfeast.com

8 Ways to Keep Your Kids Moving During the Lazy Days of Summer

Anyone who’s picked up a newspaper lately knows that America’s kids are waging the battle against the bulge like never before. Since the 1970’s the obesity rate has more than tripled for children aged 6-10. That’s more than 9 million kids! By the year 2010, it’s estimated that half of America’s children will be overweight.

We Are Literally In The Midst Of An Epidemic

This will obviously lead to a of myriad health problems for the next generation. Including heart disease, stroke, cancer and diabetes. What’s even more startling is the fact that these statistics indicate that the next generation of children will in all likelihood be the first to experience lower life expectancies than their parents.

What Are We Doing To Our Children?

While we can sit here and point fingers, blaming it on video games, too much TV, junk food in schools, and cut backs in physical education it all boils down to poor eating habits and lack of physical activity.

Summer is the time for fun in the sun, popsicles, lemonade, sleeping in and hanging out. But don’t let the heat get to your head, letting your children over-do it in the R&R department will definitely make for cranky, unfit children.

Here are 8 Ways to Keep Your Kids Moving:

1. Put on a Talent Show. Let the kids practice their talent and put on a show for the neighbors.
2. Soccer Bowling. Set up 10 empty soda cans or plastic bottles in a triangle in a level section of your yard. Give each child three tries to knock down as many “pins” as possible by kicking an inflated ball at them.
3. Jump Rope. This is fun for one child or a group of children. Learn a few songs and games to play for group jump roping and try to see how many jumps each person can make before making a mistake.
4. Puddle Jumping. Nothing is more fun than getting to play outside when it’s raining. Summer rainstorms don’t always man you have to head inside, put on your bathing suit and rain boots and stomp in the puddles!
5. Go for a Hike, Walk or Bike Ride. This is a great activity to beat the summer time boredom. Drink plenty of Urilife The Feast and enjoy some exercise.
6. Scavenger Hunt. Create a list of 20 or more things that can be found naturally outside in your area: pine cones, specific flowers, nuts, household items and out door items.
7. Set up an Obstacle Course. Turn your backyard into an amazing obstacle course. Let the kids create a course from toys, bikes, and other things found in the yard.
8. Water Games. Let the kids run through the sprinklers, wad in a kiddie pool, spray each other with the hose or play with a bucket full of water and plastic cups.

To Fit and Happy Kids!

Brandi

http://anewfeast.com

Houston We Have Problem!

Our trip to Maine was fantastic; we swam in a waterfall, lake and of course the hotel pool. We also did a little hiking, as much as my two year old would let us anyway. As great as Maine was, but boy is it good to be home, at least I thought it was until I realized…

We’ve Got Fleas

Well, we don’t but our dogs do. My father was ever so kind enough to watch our Australian Shepard and Beagle mix for us for the week while we were away. Unfortunately he lives in the woods where the fleas and ticks thrive on poor innocent bystanders such as dogs. When I say they were infested, I mean they were INFESTED!!!

I was so frantic to get rid of the darn fleas and obviously keep ‘em from spreading within the house, I spent 3 hours giving them a bath the moment we got home. I believe they are gone, but the poor dogs are still itching because the soap irritated their skin. I wish I had thought about an all natural remedy for fleas and ticks before hand, but my loss is your gain!

Getting Rid of the Itch

You can either do as I did by using Dawn Dish Soap or your favorite Shampoo to lather them up. Once well lathered, let it set for 5 minutes. Rinse thoroughly with warm water. This kills the fleas my suffocation, making them literally fall off your dog.

Getting Rid of the Itch ‘Ol Natural

According to Frances Gavin, you can steep 2 cups of Fresh Rosemary in 2 pints boiling water for 30 minutes. Strain the liquid and discard the leaves, make 1 gallon with warm water. Pour over dog until it’s saturated. Do Not rinse, let dog dry naturally.

You can probably use this same remedy to soak your dogs collar once a week to repel future fleas. Frances also suggests giving the dog a clove of garlic everyday. Fleas apparently don’t like the smell that the dog secretes after eating the garlic.

Good Luck!

Brandi

http://anewfeast.com

Recognizing our Dependencies

Last September, Bill Maher was very vocal about how our food and water supply are deteriorating. He also made note of the increase of sickness and disease along with the rise in pharmaceutical use. In a comedic way, this video can help us recognize our dependencies on the pharmaceutical drug companies and hopefully give us that extra push to make an effort and break free by changing our diets and ultimately our lifestyles.

On the other hand, drugs like hoodia and cialis are available online but except for phentermine and viagra, majority does not have a strong line of action.

Be the Change!

Brandi

http://anewfeast.com

Are Corns Causing You Pain?

Slice up some pineapple! “Pineapple is a source of natural fruit acids and an enzyme called bromelain, which, together, break down the dead skin buildup that causes painful corns and calluses,” explains dermatologist Igor Chaplik, M.D.

Who knew our food of the week could be used for more than just our stomachs! Chaplik’s corn-dissolving cure: Before bed soak feet in warm water for about 20 minutes to soften the skin. Dry feet, then cut a square of fresh pineapple and place it atop the corn.

Hold the pineapple in place with first-aid tape, then cover your foot with a plastic bag, then a sock. Leave on overnight. According to Chaplik, it may take several nights, but the corn will either fall right off or lift away gently with a pumice stone.

If you decide to try it let me know how is goes! I’d try it myself but I don’t have any corns or calluses thanks to my organic coconut oil!

Always,

Brandi

Office: 401-714-2462

http://anewfeast.com

Can You “Catch” Obesity?

According to a Harvard Study, if one of your close friends gains an unhealthy amount of weight, your chances of doing the same increase by 57%. If your friend is the same gender as you, odds rise by 71%! 

“Having a heavyset person around appears to stretch your own notion of what’s acceptable for body size,” says lead author Nicholas Christakis, MD, PhD, “allowing obesity to spread through social networks as if it were contagious.”

One of my biggest struggles with keeping a healthy mind, body and soul is trying to ignore my husband’s unhealthy habits!  I question whether or not his is deliberately sabotaging me sometimes.  I do know having his support would make my transition that much easier, but I suppose I can’t have everything!

Moral of the story, those around us can influence us in ways we don’t realize, making it important to maintain your own beliefs so you won’t be swayed by theirs.  If you are not getting the support you need at home, you can join a meet up group in your area to find more people with those same beliefs.  A great place to look for meet ups is http://meetup.com.  

With social networking all over the Internet these days, I am certain you can find virtual support if nothing else!  Heck you can even find a virtual trainer to whip your butt in shape! 

Who is your biggest supporter, or sabotager for that matter?

Always,

Brandi

Office: 401-714-2462

http://anewfeast.com

3 Ways to Stay Cool this Summer

Today I am reminded just how fast the hot summer months are approaching as the temperature here in Colorado was well over 90 degrees…I don’t care what you say, 90 degrees here is nothing compared to 90 in Rhode Island!

None the less, 90 is hot! Besides staying cool by the pool here are 3 more ways to keep cool while being healthy too:

1. Frozen Fruit. Even the worst cook can’t screw this one up. Just pop some fresh grapes, strawberries, bananas, etc… into the freezer for a bit and pop em in your mouth.
2. Fancy popsicles. Pour your favorite juice into an ice cube tray and insert toothpicks when the cubes start to get slushy enough to allow the toothpicks to stand upright.
3. Smoothies. Everywhere you look now-a-days you can find a delicious super green smoothie recipe! It is a great way to cool down, get your fruits and veggies along with the added energy that goes along with such a nutrient dense drink.

Have more ideas, I’d love to hear ‘em…

Enjoy!

Brandi

Office: 401-714-2462

http://anewfeast.com

Food of the Week: Mangoes

Did you know that more Mangoes are eaten fresh all over the world than any other fruit? I sure didn’t, as I recently discovered the this fine fruit just two short months ago! June is actually prime Mango season due to the wide variety of growth during this summer month.

An average sized Mango can contain up to 40% of your daily fiber requirement. Which studies show dietary fiber has a protective effect against degenerative disease, may help prevent certain types of cancer as well as lower blood cholesterol levels.

This mouth watering fruit is rich in antioxidants, potassium and fiber plus they are low in calories, fat and sodium. I can’t believe it took me 25 years to try this delectable passion fruit!

For more information I recommend visiting http://mango.org where you can find tips on How to Select and Store Mangoes.

I am still fairly new to mixing fruits with my veggies, especially sweet and spicy, but OMG you’ve got to try this recipe!!!

Mango Salsa

Ingredients

• 1 mango - peeled, seeded and diced
• 1 avocado - peeled, pitted, and diced
• 4 medium tomatoes, diced
• 1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and minced
• 1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
• 1/4 cup chopped red onion
• 3 tablespoons olive oil

Directions

1. In a medium bowl, combine the mango, avocado, tomatoes, jalapeno, cilantro, and garlic.
   
2. Stir in the salt, lime juice, red onion, and olive oil.
   
3. To blend the flavors, refrigerate for about 30 minutes before serving.

This recipe will have you eating your Mangoes by the spoonful!  Got a Raw Mango Recipe, tell me about it…

Enjoy!

Brandi

Don’t be a Fish out of Water…Stay Hydrated!

For some reason I keep coming in contact with people whom dislike water. What??? How can someone not like water; it has no taste, odor and it makes up more than 66% of our anatomy. Unless you want to start looking like a fish out of water, it is now more important than ever to stay hydrated.

Instead of masking the taste of water with sugary synthetic vitamins, try consuming some water-rich foods. The best part is we can satisfy our H2O needs while also gaining the other nutritional benefits from the foods as well.

Here are 3 of my favorite water-rich foods:

1. Watermelon- In my opinion the melon makes the summer! It also reduces the risk of heart disease, helps elevate the symptoms of osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis and did you now it is also about 92% water? Watermelon is a highly concentrated source of the carotenoid antioxidant lycopene. And lycopene has been extensively researched and studied in humans for its antioxidant and cancer-preventing properties. Mmmm….makes me hungry just thinking about it.
2. Cucumbers-Not only does it soothe skin irritations, reduce skin swelling and help lower blood pressure, it is also approximately 95% water. Cucumbers are an excellent source of magnisium, potassium, dietary fiber and their juice is recommended for its silica content to improve the skins complexion and health. Plus when cucumbers are sliced, with peels they contain only 13 calories, making them a perfect naturally hydrating food!
3. Tomatoes- Are you a man looking to prevent prostate cancer? Well, grab yourself some tomatoes and get hydrated too because they are also approximately 93% water! These gems are great for promoting bone health and studies published in Cancer Epidemiology Biomarkers and Prevention show that tomatoes can also help prevent prostate cancer.

Now there’s no excuse, go refresh yourself! Brandi