For the Love of Chocolate

Music to my ears, “chocolate has health benefits.” Ahhh, not so fast, its raw unrefined chocolate that can be healthy for you because it is high in flavenols. The flavenol of rave is epicatechin, a compound found in unrefined cocoa, which is responsible for the vascular benefits improving circulation and higher levels of nitric oxide in the blood. Consuming small amounts of this type of chocolate protects the heart and may also enhance blood flow to the brain and improve cognitive health as you age. Epicatechins health benefits rival penicillin and anesthesia in terms of importance to public health. Some researches believe that epicatechin should be considered a vitamin, and other nutrition experts believe that epicatechin is so important that it could even warrant a rethinking of how vitamins are defined.

The Kuna Indians, an indigenous population that live on islands near Panama, are a testament to the benefits of routine cocoa drinking. They consume up to 40 cups of cocoa a week and have a less than 10 percent risk of stroke, heart failure, cancer and diabetes.

Before you run to the grocery store, however, in search of the perfect chocolate know that it must be minimally processed. Epicatechin is removed from commercial cocoas because it tends to have a bitter taste. It is also found in teas, wine, chocolate and some fruits and vegetables. Try organic fair trade dark chocloate without added sugars and preservatives.

Some guidelines to keep in mind about consuming chocolate:

• Consume chocolate only in moderation.
• Stay with dark chocolate because it has antioxidant properties that protect your body from oxidative stress.
• Eat chocolate only if you're healthy.

Everything in nature contains all the power of nature. Everything is made of one hidden stuff.
~Ralph Waldo Emerson

Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar (ACV) has traditionally been known to be beneficial for health due to its high concentration of vitamins and minerals. A regular dose of apple cider vinegar, honey and water flushes out the acid crystals through the kidneys and other organs of elimination, thus preventing and/or reducing muscle and joint stiffness, including pains due to arthritis. The malic acid content of the ACV dissolves calcium deposits in joints, while ACV acts to balance the acid-alkaline pH levels in the body and helps to oxygenate the blood. Even the very healthiest people must continually fight the build-up of acid crystals in the body. Use the simple formula below to elasticize the body tissues and oil the joints. Regular use will help relieve the stiff aching and prematurely old joints making the body tissues healthier and tender.

This same mixture has the benefit of thinning the blood, thereby reducing blood pressure. Animal proteins and fats have a tendency to thicken the blood. Blood has to circulate all over the body through the arteries, blood vessels and tiny capillaries, and it's impossible for blood to circulate freely through these incredibly thin pipes when it's thickened with too much protein. Soaring blood pressure can be dramatically reduced by a 48-hour fasting program with only ACV, raw honey and water (five glasses a day plus additional water) being taken; a longer program, without the fasting, is said to work just as well.

Apple cider vinegar also aides digestion by helping to break down minerals, protein and fats while also inhibiting the growth of unfriendly bacteria in the digestive tract. It is widely reported to be a gradual, yet permanent and effective aid for losing weight. The detoxifying properties of ACV strengthen the immune system used as a daily tonic. Its use as an antibacterial and anti-inflammatory medicine with its natural antibiotic effect may ameliorate viral, bacterial and fungal infections. Since ACV also prevents the growth of bacteria and mold use pure apple cider vinegar to wash pesticides and bacteria or fungus off of fresh produce. If you use conventionally grown produce, you can remove pesticide residues by spraying fruit and vegetables with ACV, then waiting five minutes and rinsing. Also use it as a spray on seeds during sprouting period to prevent the growth of bacteria or fungi. Simply place ACV in a mister bottle and spray your seeds thoroughly with ACV after each rinse with fresh water until the seeds are sprouted. You can rinse the ACV from the sprouts before serving if you dislike the taste!

Used as a general tonic other benefits include: Alleviates respiratory infections and may reduce symptoms such as watery eyes and nasal discharge with complete relief of pollen, food and pet allergies. Cure sinus infections, acne, high cholesterol, chronic fatigue, Candida, acid reflux, sore throats, contact dermatitis, arthritis and gout. To sooth sunburns and insect bites, to make your hair shine, and to treat dandruff.

NOTE: Most commercial apple cider vinegars have been pasteurized and filtered, which destroys much of the inherent beneficial elements. Look for cold-pressed, unpasteurized and organic apple cider vinegar readily in most health food stores and even in some general grocery stores.

We can call upon nature to help produce a healthy home environment that cleanses toxins generated from general and household pollutants. These range from tobacco smoke, paint and some other materials where benzene is found along with items as permanent-pressed clothing, pressed wood furniture, certain paper products and even carpeting that contains formaldehyde; and the trichloroethylene and carbonmonoxide carcinogens. All of these toxins prodcue negative effects the body. For example, Benzene can cause dizziness, headaches, eye and skin irritation as well as respiratory problems. Formaldehyde can irritate asthma and create headaches, especially after having developed a hypersensitivity due to repeated exposure and has been linked to certain kinds of cancers. Trichloroethylene and carbon monoxide are other carcinogens.

Most of the plants listed below are low maintenance, yet have tremendous beneifts in neutralizing indoor air pollution, which is a serious concern with all the toxic chemicals used in home products. Using more plants is a safe, natural and effective way to reduce the chemical burden inside your home. Another strategy involves sourcing eco-friendly materials when you build or remodel your home.

When planning for the coming year's garden, think "biodiversity". Using many different kinds of plants will encourage many different kinds of beneficial insects to take up residence in your yard. When buying annuals or perennials, select plants that are budded but not yet in bloom, so their energy the first two or three weeks in your garden will be directed toward making larger and stronger plants with better-developed root systems.

Springtime herb Chervil: The bright green leaves of chervil look like carrot tops.

Combined with dandelion & watercress the tonic combats the nutritive deficiency brought on by winter (and lack of fresh greens). This combination of greens with all their vitamins and minerals rejuvenates the body.

Harvest Days are: 7,8, 11, 12, 16

Cultivating a Spiritual Garden

* If you plant honesty, you will reap trust.
* If you plant goodness, you will reap friends.
* If you plant humility, you will reap greatness.
* If you plant perseverance, you will reap victory.
* If you plant consideration, you will reap harmony.
* If you plant hard work, you will reap success.
* If you plant forgiveness, you will reap reconciliation.
* If you plant faith, you will reap miracles.

IN THE KNOW

Cloned food can't be sold as organic
The National Organic Program says that even if cloned animals are approved for sale as food, they cannot be sold as organic. Resistance to cloned food grows-The newly introduced bills requiring cloned food to be labeled reflect the growing consumer and corporate opposition to cloned food products that has been mounting around the country.

Mobile Phone Use linked to Tumors- A new large-scale study has shown that long-term users of mobile phones are much more likely to develop a certain type of brain tumor on the side of the head where they hold their handsets.

Burning incense may increase the risk of Lung Cancer- Just because it's a commonly used meditative aid that sounds natural and healthy doesn't mean that it's safe. A better alternative is to use an esential oil diffuser (see Diffuser World below).

WHAT COLOR IS YOUR MEAT?- In this hilarious new animation, Jim Hightower tells us how the majority of non-organic U.S. beef is now injected with carbon monoxide to make it appear fresh and pink. Most meat consumers look at the color of beef to determine if meat is rotten or not. But carbon monoxide injection makes even rancid meats appear fresh. The FDA approved this process without any public comment period, ignoring overwhelming evidence that artificial meat coloring is blatantly misleading to consumers.

Scientists discover the brain has ability to repair itself -a cell pathway provides new evidence that the brain may be able to repair itself.

Whole Foods buying Wild Oats-Two of the largest players in the natural foods retail market are merging. Whole Foods Market Inc. is set to purchase its competitor, Wild Oats Markets Inc., for $565 million plus $108 million of debt.

ZeroWater filtration technology goes retail for home and office drinking water-Zero Technologies, LLC, announced this month that its new ZeroWater filtration system soon will be available from retailers nationwide. The company also plans to substantially expand its television direct-marketing efforts, such as infomercials...

"The Last Well Person: How to Stay Well Despite the Health Care System," by veteran physician Dr. Nortin Hadler of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Hadler states that "wellness" has become an unreachable achievement, thanks to medical institutions doggedly discerning every human imperfection as a symptom of disease.

Cardamom, Cedarwood, Lavendar, Lemon, Mandarin, Orange, Rose Otto

* All flower photos come from our Orchid Houses and will soon be available as a screensaver for purchase in the On-Line Store

Aside from the body scan helping to bring the body/spirit connection to balance it is also an excellent tool in identifying physical stresses and upsets. Pain can be so overwhelming in one part of the body that the rest of the body gets neglected. The body scan is an exercise in assembling the larger hurts alongside the minutest details of stresses that you may have overlooked within your body.

Be prepared to be amazed at the discoveries that you will make about your body during this process.

For example: A headache may get temporary or permanent relief by altering the focus down to the feet, although this depends on the severity of the hurt you are experiencing in your head.

Besides getting better grounded by doing the following body scan exercise, another benefit is that sometimes painful hurts are often miraculously lifted from us while the body scan is being done in order to help bring our awareness to the less obvious.

Body Scan Grounding Exercise

Bring your thoughts from busy mental chatter downward by focusing on your feet. Don't rush this process. Take your time moving from each part of your body. Also, you don't need to touch yourself, just allow your mind to switch focus from wherever it is. Begin with your feet and move upwards.

Notice the soles of your feet, your toes, in-between your toes, the top of your feet, the back of your ankle.

Do they feel hot? or cold? Do they hurt? Are they numb? Do you feel your blood circulating through them? Are they feeling tired?

Don't judge how they feel - just notice how they feel. Wiggle your toes. How does that feel?

Once you have a made a strong connection with your feet you may then move your attention upwards to your ankle... then switch focus to your lower legs, onto your knee caps, behind your knees, your thighs, and so on.

Keep reminding yourself not to rush.

Allow yourself to breathe throughout the scanning process, especially as you come to any areas of discomfort (stressed muscles, soreness, etc.) or at any spot that feels like there may be an energy block.

Once you have moved through your torso and up to your neck, drop back down to your fingertips, move your attention to the hands, up your arms and shoulders, returning your attention once again to your neck before finishing up with your focus on face and scalp.