Why Eat Soy?

Soy. It’s become a pretty common food over the last ten years or so. What’s not as common is the knowledge of why it’s so good for you. Lots of folks passing through their local coffee shop order a soy latte because it tastes good. Others have noticed the white stuff in their Chinese food, even if they don’t actually know that it’s tofu. The truth is that soy offers many significant health benefits, from a decreased risk of heart disease, to prevention of many cancers. It even brings relief from menopausal symptoms. Soy will also aid a body’s fight against kidney disease and osteoporosis, offers immune system support, and gives you increased energy. That’s one amazing soybean.

How does soy do all of this? The power behind (or in this case inside) the bean is something called isoflavones, which are a group of estrogens from plants. Two specific isoflavones (genestin and dadizen) are responsible for the soybean’s amazing health benefits. Soy is also one of the only plant foods with a perfect balance of the eight essential amino acids universally recognized by the medical community. In 1999 the Food and Drug Administration recommended a diet with a low intake of saturated fat and at least 25 grams of soy protein to lower cholesterol and help prevent heart disease.

There are many compelling reasons to add soy to our diet and several ways you can eat or drink soy. Soy milk has become especially popular among the lactose-intolerant, as a healthy (and tasty) milk alternative. One of the best ways to drink soy is with Energizing Soy Protein, from Shaklee, the leading nutritional company in the United States. Energizing Soy Protein offers a biologically complete source of protein that contains the naturally occurring soy isoflavones and amino acids, along with calcium for amazing energy. The great thing about Shaklee’s soy drink is that they use soybeans that are pure and natural – not genetically altered.

Since soy is so beneficial for you, go ahead and order that soy-milk latte – not to be trendy but to be health-smart. Snack on soybeans, stir-fry with tamari, and you can even add soy protein mix to cooking and baking for uber muffins and casseroles. There are many terrific options for adding soy to your family’s diet. Soy foods and drinks tastes good and you’ll feel great –courtesy of that perfect little bean.

Nutrition’s Best Friend is the Multivitamin

It’s estimated that over 80% of Americans do not consume the recommended five servings of fruits and vegetables each day necessary for good health. For many people, this doesn’t come as a big surprise. It can be hard to fit in that many servings of fruits and veggies during the course of a busy day. Even forewarned with nutrition knowledge and having the best dietary intentions, it’s pretty hard to eat right while on the go. The good news is that we no longer have to struggle to maintain our health through food alone thanks to nutritional science and the multivitamin.

People today prepare meals at home far less frequently than past generations. Two working parents often add up to a lot of take-out food and restaurants aren’t often following health-conscious preparation. Many restaurants in the United States also provide portions that are too large and are made with excessive amounts of sodium and saturated fats. Today’s jobs frequently call for hectic schedules which cause irregular or even skipped meals. Stress is also an unwelcome companion of many employees which causes them to snack on nutritionally-empty foods and adopt poor overall eating habits. When working late, it is simply easier to find a vending machine than a carrot.

Even if someone is in the 20% group of diet champions, it’s still a good idea to take a multivitamin supplement. Even the most diligently consumed fruits and vegetables may not contain the highest levels of certain vitamins (such as D and E). People not taking vitamins are also likely not getting enough protection against diseases such as cancer, osteoporosis, and cardiac disease. The Journal of the American Medical Association acknowledges that even the healthiest of pregnant women don’t take in enough folate through diet alone to help prevent birth defects. Another consideration for adding a multivitamin is the adverse affects current processing, pesticides, and chemical fertilizers have on our foods. As with all things, not all multivitamins are the same. It’s important to look for vitamins and minerals that are combined in a similar way to what’s found in nature to optimize their synergy. You want their components to be supremely balanced and find vitamins that are backed by reputable clinical studies and contain all 23 of the recommended vitamins and minerals at proven levels for the best possible health benefits.

Global Hair Care Secrets

Women vacationing in a foreign country today are increasingly more likely to pick up a new shampoo or conditioner than a souvenir T-shirt and for good reason. Women native to those lands know more about beauty and natural hair care. If we’re honest, we’ll admit that women notice other women, and that includes their hair. When in Paris, who can fail to admire their edgy, fashion-forward haircuts? In Sweden blondes reign supreme and, while at least some of that blonde must come from a bottle, whatever else they’re doing to their hair certainly doesn’t make it look like it. Even on adventure in the outback you can look for indigenous animals and instead spy Aussie women with thick, shiny, beautiful hair. No matter how covert our glance, when it comes to other women we measure, assess, and when traveling abroad, often find our own hair wanting. Compared to our global contemporaries, our hair can look over-processed, damaged and just plain dull. Many western women today have bought into the idea that they have to use chemical-based mass produced products from known beauty conglomerates to have great hair. Billions of dollars are spent each year to convince women that science has improved upon mother-nature and when it comes to hair care; we just need to look at a few examples from around the world to prove them wrong.

In the Caribbean coast lowlands of Central America, are native women of the Miskito Indians. They have long, glorious hair which is thicker than any celebrity weave. The Miskito met Columbus on his exploration in the Americas in 1502 and five centuries later they are called Tawira, or “the people of beautiful hair.”™ Most of us are happy to have a few “good hair” days a week and these folks have had gorgeous hair for five centuries! Many Americans think they need to live in a city for the best hair care but they'd be better off growing up in the Mosquitia region’s rainforest near the tropical Ojon® tree. Nuts from this tree contain exotic oil that can be harvested, extracted and perform miracles on your hair and skin.

Many people travel to Germany for their renowned beer festivals. Women at those festivals are not just drinking their lager but are actually pouring it on their hair. It seems that the protein in beer is fantastic, natural hair care. It helps repair damaged cuticles and makes hair smoother and shiner. It’s a great remedy for dull, dry hair.

Egypt is called the land of mysteries. One of the greatest mysteries is how, along with her kohl-lined eyes, Cleopatra is immortalized for the ages for having such striking, raven hair? Records have revealed the famous queen’s hair care ritual of rinsing her hair in rainwater and rubbing sweet-smelling almond oil into her tresses to help ensnare the Romans. Egyptian women today preserve this natural hair care ritual of incorporating oil, cold pressed from almonds, to improve the quality of their hair and promote its natural beauty. Castor oil is also a natural emollient to hair that penetrates deeply and softens hair strands. It is pressed from castor beans indigenous to tropical Africa and has been discovered in the Egyptian tombs dating as far back as 4000 BC.

If you’ve ever vacationed in the Mediterranean you’ll fall in love with their way of life and be sure to change your thinking about hair care. An article in Women’s Health Magazine revealed that 53% of Italian women feel they look younger than they are. One reason for this healthy attitude is their appreciation for olive oil and not just in cooking. Olive oil is a timeless beauty aid that has been used in natural skin care and hair care treatment for more than 4,000 years – far longer than mainstream companies have been plugging their wares. Olive oil’s cosmetic use is documented throughout ancient literature, appearing in Mesopotamian, Hittite, Mycenaean, Hebrew, Greek and Roman writings. Today’s Mediterranean women continue to follow the hair care and natural skin care tradition of their ancestors and use olive oil because of its incredible ability to beautify.

Swedish women rely on algae and sea proteins to protect and restore their healthy blonde locks. Algae extract is a key ingredient in many of the hair care repair products that hail from Sweden. Algae are thought to be an excellent food, heralded for thousands of years for its mild taste and assimilated nutrients. It is also an important ingredient in hair care and natural skin care products because its protein content helps to revitalize and condition dull, lifeless and damaged hair and revitalize skin. Many high-priced product lines are coming out with marine-based products because they’ve learned this Swedish secret.

Conjure up an image of an “Amazon” and you think of strong, proud, beautiful female warrior or….a supermodel. Undoubtedly males everywhere are thankful that the country of Brazil keeps populating lingerie catalogs. Aside from their long limbs and other perfect parts, Brazilian women have long, shiny, healthy hair. Women in Brazil for years have lived naturally but with a very real awareness of beauty. One way they achieve that gorgeous hair is with Brazil nut oil as part of their natural hair care routine. The oils quickly penetrate even the driest hair to give moisture and improve hair texture and scalp condition. The Brazil nut oil is also used for in natural skincare remedies which ensures Brazilians will look young and inspire envy for years to come.

With today’s current awareness of natural products, accessibility of the internet, and push toward “green” living, we’re more open minded than ever to adopt the beauty secrets of our world’s sisters. When it comes to beauty rituals, even the most natural, seemingly untouched women at the far-reaches of the world have them. The next time you’re on vacation and try to blame hotel water for the state of your hair, look at the woman around you, ask about their hair and skin care, and make room in your routine for a fabulous international idea.

Natural Mothers: Beware of Personal Care Products

Many women today are realizing the benefits of having a natural pregnancy and hope for natural birth. They are embracing clean living and being as organic as possible with their choices. However, while women are choosing clean foods and paying attention to their nutrition, they may not be as aware of their personal care products. Many products which are put on skin and hair may contain ingredients which could be harmful to a developing fetus. Personal care products are not held to the same standards as food so, while they could say they are natural, they still may not be completely safe during pregnancy. Products such as shampoos, conditioners, cleansers, self-tanners, deodorants, toothpaste, and even belly oil can be made with ingredients which are associated with cancer, allergies, biochemical and cellular mutation, and developmental and reproductive toxicity.

Most mothers aren’t aware that they may unknowingly be putting their baby at risk. Once they do learn of the potential harm, naturally minded mothers look to make choices which are safe, pure, and consistent with their overall approach to pregnancy. Even after their child is born, mothers are embracing the idea of a natural baby. They can continue their baby’s care with products that don’t have potentially harmful additives and are even good for the environment. As a means of helping educate women, the Environmental Working Group has compiled a database of skin, nail, cosmetics, and hair products and rated them based on their level of toxicity. Women can see the products which are considered the most harmful to the least. Moms-to-be can also go to www.cosmeticsdatabase.com and research products they are using on their body to see what ingredients could be passed to their baby. Mothers can make better choices which are healthier, more in keeping with an overall organic philosophy, better for them, and safer for their child.

Dieting for a Healthy Mind and Body

The word diet can cause so many negative feelings: guilt, deprivation, starvation, and even desperation. People who had previously enjoyed a healthy self-esteem reported feeling immediately depressed and anxious the day they start a diet. They crave certain foods more once put on a forbidden list and want to consume calories when asked to count them. Consider the common “last meal” approach to dieting as proof of how much dread is associated with the process. People planning to start a diet typically overindulged on their favorite foods the day before, as if they never expect to eat them again. If the intention behind a decision to diet is so positive then why does the process make people feel so bad? It may be because the focus is on outer appearance instead of inner health.

The primary motivator to lose weight should be to achieve a greater state of wellness. If someone is overweight, they are at higher risk for many serious ailments like heart disease and diabetes. Even if a patient has already been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, studies have shown that people who lose weight are two times more able to successfully control their disease. The American Institute for Cancer tells us that losing weight can also help prevent certain cancers like colon, breast, prostate and uterine cancers. Patients who lose weight will have more energy and put less stress on their joints. There are many physical ailments that can’t be controlled but thankfully, weight is one that we can. People need to should say to themselves, “I am starting a diet, not because I don’t look good, but to be healthier.” Rather than looking for immediate results on a scale, dieters need to make better food choices and increase their physical activity. They should adopt a manageable and reasonable eating plan which they can maintain throughout their life - not an extreme fix. Crash diets often confuse the metabolism and people end up gaining back the weight they lost, plus additional pounds. People who focus on improving their physical and mental condition will experience an improved state of peace, health, wellness, and weight.

Herbs and Oil, Pure Ingredients for Beauty

When you consider herbs and oil, you may first think of salad dressing. While it’s true that these ingredients are delicious on a salad, they are also very effective natural beauty alternatives. Long before a department store cosmetics counter, women were concerned about their appearance. Evidence of beauty products has been found in Egyptian tombs as far back as 4,000 BC and there’s been detailed cosmetic rituals recorded in ancient Mesopotamian, Hebrew, Hittite, Greek, and Roman literature. Our ancestors used, among other preparations, various herbs and oils. These timeless products can compete with many products in today’s mainstream market and are a pure and organic approach to natural beauty.

A popular example of an herb being used on the skin is green tea. It is a natural antiseptic and has calming, soothing properties. Chamomile makes a relaxing cup of tea and helps relieve puffiness around the eyes. Tea tree oil is great for the hair and is very effective at ridding the scalp of general bacteria, dandruff, and hair lice. Jojoba oil, extracted from the plant, is also good for the scalp, skin, and hair. Some products promote the fact that they contain jojoba oil. However, it’s better to simply buy the raw oil and eliminate unnecessary filler ingredients. Castor oil is pressed from castor beans that origin in Africa. The famed Egyptian queen, Cleopatra, is known for both attracting Romans and her shiny raven-colored hair. Royal records show that she regularly applied castor oil to her hair and rubbed sweet almond oil into her skin. Who wouldn’t want to follow the beauty rituals of a queen that’s been immortalized for her allure? Sweet almond oil has no scent and can be directly applied to the skin. It absorbs quickly, leaves no greasy residue, and contains the nutritious hair and skin vitamins: E, A, D and B. Women in Spain swear by almond oil and it has been an integral part of their skincare regime for centuries.

Basil is wonderful in a pesto sauce but even better on your face. It has antiseptic properties and improves the appearance of scars and black spots. Rosemary is not only tasty on small red potatoes but improves circulation, especially on older, wrinkled skin. It can also help clear acne naturally and give shine to dull hair. Another herb often found in a spice cabinet, which should also be in the bathroom closet, is Thyme. It is a fantastic natural exfoliate. Something not as mainstream yet used in countries around the world is Neem. Neem is sold as a powder, oil, or pill and used to treat skin disorders such as: acne, eczema, and psoriasis. It can also be a regular skin cleanser and is supposed to be effective in reducing odor. A powerful herb that can be used to achieve bright glowing skin is the Turmeric root (in powder form). It is an organic antibiotic that is excellent for oily, acne-prone skin and a key ingredient in many face masks. Turmeric stabilizes the skin’s pH balance and gives it a luminous glow. It will tighten and brighten the skin, while naturally lightening pigmentation. Primrose oil is extracted from the plant and helps encourage healthy nails, hair and skin. It can be found in most organic markets which carry essential oils. Another herbal treatment is Saw Palmetto, which originates from the berries of a particular type of palm tree. Its beauty purpose is primarily a scalp treatment but some use it to treat skin conditions and other ailments. An article in Women’s Health magazine told us that 53% of women in Italy believe that they look younger than their age. This healthy attitude can in part be attributed to their use of olive oil. Olive oil has been used in Mediterranean beauty rituals for over 4,000 years. It is an extraordinary hair conditioner and likely right in most people’s pantry.

When outside of the kitchen, herbs are known for healing properties and being part of a sachet. However, herbs should also enjoy a reputation as beautifiers. Oils shouldn’t just be thought of a cooking ingredient but as an important part of a healthy beauty regime. Nature has given us raw materials for health, wellness and yes, beauty. Mainstream companies have recognized this and include herbs, oils and plant-based ingredients in their products. However, nature’s ingredients are often accompanied by man’s potentially harmful preservatives and you’re also paying for their processing, packaging, and marketing. If you want to achieve a natural beauty, consider the pure herbs and oils recognized by our ancestors and used by gorgeous woman around the world today– they are inexpensive, effective and timeless.

A Global Beauty Comparison

A feature in Women’s Health magazine showed how women around the world spend money on beauty products and feel about themselves. One of several interesting facts is that 38% of Indian women say they own zero skin-care products. This is almost unheard of in the United States where we believe skincare is necessary in the fight against aging. Women in Italy feel they actually look younger than they are but not so with the Americans. Our females think that they often appear stressed, fatigued, and older than their actual age. Over 90% of British women have never seen a dermatologist and it is a very rare event for them to indulge in a facial. Girls in Germany and Italy enjoy wearing mascara more than any other cosmetic and apply it daily. Women in China report that they are most concerned with whitening their teeth and love wearing red lipstick (a spectacular combination if they get it right). Women in Australia dream of body massages (over 73% would spend their paycheck on it) and 52% of Korean females would dip into their pockets for skin-lightening. Overall, Americans spend $39 a month on beauty treatments while the highest amount is spent in Italy. Italian women claim they spend an average $71 a month on their cosmetic rituals. The women happiest with their looks are the Argentine and Canadian, while the Japanese and French are less likely to smile when looking in the mirror. This was a surprisingly fact about the French, as Parisian women still set the global standard for beauty and chic.