The Secrets of Seaweed!

I am an advocate for alternative uses for almost anything! I love learning about new ways to use different products and the health benefits of different foods! Here are some surprising facts you may have not known about seaweed:

1. Helps to stabilize blood sugar- seaweed has a very low glycemic index, which helps to keep blood sugar at a more stable level as your body processes it.
2. Strong source of nutrients- seaweed is very high in fiber, vitamin A and C, iron, calcium, potassium, and magnesium.
3. Microbiology- seaweed is now being used in many agar testing plates. Some Chinese cultures have been using seaweed as a treatment for swelling, edema, UTIs, and even cancer for many years.
4. Lawn Fertilizer- using seaweed as an organic fertilizer is a great alternative. It is a cheap and environmentally friendly lawn care trick!
5. Bio-fuel- several scientists are studying how to convert algae into a bio fuel. This would be an inexpensive and environmentally friendly alternative to many of the fuel types we use today. Some reports estimate that nearly 35% of the USA's fuel needs could be met by using algae bio-fuels.

Happy Monday!

Yoga Poses to Relieve Back Pain

Chronic back pain is becoming more common. I have terrible alignment and it causes me to have a lot of back pain. I have tried several remedies for back pain relief, but Yoga has seemed to help me the most! I have been doing yoga for almost a year and a half and my back has never felt better. I have tried several different stretches and have come up with a list of my favorite and the most helpful!

1. Downward facing dog
2. Pigeon
3. Wall Plank
4. Fists forward bend
5. Child's pose
6. Cat/Cow combination
7. Laying half-twist
8. Cobra
9. Locust
10. Legs up the wall

Great Looking Snacks!

I am totally a midnight snack kind of gal! I'm also a sucker for sweets. Although I am diabetic, I have a HUGE sweet tooth! I try to keep my snacks as low carb as possible, but sometimes I just cannot resist!

Here are a few of my favorite healthy snack recipes- enjoy!

Frozen Yogurt Pistachio Grapes
No Bake Cinnamon Rolls
Strawberry Cream Cheese Sandwich
Grilled Dark Chocolate Sandwich

Superfoods for the Superwoman

Ladies- take a look at this comprehensive list of foods every woman should incorporate into their diet.

Wild Alaskan Salmon- the omega-3s in wild salmon help promote a healthy pregnancy. Salmon also helps protect us against cancer and depression.  Why buy wild? Farmed salmons have high rates of toxins.
Wild Blueberries- Of course everyone knows, they are high in antioxidants. They also help fight wrinkles. Only 80 calories in a cup! Why buy wild? Wild blueberries have the highest levels of antioxidants.
Oats- Apart from lowering cholesterol, oats also help with weight control. Oats are high in fiber, which makes you feel full for longer. Steel cut has the most fiber, but also takes the longest to cook.
Broccoli- Helps to fight breast cancer by lowering estrogen levels. Broccoli also has a high amount of fiber and is a low calorie food- only 30 calories per serving.
Walnuts- The true wonderfood. Walnuts can help you lower your cholesterol, sleep better, lower risks for cancer, boost your brain power, and even lower your stress symptoms. What woman would not want walnuts?
Avocado- The mono-saturated fats in avocados actually help you to loose belly fat! They also help fight heart disease and fertility problems.
Red Beans- Pretty much any bean is good for you, but red beans have a high amount of a fiber called resistant starch. This type of fiber is like normal fiber on overload. It keeps you feeling fuller for longer, lowers your blood sugars, and reduces your risk of cancer.
Greek Yogurt- Rich in calcium and high in pro-biotics. Both of these help to boost your immune system.
Olive Oil- May help fight breast cancer and is also a great brain food! Using two tablespoons a day in your cooking can help you lower your risk for heart disease.
Dark Chocolate- Yum! Dark chocolate is loaded with antioxidants, which can help prevent heart attacks and strokes. It is also packed with nutrients that support bone health! Who doesn't love chocolate...

But remember, everything in moderation!

Benefits of Coffee

I am not really a coffee drinker- but I love learning about the benefits of different natural products. I have done a lot of reading about the different uses for products. I stumbled upon this article that talks about some great facts and common misconceptions about coffee.

Some great benefits include:
Lower Risk for Alzheimer's- many studies have shown that the consumption of caffeine boosts the level of a growth hormone that has been known to fight off Alzheimer's.
Coffee Contains Antioxidants Coffee is the number one source of antioxidants for people in the United States. Interesting.
Low in Calories Coffee is a great substitute for dessert. Some studies have shown that coffee can even make a person feel more full and help food to digest slower.

I have always been a tea person so I read about coffee versus tea. Tea seems like a winner to me, but I am more open to coffee, especially as an alternative to chocolate cake.

Painted Plant Pots

Here are some easy steps to make a cute pot for your indoor plants!


Cactus Plants:
Choose two colors that accent each other (turquoise and red, pale greens and yellows)
Paint the entire pot with the lighter color
Turn the pot upside-down
Take the second color and coat the bottom of the top (which is now at the top) with a large amount of paint
Allow the paint to drip down the sides (do not turn over!)
Let drip, dry, and then turn!


Bonsai Plants:
Choose two complementing colors to paint with
Using a pencil, stencil out a design (stripes, checkers, diamonds, ect)
Fill in the design using the two colors
(some good colors to use are pale blue and white, black and green, white and nude/light brown)