50 Reasons to Meditate

Relationship-building: from a student

1. increase self-awareness
2. stress reduction
3. increases serotonin
4. decreases cortisol levels
5. decreases heart rate
6. lowers respiration
7. increase red blood cell production
8. improves relationships 
9. feel better
10. be happier
11. feel calm
12. decrease blood pressure
13. lower hypertension
14. lower blood sugar
15. increase immunity
16. sleep more deeply
17. reduce anxiety
18. increase energy                                  Click the link below.
19. increase productivity                          Join me. Develop a Personal Mediation Practice.
20. develop your intuition
21. know how to handle situations that used to baffle you
22. enhances healing
23. improve performance (mental and physical)        

    

    Meditation reduces stress

24. heal faster
25. control weight
26. increase creativity
27. reduce aging
28. thinking more clearly
29. decrease anger and aggressiveness
30. promotes wellness and well being
31. helps with addictions
32. improves attitude
33. changes perspective
34. build confidence
35. ability to visualize more easily
36. feel more comfortable with who you are and your situation in life
37. increases ability to deal with all situations
38. reduces fear and overwhelm
39. requires no materials
40. once you learn how to mediate, it's free
41. reduce pain levels
42. increased focus
43. increased ability to concentrate
44. builds compassion for yourself and others
45. greater job satisfaction
46. relax more easily
47. feel a greater connection to the planet and the beings on the planet
48. transform your life
49. transform your body
50. transform your relationships

Don't believe me? Try it for yourself. Join me. Develop a Personal Mediation Practice. In 28 days I guarantee you will feel better and be on your way to achieving many of the benefits above.

Dandelion: Miracle or Menace

Healers have known for centuries what many are coming to believe today about dandelions.

While many find dandelions to be a nuisance, healers have known for centuries the health benefits of dandelions. Because it's Spring and dandelions are plentiful less the chemicals many put on their lawns, I thought I share some great things about dandelions as well as some tea ideas.

Health Benefits: 

• purifies blood
• settles digestion 
• prevents gall stones
•  anti-oxidant 
• lower blood sugar 
• may help fight off cancer 
• help with leukemia 
• limits neuron damage in brain 
• more iron and protein than spinach 
• contains 535% of USDA recommended Vitamin K

According to the USDA Bulletin #8, "Composition of Foods" (Haytowitz and Matthews 1984), dandelions rank in the top 4 green vegetables in overall nutritional value. Minnich, in "Gardening for Better Nutrition" ranks them, out of all vegetables, including grains, seeds and greens, as tied for 9th best. According to these data, dandelions are nature's richest green vegetable source of beta-carotene, from which Vitamin A is created, and the third richest source of Vitamin A of all foods, after cod-liver oil and beef liver! They also are particularly rich in fiber, potassium, iron, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus and the B vitamins, thiamine and riboflavin, and are a good source of protein. Read more

• The roots are wonderful as a liver cleanser, but we're not talking about the roots today.

Dandelion Tea-Yummy Hot or Cold

• Pick dandelion leaves from the base of the leaf. Make sure to find a place where there is little to no vehicles usage; plants do take in the CO (Carbon Monoxide) vehicles put out. 
• You can choose to use the flowers as well, with or without the leaves.
• You can use them fresh or dry them. If I want to save some for later, I either stick them in the dehydrator or just leave them out. It's dry enough in Utah that within a couple of hours they are ready to place in an air tight container. Make sure they are completely dry or they will mold.
•  If I'm using fresh greens, I put a handful in a mug (after cleaning and chopping them), pour in some hot water and let steep for 15-20 minutes. Drink hot or cold.
•  If using dried leaves, I use a tablespoon or so and follow the same procedure.
•  Most of the time, I drink it as it is. Sometimes I add a bit of honey and lemon.
• Don't let it steep too long. It will be bitter.   
• I also use dandelion leaves in salads, soups, smoothies and any other place I use greens. You may want to blanch them in boiling water for 10 seconds before adding them to a salad to get rid of the strong bitter flavor especially if the leaves are bigger and older. 

 Please share any exciting recipes or benefits that I missed!!

 Sources: 

Dr. Mercola

Natural News

The Leaf Lady