How Essential Oils Affect Your Vision. What Not Enough People Know About

Essential oils are aromatic liquids distilled from plants– flowers, trees, roots, bushes, seeds– with a complex chemistry. They are much more potent than dried herbs (which are the plant parts with the essential oils mostly removed). 

So it is important to use therapeutic grade essential oils. A therapeutic-grade essential oil is one that is both complete in its chemical constituents and retains the innate coherent vibrational frequency of the original plant materials. This is important, because the oil’s fragrance, frequency and chemistry all contribute to its unique therapeutic effects.

Many of us have heard that “eating carrots can improve eyesight,” however, there are a number of essential oils that have been found to enhance vision as well as to improve the appearance of the eyes.

Caution: Never put essential oils directly on the eyes or eyelids.

Dr. Terry Friedmann, MD, eliminated his need for glasses in 1997 by applying sandalwood and juniper on the areas around his eyes– above the eyebrows and on the cheeks (careful not to get the oils anywhere near his eyes). He also took supplements, but attributes his impressive eye improvement mostly to the use of these essential oils.

I get asked a lot about essential oils and eyesight.

According to Dr Axe, “Frankincense oil has been demonstrated to improve eyesight, helichrysum oil improves vision and supports nerve tissue and cypress essential oil improve circulation which can improve macular degeneration.
Apply 3 drops of any of these essential oils 2x daily on cheeks and lateral eye area but do not put directly into eyes.”

For blurred vision you could try the following essential oils: Helichrysum, Lavender, or Peppermint. Again, apply on the areas around your eyes– above the eyebrows and on the cheeks (careful not to get the oils anywhere near your eyes).

CYPRESS: strengthens capillaries and improves circulation.
FRANKINCENSE: reduces inflammation and can reduce fine lines and wrinkles
LAVENDER: promotes tissue regeneration; is soothing for skin
LEMONGRASS: tones and assists in regeneration of connective tissue; promotes lymph flow; dilates blood vessels, strengthens vascular walls; improves circulation
SANDALWOOD: revitalizes and hydrates skin; supports circulation
And some TIPS for essential oil use for your eyes: 

Apply the oils around the eye socket of your eye. You never want to put them in your eyes because it would be quite painful! If you ever accidentally get oils in your eye, do not use water to flush it out! This only spreads the oils more. You want to use another carrier oil like olive oil, coconut oil, almond oil, etc to get them out.
And in case of emergencies or serious health problems, always consult your doctor!

The Giant Pink Bunny at Colletto Fava

On the hills of the 5,000 foot high Colletto Fava mountain in northern Italy's Piedmont region, there lies an enormous pink bunny. The toy lies on its back with arms open to the skies, from where it appears to have fallen. The fall must have been fatal, because the bunny’s side is split open and its entrails are spilled out. It’s not exactly a ghastly sight. Instead, it makes you smile.

The pink rabbit was knitted by Gelitin, a group of artists from Vienna, as an outdoor sculpture for people to climb on, relax on its belly, and generally play with. The bunny is 200 feet long and about 20 feet thick. It is made of soft, waterproof, materials and is stuffed with straw.

The bunny appeared on the hills in 2005 and was originally bright pink. Now it has turned murky grey, and is slowly rotting back into the earth. The bunny is expected to entirely disappear naturally by 2025. There are no plans to move it or save it.

Couple Travels Country In Their Tiny House They’d Built Themselves For Under $20,000 (24 pics)

Nikki Levi and Jakob Celnik quit their well-paying corporate jobs, bought a minivan, and, together with their dog, drove 38,000 miles across the Americas, which took them 16 months.Levi worked at Citigroup in New York as a high-yield credit-research analyst for four years before moving to Apple, and Celnik worked at the Blackstone Group for about three years before he moved to Soros Fund Management. In their interview with Business Insider Levi admitted that they were terrified while leaving their jobs. “But in hindsight, we shouldn’t have been … We cannot buy time, so we try to enjoy the time we do have doing the things we love, with the people and animals we love,” she said. Let’s take a look at what their incredible adventure was like.

They bought a used 2008 Dodge Sprinter 2500 high-roof van, with a 144-inch wheelbase, and with about 90,000 miles on the clock.

It was completely empty when they bought it. With little carpentry, mechanics, or construction experience, it was a process of trial and error to figure out what exactly to build and how to build it. They figured out a budget and tried to learn as much as they could by reading guides like the Sprinter forum and the Sprinter conversion sourcebook.
The bed frame was one of the first things they built.

Is watermelon loaded with sugar? What you need to know about common food myths

It's often quite a challenge to eat healthy.

So many foods carry a "health halo" and it's increasingly difficult to cut through the hype. Here's the reality about some of the most common and stubborn myths about about our favorite foods. 

Honey is a healthier choice than white sugar 

Honey is found in nature, so it's a healthier version of sugar, right? Wrong.

White sugar comes from either sugar cane or sugar beets — both plants, and equally "natural."

Both honey and sugar have about 16 calories per teaspoon. All of these are added sugars, to name a few, and should be used sparingly:

• brown sugar
• agave
• brown rice syrup
• molasses
• evaporated cane syrup
• Demerara sugar
• date sugar

While there are many personal testimonials about the antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects of honey, these results are based on laboratory studies, and are unproven in the "real world." Nearly all of the health claims for honey are unproven outside of research settings.

Eating chocolate is good for your health  

All chocolate is not created equal. The known health benefits of chocolate come from a specific kind of antioxidant called flavanoids (or flavanols). But most chocolate doesn't have enough of the these flavanols to make a dent as a health booster.

Even 70 percent cacao might not be flavanol-rich, because of variability in the processing of the chocolate, from cacao bean to the ready-to-eat product. While laboratory studies show that flavanols can modestly lower blood pressure and "relax" blood vessels, making blood flow more easily — this research typically uses purified preparations.

Translated to what real people are eating, the impact of eating regular dark chocolate on your health is hardly impressive. For example, a modest lowering of blood pressure was observed in people consuming a quarter of a pound of dark chocolate daily for three weeks.

At 160 calories per ounce, that's 640 calories per day from chocolate alone, about 1/3 of the recommended daily intake.

A specially processed cacao bean, called CocoaVia, containing much higher amounts of flavanols is available as a cocoa powder in single serving packets. Considered a dietary supplement, and not a food, it can be used like standard cocoa powder. 

Frozen yogurt is a low-sugar choice

Complete myth. Frozen yogurt is always going to be a lower-fat choice, compared to ice cream, but it's not a low-sugar option.

Here's why: When the fat content is lowered in foods, more sugar is often added to balance the taste.

The only way to know for sure is to read the label, or go online for the information. The taste test is not reliable when it comes to frozen yogurt and sugar content. And often the toppings, added because we think it's not as sweet, contribute further added sugars.

Low- and no-added sugar options are available for frozen yogurt, using low-calories sweeteners and always clearly labeled.

Watermelon is loaded with sugar 

Not true. While watermelon does contain fruit sugar —fructose — like all other fruits, it's nearly 92 percent water. Just because it tastes sweet doesn't make it high in sugar.

The confusion comes from estimates of how watermelon impacts blood sugar. Watermelon has a high glycemic index, a term associated with quick rises in blood sugar after a food is consumed. The higher the number, the faster the rise in blood sugar. Watermelon's glycemic index is around 75 out of 100.

This is a misleading number. A more important term relates more accurately to how blood sugar responds to a particular food. This term, called glycemic load, is very low for watermelon — meaning that blood sugar is not changing much after eating it. Glycemic load is the more important term relevant to health.

There are multiple health benefits to watermelon. Not only is it low in calories, around 45 calories per cup, a serving size contains:

• 20 percent of daily vitamin C needs
• 17 percent vitamin A
• a bit of fiber

As a red fruit, it's also loaded with the antioxidant lycopene, with an even higher concentration than tomatoes!

And with all that water content, it's also a good source of hydration.

Healthy Eating Habits from Around the World

The summer travel season is in full swing, offering the opportunity to experience newcultures and foods firsthand. Even within the United States, you’ll see significant differences in local food and culture, and traveling abroad can offer insight into some of the healthiest eating habits from around the world.

If you don’t have a trip planned, there’s no need to worry. Several registered dietitian nutritionists are sharing their favorite international healthy habits and some globally inspired recipes to help you put them into practice at home.

Focus on Vegetables

“One of the healthy habits we have here in Greece is eating vegetables as a main course. We cook seasonal vegetables in olive oil and tomato and herbs, and have a big plate accompanied by bread and feta cheese,” says Elena Paravantes at Olive Tomato. A recent study from Tufts University in Medford, Massachusetts shows Greeks boast the highestvegetable intake in the world, and Paravantes says that one meal may include three to four servings of vegetables. 

“In Mexico, you'll find street vendors selling fresh fruits and vegetables, such as mango, jicama and cucumber, all cut up and ready to eat along with lime wedges and chili. It's something I routinely serve my kids for snacks and sometimes pop into their lunch boxes.”– Katie Sullivan Morford of Mom’s Kitchen Handbook

In Syria, “we center all our meals around a main vegetable and then cook it with different sauces, meats and side dishes. For example, ‘Mahashee’ is eggplant and zuchini stuffed with rice and ground beef cooked in a tomato base.” – Rahaf Al Bochi, Olive Tree Nutrition

Eat More Plant-based Protein

“Lentils are a staple in India, and they just happen to be one of the healthiest foods out there. Lentils are rich in fiber and protein and are high in manganese, a mineral that is needed to absorb calcium and to maintain stable blood sugar levels. It is part of superoxide dismutase (SOD), a compound which protects healthy cells from free radical damage and which may reduce the risk of heart disease and cancer.” – Christy Brissette, president of 80 Twenty Nutrition 

“Several countries in Africa use peanuts (called groundnuts) and other legumes for protein and flavor. These inexpensive plant proteins are a great idea for Meatless Monday meals here in the States.” – Deanna Segrave-Daly, Teaspoon Communications 

Let Herbs Shine

Roxana Begum of The Delicious Crescent says she’s not aware of any other cuisine that uses such large of quantities of fresh herbs as are included in Persian dishes. “The cuisine is rich with recipes that use cups of fresh herbs resulting in a scrumptious dish that is also very healthy due to the phytochemical-rich herbs.” 

Eat More Fish

“A lot of Asian countries like Japan enjoy more fish and less meat, reaping the benefits of those heart-healthy omega 3 fatty acids that so many of us are low on.” – Abbey Sharp, Abbey’s Kitchen 

Go Nuts

“One of my favorite healthy habits is incorporating hints of healthy fats, such as nuts, seeds and olive oil into meals and snacks as people [do] in Mediterranean countries, such as Turkey, Greece and Italy. I particularly love nuts like pistachios, almonds and walnuts, as they are simple to pack on the go, as well as throw into meals for a heart-healthy boost.” – Vicki Shanta Retelny, The Lifestyle Nutritionist 

Switch the Staples

“A very popular dish is ‘freekeh,’ which is roasted baby wheat kernel. It is a whole grain and is now being introduced in the West. Freekeh is high in fiber, B vitamins and protein, and has a chewy, nutty texture.” – Rahaf Al Bochi, Olive Tree Nutrition 

“I love that traditional Indian cuisine uses yogurt as a base to enhance the flavor of dishes, with fresh herbs and spices,” says Elizabeth Shaw of Shaw's Simple Swaps. She suggests making this Kachumber Salad, also known as Indian cucumber yogurt salad.

Spice It Up

“A common condiment in Ethiopian cuisine is senafich, a delicious and spicy mustard dip. Mustard is rich in phytonutrients that are converted into isothiocyanates, compounds which may help prevent cancer.” – Christy Brissette, 80 Twenty Nutrition

"I use global inspiration to boost flavor in my recipes with a wide variety of herbs and spices. There is evidence that some herbs and spices provide health benefits, and it's the perfect way to season a dish without adding excess salt. Cayenne pepper, paprika, mustard and garlic in any Cajun-style dish are some of my favorites!" – Cara Harbstreet of Street Smart Nutrition

Go for Naturally Sweet Treats

“While traveling in Turkey and Greece, I noticed that fresh fruit was more often the dessert of choice over sugary sweets. At home, I find if I pick up gorgeous, seasonal fruit and assemble it with some care (sometimes on a bed of crushed ice), it's greeted with as much enthusiasm as more decadent desserts,” Morford says.

Take Time Out

In Europe, “food is an experience and about community. Germans also value exercise and frequently ‘volksmarch,’ where members of the community come together and hike or walk. Culinary and wine walks are a fun opportunity to walk through the vineyards and stop at food and wine booths. They also make it family-friendly with activities for children.” – Betsy Ramirez of Hungry & Healthy

In Spain, “older couples would go out for nightly walks around town where I lived. It’s a way to get a bit more movement into your day, you can lower your blood sugar levels post-dinner and spend quality distraction-free time with family!“ – Rebecca Clyde, Be Truly Nourished

“While visiting Europe, I went to grocery stores and local markets several times a week to load up on fresh produce. I now continue this habit at home to keep my fridge stocked with fresh fruit and veggies!” – Amy Gorin of Amy Gorin Nutrition 

What healthy habits have you picked up while traveling or in your own community? Considering how connected we all are, it’s easier than ever to learn about different cultures, try new foods and adapt any of these healthy habits from the comfort of home.

Eat these fats if you want to live longer

For years consumers have been told to avoid fats at all costs, but that’s not actually the whole story.

In fact, a new study done at Harvard revealed that consuming good fats could actually cut the risk of death by 27 percent.

However, not all fats are created equal. Lara Felton, registered dietitian, nutritionist and head of the dietary team at mobile nutrition app ShopWell, gives the skinny on the good, the bad and the ugly types of fats in our diets.

Polyunsaturated 

What it is: A type of fat, also known by the acronym PUFA, with two or more double bonds between carbon molecules, which makes the fatty acid more fluid-like and flexible in the cells where it does its work.

What it’s in: Walnuts, flaxseed, tofu

What it does: “[It] may help lower bad [LDL] cholesterol and reduce your risk for heart disease and stroke,” says Felton. According to the Harvard research, you also can lower your risk of death by 27 percent by replacing just 5 percent of your calorie intake from saturated fats with polyunsaturated fats.

Omegas

What they are: A specific type of polyunsaturated fat that has a large number of double bonds, making it even more fluid-like and flexible in the cells.

What they’re in: Sunflower oil and fatty fish such as salmon and mackerel

What they do: Omega fats promote brain function and cell growth, and they also reduce triglycerides (a less desirable type of fat in your blood), slow the buildup of plaque in your arteries, control blood sugar, lower blood pressure, and reduce your risk of diabetes. The Harvard study also found that they protected against cancer and coronary artery disease.

Monounsaturated 

What it is: Similar to polyunsaturated fat, higher intake of monounsaturated fat raises good (HDL) cholesterol. How much HDL cholesterol is in your blood stream is an indicator for heart-disease risk.

What it’s in: Olive oil, canola oil, safflower oil, sesame oil, avocados, almonds, pistachios, cashews, peanuts, nut butters, olives

What it does: “[It] can help reduce inflammation, regulate your insulin and blood-sugar levels, and promote a healthy heart rhythm,” says Felton. Monounsaturated fats can also lower bad-cholesterol levels and add vitamin E, according to the Harvard study.

Saturated

What it is: Saturated fat makes bad (LDL) cholesterol, which collects in the walls of your blood vessels, causing blockages.

What it’s in: Beef, butter and lard, as well as fried foods and baked goods.

What it does: “Saturated fats may increase your total cholesterol and bad [LDL] cholesterol levels,” says Felton. But a 2004 study done by the University of Wales College of Medicine found whole-milk dairy products could be linked to a reduction in heart disease and stroke risk.

Trans 

What it is: Trans fats were created to help liquid oils be more solid at room temperature. Their carbon chains are in a linear formation, which creates a more rigid bond than saturated fats and leads to buildup as plaque in the arteries.

What it’s in: Anything that contains partially hydrogenated oils.

What it does: Trans fats have been shown to raise the bad (LDL) cholesterol and lower the good (HDL) cholesterol (a double whammy!), and increase your risk of heart disease and stroke. In fact, the Harvard study revealed your risk of heart disease increases by 23 percent for every 2 percent of calories acquired from trans fats.

This is What Happens to Your Teeth When You Use This Toothbrush

Though it seems perfectly normal to rub chemicals across our teeth with plastic instruments, it wasn’t always so. Long before toothbrushes and toothpaste, people used rough cloths and water to clean their teeth.

Toothbrushes are among those products that contain PVC plastics and are used several times a day by people all around the world. Therefore, if toothbrushes contain a significant amount of phthalate, they could be very dangerous and harmful. 

Phthalates are chemicals found in everyday products and PVC plastics, mainly because of their ability to enhance flexibility and durability. Phthalates could have many negative effects on individuals based on their daily exposure to these materials.  

Phthalates, a family of industrial chemicals used to soften PVC plastic and as solvents in cosmetics and other consumer products, can damage the liver, kidneys, lungs, and reproductive system — particularly the developing testes — according to animal studies. 

 

What are the potential health impacts of phthalates?

• DIP is listed as “reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen” by the National Toxicology Program.
• DEHP causes liver cancer in laboratory animals and the Environmental Protection Agency considers it a probable carcinogen.
• The National Toxicology Program also concluded that high levels of DINP may adversely affect human reproduction or development.
• High levels of exposure to DIP through the use of medical tubing and other plastic devices for feeding, medicating, and assisting the breathing of newborn infants may affect the development of the male reproductive system, according to the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences.
• Other human and animal studies have found links to birth defects, decreased sperm counts and damaged sperm, increased risk of developing behavioral problems, premature birth, and respiratory difficulties in children with bronchial obstruction (such as asthma).

Indeed, according to Dr Joseph Mercola, there are many natural ways to avoid cavities: avoiding sugar, soda of any kind and refined carbs; getting plenty of Vitamin D; coconut ‘pulling’ and of course, gentle brushing with a natural toothpaste – preferably on a natural toothbrush.