There Is A Reason Why This Goat Likes Wearing A Duck Costume (6 pics)

Polly is a rescue goat that suffers from anxiety. But one day her owner got her a duck costume from the kid’s section at Marshalls which made her all zen and chill. Before that, Polly was easily stressed out if she couldn’t find her owner and frantically ran around the house and crying. But this duck costume has completely changed her life.

The poor animal is blind, has neurological problems and is severely underweight

“As soon as I put it on her, she just instantly got calm”

“There’s something about that duck costume that calms her”

“She goes into a little trance. She just closes her eyes and she’s out”

Orlando Towers in Johannesburg

In Orlando township in the urban area of Soweto, in the city of Johannesburg, South Africa, stands two cooling towers of the decommissioned Orlando Power Station. Visible from miles around, the 100-meter tall twin towers have been an iconic landmark of Soweto for the past seventy years.

After the Orlando Power Station was decommissioned in 1998, the two unsightly cooling towers stood unused for 10 years before they were transformed into a center for bungee jumping and adventure sports. One of the brightly painted towers now sport the largest mural painting in South Africa, depicting scenes and images from township culture. The other functions as a advertisement billboard for South Africa’s FNB bank.

The towers are now used for extreme sports such as bungee jumping, abseiling, zip-lining, pendulum swinging, SCAD (suspended catch air device) falling, and rap jumping. Visitors can also go paintballing and rock climbing.

Aloe Vera Juice Benefits

The aloe vera plant may look unassuming enough, but it’s one of the most powerful remedies nature has to offer. While it’s most recognizable as the cooling salve for a bad sunburn, aloe vera can also heal the body from the inside out.

The plant has been used by humans for almost 6,000 years, since the time of ancient Egypt when it was a go-to topical and oral treatment for a number of aches and pains. While the gel that comes from inside the plant may be most recognizable, in recent years, the blended juice has also gained a lot of attention in health circles—and for good reason.

WHAT IS ALOE VERA JUICE?

Both the gel and juice are produced from the outer green leaves of the aloe vera plant, a species native to Africa. The liquid and pulp are both filled with natural nutrients, minerals, and fiber that are known to provide a number of health benefits.

While aloe vera gel is generally used as a topical remedy, aloe vera juice is more often digested to target internal problems. It’s important, however, to remember that only juice that has been formulated for internal use (and says so specifically on the bottle) should be used—this ensures the purest product and also safeguards against any possible contamination that could come from bacteria or other substances.

Aloe vera juice has been seen to provide improvements to various health issues, but it’s wise not to overdo it. Rather, it’s best to limit usage to what the recommendations are on the packaging, which normally suggests between 2 and 4 ounces each day. Drinking more than that could trigger side effects ranging from an allergic reaction to nausea and diarrhea.

How is aloe vera juice made?

Though it might seem impossible, juice can actually be made from leaves. Here is the typical step-by-step process for making aloe vera juice:

• Leaves are cut off near the base of the plant, with a concerted effort to preserve the more desirable inner leaf

• The leaves are cut in half lengthwise before the gel is scooped out

• While the gel can be bottled and used later for a skin remedy, in order to make the juice, it’s then placed into a blender and pulverized to form a smooth liquid drink—at this point it can also be combined with citrus flavors like lemon, orange juice, or lime juice for enhanced taste

While it’s possible to make your own aloe vera juice at home, the fact is that the risk of contamination is high. Even removing the wrong part of the plant or failure to properly prepare it can lead to potential health risks. As such, using premade supplement grade aloe vera juice is the best way to ensure that there is no risk and that only the benefits of the juice are experienced. 

HEALTH BENEFITS OF DRINKING ALOE VERA JUICE

While using aloe vera gel for burns and skin ailments is fairly common knowledge, some may be surprised by the added benefits of drinking aloe vera juice. Here are just some of the advantages:

Good dose of vitamins and nutrients

Aloe vera juice contains a high number of essential nutrients, including vitamins A and E as well as magnesium and potassium. These are the building blocks of well-being, and can help with everything from lowering blood pressure to improved immune system function and greater vision. Aloe vera also contains vitamin B12, which works to improve metabolic function and decrease lethargy by converting the food you eat into usable energy.

Antioxidant power

The range of potent antioxidants found in aloe vera juice help ward off free radicals, fight the signs of aging, and combat a number of diseases. The same compounds have been found to support better circulation and support heart health, decreasing the risk for heart attacks and stroke.

Digestive support

Aloe vera can improve the way that the body ultimately digests food. It acts as a coating for the stomach, encouraging the development of a normal stomach lining, which can alleviate any kind of discomfort as food passes through. Drinking aloe vera juice can also help to reduce buildup of stomach acid, improving acid reflux and helping prevent ulcers from developing in some patients. Other studies have found that drinking this juice can help with constipation as well—try this aloe vera herbal stomach relief for even greater effect.

Cognitive advantages

Some evidence shows that regularly intaking aloe vera juice can help to support memory, improve learning, and improve overall mood. The mental benefits that come from ingesting the plant still need to be investigated further, but so far the research is promising.

Immune system protection

Better immunity is often linked to aloe vera juice as well, thanks to the antioxidants, including high levels of vitamin C. Better immune support can reduce the risk of infections, common colds, and the flu, and promote better health overall.

Oral health

Some studies have found that better oral care is also a direct result of drinking aloe vera juice. In particular, a plant-based compound called acemannan has been seen to make teeth stronger and reduce the risks of cavities and decay.

Blood sugar management

Looking to cut down on blood sugar spikes? A regular shot of aloe vera juice has also been connected to less fluctuations of insulin within the body. This can be welcome news to diabetics that are trying to better manage glycemic levels, and could also help prevent diabetes in those that may be in a prediabetic state. Although more studies are needed to ascertain just how effective aloe juice is in this role, the benefits are promising.

Improved skin appearance

There’s a reason why aloe vera is a common ingredient in soap, body wash, and lotions. It’s hyper moisturizing. And drinking the juice also helps to promote healthier skin by reducing dryness and irritation. Combining the drink with an aloe-based lotion is the best way to get the maximum effectiveness.

Effective detox

Aloe vera naturally functions as a diuretic, which can help the body rid toxins and heal from the inside.

How to Avoid These Common Food Carcinogens

You’re likely aware of the dangers of food poisoning from bacteria, but have you heard about aflatoxins? Aflatoxins are chemicals created by certain food molds of the genus Aspergillus. They are toxic byproducts from the normal metabolism of the molds.

It’s possible for these molds to grow on many different types of foods. Read on to find out the most common food culprits and how to prevent getting exposed to these dangerous compounds.

How can aflatoxins affect your health?

Humans and many other animals can be affected by aflatoxins. In fact, the first documented incident of serious harm was in 1960 when 100,000 turkeys and other farmed birds in the United Kingdom died from groundnut meal in the birds’ feed that was contaminated with aflatoxins.

The effects of aflatoxins can be acute or chronic. Acute exposure to high levels can lead to necrosis and cirrhosis of the liver, hemorrhage, edema, altered digestion, as well as damage to the lungs, kidneys, brain and heart.

Chronic exposure to aflatoxins is more likely. And the symptoms are more difficult to diagnose. They can include impaired immune function, poor nutrient absorption and malnutrition, jaundice, cirrhosis and chronic hepatitis. In extreme cases, aflatoxin poisoning can lead to death.

One type of aflatoxin is a carcinogen that targets the liver in many animals and potentially humans. It’s estimated that ingestion of aflatoxin contaminated foods is one of the factors behind over 250,000 liver cancer deaths in China and Africa each year. 

What foods can be contaminated?

The Aspergillus molds that produce aflatoxins grow best in hot, humid environments. This means they’re often found on crops from warmer regions of the world, such as southern areas of the United States. They can grow on crops in the field or in storage after harvesting.

It’s also been proven that when cattle or other animals ingest aflatoxins in contaminated feed, the toxins can be present in their milk or meat.

Some of the most commonly contaminated foods include:

• Peanuts
• Corn
• Oil seeds (especially cottonseed)
• Tree nuts (e.g. walnuts, pecans, pistachios)
• Grains (e.g. rice, wheat, quinoa)
• Spices
• Legumes (especially soybeans)
• Coffee
• Cocoa
• Dried fruit
• Dairy products
• Meat

Keep in mind that aflatoxins are largely unaffected by heat. Cooking or other methods of preparation cannot be relied on to destroy them. That means products such as peanut butter or corn chips can be equally as contaminated as plain peanuts or corn.

How can you prevent exposure to aflatoxins?

Be picky. Don’t ever buy food that looks suspicious, such as shriveled beans and grains, discolored nuts or dried fruit that has any white or moldy-looking spots.

Minimize storage. Only buy as much raw food products as you will consume quickly. Do not store food for any longer than about 1 to 2 months.

Store properly. Keep any food storage spaces cool and dry to prevent mold growth. Freezing will also keep foods fresh.

Buy local. Local products are often fresher than their imported counterparts. And it’s easier to speak to the farmers and producers yourself and ask about their agricultural and storage practices.

Keep it fresh. If you’re buying commodities like rice and beans in bulk quantities, look for a company that ensures you’re getting the current year’s crop. It’s difficult to know how long foods in supermarkets’ bulk bins have been stored, so these are best avoided.

Look for grass-fed animal products. Aflatoxins can infect animals through grain-based feeds. Meat and dairy products produced from grass-fed animals are more likely to be safe.

Process effectively. Fermentation and sprouting have been shown to reduce the amount of aflatoxins in foods. Fermented bean and grain products like tempeh and miso are great options to make or buy. And it’s helpful to soak and sprout your beans and grainsbefore cooking to help with digestion as well.

Stay green. Chlorophyll, the compound that makes plants green, has been shown to reduce the absorption of aflatoxins. Chlorophyll is plentiful in all leafy green vegetables. You can get chlorophyll supplements as well.

Eat your carrots. The Apiaceae family of vegetables has been found to inhibit the cancer-promoting activity of aflatoxins. This family includes carrots, parsnips, parsley, celery, celeriac, cilantro, anise, dill, fennel and lovage.

The Whole Truth About Taking Essential Oils Internally. Are you in danger?

Haven’t you heard from many that essential oils could be harmful when taken internally?  Licensed Aromatherapist and Doctor’s licensed in Aromatherapy will always tell you “IT IS UNSAFE TO INGEST ESSENTIAL OILS!” This is because aromatherapy uses different oils and not pure therapeutic Grade Essential Oils.

However, studies suggest just the opposite.  Essential oils are the most potent medicinal compounds available in the natural health world. There’s a reason why they are equated with prescription drugs in their efficiency to combat viruses and bacteria. Essential Oils come from plants.  Unfortunately, FDA allows Essential Oil manufacturer to add 5% synthetic additives into each bottle.  This is perfectly fine.  But, that also means, that the Essential Oils marked 100% Pure, 100% Organic is not really Pure! 

Which is why many will have warnings on their bottles. If the Essential Oils is cold pressed and distilled from plants, it should be safe to ingest!  The reason you can’t ingest many essential oils because there are some that have been adulterated with other ingredients possibly synthetic, man made, scientifically engineered entities that can be used as additives for the production of food and supplement products. 

Did you know that we all take a certain amount of essential oils internally each day through our food and drinks? Essential oils and numerous components derived from them are widely use in many foods and beverages for flavoring and food preservation.

Essential oils from herbs and spices (oregano, sage, rosemary, thyme, etc.) have been used with an amount ranging from 0.1 to 1% EO volume per food weight (v/w) to reduce lipid oxidation of foodstuffs. It has been shown that the use of these EOs contributes also to the development of a pleasant odor and favorable taste to consumers. (Chemat, et. al.)  

Scientific evidence

• In a US study, pediatric Doctors used enteric-coated capsules containing diluted peppermint oil to treat IBS. 50 children participated in a randomized, double-blind, controlled 2-week study. The peppermint group showed a greater reduction in symptoms compared to the placebo group and no side effects were reported.
• In an Iranian medical study, doctors explored the oral use of peppermint and spearmint for chemo-induced nausea. In this four-arm study (peppermint, spearmint, control, and placebo) there were 50 patients in each group. The essential oil groups received capsules containing either two drops of spearmint or peppermint, oil, and filled with sugar, every four hours. The capsules were given to the patients, 30 minutes before their chemotherapy treatment and then 4 and 8 hours later. For both the peppermint and the spearmint groups, there was a significant reduction in nausea while the control and placebo groups showed no difference.
• A French doctor named Dr. Paul Belaiche, Professor of Phytotherapy at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Paris Nord, published a number of trials using tea-tree oil in 1985. Belaiche conducted a randomized, double-blind study to examine how effective Melaleuca alternifolia (Tea tree essential oil) was for 26 patients with chronic cystitis. The experimental group was given tea tree essential oil diluted in an enteric-coated gelatin capsule, while the control group was given a placebo that contained the odor of tea tree. After 6 months of study, 60% of the experimental group were completely cured while no one in the control group showed any improvement. No side effects were noticed and liver function tests were normal.

So, what does FDA have to say about the ingestion taking Essential Oils as Dietary Supplements?  Here is what is says on the FDA’s website:

Manufacturers and distributors do not need FDA approval to sell their dietary supplements. [1]  Any claims made for dietary supplements are subject to some comprehensive FDA guidelines, although those guidelines are somewhat minute. By law (DSHEA), the manufacturer is responsible for ensuring that its dietary supplement products are safe before they are marketed. Unlike drug products that must be proven safe and effective for their intended use before marketing, there are no provisions in the law for FDA to “approve” dietary supplements for safety or effectiveness before they reach the consumer. Under DSHEA, once the product is marketed, FDA has the responsibility for showing that a dietary supplement is “unsafe,” before it can take action to restrict the product’s use or removal from the marketplace. However, manufacturers and distributors of dietary supplements must record, investigate and forward to FDA any reports they receive of serious adverse events associated with the use of their products that are reported to them directly.

For instance, the German Commission E has approved specific essential oils for internal use.These include the following:

Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare Miller var. vulgare (Miller) is approved by the German Commission E for Peptic discomforts, such as mild, spastic disorders of the gastrointestinal tract, feeling of fullness, flatulence.  Catarrhs of the upper respiratory tract.  Its core actions include: Stimulation of gastrointestinal motility.  In higher concentrations, antispasmodic.  Experimentally, anethole and fenchone have shown a secretolytic action on the respiratory tract.

Fennel honey is recommended for catarrhs of the upper respiratory tract in children. Fennel honey is made by adding 0.5 grams of fennel essential oil to a kilogram of honey. Daily dosage is 10-20 grams a day.

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