How To Avoid Heartburn Naturally

Heartburn and indigestion make millions of people miserable. Thankfully simple changes in the foods you eat can provide relief. Overconsumption of rich foods during the holidays can lead to a painful January, so in the interest of digestive health this week we'll share a few tips for relieving heartburn, or just avoiding in the first place.

(Photo credit: moofbong)

A number of foods can trigger heartburn or indigestion by relaxing the band of muscles at the end of your esophagus so it can't keep out stomach acid. By avoiding spicy foods with black pepper or chili powder, garlic and raw onions, acidic or citrus foods like tomatoes, oranges, and grapefruit, fried or fatty foods, alcohol or anything with caffeine such as coffee, tea, soft drinks, heartburn and indigestion can be greatly lessened or avoided. (Be aware that many food sensitivities and allergies can cause heartburn, so it may be helpful to keep a food diary if you experience heartburn often, and if you notice you regularly get heartburn after consuming a certain food, you should avoid it, even if it does not appear in the list above.)

For overall healthy digestion and to minimize acid reflux, make sure you get plenty of fiber from a variety of vegetables, non-citrus fruits, and whole grains. Drink enough fluids to help your body absorb important nutrients and lubricate food waste, and use low-fat methods when cooking. Try drinking herbal chamomile tea after dinner or before bedtime, as it’s believed to have a calming effect on the stomach.

Smaller but more frequent meals can also help decrease heartburn and indigestion episodes. Be sure to eat your meals and snacks in a calm, relaxed atmosphere where there’s little if any noise or distractions. Wear properly fitting clothing that isn’t tight in the waist and abdominal area, and don’t lie down immediately after eating a meal. I know for me, heartburn always seems to occur at the end of the day after wearing a tight belt or pants that cut in at my waist all day. Also I seem to suffer heartburn if I let myself get too hungry, or go too long without eating, so these tips are especially helpful if your experience is like mine.

Citrus fruits can trigger heartburn.(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Make your morning meal oatmeal. It’s high in fiber, low in saturated fat and cholesterol and when combined with whole milk, gives you a calcium-charged boost to your day. By adding blueberries or raisins you’ll be adding some extra iron and potassium into the mix for a well-balanced meal. (Note: Some people are sensitive to grains, and eating oatmeal may in fact increase heartburn occurrence. If you notice you have heartburn after eating oatmeal, try cutting it out for a week or so, and see if symptoms go away - then you'll know it's one food you should avoid.)

You can't beat turkey if you want a lean, nutrient-packed protein source that'll be easy on your stomach. Turkey is high in niacin, which helps lower cholesterol levels in the blood. Chicken is also a terrific low-fat source of protein. Both are easy to cook either indoors or out.

Apples and grapes are low in saturated fat, cholesterol, and sodium, and are a great non-citrus fruit choice for vitamin C and fiber, without irritating your stomach. Taking a digestive enzyme supplement with meals can also help your body absorb nutrients, while avoiding heartburn symptoms.

Following these simple food and eating tips can help you reduce your instances of heartburn, and keep your tummy healthy and comfortable.

Natural Remedies for Food Poisoning

With all the holiday meals, potlucks, and celebratory feasts of the season, food poisoning is fairly common this time of year. Unfortunately, drugs to combat food poisoning can increase your body's toxic load, and create more of a burden on your already stressed system. And they really aren't any more effective than natural methods of dealing with food poisoning. Here are some natural tips for recovering quickly - if you happen to get sick from something you eat.

Color-enhanced scanning electron micrograph showing Salmonella typhimurium (red) invading cultured human cells (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Food poisoning is an all-encompassing term involving the consumption of contaminated food, whether by bacteria or chemicals, drug interactions, nutrient deficiencies or their excess. It can come on rather suddenly after eating; diarrhea or vomiting can begin 30 minutes to one hour after eating foods that are chemically poisonous; within one to 12 hours with bacterial poisoning, and 12 to 48 hours with viral or salmonella poisoning.

Food poisoning can be serious and a medical professional should be contacted especially if it is accompanied by a difficulty in swallowing, speaking or breathing; if there is a fever of 100 degrees F; if the person can't even hold down liquids; if there is severe diarrhea of more than two days.

The best remedy is to curtail eating until all the symptoms have subsided and the toxins have had the chance to exit your system.

Drink plenty of fluids - vitamin C and blackberry and peppermint teas can be taken then to strengthen the stomach, along with yogurt that contains acidophilus to recolonize the lost flora in the bowel. A good probiotic supplement can also work wonders at helping your body regain equilibrium quickly.

Diluted sweetened drinks can also be consumed to replace the body’s lost fluid and electrolytes, and the BRAT diet (bananas, rice, apples, and toast) can also be helpful in getting the toxins cleared from the body.

Food safety template. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Mint, lemon, raspberry, chamomile or teas might also be helpful in easing the stomach pain associated with food poisoning or stomach cramping. Ginger tea is also good for settling an unsettled stomach, and promotes good digestion. Try to get plenty of rest as food poisoning can be an exhausting and nutrient-depleting chore for your body.

Of course, prevention is always better than a cure, so as a precaution against food poisoning, great care should be taken when preparing foods. Avoid over-handling foods, and when in doubt, throw it out – don’t take a risk with leftovers if you’re just not sure how long they’ve been in your refrigerator.

Once you’re feeling better, be sure to eat a well-balanced healthy diet that includes foods rich in iron, zinc, vitamin C to help your body get back to its old self again, and supply your stomach with a good probiotic supplement to get your immune system back on track.

Video: Introduction To The Total Wellness Cleanse & Detox Program

This quick video gives you a good overview of the Total Wellness Cleanse - my favorite detox program. I like it because it's gentle and natural and supports your body in doing what it does naturally to regain and maintain optimal health. Unlike popping a bunch of weird pills, or going on some extreme diet of vinegar or lemon juice, which is very unnatural and stressful on the body, the Total Wellness Cleanse provides a program for eliminating sugar cravings, and feeding the body with whole, healthy, natural foods that give your immune system and detoxification organs a boost of healthful nutrients.

The video describes the parts of the process, and what the main goals are for the 30-day cleanse. Check it out, and if you are interested in learning more, click the link below the video for more info.

Happy and Healthy New Year to you!

Total Wellness Cleanse and Detox Program.mp4
Total Wellness Cleanse is a 30-day diet developed by a team of registered holistic nutritionists - Yuri Elkaim, Amy Coates, and Adam Elkaim. This is a time-proven detox and cleanse diet plan that will get rid of toxins and other wastes clogging your ...


Click Here for More Info on The Total Wellness Cleanse...

Try These Tips & Superfoods During Your Detox

Today we're talking about a topic that may be uncomfortable for some - literally! But this time of year, after lots of heavy and rich foods, some of us may suffer from this common problem - and it's worse for your health than you might think. When things get backed up, so to speak, your body is not able to eliminate toxins and other waste, and they can actually get absorbed back into your bloodstream - yuck! No one wants that....

Brussels Sprouts (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

But it's no wonder so many Americans suffer with constipation (4 million of us, to be exact). Our diet of meat and processed food contains little fiber. Most of us are lucky if we’re getting in half of the 30 grams of fiber that we should each day. Without that bulk in our diet, it can make bowel movements practically immovable. Here are some tips for "cleaning the pipes," without which, any other detoxification efforts will be in vain.

1. Eat plenty of fiber - namely, vegetables. The human digestive tract was designed for mostly consuming unprocessed plant foods that are loaded with dietary fiber, such as beans, leafy greens, fresh and dried fruits, vegetables and whole grains. High levels of dietary fiber increase both the frequency and quantity of bowel movements, decreasing the transit time of stools, as well as the absorption of toxins from the stool.

2. Drink at least eight to twelve 8-oz. glasses of clean water per day. Hard, dry stools are a classic sign of dehydration. A good rule of thumb is to drink a glass of water when you wake up and then every hour after that.

3. Try adding some wheat or barley grass to your daily routine. Mix two to three teaspoons of a nutrient-rich blend of dehydrated wheat and/or barley grass in water, and have another serving later in the day. These drinks have a restorative action on the intestinal tract and are especially good for constipation, and they also contain many phytonutrients and antioxidants which will support your system during your detox.

Prune plums on the tree (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

4. Add prunes. As a supplement to a healthy, high-fiber diet, bran and prunes are particularly effective in relieving constipation. Whole prunes and prune juice possess good laxative effects - and most people find them quite tasty! Eight ounces is usually an effective dose. A similar amount of aloe vera juice is also helpful. Or eat 6-10 dried prunes.

5. Consume superfoods containing vitamin C. Vitamin C rich foods can help with your detox as well, as they help with food and nutrient absorption. Try parsley, broccoli, bell pepper, strawberries, oranges, lemon juice, papaya, cauliflower, kale, mustard greens, and Brussels sprouts, as they’re all great sources of vitamin C.

Following these tips will help get things moving smoothly, so that your body can eliminate the toxins that are released during your detox and cleanse diet, and restore optimal health.

Start The New Year With A Clean Body & Mind - Safe Detox Tips

I don't know about you, but after this holiday season, I'm in serious need of a detox! All that rich food, sugary treats and desserts, way too many snacks, a few too many holiday martinis.... It's all catching up to me. I've been feeling overly stuffed and sluggish for a couple of weeks now, so I decided before the holidays that once January hit I would do a good cleanse and get my body back in tip-top shape for the rest of the winter. I tend to stay away from the weird extreme cleanses that are really hard on your body, and opt for the more natural and gentle detox diets which eliminate sugars and other junk completely for a period of time. I find these safer and more natural, as they help the body support what it does naturally, without causing it too much stress. (Click here for more info on my favorite detox diet - the Total Wellness Cleanse.)

Detoxing is a wonderful way to get healthy and accomplish some of your New Year's goals. It can help you lose weight. It can give you back your energy. And it can help you improve your brain function. However, detoxing also comes with risks if not done properly. Here are 5 tips for detoxing safely.

#1 Get doctor approval. If you have an existing health condition make sure you get permission from your doctor. Diabetes, pregnancy, kidney disease and anemia or low blood pressure may be reasons to avoid detoxing.

#2 Start slow. Detox too quickly and you can experience serious side effects. They include dizziness, headaches and stomach upset. Diarrhea isn’t uncommon. If you experience an onslaught of symptoms consider stepping back your detox plan. Symptoms are the result of too many toxins being released into your system at once. They can also be a result of withdrawal from processed foods or chemicals. If you normally drink a lot of caffeine or diet sodas you may experience withdrawal as your body adjusts.

There are two approaches to detoxing. You can ease into it. For example, you might drink one juice meal and eat two solid meals the first day. Juice for two meals the second and third day with one solid meal. And then juice for the next two or three days to complete your detox. You might also ease back into eating solid foods by reversing the process.

The other approach is to be aware of your body’s reaction and make adjustments as you go. For example, if you’re juicing and have a detox reaction you might eat one solid meal during the day.

#3 Keep a journal. Journal your symptoms and side effects. Also journal what you ate/drank before you experienced the symptoms. That way you can recognize patterns in what you’re eating or your symptoms.

#4 Detox when you don’t have to be “on.” Detox when you can rest and relax. The weekend or an extended weekend is a great time. You can take it easy on your body and mind while you’re detoxing. If you have to go to work or tend to family while you’re detoxing it can be extra stressful. Get plenty of rest and treat your body well.

#5 Drink water! Water helps flush the toxins out of your body more quickly. The faster they’re out of you, the faster you’ll feel better. The faster you’ll have renewed energy, focus and mental clarity.

Finally, make sure to follow a trusted detox plan. If you experience any unusual symptoms or side effects, contact your physician or nutritionist. Don’t detox without a solid, safe and proven plan. To your great health in the year ahead!

Video - Fair Trade: The Movie

This short video explains the benefits of fair trade for the farmer, the economy, the environment, and the consumer, showing how each piece of the economic system is improved upon through fair trade practices. The successful use of a fair trade system serves as a positive model for change, and demonstrates that it truly is possible, economically feasible, and even preferable for all parties involved to evolve to a fair-trade model.

Check it out to be inspired and motivated to get involved in supporting fair trade, even if it's just through making small changes in your purchasing habits for products you already buy!

Fair Trade - The Movie. An eq.tv original.
Fair Trade is about helping small family farmers in developing countries get organized and develop their business skills in order to tap into the world market directly.


We hope you've enjoyed our articles, videos, and resources for living a cleaner, greener, healthier, and more sustainable lifestyle throughout the year! We will be taking a break next week for the holidays, but be sure to check back at the start of 2013 for more green living news, tips and ideas, and we're planning some great changes to benefit all of our readers in the year ahead.

From your friends at New Holistic Living, have a wonderful, safe, fun, and healthy Christmas and a Happy New Year!

What Can You Do to Make Your Town a Fair Trade Town?

Fairtrade is the global movement to bring about a better world through regulating and labeling products Fairtrade if they meet certain criteria. These criteria relate to fair pricing, employment practices and environmental sustainability.  They help build local businesses, agriculture and artists. 

If you believe strongly in this movement, you may want to do more than buy Fairtrade products and share your enthusiasm for fair trade with others.  One thing you can work towards is to make your town a Fair Trade town.  Here’s how:

Sign announcing Leuven's Fair Trade Town status (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Step One:

Visit Fair Trade Towns USA.  It’s a national movement devoted to helping unite people just like you with others around the country. 

Step Two:
Understand and begin working within your community to meet the five Fair Trade town criteria, which include:

* Form a steering committee
* Outreach to area retailers
* Engaging the community
* Gain media attention
* Pass a fair trade resolution

They suggest a few principles to help you create your Fair Trade town.  These suggestions include:

* Find key influencers in your community and contact them.
* Demonstrate an interest in your community for change. 
* Educate key influencers – tell them what Fairtrade is, how your community is motivated for change and how they can go about meeting this demand. 
* Publicize your successes to further reach members in your community and to motivate further change.

Fairtrade show stall. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Step Three:

Host an event. Events are a great way to cover several of your steps in one fell swoop.  You can gain the media attention you need, educate your community and reach your local movers and shakers (and influence politicians) with one key event.  Event suggestions include:

* Concerts
* Wine/food tastings (with fair trade products)
* Fashion Show

If you’re stumped or would like to recruit help to make your town a Fair Trade town, consider contacting other Fair Trade towns in your state.  They’ll have the experience and connections to guide you.  A Fair Trade town is a town you can be proud of, and as more and more Fair Trade towns pop up around the country, awareness will spread and person by person, town by town, the world will become a better place.