Your Alternative Health Medicine Blog

Becoming a vegetarian is about a lot more than just a change to your diet.  It is a lifestyle choice that influences many aspects of your life separate from just what you put into your body for food.  This is why the path from when you first considered taking on the life of a vegetarian to when you are finally ready to make that transition may be several weeks or months.  The journey to that moment when you are ready must not be rushed.  Because not only is it a physical journey toward a physical change of diet, it is a spiritual, ethical and emotional journey as well.

Life without meat will mean a new approach to meal preparation that means new recipes and new ways to shop for the foods you need.  This becomes additionally complex if you are living with those who have not made the choice to become vegetarians.  If you are charged with meal preparation, that means two menus per night.  If someone else is the primary cook of the house, that means you will need some accommodation so you can have a vegetarian meal while others are eating meat.  That is going to take some relationship building and some tolerance by you and by the meat lovers in your home so everybody can dine in peace.

Being a vegetarian in a world of meat eaters may be one of the biggest adjustments you may have to make.  But be prepared for some cravings for meat as well.  At first, it might be wise to ease into vegetarianism so you still get some protein from meat while your body gets used to a lowered intake of that food group.  This is also important because it will take a few weeks or longer to find a diet that has adequate substitutes for the nutrients and vitamins you are taking out of your body because of your new diet.  By leaving meat in your eating schedule for a short time, you are less prone to feel run down or endure vitamin deficiencies during the transition to a full vegetarian eating regimen.

Many times a vegetarian lifestyle is part of a larger change of life which may also incorporate yoga, meditation or other spiritual activities.  If your sole reason for becoming a vegetarian is related to health, this may not be as much of an issue.  But if you are feeling drawn to a vegetarian life without meat because of ethical, moral or spiritual reasons, your desire to embrace vegetarianism is no doubt part of a larger spiritual quest or renewal that you are going though.  This is healthy and the more you fully embrace your new interest in this side of your personality and soul, the more your desire to be a vegetarian will fit a total change of life.

But one of the most delightful surprises you will enjoy when you embrace the lifestyle of a vegetarian will be the number of others who will join you in your quest for a cleaner and more spiritual way to treat your body.  The vegetarian community is a large one and it will welcome you warmly with community, support and all the help they can provide.  But even from the community of those who are not vegetarians, you will often find friends and loved ones very supportive of the change of life you are going through and they will seek to help you all they can.

Do you suffer from fatigue, skin problems, or do you just feel unhealthy?  If so, you may have heard that a body detox or cleanse is the answer to your problems.  Yes, it can be.  However, before you get started, it is important to familiarize yourself with the possible side effects.

In terms of side effects, it depends on which detox diet approach you take.  For example, the consumption of organic foods is an easy way to detox your body.  When you stop putting unnatural foods into your body, it can start to expel the toxins already built-up.  On the other hand, there is water and juice fasting.  These two approaches involve consuming nothing but water and juice respectively.  Since our body is use to and relies on the consumption of solid foods, you will experience more side effects.

Side Effect #1 – Fatigue

It seems ironic that drowsiness and fatigue is a side effect of a body detox or cleanse.  After all, that is one reason why people opt for a cleanse; to cure fatigue.  At the conclusion of your cleanse, you will notice an increase in energy.  During the cleanse, you will experience some downness and fatigue.  This is common with water fasting or juice fasting, as your body will temporarily lack needed nutrients.

Side Effect #2 – Headaches

Headaches are common, but they can be a painful and frustrating process when a side effect of detox.  There are various different reasons for this side effect, but withdrawal is the most common reason.  Even if you do not consume drugs or alcohol or smoke cigarettes, you may still notice withdrawal symptoms.  This is common with caffeine.

Even if you only drink two cups of coffee or two cans of soda, your body may have become dependent on caffeine.  During a body detox, you need to eliminate these drinks from your diet.  The end result could be a mild to severe headache.  The good news is that after your cleanse you may finally be free of caffeine, no longer needing it to go about your day.

Side Effect #3 – Increased Urination

Whether you consume organic foods, fruits and vegetables only, or if you opt for a water fast or a juice fast, a lot of liquids will be put into your body.  These liquids are important, as they help to flush your body of toxins.  Unfortunately, more liquids equal more trips to the bathroom.

Side Effect #4 – Diarrhea

In addition to making more trips to the bathroom to urinate, you may also notice an increase in bowel movements.  At first, this may come in the form of diarrhea.  As embarrassing as this may be, it is good for your body.  Why?  Because it is naturally expelling toxins.  In fact, the more you go to the bathroom, the better your body detox or cleanse is working.

Many individuals wonder if they need to adjust their schedules while on a body cleanse or detox.  Not always.  With that said, if you opt for a colon cleanse, as opposed to a whole body detox, small adjustments should be made.  Colon cleanses with the use of salt water flushes or pills tend to have quicker and more effective results.

Side Effect #5 – Nausea

Nausea is another common side effect of a body detox or cleanse.  Many people experience this side effect, but the causes for it vary.  If you are addicted to something, such as alcohol, caffeine, or cigarettes, you may experience withdrawal symptoms on a cleanse.  A common symptom of withdrawal is nausea and vomiting.

The Master Cleanse, water fasting, and juice fasting, all call for the elimination of solid foods.  During the first one to three days of your detox, you will experience intense hunger.  Although the hunger will pass, you may experience nausea.

The above mentioned side effects are just a few of the many you may experience while on a body detox or cleanse.  It is important to remember that the human body and detox plans vary; therefore, you may be side effect free or experience additional complications.

Many people are fascinated with Advantages of Applying Feng Shui in Your Life and with many good reasons. While others generally believe that it is just some oriental superstitious set of paradigms on interior design (but that is just part of the extensive definition for Feng Shui), the Feng Shui that we know now is actually comprised of various schools of learning and incorporates the different cultures under which it is housed.

The good thing about the different options pertaining to Feng Shui is that even the layman can actually be able to understand and apply it immediately in their homes without having to spend too much. And apart from that, there are other advantages that only Feng Shui can bring if you can actually open up your mind to try it.

Advantage Number 1: It brings balance to one’s life

Have you ever found yourself completely overburdened with clutter and unnecessarily stressed out of your wits? Chances are, you are suffering from a visual imbalance of some sort in your surroundings. Now, the best way to introduce some sense of balance is by incorporating elements that provide you with a sense of control in the outer balance of things. If you are able to get some semblance of balance even in things as menial as your furniture, you are bound to find balance in other aspects equally manageable.

Advantage Number 2: It helps you become more mindful of the little things

Mindfulness in the little things can actually be a good thing. Some of us tend to be heavily focused on the big things of life that even the minor details like home arrangement and office ergonomics no longer come to play. When these “minor” aspects of life continue to take a backseat, they tend to accumulate and produce a very stressful environment which can add up to other problems and worries of life.

Advantage Number 3: It opens up possibilities of meeting new people

Meeting new people is another bonus of being a Feng Shui enthusiast. When you are applying Feng Shui, chances are, you will be able to find another person within your social network who likes the same stuff and can even help you expand your knowledge on Feng Shui, no matter how limited it is to begin with.

Advantage Number 4: It gives a fresh perspective on things

At any given time, a fresh perspective is always welcome. This positive perspective can invite changes for the better. A new way of looking at home arrangement, for example, may actually serve to benefit you in the long run. The fresh perspective brought about by Feng Shui can actually bring about an enrichment of one’s mind.

Advantage Number 5: It invites prosperity and success

The main objective of Feng Shui is to invite all the good things to one’s life. Prosperity and success can be more easily within reach and a positive disposition may be expected if Feng Shui is practiced well.

Advantage Number 6: It has aesthetic appeal

On top of all the enumerated benefits of feng Shui, the best would probably be its beauty. The physical appeal of a well-decorated home, interspersed with good Feng Shui techniques, is actually something that you can call a personal heritage that can transcend generations and promote beauty in all aspects, including design of the home and the office.

Have you ever had an uncontrollable urge to be pierced by a dozen needles? This is the image most people get when someone mentions the word “acupuncture”. It comes as no surprise that most view this technique with suspicion, even downright horror. The fact is, however, that this relatively painless ancient Chinese technique has helped relieve the symptoms of millions of people. Properly used, it can help in the management of many medical conditions including chronic pain and fatigue.

How does needle puncture work?

Practitioners of Chinese traditional medicine believe in energy flows. This energy, called Qi, circulates around the body using pathways called meridians. Meridians run very close to the surface of the skin in certain areas and can be accessed by needles. Much like plumbing, these pipes can get blocked or go the wrong way, causing health problems. The insertion of needles at these points is aimed to help loosen blocks and normalize flow.

It sounds like a made-up explanation with no basis in reality, but there are numerous scientific studies which support the effects of acupuncture. Although the exact scientific basis is still unknown, recent theories seem to suggest involvement of complicated neurochemical effects in the brain, nerve to spinal cord impulse modulation, and microscopic connective tissue changes.

What risks and side effects are of concern?

The use of things not completely understood for the treatment of medical conditions is nothing new. Penicillin and aspirin were used for decades solely on the basis of their beneficial effects, without doctors knowing exactly how they worked. Results are what are truly important. However, it is equally important is to ensure that the technique is used safely.

Like other strategies used in treating health conditions, acupuncture may have some side effects. Medications have side effects and allergic reactions, surgeries have risk of infection and complications. For needle puncture, there is a risk of injury, rare infections, minor bleeding, small bruises, and some dizziness.

You can minimize the possible side effects by choosing a licensed acupuncturist. Most countries either have government licensing in place or have professional organizations with very strict rules and regulations.

How do treatments go?

An acupuncturist will do an initial evaluation of your medical history and your body’s current state. Multiple pressure points are palpated, and a regimen of treatment is formulated. Most courses involve a series of 10 to 20 treatment sessions, each lasting 30 to 90 minutes. Needles will be carefully placed at the required points and kept in place for some time. Most patients report a feeling of mild sensation at the site of the puncture, but no real pain.

Right after each acupuncture session, you will feel a bit tired and may need to rest. Some people feel an increase in their energy levels. The response to acupuncture is very individual. In some cases there is immediate relief of symptoms. For some patients, the beneficial effects may only be noticed after undergoing a few sessions. Do not be alarmed and keep your acupuncturist updated on what you are feeling to ensure everything is going as expected.

You need never fear the thought of needles ever again. Acupuncture is a beneficial treatment with a long history of effectiveness. It is used to complement current medical therapy and should not replace currently existing medications or treatments.

The safe application of this once exclusively Chinese therapy can now be experienced by chronic disease sufferers worldwide.

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The most effective gall stone home remedy is a simple gall bladder flush. Yes simple - not the nicest way to spend a Saturday perhaps but for most people, better than needing surgery somewhere down the line.

First, loosen the stones by drinking an 8 oz glass of apple juice morning and evening for 4-6 weeks. This is a very important step and you should not skip it and try to do the flush right away, it just will not work.

The best kind of apple juice is home made by putting organic apples through a juicer. Next best, buy organic apple juice from a health food store. It must be made from whole apples, not concentrate, with no added sugar or other additives, and not the kind that will keep for months.

Try to eat healthy foods during these 4-6 weeks. In particular, make sure you are getting enough fiber so that your digestive system and bowels are working well. This may mean increasing your intake of fruits and vegetables above the famous ‘5 a day’.

Then you will need to set aside a day when you are home with no commitments. You are going to need to be in or near a bathroom most of the day.

The day before, you will do a short semi-fast. You will not eat any solid food this day. Drink your apple juice in the morning as usual and you can have another glass at lunchtime if you want.

If you have not done a juice fast before, do not worry, it is not as difficult as it may sound. Any time you feel yourself tempted to eat other foods, just remind yourself that it is only for one day and it needs to be done for the sake of your health. A lot of people do juice-only fasts of 1 to 7 days as a regular thing. In fact, there is even a fashion right now of  90 day ‘juice feasting’ where no solid food is eaten for 3 months. So you can do it for just one day, right?

In the evening, before going to bed, drink 8 oz of organic extra virgin olive oil mixed with 4 oz freshly squeezed lemon juice from actual whole lemons. This mixture tastes something like salad dressing. You will probably need about 4 lemons, depending on size and juiciness. Do not use bottled lemon juice.

In the morning (at least 8 hours later) take a fast-acting natural laxative, either epsom salts or 10 oz citrate of magnesia (not milk of magnesia). You should then expect to need the bathroom often for several hours because you are going to have diarrhea.

In with the diarrhea you should find that you pass many little green stones like small peas. These are the gall stones.

Congratulations, you have successfully flushed out your gall bladder!

This process may be helpful for healthy adults but is not recommended for anybody needing medical attention. If you have any health issues consult your doctor before using this gall stone home remedy or other natural remedies.