Natural living may seem difficult in this high-tech, low-touch world, but it can be accomplished with a little effort. Think of how the pioneers did it and you're on your way. To accomplish a natural living surrounding, use organic foods, obtain daily fresh air and sunshine, use natural fabrics, get enough sleep and rest, exercise every day and use safe self-care remedies.

Eating Well with Organic Food

Diet is the antithesis of eating well. Diet means restricting what you eat so you take in fewer calories. This means all diets from Atkins (one of the worst for bringing on heart disease, cancer, gallstones, etc.)to South Beach. Your body needs the fiber, vitamins, minerals, enzymes and other substances we have yet to identify in fruits and vegetables that we already know cures or prevents many illnesses. To lose weight, make fruits and vegetables the cornerstone of your diet and you'll ward off diabetes, heart disease, cancer, gallstones and more. Nothing is sweeter than a handful of raisins or a ripe banana unless your tastebuds have been overstimulated with candies, cakes, pies, etc. Get back to natural living by weaning yourself off these phony sweets and learn to love a baked apple, a banana stir-fried in a little oil or fresh coconut. All very sweet, very satisfying (unlike artificial sweets like candy that make you want more), and very healthy for you.

Add a little organically-grown and produced soy (for protein and more protection) and you'll lose weight. Add a handful of nuts and seeds and you'll have even more protection. A couple meals of small oily fish a month provides more protection. That and about a gallon of water a day and you'll look young, feel young, be young. This might also be the safest, given the terrible infections possible while eating beef and chicken these days. Want some grains? Eat brown rice, whole grain organically grown breads and cereals that don't have sugar or additives added. If it has more than whole grain and water in it, avoid it.

Eating well today means using organic foods that haven't been tainted with pesticides (associated with cancer, Parkinson's and other conditions) antibiotics (that weaken your immune system) and other toxins that can bring on symptoms, stress your liver and kidneys and make the symptoms you already have, worse.

You can find organic foods at health food stores, at some farmer's markets, and if you're lucky enough to live in a rural area, at some local farms. Due to the increased interest and demand, even some super markets carry organic foods. My local supermarket carries organic lettuces and salads (pre-washed and ready to eat!), organic broccoli, organic corn, organic peas, organic celery and more. Ask your produce person and check the canned aisles for canned vegetables. Also, look in the frozen section for organic fruits and vegetables. If your store doesn't carry them, ask the manager to stock them for you, then be sure you buy them. The more people demand them, the more they will be available.

Use the fewest processed foods you can. Whole foods are always more healthy. Since nonorganic food is sprayed, waxed, genetically-engineered, and who knows what else, organic is safer. Also, if you're eating meat or poultry, the animals are often mistreated, misfed unsafe food, and often full of infection from being penned too closely, which is why they have to be shot full of antibiotics. You can eat that piece of organically grown chicken or organic apple skin and know it's safe.

Okay, so it seems more convenient to get take-out, but think of the possible salamonella and other toxins it may carry, (check out the kitchen of your favorite restaurant if you don't believe me), not to mention the high-fat, high triglycerides, somebody didn't wash their hands before handling your food, and the high price you're paying. Also, you have to wait in line for it in a highly stressful environment. If you call, by the time your food arrives, it could be the wrong order, cold or tampered with.

Instead, you could be home, listening to your favorite music, maybe cooking with your family or honey, enjoying the tastes and smells. Turn off the TV and computer. Who needs more stress? Cooking is not only one of the great nurturing and calming activities around. It can also be pretty romantic and erotic. Think about sharing a lick of tomato sauce from a spoon or feeding your partner a grape or apple slice. Divine!

Fresh Air and Sunshine

Be sure to breathe from your abdomen to get enough oxygen to your brain and body. The best place to do that is getting outside daily and sitting, walking or working outside in the fresh air and sunshine. If you live where the air is polluted, think about moving. Is where you are worth the possibility of asthma, cancer, Parkinson's and more that polluted air can bring? Choose to live more simply in a less crowded and less polluted area. Find what you love to do and establish your own online or inhome business. You'll be happier and healthier, too.

Sunshine is necessary for your body to get enough vitamin D and also may be important to healthy eyes. Make sure you don't get it between l0 a.m. and 2 p.m. and wear a hat to protect your skin and eyes. Recent research says sunscreen may not really block the harmful rays, so it's safer to cover yourself (and make sure your family does, too. That doesn't mean a see-through polyester cover, but perhaps long sleeve and long pants of cotton.

Sun is also important to elevating mood. That's why people in northern climes get SAD, a form of depression because they don't get enough sunlight. If you're moving, you might consider moving farther south so you can get more daytime sunlight.

Use natural fabrics

Wear cotton, linen or silk for fewer allergies. Don't use polyester carpets, bed linens, curtains or towels, all of which can contribute to allergies. Hard wood floors or tile are a lot better for you and there is no place for vermin to hide there, either, like they can under carpeting.

Get enough sleep and rest

Get off caffeine. You don't need it. Wean yourself and you'll see how perky and bright-eyes you wake up once you do. Especially don't have caffeine at night. It will limit your quality sleep.

Avoid watching television, especially anything that's shocking or upsetting like the news or shows with violent content. Same goes for reading or working on the computer. Read a good book. It'll make you grow. TV and computer games won't.

Reserve at least half an hour for yoga, easy stretching, listening to a relaxation tape, warm bath and maybe cuddling with that special someone prior to sleep. You'll rest better and wake up with a smile on your face.

Exercise every day

The pioneers built homes, walked miles, grew all their own food, went hunting, cooked and preserved their own food. Start a garden, even if it's only in a couple of pots on your terrace or balcony. If you're lucky enough to rent or own a home, be sure to start a garden. Get an organic gardening book at your local bookstore or nursery and go to it. You can find out a lot of information from your local county cooperative extension service. They often offer free classes and will answer questions about plants over the phone.

A recent study showed gardening is as good as any other form of exercise for keeping you fit. Gardening is also satisfying to the soul and calming to the mind and provides the sunshine and fresh air you need. Nothing you can do provides so many prizes. You get to see seeds you planted sprout, you can listen to birds sing and feel the warm sun on your back, when you pick the produce you'll feel a swell of self-esteem and pleasure. Eating something you've grown is like no other experience. It boosts your self-confidence and brings a smile to your face.

Hugs are good exercise, too, and are healing. Get at least 10 hugs a day to stay young, healthy and self-confident.

Use safe self-care remedies

Before there were big drug companies, people used home remedies. They knew how to use herbs and other substances because information about how to use them and what results to expect were handed down by word of mouth or old books.

Instead of listening to the ads on TV about what will cure this or that symptom, and bugging your doctor to write you a prescription, remember it is the drug companies who are trying to make a profit off your pain or discomfort. Check out many of the ideas provided below for safe, self-care. Remember, every drug has many effects, not just the one you're taking it for. Herbs are potent too and must be used correctly and in the correct situation. If you choose the more natural route of self-care, make sure you educate yourself fully prior to using herbs or essential oils and share what you've learned and what you plan to do with your health care practitioner.

Also, check out the advantages of eating foods as a healing practice. Think of everything you put into your mouth as a medicine. That way, you'll be less tempted to eat fatty and sugary snacks and greasy burgers and fries. They simply aren't medicine. Now a juicy apple or a succulent strawberry is, and your body knows it.

Good luck on your path toward natural living. Enjoy!

for more information on natural living...
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yoga for spine strength before and after menopause
exercise
myths
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flaxseed for hotflashes
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anti-aging yoga for spine health
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vitamin E for hot flashes
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healing fruits
acupressure for ailments
healing spices
My Holistic & Wellness Self-Care web site
my BellaOnline Holistic Health web site
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