THE LOVE OF ORANGE

Orange

Orange is a wonderful color to love not just for its vibrant hue.  The fruit orange is packed with powerful nutrients.  The fruit is rich in essential vitamins and minerals that offer numerous health benefits for the human body.  A lovable fruit making it an excellent addition to a balanced power punch diet to boost the immune system.  While oranges are an acidic food and may not be loveable for everyone, particularly those with acid reflux or sensitive stomachs. But the nutritional value makes the fruit beneficial to include into your diet.

Freshly squeezed oranges

    ORANGE = VITAMIN C

A natural form of vitamin C, which is a powerful antioxidant that helps protect cells from damage, supports immune system, collagen production in the skin, and speeds up wound healing.

 ORANGE = FIBER

A source of fiber, particularly pectin, aids in the digestion and help manage cholesterol levels.

ORANGE = POTASSIUM

A natural form of potassium, a mineral crucial for heart function, maintaining blood pressure, and muscle function.

ORANGE = FLAVONOIDS, PHYTONUTRIENTS

Plant compounds with anti-inflammatory and antixiodant effects to prevent diseases, such as, cancer.

ORANGE = KIDNEY STONE PREVENTION

Oranges increase hydration and citric acid, which can help prevent kidney stones.

ORANGE = IRON ABSORPTION

Enhances the body's ability to absorb high rich iron plant-based foods.

Oranges are originally from China.  Centuries of history used in traditional Chinese medicine.  The dried sweet orange is used to treat coughs and colds.  Bitter oranges are used to treat diarrhea.  Also, helps detox the liver. The outer peel of an orange is pressed to produce the essential oil.

Sweet orange oil and dried orange peels

Orange oil can be used as a sedative, good for nervous tension and related insomnia either blended with lavender or a mix with lavender and sandwood oils.

Eating oranges or drinking fresh pulp orange juice every day can be a simple easy way in getting a daily intake of the natural vitamin C and other nutrients the fruit has to offer in sustaining a healthy functioning body system.

A CUP OF GOLD TEA

Rea's Secret Routine
"S & M" 

Let me know if you take teas on the go?  What's your daily routine?

                                                                                           Enjoy a cup tea!

                                                     

All About Your Eyes

"EYE CARE"

     Caring for your eyes are extremely important like the rest of the body.  There are significant diseases and viruses that can effect the eyes.  When I went for my 12 week check up, the ophthalmologist office had this bulletin article up in the lobby.  A great reminder and further explanation on why "eye care" is important for optimum health. 

Please click the link to view the article closely "eye care health"

MAY IS MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH

 "Mental Health"

This video vignette is a must watch because we all must sound the alarm on talking about Mental Health. The world is in a crisis on the rising increase of mental illness. May is Mental Health Awareness month. Please take sometime and sit down to watch this very important video on Mental Health with your family and friends. Please share this video to your family and friends.

Check out the full episode recently released on Rea Living It Up Alternatively YouTube channel click here Mental Health Awareness Month

                            "If you want happiness for a lifetime - help the next generation."

Welcome to Rea Living It Up Alternatively

"The Grow Life"

Growing edible foods to help heal the body.  Tune in to the official launch of the channel.

tomatoes & holy basil

white horehound

Enjoy viewing the official launch of the Rea Living It Up Alternatively urban garden series 2023 #1.

 Thank you for watching!  Don't forget to subscribe, comment, and like👍

A Nature Connection

 "Talking to plants is one way of talking directly to Spirit"

                                                                                                                              By Rosemary Gladstar / Traditional  Medicinals tea                

                                                      

Persimmon Tree

Communicating with nature is beneficial for living in regards to our mental and physical health.  When you are connected with nature there is usually a sense of happy feelings and positive emotions, such as calmness, joy, focus, and creativity.

A perfect opportunity to connect with nature    

According to the article from Colorado State University by CSU MarComm Staff "The top 5 health benefits of interacting with nature" there are scientific evidence behind it, such as, the article from Science Nature and mental health: An ecosystem service perspective and journal research from National Center for Biotechnology Information A Review of the Benefits of Nature Experiences: More Than Meets the Eye, showing that people who have nearby nature environment settings have been found to be overall healthier than other individuals.

Home in the wilderness

How do you communicate with nature?  

Connecting with nature around a wood-burning fire pit

Roasting marshmallows over a open fire pit

Connecting with nature with utilizing your senses of taste and smell.

Embracing the nature environment with groups of people

Mood (spirit) lifts up to happy and joy.

The next time when you take a walk outside, look closely around your surroundings, try to connect with nature (flower, a tree, bird, sky) and let the brain (mind) get in tune to what vibes (emotions) that may come upon you. 

Evening blue sky

Take a moment to check in with yourself on "How Am I Feeling Today?"  

My nature connection experience checking in with "myself"

WHAT FAMILY MEMBER OF THE ZINGIBERACEAE IS LOVING THE SUMMER HEAT?

 "Zingiber Officinale"

 

Ginger root (rhizome)

Ginger is super beneficial to the human body.  It's one of the most sought out spice in the world.  The rhizome is either used as a spice in foods or as a healing aid in alternative medicine.  There are many forms of ginger being utilized, such as, fresh, dried, crystalized, tablets, capsules, liquid extracts, and essential oil.

The benefits of ginger

• Prevents motion sickness
• Help to quell nausea 
• Prevent vomiting 
• Relieve menstrual cramps
• Relieve the chills and congestion of a cold
• Relieve flatulence (gas) 
• Anticancer properties *Recent studies reported the beta ionone, a terpenoid found in ginger gives anticancer properties
• Pain reliever - ginger blocks the pro-inflammatory prostaglandins
• Help hemorrhoids
• Treat diarrhea
• Protect brain cells from the plaques that cause Alzheimer's disease
• Stimulate appetite
• Relieve indigestion
• Treat arthritis and osteoarthritis
• Respiratory ailments

 

Grown outdoors 7-14-21

Ginger is the member of the Zingiberaceae family.  It's relatives are turmeric, cardamom, and galangal.  The leafy plant can grow up to three feet tall and produces clusters of greenish purple flowers.

 

Grown Indoors 6-17-21

   

 

Ginger can be grown indoors by a sunny window in a container

How to start growing ginger indoors?

• Purchase pieces of the rhizomes from either local supermarkets or farmer's market. *Preferably organic if possible
• Use a nice size container
• Use good potting soil.  Mix the potting soil with peat moss and perlite
• *Optional add organic herb fertilizer
• Place the rhizomes flat in the soil and cover the top of the rhizomes with soil
• Water it once the rhizomes are nicely fitted in the container
• Then place your pot container in a nice sunny window sill
• Watch it sprout up leaves in a few days or so

How to grow ginger outdoors in your garden raised bed?

How to cook, buy, and distinguish different ginger?

Now, are you ready to reap the benefits of this amazing rhizome?

DO YOU KNOW YOUR EGGS?

 Learning To Crack Egg Labels

Eggs. Eggs. Eggs.  

     There are a variety of eggs to choose from at the supermarket.  Are you confused by the term labels? Sometimes, I find myself standing in front of the eggs section reading the labels to decipher what are good besides looking at the prices.  You can stand in that section for more than ten minutes just trying to figure out what the labels on the carton mean.  

     It was time for me to be a savvy shopper and spend less time in one area of the supermarket.  We all know time is an essence and knowledge is the key.

What bird eggs are most often sold in stores around the world?

The birds are chicken, quail, duck, ostrich, and goose.

What does the egg labels on the carton really mean?

Certified Organic

• The bird is feed organic, vegetarian, antibiotic free diet
• The bird is uncaged and allowed outdoors
• Farms are inspected by the USDA yearly

All Natural

• Generally states the obvious "egg"
• No artificial flavors or colors or synthetic ingredients in the eggs themselves

Free Range/Cage Free

• Uncaged bird may live indoors full time but usually have room to walk, perch, and nest
• Free range are more likely to have outdoor access than cage free

Certified Humane

• Uncaged bird may live indoors full time but not enough space to nest, flap their wings, and perch
• Hormone and antibiotic free diet
• Farms are inspected annually by an independent certifier

Omega-3 Fortified

• Birds are given flaxseed and other sources of omega-3s in order to fortify the eggs
• The amount of omega-3s can range from 250 mg per egg to 40 mg
• The yolk is rich in omega-3 fats, the polyunsaturated fats associated with lower risk of heart disease and stroke 
• These eggs are low in saturated fat and are a better source of vitamin E than regular eggs

Farm-laid or Country fresh

• The birds that laid the eggs may have been confined to cages

Brown Eggs and White Eggs

• Both are equally nutritious
• They just comes from different breeds of chicken 

*Note:  Many supermarkets charge a higher price for brown eggs

Egg Facts

• Egg yolks are one of the few foods that contain natural vitamin D
• Eggs age more in one day at room temperature than in one week in the refrigerator
• Besides vitamin D, an excellent source of protein, B vitamins, vitamin A, zinc, lutein, zeaxanthin, amino acids, and iron
• Rich in choline 
• A risk of salmonella if not fully cooked
• Yolks are high in cholesterol
• A common cause of food allergy

Storing Eggs

• Keep eggs toward the back of your main part of the refrigerator which is cooler than the inside of  the door 
• Leave the eggs in the original dated carton 
• Stores up to 5 weeks in refrigerator

The basic guide provided above will help you not be overwhelmed or confused in picking up a carton of eggs.  

DOES YOUR BODY NEED AN ENERGY BOOST?

 "Remedies To Build Up Energy"

Lately, I have been asked this question by a few people, "What can I take to boost my energy levels?"

Here are my suggestions in which I like to do in giving my body a good boost of energy besides reaching for a cup of coffee or 5 hour Energy shot:

• Vitamin B12 
• CoQ10 (coenzyme) Ubiquinol - your body naturally produces this but as you get older it declines. It is useful for blood circulation.  When I'm traveling long distance (more than 2 hours), such as, air flight, car or bus I like to take a supplement of CoQ10.
• Holy Basil (tulsi) - increases resistance to energy draining stress by stabilizing cortisol and blood sugar levels.  I love to make holy basil tea with fresh leaves with flowers or dried.

dried Tulsi Holy Basil

fresh Tulsi Holy Basil
(the gift that keeps on giving)

• Ashwagandha root - relieves stress, improves concentration, and increase energy levels.  I like to add the powder in my oatmeal or smoothies.

Ashwagandha root powder

• Stinging Nettle - is high in vitamin B1 and zinc that fuel your metabolism.  It helps with allergies as well.  I love drinking nettle tea.
• Matcha green tea - highly packed with rich antioxidants catechins, a plant compound, maintains healthy weight, energy, boosts brain function, protect the liver, promote heart health, and prevent cancer.  This is my best tea I love to drink.

organic Matcha tea
ceremonial grade (highest quality)

Here are two great matcha tea demonstrations created and performed by chef and author, Candice Kumai:

The traditional

Upgrade to a latte

More info on Kumai you can check out here https://candicekumai.com/

Now that you know my secrets that gives me a boost of energy naturally, I hope you choose any of the above in your healthy diet.

GET ACTIVE

"Every beat of your heart is a rhythm of your soul."

                                                                                                                                                     by Yogi (tea)

Don't be still.  Be active.

Did you know that jumping rope can boost heart health?  

     Absolutely!  Jumping rope will get your heart pumping and blood flowing.  It's an excellent workout routine that benefits the heart, burns calories, and helps your breathing rhythms.  Therefore, jumping rope is beneficial in boosting circulation.

                                                                              Are you ready to get a jump start?