Hug a tree for improved mind and physical health

Grounding, also known as earthing, refers to the practice of connecting your body to the Earth’s surface by walking barefoot on grass, sand, soil, physically working with soil – gardening, physically interact with your pets that play in the garden,  or using grounding mats or sheets. Advocates of grounding believe that it provides several potential benefits for overall well-being.

Some people report experiencing the following benefits:

1. Improved Sleep: Grounding has been associated with better sleep patterns. It is believed that connecting with the Earth’s natural electrical charge can help regulate the body’s internal rhythms, leading to improved sleep quality and duration.
2. Reduced Inflammation: Some studies suggest that grounding may have anti-inflammatory effects on the body. It is believed that the direct contact with the Earth’s surface helps neutralize free radicals and reduces the accumulation of positively charged electrons, which are associated with inflammation.
3. Enhanced Energy Levels: Grounding is said to increase energy levels by restoring the body’s natural electrical balance. Supporters claim that connecting with the Earth’s surface can help alleviate feelings of fatigue and promote vitality.
4. Stress Reduction: Grounding is believed to have a calming effect on the nervous system, helping to reduce stress and promote relaxation. Walking barefoot on natural surfaces and feeling the Earth beneath your feet can create a sense of connection with nature and induce a soothing state.
5. Improved Mood and Mental Well-being: Some individuals report an uplifted mood and improved overall mental well-being after grounding. It is thought that this practice can help balance neurotransmitter levels, promote a sense of calm, and increase feelings of happiness.
6. Pain Relief: Preliminary research suggests that grounding may have a pain-relieving effect. It is hypothesized that the contact with the Earth’s surface can help reduce pain by modulating the body’s electrical signals and influencing the perception of pain.
7. Antioxidant Effects: Grounding is believed to have antioxidant properties, helping to neutralize free radicals and reduce oxidative stress in the body. This may contribute to overall health and wellness.

So all in all spend more time barefoot outdoors and bring yourself closer to nature, I will concentrate on a follow up  on animals and gardening as part of the grounding experience.

Great selfcare information

Just BREATHE, how many times have these words been heard, especially in a stressful moment.

One of the best FREE and anytime available remedies for a string of situations, controlled breathing is a simple yet powerful technique that can help you relax, reduce stress, and improve your overall well-being.

In this blog post, I will discuss the benefits of controlled breathing and some techniques that you can try. It is important to note that controlled breathing can be used in a variety of situations, such as reducing stress and anxiety, improving focus and concentration, and promoting better sleep. It can be a great tool to have in your arsenal for self-care and mindfulness practices.

Breathing is something we do naturally, without even thinking about it. But when we take control of our breathing and slow it down, we can calm our nervous system and reduce stress. This is because when we are stressed or anxious, our breathing tends to become shallow and rapid, which can make us feel even more anxious. By taking long, slow breaths, we can counteract this response and bring a sense of calm to our mind and body.

The Benefits of Controlled Breathing

1. Reduces stress: Controlled breathing has been shown to reduce stress levels and promote feelings of calmness and relaxation.

2. Improves mood: Studies have found that controlled breathing can help improve mood and reduce symptoms of depression.

3. Lower’s blood pressure: Slow, deep breathing can help to lower blood pressure and reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.

4. Boost’s immunity: Deep breathing is known to increase oxygen levels in the body, which can improve immune function and reduce inflammation.

5. Enhances focus: Focusing on the breath can help to clear the mind and improve concentration.

Whether you are looking to reduce stress or improve your overall well-being, incorporating controlled breathing into your daily routine can be a game-changer. Try experimenting with different techniques and see what works best for you.

Techniques for Controlled Breathing. Do a minimum of 4 cycles in one sitting

1. Abdominal breathing: This technique involves breathing deeply from your abdomen, rather than your chest. To try it, place one hand on your stomach and inhale slowly through your nose, feeling your belly rise as you fill your lungs with air. Exhale slowly through your mouth, feeling your belly fall as you release the air.

2. Equal breathing: With this technique, you inhale and exhale for the same amount of time. To try it, inhale slowly through your nose for a count of four, then exhale slowly through your mouth for a count of four.

3. 4-7-8 breathing: This technique involves inhaling for a count of four, holding your breath for a count of seven, and exhaling for a count of eight. Repeat this for several rounds.

Remember by taking a few moments each day to focus on your breathing, you can reduce stress, improve your mood, and enhance your overall quality of life.

Now go, give it a try!

Want a reminder? Check out this great fridge magnet:

Healthy African energy drink

Here is another golden nugget for your treasure chest – energy on tap – Mahewu. Found throughout Africa this alcohol-free drink can be made at home or bought from a local store. It is used as a refreshing drink or a quick meal,

Mahewu have all these benefits:

1. Easy to digest carbohydrate: Because the carbohydrates have been acted upon by
   bacteria, they are easier to digest in the body.
2. Probiotics: Contains probiotics which are good for gut health, better digestion and
   overall health.
3. Energy: Mahewu is fermented with corn and sorghum or finger millet malt, making it
   a good source of carbohydrates while working or working out.

4. Fiber: The sorghum or finger millet malt is ground whole grain, full of soluble and
   non-soluble fiber.
5. Nutrients: Sorghum (the malt) is a good source of protein, vitamin B, antioxidants and
   minerals such as iron and potassium and it is gluten-free and non-GMO. It prevents
   certain types of cancer, builds strong bones, promotes red blood cell production,
   keeps blood pressure down, and contains compounds that keep cholesterol levels
   down. There is evidence that it even improves sensitivity to insulin in diabetics.
6. More Nutrients: Finger millet contains amino acids, high levels of calcium, iron and
   potassium. It is gluten-free and non-acid forming. It strengthens bones, is
   antioxidant, slows down digestion and has a low glycemic index (which controls
   blood sugar levels), and it naturally relaxes body and mind. It is recommended for
   people with liver disorders, blood pressure, anxiety, depression, asthma and a weak
   heart

As you can see from above you will do your body and mind a great favor to include this product in your diet. You can also add other supplements to Mahewu, like Cinnamon, Moringa or even Honey. Should you be interested to read up more about this food you can search under the following names, Chewa, mageu, mahleu, amarhewu, amahewu.

For the do it yourself enthusiast, here is a basic recipe:

Ingredients

2 liters of water

1 liter of water, separate

1 cup of maize meal

¼ cup of ground malt (sorghum or finger millet)

Prep Time 10 mins

Cook Time 10 mins

Fermentation Time 48 hours

Total Time 48 Hours

Please note that your brewing/fermentation environment should be warm, you can achieve this in colder parts of the world with a heating strip or cover (same environment you need to make your own kombucha)

1. Add maize meal malt and a bit of water together in a clean odor free pot, mix to a paste, add the remainder of 2 liter water to thin it down, avoid any lumps, Heat to boiling over medium heat.  Stirring occasionally.
2. Once it boils lower the heat and cover it with a lid. If the porridge is too thick, add a bit of cold water.
3. Let the porridge boil for about 10 minutes, then remove from heat.
4. Add 1 liter of water to thin out the porridge. Allow it to cool down completely.
5. As it is for drinking make sure it is not too thick, if it is, add a little bit more water. 
6. Cover the pot and leave it for one or two days.
7. After two days, your mahewu will be ready. It will have a clear liquid on top and sediment at the bottom. Mix it with a spoon, pour some into a glass and taste it.  It should be slightly sour.

Decant from the pot to a glass or earthen ware container. Put your mahewu in the fridge to keep it cool and to slow down fermentation. If you leave it outside the fridge, fermentation will continue and the beverage will become too sour. Drink over the next few days. Rural/farming communities do not add any artificial flavor’s to their mahewu, Feel free to experiment with flavor’s such as a banana, honey, cinnamon etc.

The goodness of coffee

For some obscure reason I grew-up without drinking a drop of coffee until my late 50’s, that is.

So why start so late in life? Well I was employed in a fairly stressful work environment as the ICT Manager in a factory in the Eastern Cape country area. We were transitioning from managed service provider on inhouse servers to own ICT staff and cloud server environment, those that know this setup will agree that it could be stressful, all this while 100% ICT services had to be provided to 200 end users by 3 newly recruited ICT personnel. So what does all this have to do with drinking coffee? On my annual physical checkup I was diagnosed with severe hypertension, to such an extend that I was booked off work with instructions to immediately visit my family GP, where it was confirmed and remedial medications were prescribed.

I did not just sit back and feel sorry for my self because having to avoid a list of food and such that I enjoyed all my life. I did some research on possible health supplements that can be of benefit to me and my condition, this let me to current research being done on coffee. For years doctors and the likes have been warning on the bad effects of coffee, until recently, research now points to more benefits than harms.

See image from the Epoch Times health section March 20th 2023

Please select this link to get yourself some great coffee

All about you and viral protection

So we all have endured 2020 to current, with our own fears, choices and hopefully, mind and body intact.

For some of us we had to make calls associated with staying employed or not. Bar from getting access to the past (time machine) we can not change what happened, but we can surely try and repair any harm done or add to our natural physique by using great natural supplements that can be found here at a great supplier at great prices

Having Blood Sugar issues

Then there is the dreaded disease diabetes that seems to creep up on us as we age or become less active – do not despair as the Company that supply great supplements at great prices have the right product available:

BERBERINE
Your Ultimate Tool in the Fight Against Type 2 Diabetes & Insulin Resistance as it assist in managing your blood sugar levels

Berberine has been shown to support the release of insulin as well as increase insulin sensitivity in the body

Studies Have Shown a 44% Decrease in PBG
As well as a 36% decrease in fasted blood glucose when taking 500mg before each meal for 3 months, it is as effective, if not more effective than Metformin.

The same study showed that Berberine was comparable with Metformin in its ability to control blood sugar, without producing the same side effects

Balance Your Microbiome
On to all this, it is also an effective tool to balance your gut microbiota, keeping pathogenic bacteria in check

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