The Miracles of Apple Cider Vinegar

Remember that old saying, "An Apple a day keeps the doctor away?" Well, apple cider vinegar might also help avoid doctor appointments. Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) use dates as far back as 400 B.C. when Hippocrates (the father of medicine) found and treated his patients with this healing elixir. It was also found in Egyptian urns back in 3,000 B.C., the Babylonians used it as a condiment and flavoring, the Greeks and Romans kept vinegar vessels for healing, it is mentioned in the Bible, and was used as a healing agent and an antiseptic in Biblical times. The list goes on and on...

Natural (undistilled) organic, raw ACV is one of Mother Nature's most perfect foods and one the world's first natural medicines. It is made from fresh, crushed apples which are then matured naturally in wooden barrels to "boost" the natural fermentation. It has a brownish color and if you hold it up to the light you can see tiny "cobweb-like" substances that are called the miracle "mother". This ACV never needs refrigeration! The brown ACV with the "mother" is the healthiest form of vinegar on the market not the white pasteurized, refined, distilled vinegars that are the most popular. The white vinegars are best used for household cleaning and dying Easter eggs.

There are many health benefits of Apple Cider Vinegar some of which are:

• fights germs, viruses, bacteria and mold
• helps to regulate menstruation, PMS and UTI
• helps retard old age onset in humans, pets and farm animals
• promotes youthful skin and banishes acne, athlete's foot, soothes burns and sunburns
• prevents itching scalp, baldness and dry hair
• helps fight arthritis and removes crystals and toxins from the entire body
• helps to control and normalize body weight
• helps fight diabetes and cancer cells
• helps to lower cholesterol and blood pressure

How should Apple Cider Vinegar be used?

There is no official recommended dosage but according to the Apple Cider Vinegar Miracle Health System book by Paul C Bragg, N.D., Ph.D and his daughter Patricia Bragg N.D., Ph.D - they recommend one to two teaspoons of ACV with one to two teaspoons of raw honey in a glass of water at least once a day for better health. Dosages vary depending on the health issue. ACV can also be used topically for various skin conditions.

Another "home remedy" to the rescue!

I remember when I was about 20 years old I visited my grandparents down in Florida. After a much too long day at the beach I developed a nasty sunburn - ouch! My grandmother, Rose, doused me in Apple Cider Vinegar which she said would "take out the sting". Sure enough it not only stopped the itching but reduced the redness.

Let's not forget the wisdom of using nature to heal our bodies instead of running to the pharmacy. Give Apple Cider Vinegar a try and let me know how it works for you.

GREAT "TURNKEY COMPANIES"

Fabulous News!

Shaklee was featured on The Early Show on CBS in a segment that focused on "great turnkey companies". We were listed as one of the BEST companies for busy women who want to get started in a business with minimal initial investment.

Check out this cool video.

As you know, I have a Shaklee business and there are so many reasons why I love this company. Some of these are: to help others, protect our planet, enjoy a healthier life, earn extra income, save for retirement, be my own boss, feel like I am doing something that matters, the freedom and flexibility to manage my own time.

If you are interested in joining our team, send an email and/or check out our site at: http://www.pamtonymcdonald.myshaklee.com

Enjoy a cup of Liquid "Oomph"

I drink this Cinch Energy Tea every day and want to share some reasons why I love it!

Did you know that most green teas have been sprayed with a pesticide called Methamidophus? I didn't think so...

Thankfully, the Shaklee Cinch Teas do not contain this ingredient. Yea!!!

The Benefits of "Cinch Energy Tea Mix"

by Martha Wilmore, Nutritionist

The FDA prohibits Shaklee from making medicinal claims regarding this incredibly valuable product, but if you do your research, you will discover a tea that you will want to drink everyday due to its long list of benefits.

Ingredients of Cinch Energy Tea Mix:

• Taurine - an amino acid
• Maltodextrin - a polysaccharide produced from corn starch
• Rooibos Red Tea Extract - native plant/herb found in South Africa...known as "The Miracle Tea" or "Long Life Tea"
• Green Tea Extract - anti-oxidant blend
• Natural Flavors
• White Tea Extract - the least processed form of tea
• Matcha Green Tea Powder - Japan's highest grade of green tea (the greener than green superfood"

Shaklee refers to it as "Liquid Oomph" which contains exotic white, red and Matcha green teas that make an extraordinary drink. It is a safe, natural, healthy and effective alternative for boosting energy. Only 5 calories per serving and it is great in hot or iced water.

Red, white, green & Matcha teas are ranked as leading health-giving substances in traditional Chinese medicine. They have been known for centuries to have many positive properties: anti-microbial, immuno-stimulatory, anti-carcinogenic, anti-inflammatory, detoxifiers, protective against cardiovascular disease, energy & fat loss stimulators.

As you will see below, there are some incredible health benefits in each tea stick...carry them in your purse, pocket or brief case. You won't want to be without them!

Ingredient Benefits:

Taurine (an amino acid)

• provides detoxifying properties
• provides antioxidant properties and guards cellular tissue against toxic substances
• causes fat solubilization
• increases the production of bile in the liver (helps keep bile in a liquid state and is less likely to form gallstones)
• critical for brain development - is used to treat anxiety, hyperactivity, poor brain function and seizures
• critical for eye health...a deficiency causes retinal degeneration...adequate amounts of taurine reduce the risk for macular degeneration
• stabilizes cell membranes in electrically active tissues such as the brain and heart. In the heart it strengthens the heart muscle and helps stabilize arrhythmias by keeping potassium and magnesium inside the cells and keeping excess sodium out.
• helps regulate blood pressure and reduces serum cholesterol levels
• acts like a diuretic, without the side effects of pharmaceutical diuretics
• reduces symptoms of Type I or insulin-dependent diabetes by strengthening the beta cells in the pancreas
• helps people with cystic fibrosis to digest fats
• provides respiratory protection and is useful in the treatment of Asthma

Rooibos Red Tea (roy-boss) - reduces aging of the skin, muscles, internal organs and brain

• has 50x the anti-oxidant properties of green tea
• naturally high in Super Oxide Dismutase (SOD), an outstanding antioxidant and a prime preventative of free radical damage
• beneficial in treating insomnia, irritability, headaches, cataracts, nervous tension & hypertension
• contains alphy-hydroxy (for healthy skin)...is very useful in treating irritated skin
• contains anti-oxidants that protect against free radical damage that can lead to cancer, heart attack and stroke (slows aging process & boosts immune system)
• contains a smorgasbord of minerals

Green Tea - protect health & delays aging

• 2 cups of green tea are approx. twice the antioxidants of red wine, 7x that of orange juice and 20x that of apple juice
• contains ingredients that cause body fat reduction (aids in weight loss)
• increases the metabolism
• alkalizes the body and intestinal tract (therefore, helps reduce candida). Improves conditions of intestines by blocking growth of bad bacteria and enhancing good bacteria like bifidus.
• epidemiological reports show it reduces the risk of several cancers
• protects the cardiovascular system, brain and the kidneys
• helps lower blood sugar in diabetics
• promotes oral health & hygiene
• reduces high blood sugar
• a cup of green tea contains about 15-30 mg. of caffeine, but because green tea also contains theanine (a calming amino acid) it counteracts effects of caffeine
• aids in detoxification of heavy metals (lead, mercury, cadmium, etc.)
• active ingredients include polyphenols, catechins, theanine, saponins & flavonoids

White Tea

• the least processed form of tea...made from buds and young leaves
• has more anti-mutagenic (anti-cancer) activity than green tea (highly recommended to reduce the risk of colon cancer)
• contains high concentrations of catechins including EGCG

Matcha Green Tea Powder

• Matcha contains 10-200 times the antioxidant levels of normal green tea
• contains 9x the beta carotene of spinach and 4x the beta carotene of carrots
• boosts energy levels without the crazy over-stimulating effects of coffee (also gentle of tummy and gastrointestinal system)
• boosts metabolic rate by 35-40%, therefore increases weight loss
• energizes detoxification of the liver, the entire body, including the brain

Here's to Cinch Energy Tea - "LIFT UP AN UPLIFTING CUP!!!"

Just Say No to GMO's!!!

I remember first learning about Genetically Modified foods in my Food Science & Nutrition class a few years ago and thought it sounded like science fiction. Well, now it is a reality - how sad. What is genetic modification or genetic engineering you ask? Well, it basically involves taking genes from one species and injecting those genes into another species.

Why would anyone want to do that? Some believe GM foods can solve the world's food shortage for everyone, especially the poor and hungry in developing countries. Our politicians and "Big Businesses" are promoting that GM foods grow faster, larger and are disease resistant to name just of few. HELLO... who do you think gains the most from the GM foods? Isn't it time that we take a stand for the health of ourselves and future generations?

But some believe there are many "red flags" associated with GM foods such that they have not been shown safe to eat, they are more dangerous to allergy-prone people, harmful to the environment, harmful to the animals and plants, increased pesticide use and long term disaster for the farmers.

What can we do? For starters, buy organic foods when possible. This is not totally the answer because there still can be cross-contamination from other GM crops and organic regulations are sometimes sketchy. But most of all, the huge biotech companies are pressuring the government to require that GM foods can be declared as organic. Ridiculous!!!

We can also VOTE - NO TO GM FOODS.

If you would like to learn more about GM foods visit: http://www.saynotogmos.org/index.htm

Encouraging News about Alzheimer's!

Do you know anyone that has been diagnosed with Alzheimer's? I have been reading an excellent book called - 100 Simple Things You Can Do To Prevent Alzheimer's and Age-Related Memory Loss, by Jean Carper.

Incorporating even a few preventative actions that are mentioned in this book could help to dramatically change your future by postponing Alzheimer's as long as possible. Evidently, if you can delay the onset of Alzheimer's for five years, you can cut the odds of having it in half. If you postpone Alzheimer's for ten years, you most likely will not see it in your lifetime.

Some of the topics discussed include: foods to eat, foods to avoid, exercise and body balance, medications, alcohol, stress and so much more.

I couldn't put the book down. This book offers hope for anyone who wants to protect their mind as they age. What a great gift for the "milestone" birthdays, as a coffee table book or a book for those on the "throne"! Buy it for yourself and those you love.

Get More For Your Money With Shaklee's Cinch Weight-Loss Plan

SHAKLEE GOES HEAD-TO-HEAD

The Forbes Magazine published a weekly price comparison of a wide variety of popular diet plans. The table below includes Shaklee's Cinch Inch Loss Plan -- check it out!

Jenny Craig $137.65/week

Nutrisystem $113.52/week

Atkins $100.52/week

Weight Watchers $ 96.64/week

The Zone $ 92.84/week

Ornish $ 78.74/week

South Beach $ 78.61/week

Slim Fast $ 77.73/week

CINCH PLAN $ 70.99/week

Sugar Busters $ 69.62/week

Subway $ 68.60/week

My husband, Tony, lost 25 lbs. and many inches following the Cinch plan.

Shaklee has two different Cinch Specials that run until the end of March. You can learn more at either of these two websites:

http://www.pamtonymcdonald.myshaklee.com or http://www.cinchplan.com/pamtonymcdonald

What, Why & How to Sprout!

What is "sprouting" and why should I "sprout" you ask?

Besides all of the nutritional benefits, sprouted seeds are economical, ecological, toxin-free (depending on seeds and water) and most of all help to detoxify the body. Many surveys and clinical studies by ecologists confirm that there is a steady and alarming build-up of toxic chemicals in the human adipose (fat) tissue of the entire American population. Some of these toxins have been placed on the EPA's banned list. Yikes!

Sprouting is an easy way to help detoxify the body.

"Sprouting" is germination - this is a process where vitamins, minerals, proteins and essential fatty acids are dormant until the seeds are soaked in water. Sprouting the seeds eliminates some acids and toxins in the plant life that can interfere with our digestion. An example of this is that sprouted beans are easier to digest because their protein content increases and their starch content decreases.

You don't need a "green thumb" to sprout seeds. In a nutshell, here are the easy steps to follow.

Place seeds, grains or beans in container and rinse with purified water. Let them soak, according to sprouting chart, for the specified time. Pour soaked seeds in sprouting tray - rinse again, drain completely and cover. Place container away from direct sunlight.

Repeat the rinsing 2-3 times per day (once in the morning and once in the evening should be fine) until your seeds sprout a "tail" about 1/4 inch long.

Finally, rinse one more time, put in direct sunlight for a couple of hours so they turn green and develop chlorophyll. The sprouts then should be put in a container in the refrigerator which will last about 3-4 days.

Include your sprouts in salads, rice, eggs, sandwiches, juiced, soups and much more. Use your imagination and let me know if you have any other suggested uses. Enjoy!