Helping the body absorb fat-soluble nutrients, while supplying a host of others.
Great news! Avocados have long been loved by southern folk for dressing up their tacos and making guacamole, but there are several ways to eat an avocado! And in even more great news avocados have been found to help the absorption of other nutrients from the food you are eating with it!
Studies have shown that eating about half an avocado, in combination with a spinach, carrot and lettuce salad, increased the absorption of alpha-carotene by 8.3 times, beta-carotene by 13.6 times and lutein by 4.3 times, as compared to just eating the salad alone! The essential fatty acids found in avocados significantly increased the absorption of fat-soluble, carotenoid phytonutrients from other vegetables. Avocados themselves are loaded with Vitamin K, Folate, Iron, Copper, Manganese, Magnesium, Zinc, Phosphorous, Vitamin A, B1 (Thiamine), B2 (Riboflavin) and B3 (Niacin). So, as you can see, just a little homemade organic salsa and homemade guacamole creates a nutrition powerhouse that you can feed your family throughout the day! Health Benefits Of Eating Avocados
Different Ways To Enjoy An Avocado
There are several recipes out there. You can doctor up an avocado in so many ways, just be creative and get them in your belly as much as possible. Avocados provide health building nutrients and then some. Ripe avocados will be firm, but slightly soft when squeezed. Too soft and it will be brown. To hard and you will need to wait a day or two to eat. So if you are looking to make an appetizer today, make sure they are ripe and usable. Bon apetit! To your health! Sources: 1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3664913/ 2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15538079 3.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17313704 4. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20978772 5. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9433873 
Bentonite Clay comes from the Earth's volcano's. It is formed when volcanic ash has weathered and aged with water present. It holds a very strong negative electromagnetic charge. This charge becomes activated once water is added to the clay and, in turn, whether we ingest it or use topically, the clay acts like a magnet and pulls metals and toxins to it. (If you choose to use it as a drink, use a teaspoon of powder in a slightly warm glass of water, followed by two more glasses of water.) The clay will work it's way through your digestive track, attracting all the positively charged toxins, heavy metals, GMO toxins, fluoride, candida yeasts, parasites, gangrene, bacterial infections and even radiation poison! This is then excreted from the body. Because clay is not absorbed into the bloodstream and doesn't stay in the system, it is considered non-toxic. Drinking plenty of water is key! You want to clay to keep moving and not get stuck. A detox method to use would be 4 weeks of 1 tsp bentonite clay with plenty of water, every day. Take a week break, then back on for 4 weeks of 2 tsp bentonite clay with plenty of water, every day. This powerful detox method can be used with bentonite clay or diatomaceous earth.
Not only is Bentonite clay a great way to detox heavy metals and toxins from the body, but there's a high amount of calcium, magnesium, silica, iron and potassium. Clay, literally, absorbs toxins and pathogens, while depositing minerals into your body. There is concern of the small trace amounts of lead found in clay, but this lead is never released into the body, it is excreted alongside the other heavy metals found in the body. Benefits Of Bentonite Clay *Removes heavy metals, pathogens, toxins, fluoride, viruses, candida yeasts, bacterial infections, gangrene, GMO toxins and even radiation *Promotes healthy gut flora *Heals and revitalizes damaged cells & tissues *By reducing stomach acidity, it balances the body's pH levels *Promotes healthy hair, skin, nails, teeth, bones and joints *Naturally boosts energy *Adds oxygen to your cells by pulling excess hydrogen, allowing oxygen to take it's place *Boosts probiotics in the gut *Relieves constipation *Boosts immunity *Purifies water when combined with magnesium by removing fluoride With all of the benefits that this detox brings, coupled with the essential minerals we need to sustain our body's, this detox ranks high on my list for best internal cleansing! Sources: 1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2904249/ 2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20462694 
I first discovered activated charcoal when I was bit by a brown recluse spider. I had been gardening and took off my gloves for a moment. I saw another weed and by instinct just reached down and pulled it. I felt a sting and knew I had been bit but didn't know by what. The next day my finger itched like crazy and was turning red. I felt a painful surge (venom) shoot up my forearm and the skin began to literally deteriorate on my knuckle, so much so that you could see my bone! Now any normal person would have been heading to the hospital, but I was heading to research a natural remedy for spider bites. I learned about making an activated charcoal paste by simply opening two capsules of the black powder and mixing it with a couple drops of water to create a paste. You then apply it to the site of the bite and it apparently absorbed the venom back out. So I had to try it! The second I put the paste on the spider bite, it took away the sting and the itch, instantly! The pain had been constant for two days. Because the charcoal is black and messy, you put a bandage over the wound. I would reapply a fresh charcoal patch to my finger every morning and afternoon. To my amazement by the third day my finger had completely healed! That's when I really dug into the benefits of Activated Charcoal.
Activated charcoal is carbon produced from carbonaceous source materials such as nutshells, coconut husk, wood, coir, peat, coal, bone char, olive pits, sawdust and lignite. Activated Carbon, known as activated charcoal, has oxygen added to it to increase its porosity, thereby, adding to its surface area. This isn't the same charcoal as what you use on your grill. Charcoal briquettes are toxic. They have additional agricultural wastes and toxins, similar to lighter fluid, that are added. Activated charcoal is made with all non-toxic substances. It's normally used to remove chemicals, toxins, and gases. Activated charcoal also has a negative charge, that works like a magnet to draw the positively charged toxins, chemicals and gases to it, absorbing them. This is how it could heal my spider bit so quickly. It's porous surface with it's negative charge, attracted and absorbed quickly the venom shot into my hand and arm.
Here are a few benefits of having Activated Charcoal kept in the house.
* Alleviates bloating and gas * Helps with alcohol poisoning and hangovers * Can be used in emergencies as a paste to heal bug bites and stings of the worst kind * Can also be used in emergencies where someone has ingested poison (always call 911 first) * Cleanses digestive track * Reduces high cholesterol * Can whiten teeth * Can be used to help heal dog mange and other skin issues on animals *Can be used in a mud mask for the face to cleanse the pores It's important to note that if you are taking medications, please be aware that Activated Charcoal will absorb those as well, so this may not be a good idea to take until you are cleared by your doctor. How To Make An Activated Charcoal Patch *Take 1 tablespoon of bentonite clay and add 1/2 teaspoon of activated charcoal powder. *Add a few drops of water to the powder mix and stir until you make a paste. *Apply the paste to sting or bite and cover with a bandage. This method can be done without the bentonite clay, but I add it in to give it some extra detoxing power and to help form the paste. Water alone is fine too! 
While looking for a pest control for my garden I ran across diatomaceous earth. After reading about all the health benefits of taking a tablespoon a day with lots of water, I decided to give it a try. A DE detox. As the story would go, I immediately, within a few days, noticed my nails started growing like crazy. Then after a few more days of using it 1-2 times a day with water, I watched as my skin became clear and youthful looking again. On the flip side, I was also becoming very sick! I started to feel nauseous all the time with a headache and pain, almost like the flu. In fact, I thought for a moment I had the flu. But I never get the flu, so that threw me off. Then I looked up the side effects and realized what was happening. My body was detoxing the bad bacteria from my body and I was experiencing die-off. Come to find out, die-off is a good sign! That means the DE is doing it's job. If you drink lot's of water and continue to use DE in smaller amounts, gradually you will not be effected by it and you will know, once the die-off dies off, that you have balanced your gut flora, for the time being.
Diatomaceous Earth is an off-white, fine powder that is the fossilized remains of marine phytoplankton. It is 99% pure Silica. Silica helps the body use Calcium. It also repairs vital collagen which, in turn, contributes to healthy bones, ligaments, joints, cartilage and skin. Food-grade DE also contains 15 trace minerals, including calcium, magnesium, sodium, iron, phosphorous, selenium, copper, zinc and potassium. DE is safe to take on a daily basis. Again, if you are taking meds, always check with your doctor first. But for the average healthy person, taking DE daily has numerous benefits! I notice right away my skin looks more youthful. I also get boosts of energy from taking DE. Rule of thumb is to start out with 1-2 teaspoons a day for a week or two, then move up to 1 tablespoon/twice a day. There are no rules with DE, just be sure not to accidentally inhale it or get it in your eyes. It's best to use a plastic spoon when mixing it in water or smoothie. As far as how to take it and how often, that is a personal decision and whatever is comfortable for you. DE works by traveling through the stomach and intestines, literally scraping the walls and then dehydrating and killing any parasites, bacterial and fungal infections. To get an idea of how hard the edges of the silica crystals are, on a hardness scale diamonds are ranked at a 9. DE is ranked at a 7. By scraping and ridding the body of these energy zombies from your gut, you will feel more awake and coherent. Daily use contributes to the following.
To See All The Different Uses For Diatomaceous Earth https://www.diatomaceousearth.com/learning-center/ Source- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9533930 
Here's why pineapple juice will help your sore throat.
One of the best ways to heal up a scratchy throat and cough is to drink freshly juiced pineapple juice. For several years now we have juiced a pineapple every time we get a cough or have a sore throat. And every time it heals us up rather quickly! It usually only takes about 1-2 glasses of fresh pineapple juice to send a cough on it's way out the door. There have been several articles make the statement that pineapple juice is 5 times more effective than cough syrup, and I can confirm, that this is most definitely the case! In fact, one study performed by the Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Meerut Institute of Engineering and Technology in India, confirmed that fresh pineapple juice, with honey and pepper added, was found to be extremely helpful in dissolving mucus of the lungs in tuberculosis.
The pineapple's super-power lies within it's naturally occurring enzyme, bromelain, which reduces inflammation. This soothes the irritation of the throat and relieves the coughing. Bromelain is also a proteolytic enzyme, which means it digests protein. It also contains high amounts of Vitamin C, Vitamin A and Magnesium, all of which boost the immune system, which in turn helps ward off colds and illness. By triggering the body's production of substances that reduce swelling and fight pain, Bromelain is able to soothe and heal irritated coughs. Benefits Of Drinking Pineapple Juice For A Cough
These benefits will be most enjoyed when drinking fresh pineapple juice, right from the juicer. If you must buy store bought, make sure you get Organic, Not From Concentrate, No Sugar Added, and all that jazz pineapple juice. But you will reap the rewards of pineapples most from freshly squeezed juice! Our personal experience has always been that once we give pineapple juice, no matter how long the cough has been around, it usually tends to disappear in a day or two completely after being given a couple of glasses of fresh pineapple juice. Or anytime I notice one of my children getting a cold, a glass of pineapple juice will ward it off. I keep going with the pineapple juice too, we keep drinking it for a few days just to keep illness away. Remember, natural remedies work best in strong bodies that aren't tainted with poisonous medications. And you know the best part about pineapple juice?? It tastes WONDERFUL!!! My boys like the fresh pineapple juice the best, with a couple of ice cubes mixed in, so you're not drinking warm pineapple juice. It taste's delicious people, and it's so good for you! Cheers! Sources: 1. Bromelain treatment decreases neutrophil migration to sites of inflammation. Publication: Clin. Immunol. 2008 Jul ;128(1)::66-74. :doi: 10.1016/j.clim.2008.02.015. Publication Date: 2008 Jul Study Author(s): Fitzhugh, David J;Shan, Siqing;Dewhirst, Mark W;Hale, Laura P; 2. Oral Bromelain Attenuates Inflammation in an Ovalbumin-induced Murine Model of Asthma. Publication: Evid Based Complement Alternat Med 2008 Mar ;5(1)::61-9. :doi: 10.1093/ecam/nel110. Publication Date: 2008 Mar Study Author(s): Secor, Eric R;Carson, William F;Singh, Anurag;Pensa, Mellisa;Guernsey, Linda A;Schramm, Craig M;Thrall, Roger S; Institution: Department of Immunology and Department of Pediatrics, University of Connecticut School of Medicine, Farmington, CT, USA. 3. https://www.hindawi.com/journals/jnme/2014/861659/ 4. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4882156/
The aloe vera plant, Aloe barbadensis miller, has more healing properties than most other plants. The gel found on the inner leaf contains vitamins A, C, E, folic acid, choline, B1, B2, niacin, B6 and B12. There are several minerals found in the aloe plant as well. Calcium, zinc, chromium, selenium, magnesium, sodium, iron, potassium, copper and manganese. All of these contribute to a healthy metabolism, activated cellular communication and help produce enzymes. They also contribute to strong teeth, bones and joints. A really simple and fabulous homemade toothpaste would be taking the gel from the leaf and mixing it with a drop of pure peppermint or spearmint essential oil. These two simple ingredients make a powerful, non-abrasive toothpaste that fights bacteria and strengthens the enamel.
The aloe vera plant is also anti-fungal, anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory. When taken orally (I advise drinking aloe vera juice, I just feel it works better than taking pill-form), it can help with digestion, strengthen the immune system, help with nutrient absorption, reduce inflammation, provides essential amino acids, help treat diabetes, heal stomach ulcers, relieve constipation, detox the body of toxins, parasites and candida and then some. This plant is powerful and a gem of the Earth! You can find aloe vera juice sold in stores and it's best to find pure, whole leaf organic aloe vera juice. That can get expensive though. An easy way to go about this is to buy an organic aloe vera plant to sit in your house, in some sunlight and water it everyday. You can then take a leaf and make your own aloe vera juice. Slice open a leaf and with a spoon, dig out the inner gel. Put the gel in a blender with a little bit of filtered or spring water and blend together. You can add fresh juice (lemon, orange) for added vitamin zing! Besides taking aloe orally, it can be used topically too. Because aloe has a neutral taste, smell and touch, it can be used in several different ways. In our house, we have healed pink eye three different times, in less than 24 hours. We have also healed ring worm. In fact, any time our boys have ever had a "skin issue" or irritation, we grab aloe, rub it on the skin and it's gone the next day. The important thing to remember when using a natural remedy like this to heal an infection or irritation, is to do it several times throughout the day. I cut open a leaf and open it up, then literally rub the inner gel right on top of the skin until ALL of the inner gel has been absorbed into the skin! You do this every few hours! This method has worked for us over and over for healing viral and fungal infections. Living in Texas and having a fair-skinned, redhead, I have also seen the aloe plant work it's wonders on sunburns. A part of the wonder is how quickly it heals! You can get an aloe vera plant at just about any store that sells plants or has a nursery. I picked up a handful of aloe plants at Home Depot and have them sitting around the house. I have two boys so there are a lot of scrapes, cuts, sunburns and a few of other childhood viral/fungal infections that have come through our house. Our favorite plant is the Aloe Vera plant, because it has helped us heal every single time! 
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Kelly is a registered nutritionist, fitness trainer, author, blogger and mother.
