Friday, February 29, 2008

Natural Insomnia Remedy

Do you ever have trouble getting a really good night's sleep?

I bet that's the case.

You see, with most people working like crazy just to pay the bills, eight hours sleep every night often becomes a thing of the distant past.

Well, if you're suffering stress-related insomnia, I have a natural insomnia remedy that just might make all the difference...

How simple is this? To get a better night's sleep, eat a one ounce serving of fresh walnuts. Fresh means to bust them out of the shell yourself, if you can.

Then chew that one ounce serving slowly and thoroughly. Don't send the chewed nuts down the pipe until you've reduced them to a liquid.

You may be thinking, "What's the relationship between walnuts and insomnia?"

Well, walnuts are an extremely rich dietary source of seratonin, which creates feelings of relaxation and well-being in the human body. As a beneficial side effect, seratonin also tends to reduce appetite.

In addition to overcoming insomnia problems, eating fresh walnuts every day may also help you fight depression and lower cholesterol.

Nice, eh?

If the above approach doesn't rock your boat, I developed a natural insomnia aid that's even nuttier than walnuts.

It's a CD combining cat purring with natural sounds and advanced audio technology. Called Cat's Purr CD, for several years now this CD has evoked rave reviews from those using it for deeper and more satisfying sleep and relaxation!

Chet "Sleeps Like a Log" Day
Editor, The Natural Health Circus
http://chetday.com/blog

Monday, February 25, 2008

Raspberry Vinegar Recipe

Are you sick of supermarket dressings that have an ingredient list that would be more appropriate in a college chemistry lab?

If you are, then I have a healthy, easy to make, and tasty alternative for you that I learned several years ago from Sue Ernest, who sent me the following email:

Raspberry Vinegar Recipe

Chet, I have a terrific recipe for Raspberry Vinegar that I'd like to share.

It's easy to make. All you do is half fill a wide-necked bottle with fresh raspberries. Then fill up to one inch from the top with apple cider vinegar.

Close the bottle tight and leave for a few weeks. It's a beautiful thing to have on the shelf!

When you feel that the color and the taste will have been absorbed properly, sieve away the raspberries and you have raspberry vinegar, which is delicious in salads, dressings or as a drink composed of one teaspoon to a large glass of water.

Maybe this is an obvious recipe, but it's healthy and I usually make some extra to give to friends in a pretty bottle.

Thanks to Sue for sharing this recipe.

Chet "Raspberry Vinegar" Day
Editor, The Natural Health Circus
http://chetday.com

Tuesday, February 19, 2008

Asian Coleslaw

Just about everybody likes coleslaw, and today I have an unusual yet delicious and healthy recipe that you're going to be making for a long time.

Even the kids will like this one. Whoa!

Asian Coleslaw


5 Tbs rice wine vinegar
5 Tbs vegetable oil
5 Tbs peanut butter
3 Tbs soy sauce
3 Tbs brown sugar
2 Tbs minced ginger root
1 1/2 Tbs minced garlic
5 cups thinly sliced green cabbage
2 cups thinly sliced red cabbage
2 cups Napa cabbage shredded
2 red or yellow peppers, thinly sliced
2 carrots, julienned
4 green onions, chopped
1/2 cup chopped cilantro (fresh)

In a medium bowl, whisk together the rice vinegar, oil, peanut butter, soy sauce, brown sugar, ginger, and garlic.

In a large bowl, mix the green cabbage, red cabbage, Napa cabbage, red bell peppers, carrots, green onions, and cilantro. Toss with the peanut butter mixture just before serving. This recipe makes enough coleslaw for ten people.

Chet "Coleslaw" Day
Editor, The Natural Health Circus
http://chetday.com

Monday, February 11, 2008

Pure Fruit Cookies

If you're like me, you're always looking for a healthy snack because of your sweet tooth.

Well, today I have a great little recipe for you that's tasty, healthy, and easy to make...

Pure Fruit Cookies

3 medium size ripe bananas (about 1 1/2 cups)
1/3 cup favorite oil (I use coconut oil
1 tsp vanilla
1/8 tsp salt
1 1/2 cups rolled oats
1/2 cup uncooked oat bran or creamy-style hot cereal
1/2 cup chopped walnuts or almonds
1 1/2 cups coarsely chopped mixed dried fruits such as dates, apricots, and raisins

Preheat oven to 350F. Grease two large cookie sheets.

Mash bananas in large bowl until smooth. Stir in oil, vanilla, and salt. Add oats, oat bran, mixed fruits and nuts. Stir well to combine.

Drop by rounded measuring tablespoons onto prepared cookie sheets, spacing about one inch apart. Flatten slightly with back of spoon.

Bake in preheated oven until bottom and edges of cookies are lightly browned. Cool.

Thanks to Bev for sharing this recipe with me many, many moons ago.

If you have a healthy cookie recipe you'd like to share, please click on the "Comments" link below and start typing.

Chet "Pure Fruit" Day
Editor, The Natural Health Circus
http://chetday.com

Wednesday, February 06, 2008

Anxiety Relief Tips

Although it's not much fun or something most of us enjoy, a certain level of anxiety is appropriate and healthy under various circumstances.

With that said, here's a disturbing statistic -- it's estimated that 18% of the adult U.S. population (over 40 million of us) suffer from anxiety.

Well, the next time anxiety is messing up your life, try one or more of the following five tips.

Slower Breathing


Most people who suffer anxiety or panic attacks breathe very shallowly. So when you feel anxious, inhale slowly and deeply and then exhale slowly and deeply. Continue slow breathing like this until you feel less stressed.

Look Up

Interestingly enough, a scientific study confirms that when you look down, you dive deeper into your feelings, and plenty of anxiety and panic lives in feelings. So to overcome anxiety, keep your head steady and look up for a bit, without straining.

Slow Down that Brain of Yours

If you, like most modern people, think in rapid bursts, consciously slow down mentally and formulate your thoughts in complete sentences. If you're speaking, slow the flow of words bursting out of your mouth and lower your voice to a deeper, calmer tone. You'll be surprised at the calm and peaceful mental state that comes from practicing these two simple tips.

Exercise Your Body

Everyone already knows this, but, alas, most people don't do it. So if anxiety's messing up your life, make time and start a regular exercise program because exercise endorphins will reduce muscle tension, lower stress hormones, and improve the quality of healing sleep.

Change Your Perspective

This one is so simple most people will dismiss it as being irrelevant. Big mistake. The tip works, so try it. The next time you feel anxious or panic, mentally scream in your mind "Switch off!" and take a long, slow deep breath. By the time you finishing inhaling, the anxiety will be greatly reduced or gone altogether. With consistent practice, this tip provides amazing results.

Okay, that's it for today. If you have a natural anxiety relief tip you'd like to share, click on the "Post a comment" link below and start typing.

Chet "Anxiety Free" Day
Editor, The Natural Health Circus
http://chetday.com/blog