Corey Jansen – Green Lifestyle Market

Meadowsweet – Check Out What This Wild Herb Can Do For You

Meadowsweet is a wild herb and flower that is rich in vitamin C, antioxidants, and bioflavonoids and works as a natural digestive aid and pain reliever. It has been found to decrease the amount of acid build up in the stomach by soothing the mucous membranes and digestive tract which makes it an excellent remedy for digestive issues such as nausea, ulcers, heartburn, gastritis, indigestion, ibs, and diarrhea. Meadowsweet contains

Meadowsweet contains salicyclic acid, which is commonly used as the active ingredient in aspirin and can provide similar pain relief from headaches, fevers, and various aches and pains. Meadowsweet also contains potent anti-inflammatory properties and can help reduce swelling associated with arthritis, rheumatism, fibromyalgia, bursitis, sinusitis, allergies, migraines, and chronic illnesses. Meadowsweet is a gentle, yet effective herb for urinary tract, bladder, and kidney infections and can safely be used on children and adults alike.

Meadowsweet also contains sedative properties that help to relax the nervous system and reduce muscle tension throughout the body. Meadowsweet tea has a smooth, clean, sweet flavor. Use 2 teaspoons of dried herb to 1 cup of boiling water and allow to steep for at least 20 minutes, sweeten with raw honey if desired. Topically, meadowsweet tea can be used as compress for neuralgia, painful arthritis, rheumatic joints, hemorrhoids, cellulite, acne, and edema. It is also an excellent eyewash for conjunctivitis and other eye related problems.

If you find the herb growing locally in the wild the flowers can be added to fruit salads, ice tea, jams, and sorbets for a subtly sweet almond flavor. Meadowsweet can also be found online or at your local health food store in tea, tincture, extract, capsule, and cream form.

The Benefits of Sunflower Seeds

Sunflower seeds have the power to nourish the entire body. They are a rich source of easily digestible and assimilable protein which is essential for the repair of tissues, nerves, and cells. Sunflower seeds are an excellent source of Vitamin D, B-complex, Vitamin K, and Vitamin E. Vitamin E, also known as tocopherol, is an antioxidant that can protect cells from free-radical damage and aid in preventing heart disease, cancer, and eye degeneration such as cataracts.

Sunflower seeds are also high in selenium, magnesium, zinc, and iron which helps to strengthen the blood and immune system. They also contain lignans, phenolic acids, and tryptophan making them an ideal food to eat for those who are seeking better sleep and weight loss. Sunflower seeds have also been known to help prevent asthma, atherosclerosis, stroke, heart attack, clogged arteries, and osteoarthritis.

They contain no cholesterol and are very low in saturated fats making them highly beneficial for the cardiovascular system. Raw sunflower seeds also contain pectin which has the unique ability to bind to radioactive residues and remove them safely from the body. Sunflower seeds can help to relieve sensitivity to light, eyestrain, and farsightedness.

They also are highly beneficial for strengthening hair and nails. Raw sunflower seeds or sunflower seed butter are a healthy and nutrient rich snack that should be included into the diet for a wide range of benefits. Try grinding a cup or two of sunflower seeds in a food processor with some garlic, lemon juice, and fresh herbs. It creates a delicious nutty spread or dip that can help boost your immune system and fuel your body with real energy and nutrition.

The Health Benefits of Kale

Kale is a nutritionally packed leafy vegetable that contains incredible healing and rejuvenating properties. Kale is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, chlorophyll, amino acids, vitamins A, C, E, K, B-complex and minerals such as iron, magnesium, copper, and potassium.

Kale is an anti-cancer powerhouse and contains phytochemicals such as glucosinolates that help protect the body from breast, colon, prostate, ovarian, and bladder cancer. These glucosinolates are also known to detox the body on genetic level and have the ability to literally transform your body and health. Kale also contains an exceptionally high amount of antioxidants such as carotenoids and flavonoids which are essential for protecting the body from degenerative diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, prostatitis, osteoporosis, and neurological disorders.

Kale contains an organic sulfur which has potent antibiotic, antiviral, and anti-inflammatory properties that work to boost to the immune system and provide significant benefits for chronic inflammation and oxidative stress seen in conditions such as fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, chronic sinusitis, chronic fatigue syndrome, COPD, and irritable bowel disease. Kale also contains isothiocyanates which have been shown to help protect the stomach from H. Pylori bacteria.

Kale is part of the Brassica vegetable family which is known to mildly stimulate the liver and other tissues and organs out of stagnancy. Purple kale is a mild, sweeter variety of kale that is a delicious and beautiful addition to any meal. Purple kale is excellent to add to your green juice, wraps, salad, or steamed vegetables.

Try this simple recipe for a Healthy Kale Salad:

1 cucumber, cubed
3 celery stalks, chopped
2 large tomatoes, chopped
1/2 bunch scallions, chopped
1/2 bunch purple kale, finely chopped
1 avocado, cubed
1-2 oranges, squeezed over salad

Mix all together in a bowl, eat, and enjoy

The Health Benefits of Macadamia Nuts

Macadamia nuts are a rich source of energy and are packed with essential minerals, vitamins, and heart healthy mono-unsaturated fatty acids such as oleic acid that are essential for optimum health and wellness. Macadamia nuts are an excellent source of iron, magnesium, zinc, selenium, and B-complex vitamins.

They also contain flavonoids which are compounds that protect the body from free radical damage and diseases such as cancer. Macadamia nuts are known to help the body maintain healthy blood lipid profiles which provides protection from strokes and coronary artery disease.

They are also helpful in lowering LDL (bad) cholesterol and increasing HDL (good) cholesterol in the blood. Macadamia nuts are one of the only food sources that contains palmitoleic acid which is known to help speed up fat metabolism and reduce the body’s ability to store fat which ultimately means weight loss.

Macadamia nuts are also known to help rejuvenate the liver and discourage the craving for alcohol. Macadamia nuts are gluten-free and are often found in the preparation of gluten-free products as a healthy alternative for those suffering from celiac disease and IBS. Macadamia nut oil is promoted as being healthier than olive oil and is a tasty alternative to use as a salad dressing or to drizzle over steamed vegetables.

Raw macadamia nuts are ideal for ultimate nutritional benefits and overall health. They have a sweet buttery taste making them an easy addition to your diet as a snack or salad topping. Try keeping a small bag of them on hand to munch on during the day to help ward off cravings and maintain solid and consistent energy levels throughout the day.

The Health Benefits of Lemons

Lemons are a powerful healing fruit that contain phenomenal antibiotic, antiseptic, and anti-cancer properties. Lemons are rich in vitamins C and B-complex and minerals such as iron, calcium, magnesium, silicon, copper, and potassium.

They are considered to be a wonderful tonic and can help to cleanse and detoxify the entire body. Although lemons have an acidic taste they actually have a very strong alkaline reaction on the body and can help to alkalize blood, cells, lymph, organs, and tissues. Lemons are known to help destroy putrefactive bacteria in the mouth and intestines which can help alleviate flatulence, indigestion, and constipation. Lemons contain a compound called limonene which is used to dissolve gallstones and kidney stones and can help to fight oral, lung, skin, breast, stomach, and colon cancer.

Lemons are also rich in bioflavonoids which can significantly boost the immune system and reduce inflammation in the body. Lemon juice is known to be particularly beneficial for colds, coughs, sore throats, hiccups, ear infections, fevers, arthritis, heart disease, COPD, atherosclerosis, diabetes, high cholesterol, autoimmune disorders, stroke, and cancer.

Topically, lemon juice is a great remedy for wrinkles, warts, toothaches, corns, sunburns, poison ivy, acne, psoriasis, and as a hair rinse and facial astringent. A tall glass of lemon water upon waking is an excellent way to hydrate and cleanse the body first thing in the morning.

Fresh lemon in tea and green juice and added to salads, wraps, hummus, guacamole, and nori rolls is another great way to add this healing and nutritious fruit into your diet. Fresh lemons can be found at your local grocery and health food store.