Green Tea: Help or Hype?

Green Tea: Help Or Hype?

by Laura Turner

There’s been lots of health-hype lately surrounding the benefits of green tea. I’m certain you’ve heard it, too. Have you ever wondered: “Is it really worth my while to drink tea of the green variety?” Stick around and decide for yourself.



First: The Claims:



A rich source of anti-oxidants:

What are anti-oxidants? Anti-oxidants neutralize “free radicals” or unstable molecules in the body that can eventually become unfriendly and wreak havoc on the cells. Free radical damage can cause everything from sun damage to hardening of the arteries. Green tea will help you bulk up on the anti-oxidant warriors that help to both lower cholesterol and reduce the risk of heart disease by controlling blood pressure.



Cancer prevention:

Green tea has been shown to lower rates of cancer in Asian populations. The cancers studied and which have been recorded include: bladder, colon, esophagus, pancreas, rectal and stomach. New evidence suggests green tea may also help prevent prostate cancer, as well.



Help with arthritis:

Studies also suggest there is possible anti-inflammatory and arthritis preventing effects in green tea although, I’ll admit, solid scientific evidence was difficult to come by. By simple suggestion, I’ll give green tea an A for effort in the arthritis category.



Liver protection:

Green tea has been proven to protect liver cells by stimulating the immune system. Green tea protects the liver by warding off toxins such as alcohol and cigarette smoke.



Teeth protection:

Green tea has been thought to promote oral health (although scientific proof was difficult to come by here, too). Green tea is supposed to work against bacteria, protecting teeth from cavities.



Weight loss:

Here’s another benefit that will raise many an eyebrow. Several sources I found claimed that green tea may actually help to stimulate weight loss. Yes! Green tea contains polyphenols (molecule compounds) that actually help the body to burn weight and regulate both blood sugar and insulin levels.



The Bad News



What’s the bad news?

The only negative side effect I’ve found is the simple recorded cases of insomnia due to naturally occurring caffeine in green tea. It looks like there’s only 30-60mg in 6-8 ounces of tea, however. That's less than half the caffeine content of coffee which weighs in at 90 mg. per 8 ounce cup.



Other FAQ’s About Green Tea:



How much green tea is enough to reap the benefits?

No one seems to be too sure about the answer to this question, either. Let's be realistic – most people could easily drink 3-4 cups of green tea daily. This is a good round number and one that I came up with based on its frequency in the research studied. A suggestion: why not try replacing your usual cup of coffee with a clean dose of health?



Where to get a good cup of tea?

Check out your local grocery for my favorite: Lipton. There's plenty of others, but I like the way Lipton aims to zip up green tea with variety. They even have a orange, passionfruit & jasmine flavor that's de-lish!



If drinking tea really isn’t your thing, but you still want the benefits – no problem! Green tea is now available in capsule form, too. This could be as close as your local pharmacy. Check around.



In summation:

In this scientist’s opinion, green tea is well worth your consideration. The simple speculation of benefits is enough to get excited about it. It’s easy to digest, tastes good and, hey, if it helps me with my goal of wellness and illness prevention, I’ll take ample tea time, any day!



Research for this article has been created through careful consideration of research and articles appearing on WebMD and though several working texts which include:



Balch, Phyllis A., CNC. Prescriptions for Nutritional Healing. New York: Penguin Putnam, 2004.

Mabey, Richard. The New Age Herbalist. New York: Simon & Schuster, 1988.

Mindell, Earl, R.Ph., Ph.D. Herb Bible. New York: Simon & Schuster, 1992.

Tierra, Michael L.Ac., O.M.D. The Way of Herbs. New York: Simon & Schuster, 1998.



About the Author: Laura Turner is a natural health practitioner and author. She hosts http://www.beauty-and-body.com and publishes the bi-weekly New Body News and Wellness Letter, The Online Magazine Healthy People Read. ( http://www.new-body-news.com ) Subscribe for f.r.e.e. and receive her Special Report: "Take Charge of Your Health!"



Article Source: NewAgeArticles.com

How To Incoporate Practical Magic Into Your Daily Life!

How To Incoporate Practical Magic Into Your Daily Life! by Cucan Pemo

More and more people these days are turning to witchcraft, paganism and wiccan spiritual practices as more meaningful and inclusive forms of religion. Since the printing of Gerald Gardner's Witchcraft Today, thousands have discovered the power it can have.

Although we live in a highly modernized, technological world, the ancient wisdom and knowledge that is imparted through witchcraft is still relevant today, if in fact even more so, since it is a peaceful, inclusive and deeply conscious tradition, that reveres the earth and earthly cycles. In this day and age, which is dominated by war and wanton environmental destruction, witchcraft offers a gentle nonviolent alternative way of making sense of our world.

Some people sadly, fear witchcraft because they wrongly associate it with the dark arts of Satanism. This is a grave misconception, which witches everywhere are seeking to dispel. According to Gardner, contrary to the popular perceptions, witchcraft is more to do with honoring the earth and the divine feminine. In fact, most people who practice witchcraft, do so because it is holistic, non-judgmental and non-patriarchal inasmuch as it honors the sacred creativity of women, and recognizes the life-giving force of the earth upon which we live. Many people see witchcraft as a deeply ecological religion, that seeks to protect the earth and it’s gifts to humans.

Whether you want to incorporate witchcraft into your life in a serious and dedicated manner, or simply want to explore this spiritual tradition, learning about it first is the way forward. Because it is such a poorly understood and much maligned spiritual tradition, many witches are very private about their beliefs. In fact, most will not reveal themselves to be witches. Whether you go on to join a coven, or merely incorporate magic into your life on a private level, you too can start to weave spells into your life in order to transform your day to day reality. Many novices start out by practicing what I like to describe as “practical magic” – spells that can be incorporated into your life without requiring much effort or time.

Here are two good everyday spells to add to your spell book.

Protection charm



If you are concerned about your own well-being, or the well-being of someone dear to you, make sure you (or that other person) carries something blue on the body. By wearing something blue on your person, you will ward off destructive or negative forces. A good tip for women is to sew blue ribbon into their bras and underwear so that no matter what you are wearing on the outside, you will always have something blue on your body to protect you.

For men, carrying blue beads in your pocket is one way of performing this charm. Although this is a simple charm to carry out, it is extraordinarily effective. I recently gave a blue bead on a string to a male friend of mine who had been unceremoniously dumped by his girlfriend. He told me that within a day of carrying the bead he had not only gotten over his negative feelings about his girlfriend, but had secured a highly lucrative art deal and was felt he was on a path of rebirth. He carries his blue bead everywhere as a matter of course now.

House charm



Many people want to know how they can protect their homes from negative forces. This is a very simple spell that ensures your home draws in positivity, friendship and love. It can be performed at any time, but I recommend your do it when your family or flat-mates are not present, as you do not want to be interrupted.

To cleanse the house of any negative spirits or emotions, you light a candle and go from room to room, reciting the qualities that you want to exist in your home. When I performed this spell, I went from room to room, saying things like “Peace”, “Happiness”, “Creativity”, “Love”, “Friends”, “Laughter” etc etc. Once you have visited every room, take a sprig of lavender and tie it above each external door. By tying lavender above the entrances to your house, you ensure that only good elements pass into it.

The two charms above show how easy it can be to practice magic. Whether you intend to delve more deeply into witchcraft, or merely incorporate a little “practical magic” into your life, witchcraft is a deeply spiritual and conscious religion that draws on ancient wisdom and knowledge that can truly enhance your life.



About the Author: Learn how you can make your Dreams, Wishes & Prayers come true! This Book has changed thousands of lives for people who are lucky to gain access to it! Download your FREE copy today.
http://www.MessageOfAMaster.com
http://www.tarotreadingsecrets.com/pages/How-To-Get-FREE-Private-Members-Access



Article Source: NewAgeArticles.com

Relax - Buddhist Meditation Music - Zen Garden - Kokin Gumi

Tarot and Wellness

Tarot images have been used to create positive affirmations, or explore the emotional background of an illness. This will certainly do no harm, it might even do considerable good.

Tarot can be used as a tool to explore the realms of wellness, the harmony of mind, body and spirit. The most potent applications of any symbolic therapy will be to reach the body through the gateway of the unconscious, that part of us we do not see, we can not touch, yet we can bring into harmony with our total being and trust that it will open our world to the Universal abundance that is available to all of us.

Our well being does not just cover the physical and mental self. We draw strength from our Higher or Innerself to stimulate and develop our creativity, our intuition, that "gut" feeling we all experience. It is that voice within that sets off alarm signals when things start to draw negativities around us.

When we discover this mind-body connection, this helps us to maintain a positive outlook. In this respect, Tarot has a lot to offer.

On a very basic level, working with Tarot stimulates and strengthens right brain competence, the most synthetic, intuitive and creative side of the brain.

Tarot has been used in meditation for sometime. To take this further, think about what aspect of the psyche or of the body is in need of
strengthening or nurturing. Then choose a card that feels right to you. Use this card in meditation as you ponder on results you hope to achieve.

Examples: (as quoted from the book)

Low energy or lack of motivation might call out for the directed energy of the Chariot or the Sun.

Distractibility or nervousness could require the focused inferiority of the Hermit.

An upset stomach might be calmed by Temperance

Insomnia could be abated by the Moon. As well, the Moon offers the encouragement to deal with the"shadows", those nagging hurts, pain, frustrations, guilt and even vindictiveness that keeps you awake at night. It encourages you to be prepared to face the "unknown", that is Tomorrow.

Empress conditions: feminine body-related, fertility-related, reproductive disorders, PMS, eating disorders.What Empress character does one have too much of? Try to balance with the High Priestess, if there is a need to be more in touch with one's psychic energies; or the Sun, if there is a need to be more rational and less emotional.

James Wanless, creator of the Voyager deck found himself with chronic fatigue syndrome. This low-energy syndrome might need the boosting energy of the Charioteer the Sun, driven by a highly demanding career, he lost his balance, slipping in over identification with the Chariot. His remedy was to focus on
the feminine,passive energy of the Empress.

There are many ways the Tarot images can be employed therapeutically. In her book, Cynthia Giles goes on to say to turn to proactive attitude and consider how Tarot can be incorporated into a fitness program. Tarot and other symbolic therapies should be considered as tools for wellness,not as treatments for disease.

Use your imagination. The more you know about Tarot symbolism, the more connections you'll be able to recognize.


Reference: {1}Cynthia Giles: The Tarot, Methods, Mastery and More


Bonnie Moss write to inspire her readers to reach deepwithin, to find that important connection between mind,body and spirit. She draws from her life experiences andher deep interest in everything metaphysical.Read more articles on her website:

The Beginners Guide To Affirmations

The Beginners Guide To Affirmations! by Lance Beggs

Imagine what would happen if you approached someone and insulted them.

“I hate you! You're ugly! No one likes you! You're a really miserable person!”

Well, apart from receiving a slap on the face or punch on the nose, you're also quite likely to hurt their feelings.

What about saying something positive? Perhaps something like this:

“You are so beautiful. You're a really great person and a wonderful friend.”

Would you agree that this statement should produce a very different result? It will empower the recipient. It builds their self-esteem and feeling of self-worth.

Let's change the scenario slightly. In this case consider how you would feel if someone else approached you with the negative statement. Would you likely be hurt? I imagine so. Now consider your feelings if someone approached you with the positive statement. How wonderful would that feel?

Words are incredibly powerful! There is no truth at all to the old saying, “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but names will never hurt me.” Negative words cut deeply, creating wounds that can last a lifetime. Positive words on the other hand have the power to heal those wounds, and rebuild you better than ever before.

Let's change the scenario again. This time, imagine you're standing in front of a mirror and repeating a negative statement to yourself over and over again. “I hate you! I hate you! I hate you!” How does this feel? Not very nice, is it? How about a positive statement? “You are so beautiful! You are so beautiful! You are so beautiful!” Now, that's much better.

I know what you’re thinking though. You wouldn't do that to yourself, would you? You wouldn't expose yourself to such negativity on purpose.

Well, I've got news for you. Your subconscious mind is already exposing you to tens of thousands of thoughts per day. And if you’re not already totally happy and completely successful, then your thoughts are most likely negative.

Take notice of your thoughts for the next 24 hours. If you're like most people, you'll be quite shocked at the negativity that comes from your subconscious mind.

And that, my friends, is affirmations at work!

An affirmation is simply a statement which you of the repeat to yourself over and over again. The statement may be positive, in which case it empowers you, or it may be negative, in which case it hurts.

Whether you like it or not, you are currently using affirmations. Unfortunately though, you’re not controlling the process and your subconscious mind is subjecting you to a constant barrage of negativity. Negative statement after negative statement after negative statement!

Years of negative thoughts have led you to have negative beliefs about yourself and your life. These negative beliefs led to negative habits. And these negative habits are what led you to the life you live now.

So if you're not totally happy with your life, what can you do about it?

It's really quite simple. You need to take conscious control of your thought process, and replace those negative thoughts with positive ones.

Conscious repetition of positive affirmations will in time lead to your subconscious mind also producing positive and empowering thoughts. These positive thoughts will lead to positive beliefs about yourself and your life. These positive beliefs will lead to positive habits. And positive habits will lead you to a life of happiness and success.

And that's a wonderful way to live!

So using affirmations for personal growth and self-improvement is simply a matter of repeating positive statements to ourselves over and over again. To make this most effective though, here are some simple guidelines:

1. Make the affirmation positive! Say, “I am happy!” rather than “I am no longer depressed!” Can you see how the first is positive while the second is a double negative statement?

2. The affirmation must be in the present tense. Don't say, “One day I will be happy!” Instead say, “I am happy now!”

3. The affirmation must result in good feelings. The more intense the feelings, the faster you will see a positive change in your life.

I personally find that the easiest way to create affirmations is to first write down my current negative thoughts. I then write the opposite of that thought, ensuring it is positive and in the present tense.

For example if you wrote down “I am feeling sad”, you could replace that with “I am feeling happy. I live a happy and joyful life with complete peace of mind. I constantly attract opportunities for happiness into my life.”

You would then repeat this as much as you could, until your subconscious believes it, and starts reinforcing your new way of life.

Try placing a copy on the wall beside your bathroom mirror, so you see it each morning and evening. Place a copy on an index card which you carry in your pocket, and refer to several times a day.

Partner up with an affirmation buddy. Arrange that every time you see or speak to that person, you will say an affirmation to them. And they’ll say one to you. Imagine how good it would feel to hear someone tell you several times a day, “I love you and I value your friendship so highly. You’re a wonderful person.”

If you’re serious about creating rapid change in your life, consider recording yourself saying the affirmation over and over onto a tape or MP3 player, and then listen to this whenever you have a chance. While getting ready for work, while driving to work, during your lunch break, driving home, and while relaxing in the evening. (Don’t do it while your partner is trying to talk to you though. I learnt that one the hard way!)

Commit to this for the next 90 days, and see the changes it makes in your life. I promise you it is incredibly powerful. Remember though, that this is simply one tool in your happiness tool-kit. Don’t neglect your other tools. Continue with your Gratitude Journal, your meditation, your EFT practice, or whatever else you enjoy. And ensure you use your affirmation correctly. Like any tool, if you use it correctly you’ll get great results. If you use it incorrectly, you’ll get poor results. So keep up the repetition until it is subconscious! Repeat the statements with intensity, and really feel how great it would feel to have that affirmation manifest in your life right now.

So, get started now. Create some positive happy affirmations for changing your life.

“I am a happy and cheerful person.”

“I attract joy into my life, all day long.”

“I am deserving of love, and I love myself unconditionally.”

“I accept my body as it is, with gratitude and love. I am a beautiful person.”

“I am a caring and compassionate person.”

“I attract only good people into my life, and build relationships based on mutual respect and love, for the betterment of all concerned.”

Whatever it is, go for it. Enjoy the process! It can be great fun.

Lance Beggs


About the Author: Lance Beggs is the author of the "How to be Happy Now" newsletter, and the soon to be released "How to be Happy Now" book. His mission is to help others live a life of meaning, love and happiness! Subscribe to his FREE Mini Course and ezine at http://www.HowToBeHappyNow.com


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Starting the Path to a Spiritual Journey

by Lynn Claridge



A spiritual path is easy to miss because it is subtle. It is a path to your higher consciousness with fuller awareness. Upon entering the spiritual path, you will begin to change your perceptions and see new interpretations of reality. You will learn to heal yourself from the conditioning of childhood, societal mores and traditional thinking. You move from being unaware to becoming an empowered, conscious, loving, holistic, and fully functioning person. You will start to understand the mysteries of life.


As your awareness expands, you will realize there is only one of you. Who you are expands to include all the parts of your life. Knowing and feeling connected to this full-self unfolds in stages, as there are degrees of truth along the way to full truth. It is a continual process of exploring yourself and others, participating in relationships and groups, and learning from experiences of your inner-self.


How do you start your spiritual journey?Often it begins with a personal crisis that starts an inner desire to look beneath the surface of what is happening to find richer meaning and purpose.
These questions could include such things as. Who am I outside of my roles and conditioning? Why am I here? What would give my life more meaning and purpose? Why do these things happen to me? How can I help myself? Why do I worry about what my family and friends think? How can I heal my dysfunctional thoughts, feelings and behaviors? How can I change my life so that I like my life?”
These questions and many others need answering; this will then cause you to move into a deeper quest for life. Life is always answering your inner questions by bringing you answers and new experiences. These experiences may come to you through books or religious teachings, or by listening and learning as you grow. However, you have to be ready to see, feel and hear the insights.


Sometimes it is not even a conscious thought that begins the journey. It might be that you are having problems or you have a habit that needs changing, or a relationship that is not working. At what point would you want to enter a therapy group, a counseling group, or a family therapy group to help improve your situation. Many of these types of groups can open the doors to a deeper search.


You may respond because you have had too much pain and suffering after a catastrophic event like an illness, divorce, loss of a job or a death of a family member. These experiences force you often to look for answers. This is because you become confused, hurt or angry. When you are in this frame of mind, you can open yourself to new ideas.


Another way you can move on to a spiritual path is if you have a partner who is willing to join you on your journey, especially if they are constantly changing and growing, helping to introduce new ideas and catalyzing the relationship. When you stay in a relationship, you can evolve together.


When you decide to make you journey, some mystical experiences can bring you change that will last forever. This is an expansion of consciousness, greater than everyday life. This is where you can lift the veil of non-understanding. Once you have made the changes you will make an instant change in your life. You will release all your fears and start to understand that love is the underlying principal of the universe. You can change you life forever.


The circle and the spiral of life.Let us now look at two different people. One is living a normal life and one is starting their spiritual journey. For clarity let us call her Susan and let us say that Susan lives her life in a line that goes from point A to point B, eventually this makes a circle from birth to death. Susan is born into a family that would expect her to follow the family’s example. This includes family values and beliefs that have been handed down from one generation to the next. Therefore, Susan stays within the comfort of her conditioning.


If Susan decides to move out from the family footsteps, it would probably be in reaction to extreme situations. Susan jumps to another point and has the tendency to over-correct and therefore, act out the opposite side of the coin. Susan may look like she is thinking for herself and acting differently; however, she is still dealing with the same coin. Susan will still condition and will still stay within the boundaries of the family circle.


Time will tell if Susan returns to the traditions or truly moves into higher consciousness. I would like to point out at this point that many who find their spiritual path do go back to traditional ways; they just experience it with a newer and deeper understanding.


So now, let us look at person number two, we will call this person Peter. Peter looks at the boundaries in the circle and is not satisfied, wanting more from his life than following the line from point A to point B. This calls forth a deeper process in a number of ways (some that we mentioned earlier) so, Peter moves out of the circle. The circle now becomes a new configuration, a spiral. The circle represents a closed system, repeating what has been modeled and taught. It is very difficult for new information to get into this system. When Peter enters the spiral, he makes a shift upwards and moves into a new dimension, an open system, which is full of information not known within the circle.


Another way to explain this is to use a mountain. Susan lives at the bottom of the mountain and everything is familiar. Is this where you are? If you are, then you may have learned for example, that you are an extension of your parents or family. You need to conform to the roles and rules of these groups. You may respond to them telling you what to do. However, you should remember your body is of physical beauty, strength and youth, and this is what counts in your life.


Alternatively, you may believe that your possessions make you who you are. Others around you may think that it is great that you have a high IQ and you did well at school. You have plenty of money and you seem to have it all. That is all very well except that true happiness and having a connection to your inner self, are missing.


If this makes you think about what your role is, and what is missing in your life, that is a good thing. This is the point that you may actually move away from the bottom of the mountain onto the spiral where you will find your true self. Are you ready to walk up the mountain and find your hidden path to your higher realizations? It may be uncomfortable at first and your rational mind might try to talk you into going back down the mountain for safety and familiarity. As you climb, you will start to find others who want to share ideas with you and who can answer a few of your questions. You may find the life you really want.


You now have some ideas to ponder over. What journey do you want to take?
We have looked at the difference between Susan who is not willing to walk away from the circle to start her journey; therefore, she will stay this way forever. We have also looked at Peter, who wants to change his circle; therefore, he will have a happier and fuller life.
Many experiences and thinking patterns can initiate your spiritual journey. The decision is up to you.Do you want a higher awareness or do you want to live a life where you are blind to what you can really become?

About the Author: Lynn Claridge is a psychic clairvoyant and has written a book on Developing Psychic Ability . She specializes in psychic development through meditation and theunderstanding of your inner-self. Lynn`s book is available from http://www.newage-alternatives.com/"




Article Source: http://newagearticles.com/

Welcome to the Moondance New Age and Metaphysical Blog

Welcome to the Moondance store's blog.

This blog will offer articles, information, and insight into the many topics associated with New Age/Metaphysical thought. We also welcome your comments.

We hope you return often and enjoy both our blog, and our store.

Namaste...

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