Healthchat

Immunity Boost For Rebooters and Toddlers

Laura Powell Like — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 16:17:40 +0000

Carmen, my granddaughter, and I came up with a new juice recipe this morning. She is a toddler and cannot crunch up raw vegetables and fruit, however, with a juicer she can still consume all the nutrients. This time of year we all need a boost for our immune system, so whether you have todds at home or not, here is a great recipe for a winter reboot.

Winter Booster

3 Valencia Oranges, direct from Florida if you can get them

2 Gala Apples

2 Large Raw Carrots washed well, not peeled

2 fresh Lime Wedges, peeled

2 to 3 fresh Basil Leaves, found in grocery if you don’t live in southern climes.

Peel and segment the oranges, wash and segment the apples, wash the carrots well but do not peel, cut the limes remove the peel from the segments and thoroughly wash the basil leaves. Then juice, stir and drink. Don’t store because the water-soluble vitamins break down over time.

Filed under: Healthy Recipes, Immune Health, Optimal Health, Reboot Archives Tagged: Immune health, Reboot, recipes, Toddlers, Winter

Breakthrough Fast Day 15 Unexpected Results

Laura Powell Like — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 21:20:33 +0000

This fast has not been what I expected. I planned to stay on juices and a daily soy shake for the whole 21 days. Instead, I set aside food until I’ve had an hour or more of talking with God and meditating on His Word. Then, I break the fast, usually in late afternoon. Fasting brings clarity and a focus to my daily devotions that I’ve not experienced before. It also allows God to fill the empty places. However, by evening my blood sugar is so low that I’m breaking the fast by dinnertime and it’s okay. This fast doesn’t have to fit my pictures in order to bring results.

Filed under: Optimal Health Tagged: Fasting, meditation

Conquering Dry Skin, My Favorites Part 2

Laura Powell Like — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 20:49:49 +0000

This post continues the series on dry skin and how to conquer it. The Winter of 2012 is my first after menopause so I’ve had to make changes in how I care for my skin. Preventing and treating dryness is now the priority. Part 1 focused on my face and Part 2 outlines my favorite products for lips, hands, and heels.*

The product for dry hands that I take with me everywhere is Artistry Creme Caramel Hand Creme. It comes in a 2 fl.oz. size tube which fits well in pockets and purses. The scent is out of this world and it stays on my hands through 2 -3 washings.

For the rest of my skin, especially legs and heels I’ve discovered the new Artistry Essentials Hydrating Botanical Spa Collection. These three products remove dry skin and moisturize like the treatments I get at the nail spa. Also, the fragrance is so relaxing.

Finally, for chapped lips I like the Artistry Lavish in Cashmere Lipcolor with Vitamin E and Macadamia Oil. This is a super moisturizing formula that heals my chapped lips. However, it’s available for a limited time so I’m stocking up. Go to www.like.mychoices.biz and click on the Our Store>Beauty tabs to find my favorite products and contact me through this blog if you have any questions.

*My Five Favorites for Conquering Dry Skin posted Jan. 6, 2012

Filed under: Optimal Health Tagged: chapped lips, Dry Skin, menopause, Winter

Breakthrough Fast, Day 8

Laura Powell Like — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 17:29:55 +0000

Just as each race is different, each fast is different.* This fast has been nothing like the Juice Reboot that I did last summer. This one has been an emotional rollercoaster and the food cravings have not gone away after two days like before. I blame Christmas feasting, the sugar intake was very high this year. As for the emotions, I’m spending at least an hour per day in prayer and bible study. God is teaching me about Joy and craving Him instead of food. Forgetting what is behind and reaching toward the goal, I’m expecting this coming week will be easier, I’ll keep you posted.

*See Fasting is Like Running, Dec.2011

Filed under: Optimal Health, Spiritual Health Tagged: Fasting, fasting and prayer, Juice Fast, Reboot

My Five Favorites for Conquering Dry Skin

Laura Powell Like — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 17:36:12 +0000

Who is fighting dry skin this Winter? Have you noticed that your skin is producing less moisture and the cold and heating systems are stealing what’s left? Or have you noticed that as you age your skin is becoming dryer and Winter makes it worse? Dry skin is so uncomfortable and will get worse if it’s not conquered. So, here are five of my favorite weapons for capturing moisture and conquering dry skin.

All five are manufactured by Artistry. The Artistry brand is the one that I trust because I’ve seen the care and high standards they put into their product. They hold a top five global brand rating from Euromonitor International, plus I’ve been using and promoting Artistry skin care for almost 30 years.

The first step is to cleanse and protect your face. A basic skin care system is a requirement in any season. Those of us who have oily or balanced skin types in Summer use the Artistry Essentials Balancing System and during Winter we switch to the Artistry Essentials Hydrating System. At less than 50 dollars for a 4 – 6 month supply this is a bargain. For more mature skin the Artistry Time Defiance Skin Care System gives you rejuvenation and peace of mind. For a limited time this system is on sale, go to www.like.mychoices.biz to check it out.

The next step is to find some special treatments to deal with the extra dryness. I love the Artistry Intensive Skin Care Renewing Peel. In just 8 minutes this product works like a professional peel and it turns itself off so that you don’t have to worry about overdoing it. It clears the top layers of dead skin cells so that the hydrating products are more easily absorbed into your skin. Use it twice per week for a softer, smoother face.

After the peel, apply the Artistry Moisture Intense Masque and feel your dry skin come back to life. All day your skin will feel buttery soft and it prevents future drying. This masque also works well on cracked and battered hands. Rub it on after a shower and leave it on overnight. You will be amazed at the results.

For dry spots the Artistry Essentials Moisture Plus gives you instant hydration where you need it most. It’s a light, vitamin-rich oil which improves your skins ability to seal in moisture. Just a drop on the extra dry spots provides added moisture and can also be applied over makeup throughout the day.

Finally, for all of us who have skin allergies ( mine happens to be a reaction to wool), the Artistry Essentials Soothing Creme quiets and sooths upset skin. Apply it on clean skin before bed and the red, scaley patches disappear overnite. My Mom has also found relief from redness and itching. This creme is recommended for sensitive skin.

So ladies, these are your weapons for battling dry skin and I think they will become your favorites too. None of these products are what I would call big ticket items so they should fit well into your budget. The Artistry brand is found on our website, www.like.mychoices.biz >shop our store>Beauty tab.

The next article, Pt 2, will discuss body butters and lotions for those cracked hands, and flakey arms and legs. Part 3 is for the men, especially those of you who work outside or your hands are in water all day. Check back next week and as always your comments and questions are welcome.

Filed under: Healthy Beauty, Optimal Health for Women Tagged: Artistry, Dry Skin, excema, rosacea, Winter

21 Day Breakthrough – Day 1 A Little Shakey

Laura Powell Like — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 01:15:53 +0000

The first few days of a fast are the hardest for me. My body reacts to juicing with a weak, shaky feeling plus getting rid of lots of fluid. So, I’ve learned to add some whole vegetables the first few days.

For example, today I enjoyed a Nutrilite protein powder shake with nonfat milk, and a banana. Then while shopping I chose a Bolthouse Farms Amazing Mango Fruit Smoothie. At dinner time I retreated to my room where I prayed and read the bible for a while and took a nap. Fasting after all the rich Christmas fare has left me feeling not so good, so I celebrated the end of the day with a bowl of salad greens, purple cabbage and vinegar for the dressing. Now I’m feeling fine and ready for whatever tomorrow will bring. I’ve learned to listen to my body and feed it whole foods when the shakes strike.

Filed under: Optimal Health Tagged: Fasting, fasting and prayer, Juice Fast, Nutrilite Protein Powder

Fasting is like Running

Laura Powell Like — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 22:37:45 +0000

Lately i’ve been discussing dietary fasting with my niece who is a marathoner and we realized that participating in the various fasts is like running in marathons. For a runner each established race is a notch in their belt with bragging rights. There’s the Marine Corps Marathon, Boston Marathon, The Mud Run. For the health conscious participating in the various fasts is also grounds for bragging. There is the 15 Day Juice Reboot, The 7-day cleanse and the 40 days of Lent. The endurance and mental focus needed to successfully finish both disciplines are the same.

My next fast will be the 21 Days to Breakthrough with our church family. It begins on January 2. The details are on church-redeemer.org (keyword: breakthrough). Anyone who wants to join me please send me a comment. Maybe I’ll get a plaque for my office or a bumper sticker for the back windshield of my car or maybe a pin ….

Filed under: Optimal Health Tagged: bragging rights, Fasting, marathons

Christmas Baking Resolutions

Laura Powell Like — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 04:18:40 +0000

Every year the search is on for the perfect sugar cookie recipe. The well-used metal cookie cutters are selected and washed. Of course the antique ones are the best because they have an aura of perfect cookie baking about them. The freshest ingredients are assembled and the dough is in the refrigerator. This year the cookie frosting is pre-dyed and in aerosol cans with various tips. The cookies will be a wondrous variety of beautifully decorated creations!
NOT . . . the dough had large lumps of butter in it which would not blend in, and it waited in the refrigerator 3 whole days before a time was found for rolling, cutting, baking and decorating. The aerosol can was uncontrollable making huge gloppy bows and rocking horses with large pink eyes. The sugar frosting was too thin and the holes in the colored sugar bottle were too big. Halfway through I just gave up and allowed my artistic daughter to take over. For her, all the decorations behaved faultlessly making her cookies perfect and mine look like the work of a first grader.
Therefore, next Christmas I resolve to bake only drop cookies or squares. There will be no frosting, colored sugar or aerosol cans anywhere near my kitchen and I am tossing out all sugar cookie recipes! Until next November when I see those cunning little cut out cookies at Starbucks and think, I can do that!
Better not throw away my cookie cutters just yet.

Filed under: Optimal Health Tagged: christmas baking, cookie cutters, resolutions, sugar cookies

It’s Christmas Darn it! How to have joy in the midst of pain.

Laura Powell Like — Sat, 17 Dec 2011 21:28:55 +0000

This has been one of the most trying Holiday seasons of my life. Depression and despair have dogged my steps. Everyday I expect the Christmas spirit to arrive with the shopping, decorating and planning. Every night I go to bed exhausted and in tears just wanting to get the whole thing over with so I can really be depressed in January.

Each day I read my Bible and talk with God. I’ve been asking Him to show me how to have joy on the inside when the life is painful on the outside. He has shown me Romans 12:12 where Paul talks about being joyful in hope, patient in affliction and faithful in prayer in addition to the verses in Philippians about keeping my mind on what’s good and not worrying. After praying and asking Him once again to show me joy, I received His answer. Basically, joy in the midst of pain comes from; living in the moment; keeping my mind on what is true for today; not worrying about anything, but making my requests to God with thanksgiving; and living in the hope of God’s plans for eternity.

The resulting joy has welled up from within along with anticipation of Christ’s Birthday Celebration. For all of you who are feeling pain this Christmas, read those passages and talk with your Creator. His joy is the best gift of all.

Filed under: Optimal Health, Spiritual Health Tagged: Christmas Spirit, depression, Joy, pain

A Healthy Spirit

Laura Powell Like — Sat, 10 Dec 2011 22:15:34 +0000

This is a spiritual time of year. Many of us are celebrating two major religious holidays, Hanukkah and Christmas. Our family celebrates both holidays because we have a Jewish heritage and Christian beliefs.

It is my personal view that optimal physical health must include spiritual health as well. For instance, when I am overwhelmed with stress I put into practice verses found in the Bible, Philippians 4: “ Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and petition with thanksgiving present your requests to God and the peace of God which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus”. My experience is that the peace of God descends and the stress is lifted.

Acknowledging the need for spiritual health and seeking the Creator who gives it to you will send you on an amazing journey. Let this season be the beginning of Optimal Health in your body and your spirit.

Filed under: Spiritual Health Tagged: Christmas, Hanukkah, peace, spiritual health, Stress