One of the earliest references to breathing as a form of medical therapy appears in an inscription found on 12 jade tablets dating from the mid-sixth century BC:

In breathing, one should proceed as follows: hold the breath down and let it collect together. When it collects, it will expand. When it expands, it sinks down. When it sinks down, it grows quiet. When it grows quiet, it will solidify. When it solidifies, it begins to grow. As it grows, it is drawn inward and upward and will reach the crown of the head. Above, it presses against the top of the head. Below it presses downward. Whoever follows this method will live a long life. Whoever goes against it, will die prematurely.

I found this useful in combatting the shallow breaths most people (myself included) take as a matter of course.

Here are a few ideas for delicious, nutritious smoothies.

A few spoons of quality plain yogurt is optional in all smoothies.
The portions are quite large, so the smoothie can be consumed over two sittings if covered (stored in refrigerator).

Smoothie 1:

• 1 x banana
• 1 x apple
• 1 x other fruit of your choice

Smoothie 2:

• 1 x banana
• 1 x handful of fresh blueberries
• 1 x handful of fresh raspberries
• 3 – 4 fresh strawberries
• 1 x papaya

Smoothie 3:

• 1 x handful of fresh blueberries
• 1 x handful of fresh raspberries
• 3 – 4 fresh strawberries
• 1 x freshly squeezed orange
• ½ - 1 x papaya

Smoothie 4:

• 1 x handful of fresh blueberries
• 1 x handful of fresh raspberries
• 3 – 4 fresh strawberries
• 1 – 2 kiwi fruits

Smoothie 5:

• any tasty combination of fruits you desire!

Here are a number of delicious combinations of fruits and vegetables. Remember to wash thoroughly before juicing to remove all traces of insecticide and other chemicals. And drink immediately after juicing - don’t refrigerate overnight.

• Plain carrot and apple: 3 carrots to 1 apple
• Carrot, apple, celery and beetroot
• Carrot and beetroot
• Carrot, beetroot and apple/cucumber
• Carrot, pineapple, ginger (and lemon optional)
• Carrot, pineapple, cucumber and ginger (and lemon optional)
• Carrot, apple and ginger
• Carrot, pineapple and orange
• Carrot, sweet yellow or red pepper, pineapple, ginger and lemon (chilli optional)
• Carrot, celery, sweet pepper (red, yellow or green), beetroot, apple and lemon
• Celery, green pepper, cucumber and apple
• Carrot, apple and cucumber
• Carrot, broccoli and cucumber/apple
• Carrot and broccoli
• Carrot, cabbage, broccoli (apple optional)
• Tomato, celery and carrot (cucumber/apple optional)
• And so on and so on and so on……

Enjoy!

Daniel Reid is a bestselling author and a leading expert on eastern philosophy and medicine. He has written numerous books and magazine articles on various aspects of Asian self-health and self-healing practices, and has established an international reputation for the practical efficacy of his traditional approach to modern health problems.

The following are highly recommended books by Daniel Reid.
Continue reading

A few tips, advice and guidelines on what to look for when buying a juicer.

What are the advantages of a juicer over bought juice?

Making fresh juices from your own juicer provides you with the same live enzymes that are available in raw fresh fruit and vegetables. These fresh raw foods give us more energy and sparkle than cooked, ‘dead’ foods, and ‘dead’ juices that have been sitting in a container on the supermarket shelf for days, weeks or even months. This energy (from the freshly made juice) is concentrated, and you feel it as soon as you drink it. It can clear your head and make you feel light and energetic. Continue reading

The following article explaining the benefits of juicing fruits and vegetables has been provided by my good friend Jan at Healthguy.org

Why Juice?

The debacle continues. Western dieticians and nutritionalists argue that by juicing fruit and vegetables one loses the bulk and fibre, which is so beneficial to our digestive system. This is of course true. The consumption of fresh juices should therefore not be used as a replacement for fresh produce, but more as a supplement. Continue reading

The following Eating Principles have been provided by my good friend Jan at Healthguy.org.

The Theory

This eating plan is an idealistic guideline and is subject to your own interpretation, adjustments and adaptations. It does not consider the 80/20 rule, which states that an ideal diet is where 80% of your intake follows strict guidelines, and the remaining 20% can be relaxed. It is more important to understand the concept behind it. That basic concept comprised of the following principles. Continue reading

The following Eating Plan has been provided by my good friend Jan at Healthguy.org.

To obtain the most benefit from the Eating Plan, please read Good Eating Principles.

As you can see, this method of eating allows you to eat as much as you want - no portion weighing and measuring!  Simply eat until you’re satisfied, because you know you’ll be having another snack in a few hours.

Where juice is recommended, this should not be store purchased, and should be squeezed/juiced just prior to drinking, to avoid oxidisation. Continue reading

In everything I’ve written and collected on this site, I am seeking a universal approach to Fulfilled Living, specifically health and wellness.

Despite vast differences and conflicting opinions when it comes to health and wellness, all cultures share universal truths. Behind the facade of cultural differences and egotistical squabbling, all of humankind shares one undeniable common factor: Genetic design.

To be bound to one particular way of thinking with regards to such a fundamental fact of Nature is to limit one’s personal growth and compromise one’s health. All schools of thought should therefore be considered. The positive and the constructive aspects should be extracted from each of these schools and merged to form a more holistic and universal paradigm. Continue reading