Magnesium One of the Most Important Minerals

Magnesium is certainly one of the most important minerals to the body.  Here's a short list of what it does:
1. Supports normal acid/alkaline and blood pH balance.  Are you in balance?  A quick way to check is to get some pH paper and check your saliva and urine.  Saliva pH should be around 7.4.
2. Aids in enzyme activation. Enzymes make everything happen in the body!
3. Helps metabolize blood sugar and produce cortisone.  Keeping your blood sugar levels under control is the key to health!
4. Supports healthy nerve and muscle function.  Works with calcium to keep the nerves firing and the muscles moving!  It is involved in nerve signal transmission, muscle contraction, and heart rhythm.  Keeps the heart beating!
5. Assists in forming bones and teeth.  One of the 18 nutrients I speak of that are critical to bone health.
6. Plays a role in nucleic acid, protein, carbohydrate, and fat synthesis.

As you can see, this is definitely something we need to consume!  Magnesium is found in artichokes, beans and seeds (black, green, navy, pinto, pumpkin, sesame, sunflower), cashews, broccoli, organ meats, seafood (halibut, salmon, shrimp), spinach, Swiss chard, and tomatoes.

How to Identify an Indigo Child

By Ezmeralda Lee, contributor to eHow

Indigo children may have possibly been around for several decades however, it was not until the 1982 book, "Understanding Your Life Through Color" by self-styled, psychic Nancy Ann Tappe, when the term was coined. New Age followers firmly believe that such children are born with a high spiritual consciousness and may even possess psychic abilities. However, psychologists and others believe that Indigo children have more conventional traits such as a higher level of empathy and creativity.

Instructions:

1. Study the child's aura, as the Indigo hue of a child's aura is the distinguishing characteristic of Indigo children. You may have a reading done of the child, if you do not possess the ability to read auras. If you sense a child is attracted to deep purples and blues, likes his room painted in these colors or prefers Indigo clothing, these are indications of an Indigo child.
2. Observe the attitude of the child starting from birth. An Indigo child has a strong, inherent sense of superiority and self-worth, often believing that she has been born to lead others or have the right and ability to do so.
3. Pay attention to how the child interacts with authority. An Indigo child will feel that he is the natural "leader of the pack." This is precisely why such a child often challenges or rebels against authoritative persons. An Indigo child will respond with a highly intelligent justification for his action or indiscipline and will also rarely feel guilty in response to disciplinary measures. As such children grow they will frequently assume positions of power and authority.
4. Notice how the child reacts to traditional systems and practice. An Indigo child has an extremely creative and active mind but will display intolerance and impatience when confronted with old traditions. At times such a child will get bored in a classroom or quickly lose patience when waiting in a queue. An Indigo child will often complain about what she perceives as an old system and will take the initiative to create better ways of organizing her room, classroom and even the world around her.
5. Watch if the child shows signs as a "loner" or displays anti-social behavior. An Indigo child often prefers to be alone and will also express her feeling of being different than everyone else. An Indigo child will find it difficult to adjust to school and extracurricular activities, unless she is able to bond with other Indigo children.
6. Listen carefully while the child communicates with you. An Indigo child knows exactly who he is and will not hesitate to talk about his psychic ability, sense to identify auras and the desire to advise or heal others. An Indigo child will also not hesitate to tell you what he needs and wishes to have, often amazing you with his blatant perception of self-identity, position in society and the world.

Tips & Warnings

• Try and empathize with the child's view of life by being a patient listener while also offering advice in a calm, soft-spoken manner.
  
• Do not reprimand or question the child's behavior in a harsh or overly, aggressive manner as an Indigo child is prone to acute frustration and depression.
  

Read more: How to Identify an Indigo Child

K is for Clotting But Also For Bone Health

Vitamin K - easy to remember - K is for "clotting", well there is actually lots more to it!  Vitamin K is a fat soluble vitamins (the others being A, D, and E).  While it is best known for clotting, it is also involved in bone mineralization, a critical part of making bone. It also promotes healthy liver function.

But, let's go back to the bone part.  We are all familiar with how prevalent osteoporosis is in this country.  We are bombarded with the advertisements and the need for calcium supplements to magically cure this condition.  As I've mentioned previously it is not just calcium, but there are 18 nutrients required to build bone.  One of them is Vitamin K.  And guess what? Most people are not getting enough of this vitamin either.  It is readily available, but of course you have to like vegetables!  The top food sources are the Cruciferous family of vegetables: broccoli, Brussels sprouts, and cabbage.  It is also in the dark green leafy vegetables (think kale), eggs, and liver.  For optimal health you should be eating these foods daily.  Your blood, liver, metabolism, and bones depend on it!

Female Sexual Health and Dysfunction

very dissapointed in women get dysfunction

Sexual function is one of the most underreported areas in women’s health today. According to the National Health and Social Life Survey from 1992, 43% of the women studied reported concerns with their sexual functioning over the course of one year. However, for a diagnosis of sexual dysfunction to be made, these concerns must be associated with personal distress. It is important to remember that what may be considered “abnormal” for one woman may be “normal” for another. Although a sexual complaint may not signify dysfunction, it is still important to discuss the problem with your clinician as it may also be a sign of underlying disease.

A woman’s sexuality can be affected by many factors including: relationship issues, medical illness, hormonal changes, cultural factors, psychological factors, aging, menopause, body image, pregnancy, breastfeeding, early learning about sexuality, history of abuse, and partner sexual dysfunction.

Sexual dysfunction can be broken down into five separate disorders: desire, arousal, orgasmic, pain, and aversion. Although each has a specific medical definition, significant overlap of these disorders is often seen in women.

Significant advances have recently been made in the areas of research and treatment of female sexual dysfunction. If you have concerns regarding your sexual health, discuss them with your physician. It is the first step in getting the treatment that is right for you.(stanford school of medicine)

Important, Communicating about sex

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Talking with your partner about what you like and what you want can take your sex life in new and fulfiling directions and deepen your relationship as whole, says sex and relationship counsellor.

No one is a mind reader

In many couples, one or both partners feel that the other doesn't understand how to satisfy them sexually. And I know from my work at a sex and relationships counsellor that this can knock the confidence of both people.

The problem is that when it comes to sex we expect to be instant experts, with instinctive knowledge of what pleases us and a partner. But actually, sex is just like any other skill. If we want to learn how to drive a car or ride a bike, we have to start as beginners and take lessons. And with sex, to understand your own responses and your lover's, you have to learn and practice.

This is because everyone responds differently to sex and sexual arousal. Some like gentle touches, others prefer heavier, rougher contact. One person will be turned on by something another finds unpleasant or uninteresting. Unless you're psychic, the only way to get to know your partner's tastes, and for them to get to know yours, is by communicating.

Say what you'd like to try

Talking about what you like and dislike has several benefits. Not only can simply talking about sex add to your excitmement, but the more you talk, the more relaxed and confident you'll be with your partner. I know from my work that most people would like more variety in their love lives, but they're held back from suggesting whatever they'd like to try, whether it's oral sex, bondage or new positions, by embarrassment or fear of rejection.

But you don't have to come out with a bald request. One good technique is to find the option you fancy on the web or in a magazine or a book, and point it out, saying, "That looks fun. Want to try it?" The chances are that, far from being put off, your partner will jump at the chance to experiment.

Non-verbal cues

Communication is vital but there's no need to subject each other to a commentary or a barrage of instructions. You can make your needs known with a range of non-verbal cues. (For more ideas see Bedroom talk).

Let them know when they've hit the spot

Next time you have sex, make sure your partner knows when they've found the right place. If they need a bit of guidance, gently move their hands to demonstrate what turns you on. Make the communication two-way; listen and notice the movements and sounds your partner makes, so you can pick up their likes and dislikes, too.

Be honest, positive and demonstrative

If you're going to say what you'd like and ask what your partner wants, there are three important points to keep in mind.

Be positive. Don't tell your partner they're terrible in bed. Remember something they did that you really liked and say, "When you did that, I really..." They'll get the message.

Be honest. There's no point in faking it or saying you like something you don't, because that gives your partner no incentive and no guidance to do better.

Be demonstrative  And Erogenous zones

The most sensitive sexual areas are

Breasts, nipples, genitals and lips

Ear lobes, fingers, toes

The soft skin inside the elbows and knees, the small of the back and the nape of the neck

Phosphorus - While Calcium Gets All the Notoriety This Mineral is Quite Important Too!

We are bombarded with messages about the importance of calcium for our bones.  Well, without phosphorus all the calcium in the world will not do you much good.  In fact, it may cause harm if there is too much calcium and not sufficient phosphorus.  Phosphorus is the second key mineral by content in our bones.  It supports healthy bone formation, energy production, cell growth and repair (remember blood cells are made in our bones), collagen synthesis (that's what helps make the bone), cardiovascular function, and nerve and muscle activity.  It is a key part of calcium and sugar metabolism.

What happens when the calcium to phosphorus ratio is out of balance? Too much phosphorus and less calcium causes the body to pull calcium out of its storage spots and we get teeth and bone erosion ultimately leading to osteoporosis.  By the way - do you know how many people get too much phosphorus?  It comes from drinking carbonated beverages.  Phosphorus helps make them bubble! Another reason soft drinks are not good for us, besides the sugar or artificial sweeteners being used.  On the reverse, too much calcium and not enough phosphorus causes excess calcium in the tissues.  This leads to things like kidney stones, cataracts, and arthritis.

Phosphorus is supporting may body systems including the circulatory, digestive, liver, metabolic, nervous, kidney, and most important the musculoskeletal.

Food sources of phosphorus include almonds, brewer's yeast, eggs, fish (halibut, salmon), glandular meats, lean beef, lentils, liver, milk, peanuts, poultry, pumpkin seeds, wheat bran, and yogurt.

Zinc - Did You Know Viruses Like It?

Zinc we are often told is good for the immune system.  True, but apparently viruses like it too!  What does that mean?  Taking that zinc lozenge may not always be the best idea if it is a virus you are fighting.

Yet, zinc is a very important mineral, especially for men.  Zinc is one of the key ingredients for the prostate gland.  Men will want to make sure they are getting sufficient zinc.  One in six men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer.  Zinc supports the formation of many enzymes and insulin.  The same insulin we need for blood sugar control.  It also assists with wound healing, reproductive organ growth and development, and metabolism of phosphorus, carbohydrates, and proteins.  Putting it simply - zinc helps many body processes work.

Zinc also has a special relationship with copper - one of antagonism.  That means if your zinc levels rise, your copper levels will decrease, or if your copper levels rise, your zinc levels will decrease.  This is very significant for women as too much copper can make them "copper crazy".  Too much copper throws hormones out of balance and results in many of the "female symptoms".  What gets copper levels high?  The big three are birth control pills, copper IUDs, and soy (another reason not to like soy).

Zinc is found in many foods including almonds, beets, carrots, cashews, Cheddar cheese, green peas, lamb, lean beef and pork, liver, milk, mushrooms, peanuts, poultry, pumpkin seeds, seafood (crabs, oysters, shrimp), sesame seeds, spinach, wheat germ, whole grains, and yogurt.  Lots of healthy food choices to get your zinc!