|
"Let
juice be your medicine, and your medicine be your juice.” 
|
Books to Help You Shape Up
Also,
|
|
Books to Help
You Get Healthier in 2014
Click each book
to learn more!
|
Juice
Health Retreats
Fr. John and I invite you to spend a
week with us that could change your life forever. These retreats
provide a healing and sacred place of faith, hope, and love where lives
are transformed. Located at the Glorieta Conference Center, in the
Sangre de Cristo mountain range, the beautiful setting, grounds, and
retreat center facilitate healing and renewal of mind, body, and
spirit. Click to read the
inspiring testimonies on this page and plan on joining us.
March 23-28
May 18-23
Give Us a Week,
We'll Help Change Your Life!
|
|
|
 Acts of Kindness
Can Make You Happier & Healthier
 Sonja Lyubomirsky, a professor of
psychology at the University of California, Riverside, has studied
happiness for more than 20 years. She has found that positive
activities and acts of kindness can boost positive emotions, thoughts,
and behavior, in turn improving well-being. (US News, Jan. 24, 2013)
David Hamilton, Ph.D. has identified five positive effects of kindness:
1. Kindness Makes Us Happier
Dr. Hamilton found that when we do something kind for someone else, we
not only feel good, we tap into something deep and profound inside of
us that says, ‘This is who I am.’ Biochemically, levels of the brain’s
natural versions of morphine and heroin, which we know as endogenous
opioids, are increased. They cause elevated levels of dopamine in the
brain and so we get a natural high, often referred to as ‘Helper’s
High.’
2. Kindness Gives Us Healthier Hearts
Acts of kindness are often accompanied by emotional warmth, which
produces the hormone, oxytocin in the brain and throughout the body. It
plays a significant role in cardiovascular system health, causing the
release of a chemical called nitric oxide which dilates (expands) the
blood vessels. This reduces blood pressure.
3. Kindness Slows Aging
Two culprits that speed the aging process are free radicals and Inflammation--both
result from making unhealthy lifestyle choices. Remarkable research
shows that oxytocin reduces levels of free radicals and inflammation
and slows aging at the root level. Also free radicals and inflammation
play a major role in heart disease so this is also another reason why
kindness is good for the heart. There have also been references in
scientific journals regarding the strong link between compassion and
the activity of the vagus nerve. The vagus nerve, as well as regulating
heart rate, also controls inflammation levels in the body.
4. Kindness Improves Relationships
Kindness reduces the emotional distance between people causing us to
feel more ‘bonded. ’It’s something that is so strong in us that it
affects us at the genetic level. We are wired for kindness. The
stronger the emotional bonds within groups, the greater the chances of
survival and so ‘kindness genes’ were etched into the human genome.
When we are kind to each other, we feel a connection and new
relationships are forged, or existing ones are strengthened.
5. Kindness is Contagious
When we’re kind we inspire others to be kind. Studies show that it
actually creates a ripple effect that spreads outwards to our friends
and beyond– to “3-degrees of separation.” Just as a pebble creates
waves when it is dropped in a pond, so acts of kindness ripple outwards
touching others’ lives and inspiring kindness everywhere the wave goes.
 An Amazing
Story of Kindness
When A. J. Star met Alabama QB AJ McCarron, his life changed
forever---from despair to belonging and purpose. Through one act of
kindness by McCarron, a disabled young man’s life was forever
changed. I encourage you to watch this short video. I think
it will inspire you, as it did me. We are indeed “our brother’s
keeper.” It may take us out of our way a bit or cost us a little
time and effort. This is what life is all about--loving others.
Recipe of the Week
Happy-Mood Morning
Fennel juice has been used as a traditional tonic to help the body
release endorphins, the “feel-good” peptides, from the brain into the
bloodstream. Endorphins help to diminish anxiety and fear, and they
generate a mood of euphoria.
1/2 apple (green is lower in sugar)
4–5 carrots, well scrubbed, green tops removed, ends trimmed
3 fennel stalks with leaves and flowers
1/2 cucumber, peeled if not organic
1 handful of spinach
 1-inch-chunk
ginger root
Cut produce to fit your juicer’s feed tube. Juice apple first and
follow with other ingredients. Stir and pour into a glass; drink as
soon as possible. Serves 1–2.
From The Big Book of Juices and Green Smoothies
|
Praise For the Juice & Raw Foods Cleanse Retreat
"Cherie,
your retreat was one of my most special memories of 2013. It was a huge
turning point for me in my desire to keep going in the right direction
with living a healthy lifestyle. I decided to wait a few months to
review the retreat in Santa Fe so that I could comment on the long term
benefits of doing a cleanse.
I have tried lots of different diets to be more health conscious, but
this is the first time I have truly stuck with it. I feel great! I am
thinking more clearly and have even slimmed down a little. Your wisdom
and encouragement has been so beneficial to me and my family. We are
juicing daily along with exercising more. We have spring cleaned the
pantry and replaced all of the unhealthy ingredients on the recommended
lists you shared. Our oldest son asked for a juicer for Christmas, and
has bought one for a friend as a gift. We are starting our own little
health revolution down here in South Florida. I also loved the way
Father John talked about the spiritual side of our lives along with the
wonderful insights from Dr Nina on taking good care of our physical
health. Another thing worth mentioning is all of the wonderful people I
met. We had so much fun together and truly bonded over the week! I left
the retreat changed and inspired.
If any one is considering doing a health retreat as part of your plans
for 2014, I would highly recommend them. Your spirit, soul and body
will be changed for the better."
Love,
Yvonne
Happy juicing!
|
|
|
|
|
No comments:
Post a Comment