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Tag: Take Sides With Nature

We all need to Return to Nature for Physical, Mental and Emotional reasons. For several decades, we have got further and further away from NATURE in every respect and this has not been good for our Health and Emotional Wellbeing. This TAG takes us to Articles that will Show Us different ways we can BENEFIT from introducing Nature into our Hearts and Lives and Families and People. Cheers!

Published on Leave a comment on A 60-Minute Walk In Nature Decreases Activity In Brain Regions Involved In Stress Processing

Researchers in Germany have found that a one-hour walk in nature reduces
stress-related brain activity.

The amygdala is the brain region involved in stress processing. It has been shown to be less activated in people who live in rural areas, compared to those who live in cities, hinting at the potential benefits of nature.

Nature Walks Are Good For Your Brain

However, no study so far has examined the causal effects of natural and urban environments on stress-related brain mechanisms.

"But so far the hen-and-egg problem could not be disentangled, namely whether nature actually caused the effects in the brain or whether the particular individuals chose to live in rural or urban regions," says Sonja Sudimac, predoctoral fellow in the Lise Meitner Group for Environmental Neuroscience (LMGEN) and lead author of the study.

To address this question, researchers from LMGEN examined brain activity in regions involved in stress processing in 63 healthy volunteers before and after a one-hour walk in Berlin's Grunewald Forest and a busy city street using functional magnetic resonance imaging.

The results of the study revealed that activity in the amygdala decreased after the walk in nature, suggesting that nature elicits beneficial effects on brain regions related to stress.…

Published on

By Janet Vargas - Owner Of This Website

DID YOU KNOW THAT 75% OF FOOD WORLDWIDE IS LIMITED TO 12 PLANT CROPS (and 5 animal foods) AND THAT WESTERN COUNTRIES......... MORE INTERESTING FACTS IN THIS POST, PLUS WHICH FRUITS AND VEGGIES THE AFORE MENTIONED ARE AND SOME INSIGHTS ON THE IMPORTANCE OF ENCOURAGING BIODIVERSITY HERE IN AUSTRALIA. ON A LIGHTER NOTE, I WILL ALSO MENTION SOME IMPROVEMENTS WE'VE HAD IN OUR FOOD CULTURE IN RECENT DECADES AND RECENT TIMES, TO WHAT WE HAD YEARS AGO. I HOPE YOU READ THIS POST.

According to TheFutureMarket.Com  we only grow a small percentage of Plant Food Crops in Western Countries that does not allow for much Food Diversity in our Diet or our Health. As mentioned, they state that 75% of the World’s Food comes from 12 Plants (and 5 Animals).

In this order, the highest turnover of Plant Foods produced are 1. Sugar, 2. Corn, 3. Rice, 4. Wheat, 5. Potatoes,  6. Soya Beans, 7. Cassava, 8.Tomatoes, 9. Bananas, 10. Onions, 11. Apples and 12. Grapes. We eat only 150 out of 30,000 edible plant species (worldwide). For example, the USA has lost 90% of it’s Fruit and Veg varieties since 1900.…

Published on Leave a comment on The Best Ways To Take Childrens Learning Outside, According To An Outdoor Play Expert

Bountyteam  MSN

I LOVE THIS ARTICLE BECAUSE I THINK CHILDREN TODAY SPEND FAR TOO MUCH TIME INDOORS. EVEN LITTLE KIDDIES AND TODDLERS GROW UP BEFORE THEIR TIME WITH SOME OF THE TV PROGRAMS THEY WATCH AND SO MUCH PLAY WITH TECH DEVICES. SOME OUTDOOR LIVING IS HEALTHY FOR KIDS - AND PARENTS TOO. LET'S TAKE SOME GOOD TIPS FROM SOMEONE WHO RELATES WELL WITH CHILDREN, HEY?

While we all know homework is necessary for a child’s valuable education, spending time outside is just as essential to children’s physical and mental wellbeing.

But the majority of Aussie kids prefer indoor play despite the many benefits of playing outside on their mood, feelings of satisfaction, creativity and development.

With the school holidays right around the corner and the challenges of lockdowns and restrictions continuing to impact many Australians, Penny Whitehouse, educator and outdoor play expert, shares her tips to take learning outside.

As a working mum, I know it’s easy to slip into an indoor routine and let the kids stay glued to the screen. However, the published research – and my professional experience through 12 years as a wildlife and environmental education officer working to cultivate joy from outdoor play – confirm there are major benefits to kids learning and playing outside during their development years.…

Published on Leave a comment on Returning To REAL FOODS From Our Creator And Nature – They’re Good For Us!

By Janet Vargas - Independent Natural Health Researcher 30+ Years

YES, THEY PROMOTE OUR HEALTH RATHER THAN DEMOTE IT. FOOD MANUFACTURERS HAVE THOUGHT OF ONE CLEVER DEMISE AFTER THE OTHER, PROMOTING SYNTHETIC AND PSUEDO FOODS WE ARE NOT MEANT TO INGEST - INFLUENCING GOVERNMENT HEALTH DEPARTMENTS AND ALL, MAKING THEIR ARGUMENTS SOUND LEGIT, MAKING THE PUBLIC SICK. AND BIG PHARMA WITH THEIR MEDICAL AGENTS HAVE BEEN ONLY TOO HAPPY TO RAKE IN THE PROFITS. BUT AN AWAKENING IS STIRRING THE HEARTS OF PEOPLE WHO ARE DISCOVERING THE BENEFITS OF REAL FOODS: YES OLD THINGS BECOME NEW. THIS IS INSTIGATED BY PROFESSIONAL NATURAL HEALTH ADVOCATES AND MANY HEALTH SCIENTISTS ALIKE WHO ARE NOW SIDING WITH NATURE, PROMOTING IT'S MERITS AND IT'S WAYS.

I Will Show You Some Real Health Promoting Foods That Are So Beneficial For Our Health That Have Been Drastically Altered Or Replaced (they now clash with our natural body chemistry) In Western Countries Like Australia, And A Few Really Beneficial Foods that are Very Nutritious for our Families!

Through the years in Australia – and Western Countries – we have been buying foods that are so different to food staples our Great Grandparents had and our Great Greats.…

Published on Leave a comment on Whats The Verdict? Kids Playing Outside Like They Did Years Ago Is In. Its OK!

By Janet Vargas - Natural Health Researcher

So don't be frightened of germs because there are Good Germs as well, kids are missing out on that benefit their Immune System. It’s much Safer than text books say – just one of many practices grandparents and their grandparents encouraged, and their kids were healthier than children Today. No they weren’t mistaken – less educated but not silly. We have been, to take so much notice of information we have been brought up with medical influence. TV and TEC are not Baby Sitter, but we have substituted them for Good Healthy Outdoor Play, Aye?

Encourage Your Kids To Get Their Hands Muddy Or Sandy - Its Good For Them!

And today’s Medical System always scaring us into Antibiotics and Vaccines  - half of which are not appropriate for or country here in Australia. We are not in a Third World Country, and people who live in the Islands are healthier than we are without a Medical Establishment, who are always finding more ways to rake in more profits.

I don’t think there are many of us who remain ignorant to the likes of Big Pharma after 2020 – what a boost to the Industry.…

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Published on 3 Comments on My Companion Planting Guide For Veggies, Herbs And Salad Veggies

By Janet Vargas - Owner Of This Website

GOOD NEWS FOR GARDENERS AND BEGINNER GARDENERS. YOU MAY HAVE HEARD OF COMPANION PLANTING BEFORE. IT HAS REALLY INCREASED IN POPULARITY SINCE I FIRST HEARD OF IT. FOR MANY YEARS, CERTAIN GARDENERS HAVE FOUND THAT CERTAIN PLANTS PLANTED CLOSE TO EACH-OTHER CAN ACTUALLY HELP EACH-OTHER GROW WELL AND SOME ARE KNOWN TO HINDER EACH-OTHER. ORGANIC GARDENERS AND PERMACULTURISTS WATCH AND PRACTICE THESE PRINCIPLES VERY CLOSELY INSTEAD OF MONO-CROPS WHICH CAN ATTRACT A LOT OF BUGS.

CERTAIN HERBS AND VEGIES WHEN PLANTED TOGETHER CAN DETER A LOT OF INSECTS FROM DAMAGING OUR HERBS AND VEGGIES WE SPEND PRECIOUS TIME AND MONEY ON – NOT TO MENTION HOPEFUL EXPECTATIONS. PLANTING A DIVERSITY OF PLANTS TOGETHER IS ALSO KNOWN TO CONFUSE THE WOULD BE INVADING INSECTS FROM ATTACKING YOUR HOMEGROWN PRODUCE. THESE THINGS HAVE BEEN GAINING THE INTEREST OF SCIENTISTS ACROSS THE WORLD IN RECENT TIMES WHO ARE NOW INCLINED TO RECOMMEND THESE GARDENING PRACTICES IN PREFERENCE TO CHEMICAL FERTILIZERS AND PESTICIDES – IT’S MUCH HEALTHIER FOR YOU. IT IS BETTER TO SIDE WITH NATURE THAN WORK AGAINST IT. BE A FRIEND OF NATURE AND NATURE WILL BE A FRIEND TO YOU.…

Published on Leave a comment on Feeling Down Or Stressed? Try Nature Eco-Therapy.

A Return To Nature – Now Referred To As ECO Therapy

Summer often means spending time outdoors, swimming, camping, taking walks, and just enjoying the great outdoors. These leisure activities are fun and good for you.

That's right. They're good for you!

ECO Nature Therapy Is Good For The Soul

Psychologists in the new field of Eco-Therapy believe that spending time outdoors is important for our health. Connecting more with nature can help improve depression, lower blood pressure, improve self-esteem, help with impulse control, decrease post-operative recovery time, and encourage new social behaviors in patients with dementia, according to ecotherapyheals.com and the book Ecotherapy: Healing with Nature in Mind.

Eco-therapists claim that eco-therapy can be especially beneficial for those with depression, anxiety, stress or other mental illnesses. Depression is the most common psychiatric disorder, and the incidence of depression has increased every year during the past century. Now, one in six people will experience a depressive episode in their lifetime.

Traditional treatment for depression has focused on medications and individual or group therapy.

Now, Eco-therapists suggest that benefit can be gained with activities such as gardening, walking or other outdoor exercise, or spending time with animals.…

Published on Leave a comment on New Study: Gardening Twice A Week Improves Wellbeing And Cuts Down Stress

A new study reveals a significant association between gardening more frequently and improvements in wellbeing, perceived stress and physical activity.

The study from Britain’s Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) surveyed more than 6,000 people, and results indicate that those who garden every day have wellbeing scores 6.6% higher and stress levels 4.2% lower than people who don’t garden at all.

Joys Of Gardening We All Can Experience -
Good For Our Health

RHS Wellbeing Fellow and lead author, Dr Lauriane Chalmin-Pui says; “This is the first time the ‘dose response’ to gardening has been tested and the evidence overwhelmingly suggests that the more frequently you garden—the greater the health benefits.

“In fact gardening every day has the same positive impact on wellbeing as undertaking regular vigorous exercise like cycling or running.

“When gardening, our brains are pleasantly distracted by nature around us. This shifts our focus away from ourselves and our stresses, thereby restoring our minds and reducing negative feelings.”

Respondents who gardened 2-3 times a week had a 4.1% higher wellbeing score and 2.4% lower stress levels compared to people who don’t garden at all. However, gardening fewer than 3 times a month has less of a positive impact.…

Published on Leave a comment on The Benefits Of Wholesome ‘Spelt’ Ancient Grains Instead Of ‘Modern Wheat’

MANY OF US HAVE BECOME AWARE OF HOW ANTI-NUTRITIONAL WHEAT (Modern Wheat) IS, HAVING BEEN HYBRIDISED SO MANY TIMES - IT'S GLUTEN IS ACTUALLY BAD FOR EVERYONE, NOT JUST CELIACS. THERE IS ALSO A SURGE OF INTEREST IN ANCIENT GRAINS LIKE SPELT AND QUINOA AND KHORASAN WHICH HAVE NOT BEEN HYBRIDISED. JUST RECENTLY, I HAD MY FIRST EXPERIENCE MAKING SPELT BREAD AND SPELT & KHORASAN BREAD IN A BREADMAKER. HAVE BEEN MAKING A FEW TOO MANY EXCEPTIONS WITH WHEAT CRACKERS AND SEED BREADS (basically wheat bread) AT ALDI'S. NOW I CAN MAKE MY OWN and NO NEED FOR CRACKERS, MY WHOLESOME BREAD IS NATURALLY CRISPY ON THE OUTSIDE AND SOFT INSIDE. YUM!

What Is Spelt?

Spelt is an ancient grain widely recognized for its many health benefits. Triticum spelta, the scientific name for spelt, is a hardier and more nutritious cousin to modern wheat (Triticum aestivum). Some taxonomists classify spelt as a parent of wheat.

One of the earliest domesticated grains, spelt hasn’t changed since Biblical times. It remains unaffected by concepts such as ‘agribusiness’, ‘cross-breeding,’ ‘hybridization’ and ‘genetically modified’ – words that have come to dominate our modern food supply.…

Published on Leave a comment on Outdoor Activities For Kids: Like Some Ideas? Read Some Of These!

By Natalie: A Mum and registered Dietitian with a Passion to help Parents Create a Home Environment where they can Raise Healthy Kids!

Lots Of Ideas For Children's Play Outdoors.
See What You Find!

When the weather is nice, it should be easy to get your kids to go outside to play. Right? But kids can be surprisingly reluctant to skip out the door for playtime. It hasn’t always been like this!

Many kids in the upcoming generation are replacing outdoor play with indoor, sedentary activities like iPad games, texting, or social media. They’re also more involved in knowledge-based downtime like homework and studying than kids from past generations.

How Do Kids Benefit From Outdoor Play?

Studies have shown that kids who spend more time outside might be happier and more relaxed. Time outdoors can even improve short-term memory, concentration and cognitive skills. (It’s almost like nature makes us smarter… amazing!)

It’s Up to Us To Facilitate Outdoor Play

There’s a REAL need for active, outdoor play. Now more than ever. The more outdoor activities you can encourage and facilitate for your kids, the more they’ll reap the physical and emotional benefits of such play.…