Monthly Archives: August 2010

Don’t eat the packaging after all

Posted on August 12, 2010 by | 1 Comment

We have all heard the quip about breakfast cereals: they contain so little nutrition you are better off eating the packaging.  Even the Mythbusters decided to test the theory (what do you think they found?  Click here to read their mythbusting conclusion).

The breakfast cereal aisle at the supermarket offers no shortage of choice, yet more and more research is emerging to suggest we are better off passing…  While they can be a convenient way for parents with fussy children to get some breakfast into them, most cereals contain a dangerous amount of sugar and salt.

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Posted in Health and Wellness, Recipes

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Just add sea salt

Posted on August 6, 2010 by | 3 Comments

A bath or foot bath is a wonderful way to relax, wind down, or for tired muscles to find relief.  But did you know you can increase the benefits of your bath by adding pure unrefined sea salt to the water?  Soaking in mineral springs or sea water has been practiced for centuries, and can be replicated cheaply at home.

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Slow and steady: the Hurom Slow Juicer

Posted on August 6, 2010 by | 3 Comments

We’ve tried different juicers from some well-known brands over the years; we’re always somewhat disappointed with the small amount and poor quality of juice that the cheaper juicers are capable of extracting.

A ‘slow’ juicer is designed to minimise the heat and oxygen created during the juicing process, meaning maximum living nutrients are retained and you are getting a juice with more antioxidants, nutrients and vitamins, better flavour and freshness, and much less of the separation that occurs in the juice from conventional, high-speed juicing.

Because this design originates from commercial applications, it’s also capable of getting a lot more yield out of fruits and vegetables than the cheaper juicers most people are familiar with. Continue reading →

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Thirsty?

Posted on August 6, 2010 by | 1 Comment

You may not think of it as such, but water is the most abundant nutrient in the human body (weighing as much as two-thirds of the body’s mass). Water helps remove waste such as toxins absorbed from air, food, and chemicals used in common cosmetics. Water also cushions joints, helps carry oxygen and regulates body temperature.

Bet you didn’t think of all this last time you had a glass, right? Continue reading →

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Slippery stuff

Posted on August 6, 2010 by | Leave a comment

Slippery Elm Bark

Slippery Elm is a popular and well-known staple in any health food store.  Its inner bark is what is used in medicinal preparations: gelatinous and nutrient-rich, it is often ground into powder that can be rehydrated with water, steeped into tea, or taken as capsules.

Slippery Elm is known to be soothing and helpful to those with sensitive stomachs and/or digestive tracks.

It is also helpful in neutralising stomach acids (making it a particularly good ally for those who have painful stomach ulcers), soothing sore throats, and cleansing the colon.

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Animals love their clay too

Posted on August 6, 2010 by | 1 Comment

Here at Echolife we are partial to our green swelling clay (of the ‘calcium bentonite’ kind).  We all use it, in several glorious and versatile ways: baths, compresses, face masks, cleanser…  it makes our skin soft and detoxes our bodies.

But we’re not the only ones who love our clay: animals in the wild (on almost every continent) have been observed to instinctively seek clay to eat, or bathe in.  Why?

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Body armour

Posted on August 6, 2010 by | Leave a comment

Changes in our lifestyles, more environmental pollution and less quality in our diets mean that we are exposed to more free radicals than ever before.

Free radicals (the by-products of oxidants) can harm our cells by causing stress to their surface, and ultimately damaging them.  Our body’s smart response is to produce an armour of antioxidants against the free radicals – and save the day by protecting our cells.

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Magnesium in Our Diet

Posted on August 6, 2010 by | Leave a comment

green cabbageOur bodies cannot store magnesium; we need a constant supply of this crucial mineral in our daily diet. But even if your diet is high in foods containing magnesium, you may not be absorbing enough if you have digestive problems.  Magnesium levels may be low in those suffering from illness, digestive or malabsorption problems, in alcoholics and in those who consume a diet consisting of refined foods, sugary foods, junk or take-away foods.

A diet high in dairy and low in whole grains can lead to to excess calcium in the tissues and a magnesium deficiency. If you are experiencing cramping, your diet may be high in foods such as cheese, milk or yoghurt. Modify your diet to include mainly magnesium rich foods (see chart below). Continue reading →

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Sugar: Friend or Foe?

Posted on August 6, 2010 by | Leave a comment

Most of us love the taste of something ‘sweet’, and although sugar in its many forms is a normal part of our daily diet, sadly (!) too much of it can cause ill-health and accelerate ageing. Science has been studying our intake of sugar and it has been proven that some forms of sugar are taking a toll on our health.

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Clay tips

Posted on August 6, 2010 by | 1 Comment

clay face mask

Let’s get technical: our ultra pure green clay is classified as ‘calcium bentonite’ (also known as ‘Montmorillonite’ – don’t be puzzled: both names refer to the same thing).  But our clay also contains a significant amount of natural sodium, which means it is absolutely packed with beneficial potent minerals.

How can you use our mineral-rich, all-natural clay?  Read on.

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Posted in How To's, Natural Skin Care, Product Spotlight

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