Chest Exercises

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Women spend money to lift their breasts if it be buying the best bra to lift and shape or more dramatically surgery.  Still battling failing electrolytes I have noticed the girls heading south. While I am not back to my regular exercise routine there are some things I am doing. No I'm not using the truck on the left to boost the girls. However, there are two  exercises I am doing at least four times a week helping the girls back up north where they belong.

Note these are not the only chest exercises or variations, but for now I'm sticking to the basics. 

The first is a chest fly, I use 5 lbs weights for this, beginners start with three or none. There are various ways to do this exercise, I just lay on the floor. To give you an idea of other ways of doing them I have posted some images, all in all the movement is the same.

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You could also use a straight bench to do these as well. Important breath out through your nose while bringing the dumbbells up, and out through the nose going down. Pull your abdominals in, and make sure that your feet are in front of your knees, the above image is wrong. As you bring the dumbbells up be sure to contract your pectoral muscles (chest muscles.) If you are losing control of the weights put them down or use lighter weights. I started out doing 16, and now I am at 25, however to be correct per the fitness world you should do three sets of 16. All of these steps need to be done together for the exercise to work effectively, so you will be busy making sure your form is correct. Also do not over extend or lock your elbows, you should notice results within a week if you do this at least four times a week. One more thing if you are new to the stability ball I do not recommend using the ball for these, if you do make sure to keep your upper back, head, and shoulders on the ball.

The second exercise I have been doing is just a basic chest press, also on the floor. However you can do these using a bench or stability ball as well.

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I use 8 lbs weights for this exercise, or 10 lbs at the gym. Same rules apply suck your abdominals in breath out through the mouth on the way up, and in through the nose on the way down. In the image with the stability ball it looks like her elbows are locked on the up position, do not lock your joints ever. If you notice the female on the stability ball has her feet under her knees you  could do this however, you will need to really concentrate on keeping your balance. Seeing how this about working the chest I recommend placing your feet in front of your knees.  Also note the foot position of the guy on the floor, notice how his feet are in front of his knees, correct. The female on the bench also has correct foot position, if you find this uncomfortable simply put your feet on the bench with bent knees. As always beginners should use the floor or bench, make sure you have control of the weights, if you feel out of control do not use weights or go lighter. Elbows should not touch the floor, and be sure to contract the pectoral muscles (chest muscles) on the way up.

Please note that I do have an extensive back ground in fitness, and if you are just starting out you may have to work a longer period of time to reap the benefits. However, these are two of the best exercises to lift the girls naturally.

Depart From Me I Never Knew You

Just like we check our cabinets and fridge for items we lack so must we check our hearts. For years I have heard sermons preached on Matthew 7:21-23, and quivered in my seat scared that one day I might hear Jesus say to me....

Matthew 7:23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. KJV

How than could I know this would not be me? Why would Jesus say this to those that....

Matthew 7:22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? KJV

Finally after years of wondering about this, and fearing it would be me cast down into hell God revealed to me what is meant by this scripture. Funny thing is it can be found in the same book a few chapters away in Matthew 15. Here the Pharisees come to Jesus saying the disciples are defiling them selves by eating with unclean hands. But Jesus tells them the following.

Matthew 15:7-8 Ye hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying, This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. KJV

In another area of Matthew Peter comes to Jesus with no understanding, and Jesus answers him as follows. 

Matthew 15:16-20 ¹⁵And Jesus said, Are ye also yet without understanding? ¹⁷ Do not ye yet understand, that whatsoever entereth in at the mouth goeth into the belly, and is cast out into the draught? ¹⁸ But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man. ¹⁹ For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies: ²⁰ These are the things which defile a man: but to eat with unwashen hands defileth not a man. KJV

Ah I got it Jesus was saying that it is in a man's heart that truly matters. It does not matter if you do good works at church or in your community if you are not doing it for Him. If we do not do all things to the Glory of God we may hear Jesus say "Depart from me I never knew you." Well while I felt better knowing it was a matter of the heart I still needed to do a heart check. Was I doing all things to His glory? No, I can think of many times I have done things to get glory for my self and not for Him, even though I totally recognize the fact I can do nothing with out Him.

While I am still working on the heart issue at least now I know what the scripture means, and work on knowing fully well that I have control. Let us pray that we become the people God has created us to be instead of what we have created our selves to be. Let us pray that the words that come from our mouths will be His words and not our own so we may not offend. Let us do ALL things to the glory of God so we will not hear Jesus say "Depart from me I never knew you."

Turmeric Milk/Golden Milk

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 Turmeric has been used as natural medicine for not hundreds, but thousands or years. While it has many benefits, I was interested in how Indians have used this to cure colds, and sore throats, but it is also said to be a great immune booster. I first learned about it for this use while researching turmeric, I saw a video of an Indian woman making some. Months later the boys came down with sore throats, and I remembered the Turmeric milk/Golden milk.

As I searched the internet for the recipe I found that there are a lot of different recipes out there. My 16 year old is not thrilled with my passion for using herbs for healing however, my 14 year old is more willing to try whatever I prepare. So, ingredients were important to me, one had peppercorns, and I knew that would not go over good. Shoot I wasn't even thrilled with the thought of drinking something made with peppercorns. After searching through many sites I settled on the recipe below I found at Frugally Sustainable.

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Ingredients

1/4 cup organic Turmeric root powder
1 tbsp organic raw virgin coconut oil
1/2 cup of filtered water
Optional 1 tsp each of ground true cinnamon, ground ginger, and ashwagandha powder.

I had some organic cinnamon sticks, and used two whole sticks.

First you need to create a paste, take all the herbs, and oil, and mix them together in a pot with 1/2 cup of water. Be sure to continuously stir the mixture so it will not burn, bring it to a boil, and than immediately reduce the heat to a simmer until the paste thickens. Place paste in a glass jar, it can be stored in the refrigerator for 10-14 days. Be sure to label the jar Turmeric milk/Golden milk along with the date it was made.

To use the paste simply add 1 tsp to a the milk of your choice, and even add some honey to sweeten it up a bit. I made this with warm raw milk, one thing we learned quickly was to stir the milk each time before drinking. The paste has a tendency to sit at the bottom of  the cup, I am sure if you were to boil the milk it would dissolve easier. You could also serve this cold by placing the milk, paste, and some ice in a blender, and blending until smooth.

We drank one cup a day until symptoms subsided, this could be drank on a daily basis through the cold, and  flu season. Be aware that just like any other herbs it may effect any medications you are taking. Nursing and pregnant woman should not drink Turmeric, could also cause stomach upset if to  much is ingested along with diarrhea. To find out what all the side effects are do your homework or consult with a health care professional.

This post shared at Wildcrafting Wednesday and here.

To God Be the Glory

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I am a believer, and God is a very important part of my life. It came to me that while He is a big part of my life I never mention Him here. In all actuality He is a key part to a healthy happy life. I have lived with out Him, and with Him, and while my life is not with out life issues I am still happier. Why? Because I know that no matter what happens God has a plan for my life.

Romans 8:28  And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. KJV

There is nothing that I do that I can take credit for, I am who I am, and able to do the things I do because that is how God created me. Without Him I am nothing, but with Him I can do all things.

Philippians 4:13  I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. KJV

Living a healthy life style requires the spirit, mind, and body. At one time I only focused on two of these thinking I would be happier, but it was not until I had all three in line that I became truly happy. Recently we went to take family pictures and the woman commented on the fact that I looked so happy, I replied that yes I am happy. I could not tell what she was thinking, but either she did not believe me or she wished she had what I have. I am truly happy with my life, I say all the time I love my life, thank you Jesus. Because it is due to my salvation through Christ that has given me my happiness. Even through trials, tribulations, and temptations I can still be happy.

James 1: 2-4 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. KJV

While excepting Christ into your life will not make your life perfect, nor will you get everything you want, or never have another problem, but I can say this it will be easier to deal with.

Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.

Whenever I go through tough times while it does not feel good I know that there will be something good at the end, there always is. I trust God, I admit I do not understand a lot of things He does like taking my  children's father from them, or why my 21 year old daughter is so far from me. 

Isaiah 55:8-9 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.

So, I continue to trust and obey for there's no other way to be happy with Jesus, but to trust and obey.

Because I know that spirituality is important for the whole being once a week I will post a blog on the topic.

Do you know the Savior?

Hibiscus

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Since I have started learning about herbs I find it interesting that different sites discuss different uses for them. While sites might list some of the same uses, there is always something different on each one. For instance when I started drinking Hibiscus tea to improve my electrolyte levels I researched it, and a normal search for "benefits of Hibiscus" leads to nothing about electrolytes.

I have to admit I only looked at the first page, but feel I should have found something about Hibiscus and electrolytes. No, what I did find was that it is good for cholesterol, acne, dandruff,
type 2 diabetes, hot flashes, immune system, fevers, moderate hypertension, weight lose, blood pressure, diuretic, mild laxative, liver problems, depression, and cancer, but no mention of energy or electrolytes.

The only way anyone would know that Hibiscus is a natural way to maintain or improve your electrolytes is by doing a search incorporating the two words. Googling energy and Hibiscus brings up all kinds of links for a drink from Starbucks, but nothing from the health world.

Okay those are the internal benefits, but is it good for beauty care as well? Yes, it is, it is actually known as a natural botox for its firming and lifting ability. As mentioned above it is good for dandruff, but also for dry hair.

I have been drinking hibiscus tea for a week now, and find I prefer it cold over some ice with some organic sugar. Some say the flavor is similar to cranberry, yeah kinda of, it is tart. I love the beautiful red color that the tea turns, it looks so pretty over ice. It also does work very well for regular bowel movements, and upping those electrolytes. Thanks to my herbalist I am feeling better, and my energy level is finally back up. I also learned that some individuals may experience a toxicated type feeling.

More varying news is how many types of hibiscus flowers actually exist one site says 200 another says 300. Well no matter how many exist it has been noted that the hibiscus most used is the red, and it is recommended that this is the one to use. It is said that the red hibiscus is the most commonly used, and the effects of others are not yet known. 

If you are taking meds be sure to talk with your health care provider before starting hibiscus tea  I am not any type of health care professional, I am sharing from personal experience only. Woman who are pregnant or nursing should avoid hibiscus. Woman trying to get pregnant or have issues conceiving should also avoid hibiscus, along with those taking birth control.

I linked up at Wednesday Wildcrafting and here.

New Recipe Needs A Name

So, while I was in the process of getting my potassium levels back up I was eating foods rich with the ingredient. My choices for this new dish were/are tomato, avocado, and zucchini. I recently purchased some hemp oil I love this oil because not only do I use it for this dish, but I also use it in some of my homemade beauty products. While all of the ingredients are excellent for us, and loaded with many vitamins and minerals each one also contains other important elements as well.

I want to share with you some of things I like about each ingredient, but figure less is more, and you could easily research each one on your own.

Photo credit: It's Your Life

Printable Version

      I Need a Name

         1 Tbsp of butter
         1 medium Zucchini
         1 Avocado
         1/2 large Tomato
         1 Tbsp Hemp Oil
            Celtic Sea Salt

Melt butter in pan while cutting Zucchini into
bite size pieces. Brown the Zucchini while pitting, and spooning out the Avocado. Cut up the tomato into bite size pieces. As the Avocado cooks it will soften keep breaking it up, and stirring until Zucchini is tender, and Avocado is softened. Remove from heat, and add Celtic Sea Salt to taste, stir in Hemp Oil and serve.

Makes either one big helping or two medium helpings, this cooks down more than the image shows. I was still cooking this down when I toke the picture. While my babies do not like this (not really babies) my husband and I enjoy it very much. For his lunch one day this went together with rich, and chicken.

Have an idea what this should be called? Please post suggestions, thank you.