Wednesday, April 13, 2011

Zucchini Spring Rolls with Lime-Cashew Dipping Sauce

I love this recipe I found in Mothers Market "delicious living' magazine
Enjoy!

When making this version of Thai Peanut sauce, slowly add only as much water as needed to achieve a thick dipping consistency. I love lots of mint, cilantro, and basil in these rolls, but feel free to adjust to suit your taste. Enjoy as a snack, party appetizer, or complement to any meal.


Dipping Sauce
1/2 cup raw cashew or almond butter
4 keffir lime leaves
1 tablespoon of soy sauce (cooked)
1-2 small thai chilis, seeded to taste
2 tbs fresh lemon juice (1 lemon)
1/2 to 3/4 cup filtered water

3 medium-large zuchinni, divided
1/2 c basil leaves
1/2 c fresh cilantro leaves
2-4 tablespoons mint leaves

  • Place all sauce ingredients into a blender, blending in water as needed. Puree until smooth.
  • Use a mandolin to slice 2 zucchinis into long thin strips. Set aside to wilt a bit
  • Slice remaining zucchini into 3 inch matchsticks. Remove stems from basil, cilantro, and mint. Place zucchini strip on a flat surface. Layer the end closest to you with a few zucchini matchsticks, basil, cilantro, and mint; roll up on a slight diagonal to secure fillings inside the strip. Serve with dipping sauce. Refridgerated, sauce will keep for 4-5 days, rolls will keep for 2.

Monday, March 28, 2011

The Benefits of Cinnamon and Honey

Cinnamon and Honey


Use: Raw Unfiltered Honey, Organic Cinnamon Powder

Honey is the only food on the planet that will not spoil or rot. It will do what some call turning into sugar. In reality honey is always honey... however, when left in a cool dark place for a long time, it will do what I rather call "crystalizing". When this happens I loosen the lid, boil some water and set the honey container in the hot water, turn off the heat and let it liquefy. It is good as it ever was. Never boil honey or put it in the microwave. If you do so, it will kill the enzymes in the honey.

Cinnamon and Honey Facts:
Bet the drug companies won't like this getting around.

* It is found that a mixture of Cinnamon and Honey helps most diseases. Honey is produced in most of the countries of the world and is easily accessable. Scientists today also accept honey as a "Ram Ban", very effective medicine for most all diseases. Honey can be used without any side effects.
Today's science says that though honey is sweet, if taken in the right dosage as a medicine, does not harm diabetic patients. Weekly World News, a magazine in Canada, in it's issue dated 17 January, 1995 has given the following list of diseases that can be cured by honey and cinnamon researched by western scientists:

HEART DISEASE: Make a paste of honey and cinnamon powder, apply on bread, instead of elly or jam, and eat regualrly for breakfast. It reduces cholesterol in the arteries and saves patients from heart attack. Also, those who have already had an attack, if they do this process daily, they are kept miles away from their next attack. Regular use of the above process relieves loss of breath and strengthens the heart. In Canada and America, various nursing homes have treated patients sucessfully and have found that as you age, the artieries and veins lose their flexibility and get clogged; honey and cinnamon revitalize the arteries ans veins.

ARTHRITIS: Athritis patients may take daily, morning and night, one cup of hot water with two spoons of honey and one small teaspoon of cinnamon powder. If taken regularly even chronic Arthritis can be healed. In a research study at copenhagen University, it was found that when doctors treated their patients with a mixture of One tablesppon of honey and half a teaspoon of cinnamonb powder before breakfast, they found that within a week, out of 200 people so treated, practically 73 patients were totlly relieved of pain, and within a month, mostly all the patients who could not walk or move around because of arthritis started walking again without pain.

BLADDER INFECTIONS: Take 2 tablesppons of cinnamon powder and one teaspoon of honey in a glass of luckwarm water aand drink it. It destroys germs in the bladder.

CHOLESTEROL: 2 tablesppons of Honey and 3 teaspoons of cinnamoin powder mixed with16 ounces of tea water, given to a cholesterol patient, was found to reduce the leel of cholesterol in the blood by n10 percent within 2 hours. As mentioned for arthritic patients, if taken 3 times a day,any chronic cholesterol is cured. According to information recieved in the said Journal, pure honey taken with food daily relieves complaints of cholesterol.

COLDS: Those suffering from common or severe colds should take one tablespoon of lukewarm honey with 1/4 spoon of cinnamon powder daily for 3 days. This process will help with chronic cough, cold, and clear the sinuses.

UPSET STOMACH: Honey taken with cinnamon powder helps stomach ache and also clears stomach ulcers from the root.

GAS: According to studies done in India and Japan, it is revealed that if honey is taken with cinnamon powder the syomach is rekieved of gas.

IMMUNE SYSTEM: Daily use of honey and cinnamon powder strengthens the immune system and protects the body from bacteria and viral attacks. Scientists have found that honey has various vitamins and iron in large amounts. Constant use of honey strengethens the corpuscles to fight bacterial and viral diseases.

INDIGESTION: Cinnamon powder spinkled on 2 tablesppons of honey taken before foos relieves acidity and digests the heavist of meals.

INFLUENZA: A scientist in Spain has proved that honey  contains natural ingredient which kills the Influenza germs and saves the patient from the flu.

LONGEVITY: Tea made with honey and cinnamon powder, when taken regularly arrests the raveges of old age. Take 4 spoons of honey, 1 teaspoon of cinnamon powder, and 3 cups of water and boil to make a tea. Drink 1/4 cup for 4 times a day. It keeps the skin fresh and soft and arrests old age. Life span also increases and even a 100 year ols starts preforming the chores of a 20 year old.

PIMPLES: 3 tablesppons of honey and 1 teaspoon of cinnamon powder paste. Apply this paste on the pimples before sleeping and wash it the next morning with warm water. If done daily for 2 weeks, it helps kill the bacteia and heal the pimple.

SKIN INFECTIONS: Applying honey and cinnamon powder in equal parts on the affected area heals eczema, ringworm, and all types of skin infections.

WEIGHT LOSS: Daily in the morning one half hour before breakfast on an empty stomach, and at night before sleeping, drink honey and cinnamon powder boiled in one cup of water. If raken regularly, it reduces the weight of even the most obese person.  Also, drinking this mixture regualrly does not allow the fat to accumulate in the body even thought he person may eat a high calorie diet.

CANCER: Recent research in Japan and Australia have revealed that advanced cancer of thew stomach and bones have been healed sucessfully. Patients suffering from these kinds of cancer should dailt take 1 tablespoon of honey with 1 teaspoon of cinnamon powder for 1 month, 3 times a day.

FATIGUE:  Recent studies have shown that sugar content in honey is more helpful rather thn being detrimental to the strngth of the body. Senior citizens, who take honey and cinnamon powder in equal parts are more alert and flexible, Dr. Milton, who has done research, says " half tablesppon of honey taken in a glass of water and sprinkled with cinnamon powder, taken daily after brushing and in the sfternoon at about 3:00 pm when the vitailty of the body starts to decreaser, increases the vitality of the body within a week."

BAD BREATH:  People of South America, first thing in the am, gargle with 1 teaspoon of honey and cinnamon powder mixed in hot water, so their breath stays fresh longer throughout the day.

HEARING LOSS: taken am and pm, cinnamon and honey in equal parts helps hearing.

Thursday, March 17, 2011

Ega True All NAtural Facelift

Before

After

Before

After

Before

After
Hi everyone,

It has been a wonderful year and it is only getting better! With the launch of Amega's Ega Tru Eco-cert Organic Line infused with Zero Point energy, my practice has been getting busier flooding with people who are looking for a natural approach to aging without the surgery and toxic costly injections.
Health Dynamics is the ONLY clinic offering this service. A combination of Zero point energy infused Organic products and Zero point energy beauty tools, we have created a protocol to lift, tighten, and firm the skin with techniques from acupuncture meridans.

Starting with Lymphatic drainage to open up the lymph portals for effective drainage of toxins, followed by using the beauty tools to lengthen and turn on the muscles that contract and shorten as we age. The results are HUGE!!!

This program is offered as a package of two treatments a week for 6 weeks (12 sessions), I also teach you the 10 min night time home protocol to get the long lasting results.

 And.. you want to have your own beauty tool at home. If you haven't heard of the Amwand, it is a zero-point energy healing self care tool, from the concept of Albert Einstein back in 1913. Check out http://www.wandtheworld.com/ for information and videos on energy.

The Ega Tru line is the highest level of Eco-certification; an internationally recognized certification backing the manufacturing and formulation of the products to be eco-friendly and safe for the body. Free of parabans, mineral oil, artificial dyes and fragrance, SLS (sodium lauryl sulfate), and PEG's (polyethelene glycol- antifreeze).

 The ingredients protect your skin from the environment with:
 *Soothing aloe and sage to calm the skin,
 *Flax flower to reduce inflammation of keratinocytes (the layer of skin that protects us from UV rays if damaged by environmental assults leads to pigmentation and sunburn),
 *Balm Mint flower strengthen and enhance the keratinocytes giving your skin protection also has spf virtues
 *Witch hazel tones and has a natural estrogen effect controlling oil
*Bamboo/ rice powder is non-aggressive to dissolve dead cells and lighten pigmentation naturally
*Orange Blossom water to soothe tone and purify
*Shea Butter to nourish and smooth skin's texture
* Tourmaline a gemstone which increases microcirculation to absorb nutrients into the skin pushing toxins away and out
*Alpha Glucan balances the biological equilibrium of the skin's protective function, fighting free radical damage that lead to aging and dying of cells
*Marine Pine protects collagen and elastin
*Flash tensor to tighten lift and firm the skin instantly

This Facelift treatment is like taking your face to the gym!
We are want to look young and vibrant and take years off our skin, now we can do it naturally and improve muscle tone to firm the skin and the elasticity! This is NO JOKE!!!!

Today's offer is $20 off for all AMega BAs
 (reg: $145 for 90 min)
This facial protocol runs between $180-$200 an hour,so you are getting quite the bargain at $145 for 90 min.
Purchase the complete package of 12 treatment and receive 20% off! ($348 savings)

If you would like to be a demo at a meeting we are holding, please contact me at emmashealinghands@gmail.com
Call today to book!
714.754.8008

Love and Light!
Emma Goodman
Holistic Esthetician
Specializing in Non surgical Face lifts

Health Dynamics Center
3151 Airway Ave U3
Costa Mesa, Ca. 92626

More more info visit: http://www.emmasholistichealing.weebly.com/

Ega

Tuesday, March 8, 2011

Easy as 1-2-3- siple steps for chest congestion, flu, and colds

Garlic and Onion Soup
**for colds, flu, respiratory infections or prevention of:

4 large white or yellow onions
2 whole cloves of garlic
2 tsp thyme
4 tbs olive oil
6 cups of vegetable broth
1/2 cup dry white wine
1 ba leaf
2 tbs honey
4 tbs fresh basil and parsley
1/4 tsp cayanne pepper *optional
sea salt and pepper to taste

Sautee the onions, garlic, and thyme in olive oil until golden brown. This step sweetens and mellows the intensity of the garlic and onions.
 Add the garlic and onions to a slow cooker with vegetable broth, white wine, and bay leaf. Slowly cook for 2-3 hours (or overnight).
Strain liquid, add honey, fresh basil and parsley, sea salt, fresh ground pepper, and cayanne.
Sip on this hot soup throughout the day, or have for lunch or dinner as a first course.

* Roasted Garlic used as a spread, garlic powder capsules, garlic oil, and aged garlic extract are other ways you can get you garlic. Onions and garlic are a antibacterial in action, as is theherb thyme. Cayanne pepper is recommended if there is fever present, while basil and parsley are cleansing and detoxifying herbs. This is an excellent soup to drink durin any type of infection or cold or to simply prepare during the cold winter months, when colds and flu are more present.

Also AVOID mucus causing foods such as dairy products, increase Vitamin C rich foods and beverages or increase supplementation and eat plenty of garlic or old fashioned garlic and onion soup. Drink plenty of fluids, especially herb teas, such as ginger and peppermint tea, or plain hot water with lemon.

Steams for Bronchitis:
ceramic glass or bowl
4 cups of hot water
1 drop of eucalyptus essential oil
1 drop peppermint
1 drop lemon
1 drop sandalwood
towel

Pour hot water into a bowl.
Add essential oils.
Hold head about 8 inches from the water level (if you only have 1 of the 4 oils, you may use 2 drops of that essential oil)
Breath slowly for 5-10 min, 3 times a day.

Chest Treatment Oil:
(for bronchitis or moist cough)

1 oz vegetable oil
10 drops of eucalyptus oil
5 drops of hyssop oil
3 drops of peppermint oil
2 drops of cederwood oil

Massage into chest  draining from center outwards on chest, down the middle of chest and around outer rib cage towards inner rib cage. If you have someone who can massage the back, use strokes down and out from shoulders towards outer rib cage.


Breathing excercises:

These steps will help you expand the lungs, relax muscles, and relieve anxiety, help you fall asleep, enhance vitality, and youthfulness as more lood is pumped throughout he body.


1. Stretch the rib cage and spine (overhead arm reaches, side to side, clasp hands in back and lift fully open chest area)


2. Inhale through the nose (count of 3) allow this air to be filtered moistened and warmed


3. Breathe slowly and in a relaxed manner, allow complete exhalation (count of 4)


4. Practice breathing excercises in several positions:
Upper chest: concentrate on filling the upper chest area with your breath. Place your hands on the chest area to focus on this area.
Abdominal breathing: Contrate on filling the lower lungs with your breath and obseve the abdomen rise and fall. Place your hands there to confirm expansion.

Lateral chest breathing: concentrate on expanding your lower ribs with each breath. Place your hands on each side to help focus your attention on this area.

Saturday, March 5, 2011

Does covering the pot when making soup help to preserve nutrients?

Yes, it is helpful to cover your soup pot when making soup. The process of soup-making exposes food to increased temperatures over a relatively long period of time. In addition, foods are usually chopped up or sliced before being added to a soup, and this chopping and slicing increases their exposed surface area. Finally, these chopped and sliced foods with more exposed surface areas get submerged into water. This particular combination of factors—large food surface areas exposed to water under increased temperature for an extended period of time—is a perfect combination for leaching water-soluble nutrients from food.
This leaching doesn't happen all at once. But over the time it takes to cook a soup, some water-soluble nutrients (including B-vitamins and vitamin C) will be drawn out of the food and into the broth. There will still be important amounts of water-soluble nutrients left in the food, but a varying percentage of these nutrients will have migrated into the broth.
 
From among the water-soluble nutrients that have migrated into the broth, some will become volatile and evaporate in the steam that rises from the soup pot. These nutrients will be lost into the air. By covering your soup pot, you will create a mechanical barrier that will trap some of these volatile nutrients and cause them to fall back down into the broth. In this way, your soup broth will stay more nutrient-rich. In comparison to an opened soup pot without a lid, you'll need to turn down your stove burner to achieve a gentle simmer when you're making soup in a covered pot.

Source:The George Mateljan Foundation, a not-for-profit foundation with no commercial interests or advertising, is a new force for change to help make a healthier you and a healthier world.

Today's Recipe

If you don't know what to have for dinner tonight ...
If you want to add over 100% of the daily value for health-promoting omega-3 fatty acids to your Healthiest Way of Eating then try this delicious, easy-to-prepare salmon recipe. The tangy sauce is a great complement to the flavor of the salmon and it only takes minutes to prepare. Enjoy!
Salmon in Citrus Sauce
Prep and Cook Time: 15 minutes

Ingredients:
1-1/2 lbs salmon filets, skin and bones removed, cut into 4 pieces
1/2 medium sized onion, chopped
2 medium cloves garlic, chopped
2 TBS + 2 tsp fresh lemon juice
1-1/2 cups fresh orange juice
1 tsp fennel seeds
2 TBS minced fresh parsley, or if you have it, green fennel tops
salt and white pepper to taste
Directions:

Preheat broiler and place a stainless steel or cast iron skillet under broiler for about 10 minutes to get it very hot.

Chop onions and garlic and let sit for 5 minutes to enhance their hidden health-promoting properties.
While skillet is heating, place chopped onion, garlic, fennel seeds, 2 TBS lemon juice, and orange juice in a shallow, wide saucepan and cook on high heat for about 10-15 minutes to reduce to half the volume.
Season salmon pieces with 2 tsp lemon juice, salt and pepper and place on hot pan from broiler. Return pan to broiler (approximately 5-7 inches from heat) and broil salmon for about 7 minutes depending on thickness (10 minutes per inch of thickness). Do not turn, as salmon is cooking on both sides at once.
Remove salmon from pan, and place on platter. Season citrus sauce with salt and pepper and strain liquid over salmon. Sprinkle with finely chopped parsley.
Serves 4

Healthy Food Tip

Are partially hydrogenated oils and trans fat the same thing?
Partially hydrogenated oil is not the same as trans fat. The term "partially hydrogenated" means that hydrogen gas has been bubbled up into an oil to increase its degree of saturation and shelf life. The process of hydrogenation causes several chemical changes to occur in the oil. One of these changes (only one, but an important one) is the creation of trans fat.
There is some naturally occurring trans fat in many foods-but not nearly as much as we get from partially hydrogenated oils. Some of us get about 20 grams of trans fat per day solely from consumption of these oils. From natural foods, we would only get a few grams. A food label can claim "Zero grams of trans fat" even when there is partially hydrogenated oil in the product, because a product is legally considered "trans fat free" as long as there is less than 0.5 grams of trans fat per serving size. Trans fats are definitely harmful to our health in large amounts, and processed products containing hydrogenated oils are not ones that I recommend consuming.

Source: The George Mateljan Foundation, a not-for-profit foundation with no commercial interests or advertising, is a new force for change to help make a healthier you and a healthier world.

Wednesday, March 2, 2011

Industry Expert- Going Green Simple Steps for Spas


Industry Expert 
 A Smaller Footprint | Paula Mauter 
E arth Day will be here 
before you know it.  
April 22nd marks the 41st 
anniversary of the holiday, 
so why not get a jump 
start on the celebration? 

Greening your spa or salon 
doesn’t need to cost 
you a bundle.  A 
green spa recycles 
and always looks for 
ways to reduce waste, 
chooses treatments 
that conserve water 
and energy, and 
minimizes use of 
hazardous materials. 

We’ve compiled a 
few simple steps that 
you can implement in 
your spa today: 

1 
Since you’re already 
doing daily laundry, 
replace paper 
towels with a basket 
of beautifully displayed 
washcloths in restrooms.  
Not only will you reduce 
waste but it adds an air 
of luxury to your spa.   For 
all other necessary paper 
products, use recycled, 
unbleached paper only. 

2      
Start a recycle bin – 
for recyclables, but have 
you actually done it??? 

Better yet, “pre-cycle”.  
Cut waste at the source, 
buy bulk and stop using 
disposable items. 

3 
Update all your 
light fixtures with 
occupancy sensors 
on and your water 
faucets with low flow 
aerators. 

4 
No paper mail 
reminders or 
adverti sements!  
Instead, call, text or 
email. 

5 
Update lighting to 
compact florescent 
bulbs.  They will cost a 
little more but they use 
1/4 of the energy and 
last for around 10,000 
hours.  Also, LED technology 
is becoming readily 
available.  LED lighting uses 
the least amount of energy 
and lasts even longer. 

6 
Buy only soy based 
candles, they’re earth 
friendlier than paraffin or 
beeswax, last longer and 
cost less.

7 
Offer an incentive 
program.  For example, 
if a client brings in 5 empty 
product containers they 
get a free gift.  Create a 
tasteful display showing 
all the returned bottles to 
make an impact. 
8 
Ask customers if they 
want a bag for their 
purchases.  You’ll find 
that most will decline. 
9 
If local laws allow, 
replace disposable 
cups with glass. 
10 
R e p l a c e 
cleaning and 
laundry products with 
biodegradable, non- 
petroleum based 
products.  Simple 
household items such 
as vinegar and baking 
soda can clean almost 
anything. As time and 
budget allow, replace 
old appliances with 
current, energy 
efficient models. FYI… 
Front-load washers use 65% 
less energy and one-third 
less water than top-loading 
washers. 
U nfortunately, there is no 
escaping the fact that 
global warming is here. 
Now more than ever, it is 
vitally important for the 
spa industry to rise to the 
challenge of  environmental  
responsibility and these 
10 steps are a great 
place to begin. The idea 
of cultivating this eco- 
friendly philosophy will 
raise awareness and 
firmly establish your 
spa’s environmental 
responsibility with your 
staff, clientele and 
community. Starting 
simple will evoke a 
deeper commitment 
to these changes and 
stimulate awareness 
(think “the ripple 
effect”).  Your spa 
business can become 
more relevant in the 
“green” changes that 
need to occur in our 
environment in order 
to sustain and leave 
a smaller footprint for 
future generations. 
All of these ideas and 
concepts will not only make 
your spa more sustainable 
but also profitable because 
clients vote with their 
dollars, and if they believe 
in what you are doing, they 
will be more than happy to 
support your establishment. 
Be a leader, start small and 
make a BIG impact!

Monday, February 28, 2011

My Smoothie of the month

Try this Green Smoothie
(a great idea from Dr Christine)

1- bunch of Kale trimmed of the stem
1- ripe banana
1 cup of fresh or frozen pineapple
1 cup of Coconut water

I enjoy adding protein to my smoothie such as Almond Milk, Ground Flax, Chia, and Help Seeds. You can get creative with this recipe and use what best suits you.

optional: Rice, Milk, Almond Milk, Hemp milk for a creamy texture, Help Seeds, Chia Seeds, and Ground Flax Seed

Benefits of these wonderful ingredients:

*Pineapple: Just one cup of pineapple provides 73% of the daily recommended amount of manganese. The benefits of these can affect the growth of bones in young people and the strengthening of bones in older people. It also helps with weight loss.
Since there is a strong correlation between overweight and hypertension, pineapple diet serves for both the cases. You also get a decent amount of copper and thiamin, plus more than a third of your recommended vitamin C needs.As it is very alkaline in nature, it can stop the production of acid in stomach.
Bromelain, a natural anti-inflammatory with analgesic properties, encourages healing, promotes well-being and has many other health benefits. Bromelain is very effective in treating bruises, sprains and strains by reducing swelling, tenderness and pain.

* Banana:
Hangovers: Making a banana shake, sweetened with honey is one of the fastest ways on how to treat a hangover. This is due to the reason that banana calms the stomach and with the aid of the honey, builds up depleted blood sugar levels while the milk soothes and rehydrates our system.
Constipation and Diarrhea: Bananas are high in fiber. It can restore normal bowel movement if included in the diet. Thus, it can help overcome the problem without using laxatives.
Depression: Bananas can help reduce depression since it contains tryptophan, an amino acid which can be converted to serotonin, leading to recover mood.
Anemia:Bananas are also relatively high in iron, thus, helps the body's hemoglobin function.
High blood pressure and stroke: This tropical fruit is high in potassium yet low in salt, yielding to a perfect food for preventing high blood pressure. Furthermore, the US Food and Drug Administration has just permitted the banana industry to make official claims for the fruit's capability to help lessen the risk of high blood pressure and stroke.
Ulcers:This raw fruit helps reduce acidity and irritation and stimulates the cells on the internal stomach lining to produce thicker mucus that protects against acid.
 
* Coconut Water:  It is 99% fat free, making it one of the healthiest drinks available in the market. It offers low carbohydrates and sugar, and is recommended over drinks such as processed milk, orange juice, energy drinks, and soft drinks. It is ideal for people with lactose intolerance as well as growing children. It is also great for new born babies as it offers Lauric acid, an important constituent of mother's milk. It is a great drink for replenishing your body's water after a day's work or workout in the gym. Coconut Water improves metabolism, digestive detoxification, digestive cleansing, and diabetes control.

*Kale:  rich and abundant in calcium, lutein, iron, and Vitamins A, C, and K. Kale has seven times the beta-carotene of broccoli and ten times more lutein. Kale is rich in Vitamin C not to mention the much needed fiber so lacking in the daily diet of processed food eating Americans. The "Icing on the Kale" are the natural occurring all important phytochemicals sulforaphane and indoles which research suggests may protect against cancer. Let's not forget the all important antioxidant Vitamin E.
          -side note: Science has discovered that sulforaphane, helps boost the body's detoxification enzymes, possibly by altering gene expression. This is turn is purported to help clear carcinogenic substances in a timely manner. Sulforaphane is formed when cruciferous vegetables like kale are chopped or chewed. This somehow triggers the liver to produce enzymes that detoxify cancer causing chemicals, of which we all are exposed on daily basis. A recently new study in the Journal of Nutrition (2004) demonstrates that sulforaphane helps stop breast cancer cell proliferation.


Friday, February 25, 2011

Gratitude



Take Time for Gratitude and appreciation for the special people and things in your life.

Take some time to reflect on all the things you're grateful for. These could include people and things in your own life and of course your partner if you have one. It also includes the other important people in your life, family, friends, colleagues, beloved pets and beyond.

Take some time to thank them for being in your life, and then add something specific about them that you're grateful for. Whether it's something they have done for you, or something about them that makes you happy to be in their company, figure out what it is and share it with them.

Expressing gratitude has been shown to give people a big emotional lift. It does the same for relationships. Gratitude and resentment or anger cannot reside in the same place at the same time. So once you fill your heart with gratitude, the negative emotions won't have a place to settle in and will evaporate.

Clearly, gratitude is something we could use more of, and the best part is that we are able to enjoy as much of it as we like. It's completely in our control -- and it's completely free! So find ways to add a good dose of gratitude into your daily life.

"Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos into order, and confusion into clarity... It turns problems into gifts, failures into success, the unexpected into perfect timing, and mistakes into important events. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today and creates a vision for tomorrow."
- Melodie Beattie