WHERE TO GET AUDIOBOOKS |

11 ways to celebrate Audio book month

Reading is so good for us, but we simply don't always have the time to fit it into our busy scedules.....but with audio books your options are endless to listen to a book while doing something else.
I listen while in the gym, driving, cooking.......its so easy.......I dare you to try it.

Learn about Audiobook Month

Who doesn’t love cozying down with a good book now and then? It’s a great way to pass the time and can take you on wonderful adventures in other worlds, or recount amazing lives of people in this one. Even better, there’s little that helps one drift off to sleep as easy as a good book, though the peril exists of being caught up in ‘just one more chapter’ mode. The problem is, you can’t read while you’re driving, or when it’s completely dark, can you? What if you could? Audiobook Month celebrates the invention that made this all possible! The audiobook!

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History of Audiobook Month

Almost from the moment that a method of recording the human voice became available, audiobooks have been in existence. When Thomas Edison first invented the phonograph, Phonographic Books were one of the ideas that he had in mind for those who were sight-impaired. Even his first words spoke of this vision, with “Mary had a little lamb” being the first words he spoke into a phonograph. A year later he demonstrated the capacity of the phonograph at the Royal Institution in Britain, where a recorded verse of Tennyson’s poetry was played back for the attendees.

Unfortunately, his original vision wasn’t to be, as the original cylinders used with the phonograph only held about 4 minutes of audio, and even when they switched to the flat platters the duration was only 12 minutes, hardly sufficient for the recording of long chapter books. While the 60-minute cassette developed in the 70’s helped the situation, it wasn’t until the invention of the CD that Audiobooks really came into their own. Audiobook Month celebrates these wonderful tales on tape and the millions of people they aid every year.

11 ways to celebrate Audio book month

1. Follow @BOTLibrary on Facebook and Twitter for breaking audio news.
2. Fill your patrons’ beach bags with hot new audiobooks.
3. Purchase audio tie-ins for schools’ reading lists.
4. Speed up any road trip with family listening.
5. Plan book clubs.
6. Include audio in your LibraryReads displays. 
7. Turn up the heat on your displays with FREE materials.
8. Audiobooks are more accessible than ever!
9. Score free audiobook downloads 
10. Share our podcast
11.  Follow the Audio Publishers Association on Facebookand Twitter for more celebration ideas and breaking audio news.

https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/audiobook-month/

https://www.booksontape.com/june-is-audiobook-month

Begin Your Tea Journey Today

Cream Tea Day - 8 Amazing Rooibos Tea Benefits You Didn’t Know About

I love tea.....to be more specific.......Rooibostee, which you find in South Africa......it is a natural antioxidant and caffeine free.
The best way to drink it is with no milk and no sugar......my best drink ever.
I do a tea tranquility journey as part of my "Chuck Your Junk" 6 hour workshop.
I always say:"It is time to stop and smell the tea."

What is Rooibos Tea?

When ordering red tea, you may be surprised to find that sometimes you end up with a black tea instead of rooibos tea depending what region you are in. This is because in China, the term red tea is used to describe traditional black tea. For all intents and purposes, red tea in the Western world refers to rooibos tea. Rooibos tea does not contain any leaves from the Camellia sinensis tea plant so it is not a true tea.

Powerful Ingredients

Rooibos tea contains vital minerals including calcium, iron, magnesium, zinc and alpha hydroxyl acid. As with most true teas and herbal teas, it also contains high levels of vitamin C along with powerful antioxidants such as aspalathin that offer extensive health benefits. Rooibos tea contains polyphenols that help to fight free radicals, keeping your body healthy and ready to tackle the day.

Health Benefits of Rooibos Tea

1. Aids Weight Loss

Like green tea and black tea, drinking rooibos tea is a good way to enjoy a delicious beverage without packing on the pounds. Each cup of rooibos tea contains only 2 to 4 calories, so you can drink this delightfully smoky beverage without worrying about ruining your diet. Keep in mind that adding sugar, honey or other sweeteners can rack up the calorie count, so keep additions to a minimum if your goal is to lose weight.

2. Improves Appearance of Skin

Rooibos tea contains alpha hydroxy acid, which is one of the main ingredients in skin treatments such as chemical peels that you can get at your dermatologist’s office. Not particularly common in foods, alpha hydroxy acid in rooibos tea can aid in your skin care routine and help to reduce wrinkles.

In a 28-day clinical study, a formula of tea and rooibos demonstrated almost a 10 percent improvement in the look of fine lines and wrinkles. Rooibos tea offers a soothing effect, thereby reducing irritation and redness resulting in more even-toned skin. Rooibos tea also contains zinc, which has shown potential to help treat common skin conditions such as eczema and acne (1).  

Rooibos tea contains superoxide dismutase, which has anti-aging properties and helps to slow down the development of wrinkles. Superoxide dismutase is an enzyme that works to produce healthy skin cells that keep you looking young longer. This enzyme works alongside other antioxidants in rooibos tea to fight free radicals that can accelerate the aging process. While more research is needed, there is evidence that drinking a cup or two of rooibos tea per day can keep skin looking even and youthful.

3. Alleviates Pain

Rooibos tea contains antioxidants with anti-inflammatory properties that help to reduce inflammation and feelings of aches and pains. The anti-spasmodic compounds in rooibos tea help to alleviate abdominal pain such as stomach cramps by activating potassium ions throughout the body (2).

By reducing inflammation, rooibos tea can also aid in treating the painful symptoms of arthritis. Rooibos tea is also high in vitamin C, which works to repair collagen and connective tissue in the joints.

4. Allergies

This South African brew contains a bioactive flavonoid known as chrysoeriol, which has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. Working as a bronchodilator, rooibos tea can help relieve the feelings of wheezing and coughing that are caused by allergic rhinitis and asthma (3).

Rooibos tea contains another flavonoid called Quercetin which helps to prevent allergies from triggering in the first place. Quercetin essentially blocks mast cells, which are responsible for releasing histamine, the main element that triggers an allergic response (4).

In essence, rooibos tea works as an antihistamine, without the drowsy side effects that come along with many of those medications. While not a replacement for advanced allergy treatments such an inhaled corticosteroids and high doses of antihistamines, drinking a few cups of rooibos tea every day can limit your body's over-reactive immune response that triggers allergies.

5. Helps Build Strong Bones

Like the true teas and many herbal tisanes, rooibos tea contains minerals such as calcium, manganese and fluoride that help build strong bones. These minerals produce increased activity of osteoblast calls, which are responsible for building strong bone mass (5).

While many teas contain these essential minerals that help protect healthy bones and prevent diseases such as osteoporosis and arthritis, rooibos contains two other compounds that are even more beneficial to bone health. Rooibos tea contains the flavonoids luteolin and orientin, which studies have shown have the potential to increase mineral content in bones (6).

6. Streamlines Digestion

Many Americans struggle with digestive problems. The increasing incidence of illnesses such as Celiac disease, acid reflux and chronic upset stomach shows no signs of stopping. While many digestive problems can be attributed to a poor diet high in processed foods, there is also increasing support for the potential digestive benefits of drinking tea.   

Rooibos tea contains several nutrients that are antispasmodic, which help to prevent stomach pains. A study published in the Basic & Clinical Pharmacology & Toxicology Journal showed that compounds such as quercetin, orientin and vitexin helped to relax the digestive system and relieve feelings of discomfort. This same study demonstrated that tannins in rooibos tea had the potential to reduce symptoms of diarrhea (7).

Rooibos tea also has beneficial effects for the immune system.It's chock full of vitamins and minerals that help support immune function and fend off invading pathogens that can make you sick. Rooibos may be effective in elikminating pathogens that cause stomach upset and diarrhea.

7. May Help Control or Prevent Diabetes

Drinking rooibos tea may help to keep diabetes in check or to prevent the onset of type 2 diabetes. A 2013 Tokyo animal study showed that polyphenols in rooibos tea work to regulate blood sugar levels and increase glucose tolerance in diabetic mice. Even though rooibos tea won't cure diabetes, it may help decrease insulin resistance and improve symptoms (8).

Specifically, the polyphenol aspalathin works to increase glucose uptake and suppressed the increase in fasting glucose levels that can lead to blood sugar spikes in diabetic individuals. The mice in this study were given aspalathin in levels similar to those present in rooibos tea for five weeks. The mice were also shown to have lower levels of expression in genes that have been connected to hereditary risks of diabetes.

8. Supports Heart Health

Rooibos tea is excellent for heart health and helps to keep blood circulation pumping smoothly. Containing the chrysoeriol flavonoid that is a bronchodilator, this compound is also an effective agent for lowering high blood pressure and increasing circulation. The relaxing effects of rooibos tea help to open up blood vessels while antioxidants work to lower bad cholesterol and prevent plaque buildup.

A 2015 Korean study found that the aspalathin that is credited with regulating symptoms of diabetes could also prevent dangerous illnesses such as cardiovascular disease and heart attacks. Aspalathin works to reduce the risk of hypertension through hormone regulation. This polyphenol can also help to prevent vascular inflammation that can restrict blood flow to the heart (9).

Side Effects of Rooibos Tea

Red rooibos tea is generally safe to drink and has demonstrated little to no side effects. Existing side effects are restricted to certain populations and typically only occur in large doses.

Hormones

Rooibos tea has demonstrated estrogenic activity, which means it can increase the production of the female hormone, estrogen. While typically nothing to be concerned about, people with breast cancer or other hormone-sensitive diseases may want to consult with a doctor before drinking rooibos tea.

Interactions With Medications

As with many other teas, the antioxidants and chemical compounds of rooibos tea may interfere with medications. Consult your physician before adding rooibos tea to your diet if you are taking any medications. Remember that research is ongoing so using rooibos tea as a replacement for any medications without consultation with medical professionals is not advised.

https://www.cupandleaf.com/blog/rooibos-tea-benefits

Heart to Heart Hugs - I do this in my Chuck Your Junk workshop

Happy Heart Hugs Day

I simply think this is a beautiful!

 cannot imagine my life without my dogs......they just do so much for me to keep me going, to put a smile on my face, to just give me love without asking........Go and give your doggy a hug!!

June 28 – Happy Heart Hugs Day

As we near the end of June, it’s time to celebrate Happy Heart Hugs Day in honor of Archie Brindleton. Who was Archie Brindleton you ask? Well he was a super happy and cute French bulldog that inspired this day in the first place.

The idea behind this wonderful day is to send love to those that you cannot physically hug or just haven’t seen in a while. In the animal rescue world we know how prevalent this can be with many people having worked together saving animals for years, but never had the opportunity to connect with one another in person.

So on Happy Heart Hugs Day this means all of those fabulous animal rescue volunteers across the country that have been rescue relay drivers for years deserve to get a Happy Heart Hug from you. Whether by text, email or Facebook Messenger, tell them how much you care and send them this virtual hug in honor of Archie Brindleton or in honor of your favorite dog.

Archie won’t mind.

https://www.animalrescueprofessionals.org/national-days/national-happy-heart-hugs-day/

What Would Happen If You Never Saw The Sun?

Surprising benefits of Vitamin D

Believe it , yes, it is sunglasses day.
Did you know that your eyes are one of the best absorption areas for Vitamin D from the sun?
So that being said......that is why i decided to share this article with you......some interesting facts.
I wish for you a sunny, bright day!

Sunshine vitamin

Vitamin D is sometimes called the “sunshine vitamin” because it’s produced in your skin in response to sunlight. It’s a fat-soluble vitamin in a family of compounds that includes vitamins D-1, D-2, and D-3.

Your body produces vitamin D naturally when it’s directly exposed to sunlight. You can also get it through certain foods and supplements to ensure adequate levels of the vitamin in your blood.

Vitamin D has several important functions. Perhaps the most vital are regulating the absorption of calcium and phosphorus, and facilitating normal immune system function. Getting a sufficient amount of vitamin D is important for normal growth and development of bones and teeth, as well as improved resistance against certain diseases.

If your body doesn’t get enough vitamin D, you’re at risk of developing bone abnormalities such as soft bones (osteomalacia) or fragile bones (osteoporosis).

Here are three more surprising benefits of vitamin D.

1. Vitamin D fights disease

In addition to its primary benefits, research suggests that vitamin D may also play a role in:

• reducing your risk of multiple sclerosis, according to a 2006 study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association
• decreasing your chance of developing heart disease, according to 2008 findings published in CirculationTrusted Source
• helping to reduce your likelihood of developing the flu, according to 2010 research published in the American Journal of Clinical NutritionTrusted Source

2. Vitamin D reduces depression

Research has shown that vitamin D might play an important role in regulating mood and warding off depression. In one study, scientists found that people with depression who received vitamin D supplements noticed an improvement in their symptoms.

In another study of people with fibromyalgia, researchers found vitamin D deficiency was more common in those who were also experiencing anxiety and depression.

3. Vitamin D boosts weight loss

Consider adding vitamin D supplements to your diet if you’re trying to lose weight or prevent heart disease. You can find a great selection of vitamin D supplements on Amazon.com.

In one study, people taking a daily calcium and vitamin D supplement were able to lose more weight than subjects taking a placebo supplement. The scientists said the extra calcium and vitamin D had an appetite-suppressing effect.

In another study, overweight people who took a daily vitamin D supplement improved their heart disease risk markers.

Beware of D-ficiency

Many factors can affect your ability to get sufficient amounts of vitamin D through the sun alone. These factors include:

• Being in an area with high pollution
• Using sunscreen
• Spending more time indoors
• Living in big cities where buildings block sunlight
• Having darker skin. (The higher the levels of melanin, the less vitamin D the skin can absorb.)

These factors contribute to vitamin D deficiency in an increasing number of people. That’s why it’s important to get some of your vitamin D from sources besides sunlight.

The symptoms of a vitamin D deficiency in adults include:

• tiredness, aches and pains, and a general sense of not feeling well
• severe bone or muscle pain or weakness that may cause difficulty climbing stairs or getting up from the floor or a low chair, or cause you to walk with a waddling gait
• stress fractures, especially in your legs, pelvis, and hips

Doctors can diagnose a vitamin D deficiency by performing a simple blood test. If you have a deficiency, your doctor may order X-rays to check the strength of your bones.

If you’re diagnosed with a vitamin D deficiency, your doctor will likely recommend you take daily vitamin D supplements. If you have a severe deficiency, they may instead recommend high-dose vitamin D tablets or liquids. You should also make sure to get vitamin D through sunlight and the foods you eat.

Food sources of vitamin D

Few foods contain vitamin D naturally. Because of this, some foods are fortified. This means that vitamin D has been added. Foods that contain vitamin D include:

• salmon
• sardines
• egg yolk
• shrimp
• milk (fortified)
• cereal (fortified)
• yogurt (fortified)
• orange juice (fortified)

It can be hard to get enough vitamin D each day through sun exposure and food alone, so taking vitamin D supplements can help.

How much do you need?

There has been some controversy over the amount of vitamin D needed for healthy functioning. Recent research indicates that you need more vitamin D than was once thought. Normal blood serum levels range from 50 to 100 micrograms per deciliter. Depending on your blood level, you may need more vitamin D.

The Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences reports new recommendations based on international units (IUs) per day. IUs are a standard type of measurement for drugs and vitamins. IUs help experts determine recommended dose, toxicity, and deficiency levels for each person.

One IU is not the same for each type of vitamin. An IU is determined by how much of a substance produces an effect in your body. The recommended IUs for vitamin D are:

• children and teens: 600 IU
• adults up to age 70: 600 IU
• adults over age 70: 800 IU
• pregnant or breastfeeding women: 600 IU

https://www.healthline.com/health/food-nutrition/benefits-vitamin-d#how-much-you-need

Chocolate Lovers Try 100% Dark Chocolate

Benefits of dark chocolate

As my blog suggest......Natural Remedies to daily stress.......what better way to deal with stress than to have a chocolate?
So today is Chocolate pudding day.......Doesn't that sound awesome?
I decided to celebrate it, by sharing some benefits of eating dark chocolate......

Antioxidants

Dark chocolate contains compounds with antioxidant properties.

Dark chocolate contains several compounds that possess antioxidant properties, such as flavanols and polyphenols. Antioxidants neutralize free radicals and prevent oxidative stress.

Oxidative stress refers to the damage that excessive amounts of free radicals can inflict on cells and tissues in the body.

Oxidative stress contributes to the natural aging process. 

Heart disease risk

Regularly eating dark chocolate may help reduce a person's likelihood of developing heart disease. Some of the compounds in dark chocolate, specifically flavanols, affect two major risk factors for heart disease: high blood pressure and high cholesterol.

We discuss the potential benefits of dark chocolate for these two risk factors and others below:

Blood pressure

The flavanols in dark chocolate stimulate nitric oxide production in the body. Nitric oxide causes blood vessels to dilate, or widen, which improves blood flow and lowers blood pressure.

A 2015 study investigated the effects of chocolate consumption in 60 people with type 2 diabetesand high blood pressure. The researchers found that participants who ate 25 grams (g) of dark chocolate daily for 8 weeks had significantly lower blood pressure than those who ate the same quantity of white chocolate.

The findings of a 2017 review showed that the beneficial effects of dark chocolate on blood pressure might be more significant in older people and those with a higher risk of cardiovascular disease, as opposed to younger, healthy individuals.

Cholesterol

Dark chocolate also contains certain compounds, such as polyphenols and theobromine, that may lower levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol in the body and increase levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol. Doctors often refer to LDL cholesterol as "bad cholesterol" and HDL cholesterol as "good cholesterol."

A 2017 study reported that eating dark chocolate for 15 days raised HDL cholesterol levels in people living with HIV. However, dark chocolate consumption did not affect LDL cholesterol levels in the study participants.

Anti-inflammatory effects

Eating dark chocolate may help reduce inflammation in the body.

Inflammation is part of the body's natural immune response to germs and other harmful substances. However, chronic inflammation can damage cells and tissues and may increase the risk of some health conditions, including type 2 diabetes, arthritis, and certain types of cancer.

Dark chocolate contains compounds with anti-inflammatory properties that may help reduce inflammation in the body.

A small pilot study from 2018 involving five healthy people examined the effects of dark chocolate on the immune system. The results suggested that consuming large amounts of 70-percent dark chocolate affects the activity of genes that regulate the immune response. However, it remains unclear how this study will be of practical significance.

In another study from 2018, researchers found that eating 30 g of 84-percent dark chocolate each day for 8 weeks significantly reduced inflammatory biomarkers in people with type 2 diabetes. The authors of the study concluded that there is a need for additional studies to evaluate the optimal amounts of dark chocolate to use to treat those with diabetes.

Insulin resistance

Insulin resistance occurs when the body's cells stop responding to the hormone insulin. Insulin resistance can cause abnormally high levels of blood glucose, which can lead to prediabetes and type 2 diabetes.

A 6-month study from 2018 examined the relationship between regular dark chocolate consumption and blood glucose levels among Hispanic individuals. The research findings suggest that eating 2 g of 70-percent dark chocolate each day may help lower fasting glucose levels and reduce insulin resistance.

Brain function

Eating dark chocolate may improve brain function and help prevent neurodegenerative conditions, such as Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease.

The findings of a small 2018 study suggest that the flavanols present in dark chocolate may enhance neuroplasticity, which is the brain's ability to reorganize itself, particularly in response to injury and disease.

A study from 2016 identified a positive association between regular chocolate consumption and cognitive performance. However, the researchers collected data from surveys and had to rely on self-reported chocolate intake, so they were unable to draw any definitive conclusions from the findings.

Risks and considerations

The health benefits of dark chocolate come primarily from the flavanols present in the cacao solids.

However, flavanol content varies among dark chocolate products. Processing methods also differ between manufacturers, and this can affect the flavanol content of the chocolate.

There is no legal requirement for chocolate manufacturers to report the flavanol content in their products. However, dark chocolate products with a higher percentage of cacao solids should generally contain more flavanols.

Although dark chocolate contains beneficial antioxidants and minerals, it is usually also high in sugar and fat, which makes it a very calorie-dense food.

Dark chocolate contains fat in the form of cocoa butter, which mainly consists of unhealthful saturated fats.

People should, therefore, try to limit their consumption of dark chocolate to avoid consuming too many calories, fats, and sugars.

In general, dark chocolate contains less sugar than milk chocolate and white chocolate. Dark chocolate with higher percentages of cacao solids typically contains even less sugar. Sugar content varies among chocolate manufacturers, so it is advisable to check the nutrition label.

How much to eat?

Chocolate manufacturers do not have to report the flavanol content of their products. As a result, it is difficult to know how much dark chocolate a person would need to eat to maximize its health benefits.

The studies in this article generally used 20–30 g of dark chocolate per day. Dark chocolate with higher percentages of cacao solids typically contains less sugar but more fat. More cacao also means more flavanols, so it is best to choose dark chocolate that includes at least 70 percent cacao solids.

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/324747.php