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Sleep On The Left Side Is Good For Health

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Source: themolas.com

Not everyone knows that the position that we take when we sleep has a significant influence on own digestion. It is no coincidence that, in ancient times, the monks decided to lie down after each meal just for ten minutes, and this served to make the entire digestive lighter. Nor is it a coincidence that the most ancient tradition of oriental medicine (ayurvedic) as well as the Indian suggest you go to sleep lying down on his left side. But what is the reason? For that reason is it necessary to follow this precaution?

Quite simply, our lymphatic system relies on the left side of our body, which means that both the stomach that the liver, but also the bladder and the pancreas, are able to dispose of waste products and they drain to the side digestion and produce at the same time the enzymes that the body needs by neutralizing fatty acids and without pressure.

This means that finally digestion there is no need of two or three hours, but ten or fifteen minutes at most: after this period, after lying down on the left side, you will feel immediately lighter. By adopting this simple measure, in essence, the body acquires the whole of the energy of digestion; when it digests normally, however, we tend to feel heavier, precisely because the digestion involves a consumption of energy.

Obviously, this does not mean that you can eat anything and everything, without careful grease, fried and greasy toppings too, in the absence of concerns. The restraint and moderation are important, but using the trick of rest on the left side you will no doubt have the opportunity to benefit from a greater calm and a more pleasant serenity, even over time.

Why The Pushup Is The World’s Greatest Exercise

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Source: huffingtonpost.com

If I could only do one exercise for the rest of my life, it would be the pushup.

Maybe you hate them or you think you can’t complete a single rep or you think being a runner (or a cyclist or a walker) means you only need to focus on your lower body. But it’s time to stop considering the pushup an arm workout and start accepting it for the body-altering, core-strengthening move it truly is.

You don’t have to drop and give me 50; simply incorporating more pushups into your regular routine can help you reach all sorts of fitness goals, by helping you improve everything from your posture on your bike to your balance to your arm swing.

The Perfect Pushup So how do you do the move of all moves correctly?

  • Start on your hands and toes, in full plank position, with your hands slightly to the sides of your shoulders.
  • Engage your core muscles by trying to bring your belly button toward your spine, then slowly lower your body toward the ground while keeping your neck and spine aligned — no drooping allowed.
  • When your chest is about the size of a fist away from the ground, slowly press back up to full plank position.
  • Repeat! Try for 10 if you’re just starting out — or challenge yourself and see how many you can do before your form starts to falter.

If you’re not quite ready for a pushup, there’s no shame in taking a step back. In fact, I wish more people would give the modified pushup the attention it deserves.

Pushups are hard. That’s why they’re so awesome. But, like any challenging exercise, that means form is paramount. You’re better off doing 10 modified pushups with perfect form than five full pushups with hunched shoulders or a drooping neck or hips. You’ll work the same core, chest and arm muscles while relieving a bit of the pressure, allowing you to train safely. The same rules apply as above; instead, start on hands and knees (and don’t cross the ankles).

In both a modified or full pushup, the wider you place your hands, the more you work your chest.

The closer to your body you place your hands, the more you work your triceps.

Once you’ve mastered the pushup, you can experiment with a whole bunch of variations to not only mix up a tired routine but also to work different muscles in different ways. Here are three of my favorites:

Pushup Variation #1: BOSU Ball Pushups
Originally an acronym for “both sides up”, this versatile gym gadget requires extra core work if you’re going to stay balanced during your pushups.

  • Start by gripping the sides of the ball’s platform, with the round side down.
  • Perform your pushups as usual, trying to wobble as little as possible.

Pushup Variation #2: Renegade Row Pushup
Adding a row to your pushup makes this variation a two-for-one deal: You’ll be working your back muscles to complement all that chest work.

  • Hold the handles of two dumbbells.
  • Complete one pushup, and when you get back to starting position, lift your right arm until the upper arm is about level with your back.
  • Pause, then lower the weight back down and repeat with your left arm before completing your next pushup.
  • Focus on pinching your shoulder blades together with each row, with as little sideways movement as possible.

Pushup Variation #3: T Pushups
Work your obliques by incorporating a mini side plank into your pushups. If When this gets too easy, try it while holding a pair of dumbbells.

  • Complete a pushup as usual, and when you get back to starting position, rotate your body to one side into a side plank position with your arm extended (your body will form a T).
  • Pause, then return to pushup position.
  • Complete another pushup, then rotate to the other side.

THE BEST ENERGY DRINK OF YOUR LIFE

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Source: thespiritscience.net

I had the urge to write about this daily habit that takes 10 minutes or less, but can have an incredible influence on you and your family’s health!

Right now in our world there are a lot of people who would love to feel better about their bodies. Studies show that a good portion of both men and women are unsatisfied with themselves or struggle with self-confidence. This is no secret, and it is apparent that as a society we are searching for better answers than painful dieting and hours in the gym. 

I was first introduced to the idea of green smoothies by Robyn Openshaw when I was a teenager.  I struggled a lot with body image during adolescence, and more than wanting to feel beautiful I also wanted to feel healthy. So I was always looking for the secrets to having a body I felt confident walking around in!

The idea is you find the right blend of fruits, veggies, and greens to throw into a blender that make a delicious smoothie and a powerhouse nutrient-rich boost for your body! The possible and proven benefits to drinking a green drink on a daily basis are awesome!

  • Weight loss
  • Mood enhancement
  • Natural detox and cleanse
  • Immune support/boost
  • Huge percentage of daily need for vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants
  • ENERGY increase that lasts
  • Fiber that you don’t get from juice
  • You feel ‘light’ verses ‘heavy’
  • Happy cells!!

Green smoothies are great at anytime during the day, but are particularly excellent for breakfast. Our body goes through natural cycles  throughout a day where it focuses respectively on these three processes: Elimination, Appropriation, and Assimilation. In the morning we are typically in elimination mode and our body is focusing on releasing toxins and cleansing. 

Eating a heavy breakfast that is cooked can often be counter-productive to this cycle. Think of how it feels if you’re trying to clean the kitchen and before you’re done someone comes in and starts pulling out  food to make a big meal.  It would definitely slow you down or maybe even stop you from cleaning completely. Our body is the same way.

Our body responds the best to living and easily digestible foods in the morning. Living food means it is raw (uncooked) and is thus still full of enzymes and nutrients that aid digestion and fuel your body.

Convinced to give smoothies a try? Let’s address some common hesitations for those that need a push!

Tastes nasty?

The first time I made a green smoothie it was disgusting. I didn’t blend it well so it was chunky and I was a little too ambitious on the percentage of greens that I added.  In general we are used to overly-sweet food, and starting off your smoothie habit with too many veggies can cause you (and your family victims) to tank before finishing the first glass. Luckily our taste buds adapt over time. Try starting with 20% veggies and 80% fruit. Then slowly change it until you’re eventually drinking 50/50. Baby steps!

Can’t get over looks and texture?

 I would recommend getting a good blender.  For example try a Blendtec. They are FANTASTIC. Your smoothies will feel like Jamba Juice.  But let’s be real, a good portion of us don’t have that kind of money to throw around just yet.  But don’t let that stop you from changing you life.  Any blender will do the job. Putting the veggies in and blending them for a bit first can help to get rid of chunks making them easier to drink.

Bored?

Now that I’ve got a spouse to please, I’ve put a lot more energy into VARIETY. Don’t get stuck on one recipe. Try new things! Mix new colors! If you make your family drink something that tastes too weedy one day, make a really delicious one the next day. Find your favorites and have fun getting creative.

SOME OF MY FAVORITE RECIPES:

#1

  • 1/2 Cucumber
  • 1 whole lemon (just cut end nubs off)
  • 1 handful of spinach
  • 1 banana
  • 2 tbsp of green super-food powder
  • 1 tbsp of organic flax power
  • 1 cup of frozen pineapple
  • 2 scoops of organic yogurt
  • Coconut milk/Water
  • 1 mango
  • 1 cup of carrots
  • 1 apple
  • 1 banana

Just not sure it is for you?

Maybe smoothies just aren’t and will never be your thing. That’s fine! As with everything, don’t take my word for it. Give it a good shot. If it is a good thing your body will let you know!

 

 

38 DETOX WATERS TO CLEANSE YOUR BODY AND MIND

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Source: detoxdiy.com

1. Fat Burning Detox Water

Drinking the right detox water can help you burn fat by providing your body with the vitamins and minerals it needs to function like a well-oiled machine. Here are three different fat burning detox waters, each one delicious and ready to fuel you up.

INGREDIENTS
  • 2 apples, core removed, cut in thin slices
  • 2 tsp organic raw honey
  • 4 cinnamon sticks
  • 4 cups pure/tap water
  • Ice cubes, to serve

2. Morning Lemon Detox Water

Wake up and immediately start helping your body out with this morning lemon detox water. Lemon water is a great first beverage for your day, helping to hydrate you and providing enzymes to get your digestive system started up. This lemon water recipes is upgraded with a bit of apple cider vinegar and cayenne pepper.

Mix any of the following:

  • 1 tbsp. Apple Cider Vinegar (it has to be raw, unfiltered, with the mother)
  • Juice from 1 lemon (I like this citrus juicer / squeezer)
  • 1/8 tsp Cayenne Pepper
  • 1-2 tbsp. Honey (raw and local is preferred, if unavailable, this one is great)
  • Water – You can dilute this as strong or as weak as you prefer. I usually add about 1/4 cup water.

3. Citrus Detox Water

Citrus fruits can be very detoxing thanks to the alkaline effect they have on the body. This recipes uses both grapefruit and lemon to provide plenty of Vitamin C, and infuse the water with classic citrus flavor. It’s a beverage you can enjoy throughout the year, and will provide you with vitamins and minerals.

Ingredients:

  • 64 oz. of Water
  • 1 Sliced Grapefruit
  • 2 Sliced Lemons
  • 2 Sliced Cucumbers
  • 1 Handful of Fresh Mint Leaves, torn

4. Apple Cinnamon Detox Water

Get the delicious flavor of apples and cinnamon in this easy-to-drink detox water. You’ll also get the benefits come from both apples and cinnamon. Apples have a unique mix of vitamins and minerals, and cinnamon has long been used as a healing spice. They’re using organic apples, a great idea when making detox water so it’s free of chemicals.

Ingredients

  • 2 organic apples
  • 2 cinnamon sticks (food grade)
  • water
  • ice if you want

5. Chia Detox Water

This detox water is not only good for you, it’s also fun to drink which means you’ll drink it more often. Chia seeds are so small that you can swallow them without chewing them up, and get the fiber, protein, and plant-based omega-3s they contain. To make it taste even better there’s lime juice which also adds Vitamin C.

Ingredients

  •  12oz glass of water
  •  Tablespoon Chia seeds
  •  Juice from 1 lime
  •  1/4 teaspoon agave nectar

6. Wonder Water

This water is especially made for dieters, but you can use it to detox as well and it will help you flush your system. It’s loaded up with green apple, cucumber, and mint, so you’re getting antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals in each sip. This is a crisp and refreshing water you can enjoy as often as you’d like.

Ingredients:

  • 2 litres/quarts filtered water
  • ½ green apple (like Granny Smith)
  • 3 inch (8cm) piece of cucumber
  • small handful mint leaves
  • squeeze of lemon or lime juice (optional)

7. Orange Mint Coconut Water

This detox water is sure to hydrate you because it’s made using coconut water. This means it will include enzymes and electrolytes that you just don’t get from regular water. Leave out the club soda and you’ll still get a great water that’s even better at detoxing you.

Ingredients
  • 1 cup freshly squeezed orange juice
  • 1 cup club soda
  • 1 cup coconut water
  • a few springs of fresh mint
  • a handful of ice cubes

8. Mango and Lime Infused H2O

Detox waters are all about infusing the water with the nutrients from fruits and vegetables. In this case they’re using mango and lime for a delicious flavor, but you’ll also get the antioxidants from the mango, and the Vitamin C from the lime.

Ingredients/supplies

  • 1 ripe small mango sliced.
  • 1 lime sliced into rounds.
  • 1 small bunch of cilantro.
  • 1 pitcher that holds 24-32 ounces of water.
  • Purified water.

9. Refreshing Detox Water

You don’t have to feel lightheaded when you’re on a detox, and getting enough water is key. This refreshing detox water will keep you hydrated and clear headed thanks to a combination of oranges, mint, cucumber, and lemon. A cool drink filled with antioxidants and fresh flavor.

Ingredients
  • 2-3 liters water
  • 2 large oranges, sliced
  • 1 lemon, sliced
  • ½ large cucumber, sliced
  • 1 handful of fresh mint

10. Super Simple Detox Water

Don’t be fooled by the simplicity of this detox water, it still does the job. It’s made with ingredients that have been hand-picked thanks to their detoxing qualities. It’s important to note the use of fresh ginger, which will help calm the stomach and improve digestion.

Ingredients
  • ½ gallon purified water
  • ½ lemon, sliced
  • ½ lime, sliced
  • ½ grapefruit, sliced
  • 1 cup cucumber, sliced
  • 1 tsp ginger, sliced (add more if you like)
  • A small handful of peppermint leaves

11. Lemon Cucumber Mint Water

You’ll see mint being used in a lot of detox waters. That’s because of its cooling taste in the mouth, and also the large amount of antioxidants it contains. You’ll see it paired here with cucumber and lemon, two other common detox water ingredients.

Ingredients:
  • 8 cups water
  • 1 lemon, sliced
  • 1 small cucumber, sliced
  • 1 handful of fresh mint
  • Ice, for serving

12. Fruit-Infused Waters

Here you’ll see two different ways to infuse water with the power of fruit. She shows you how to make a strawberry water and a watermelon water. Each of these fruits contain antioxidants and a sweet flavor that encourages you to drink more water on your detox.

Ingredients:

  • 4-6 strawberries, hulled and quartered
  • 1/2 lemon, sliced
  • Small handful of basil, scrunched
  • Ice and cold filtered water

13. Blueberry Orange Water

Blueberries make a natural choice for a detox water thanks to their renowned antioxidant numbers. By letting the berries soak in the water the antioxidants are able to seep out while remaining intact so you can drink them up and absorb them easily.

Ingredients:

  • pitcher of water
  • 2 oranges
  • handful blueberries

14. Grapefruit Water

Grapefruit has long been used as a weight loss aid, but it also works as a detox aid as well. When you let it sit in the water its nutrients become part of the water and its as if you’re eating the grapefruit without actually eating it. It’s full of Vitamin C and can get your metabolism going.

Ingredients:

  • 1 red grapefruit, sliced
  • 24 oz water

15. Oatmeal Detox Water

Dislike eating oatmeal but still want to get its benefits? Try oatmeal detox water, which provides the nutrients from oats without having to sit through a bowl of oatmeal. This is a healing water whose proponents say it can remedy everything from a cold to infections.

Ingredients:

  • 4 heaping Tbsp. (or more – I use a large handful) oatmeal
  • 4 quarts of water

16. Raspberry Watermelon Water

Raspberries and watermelon are two fruits that are tasty to eat all by themselves. But the goal with detox water is to get you drinking more water and making that water even more powerful with fruit. Watermelon contains lycopene, a powerful antioxidant for detoxing, and raspberries are also known for the antioxidant content..

INGREDIENTS:

Fruit Infused Water Flavor Ideas

  • raspberry (or strawberry) lemon – any berry paired with lemon ends up with a light lemonade flavor!
  • watermelon mint – super refreshing!
  • tropical (mango pineapple) – this one comes out sweeter than the others, but in a totally good way!
  • citrus cucumber (lemon, lime, orange, cucumber)
  • Other fruits to try: apples, honeydew, cantalope, blueberries, blackberries, peaches
  • Try fresh herbs too! Rosemary, basil, mint

17. Strawberry Lemonade Probiotic Water

Your digestive system along with your liver represent your two most important detox systems, and making sure you take in probiotics will help your digestion and improve your detox capabilities, helping to whisk away toxins and prevent them from getting re-absorbed by the body.

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups purified water
  • 1 cup Good Belly Probiotics
  • 1 cup strawberry, sliced
  • 1 lemon, sliced
  • 1 tablespoon Aloe Vera Juice

18. Blackberry Mint Water

Blackberries tend to take a backseat to blueberries, strawberries, and raspberries, but they’re still a great source of antioxidants, and taste great in this detox water. Mint is used for even more antioxidant power, which goes to work in your body fighting free radicals and the damage they cause.

19. Cinnamon Strawberry Detox Water

Cinnamon and strawberries may not sound like a popular combination, but it works in this detox water. You get the healing benefits of cinnamon mixed with the antioxidants of strawberries in one water. A lime helps to tie it all together and make it even more cleaning for the body.

20. Lemon Cayenne Ginger Detox Water

Cayenne can help your metabolism get going, and lemon will get your digestion in gear. Ginger helps to calm your digestive system, and is also deeply cleansing to the body. Put them all together and you’ve got a great detox water than you can drink anytime throughout the day.

INGREDIENTS

  • 1 Gallon Water
  • 4 Lemons
  • 2 Inches fresh Ginger
  • 2 Tablespoons Cayenne Pepper

21. Springtime Strawberry Detox Water

Spring is a great time to detox, and this springtime strawberry detox water can help just about any detox program. It will help you stay hydrated as the weather starts to warm up, and is loaded with antioxidants from the strawberries as well as their signature flavor.

Ingredients:

  • 1 gallon of water
  • 1 large lemon thinly sliced
  • 1 small cucumber, thinly sliced
  • 6 medium sized strawberries, hulled and thinly sliced
  • 3 small sprigs of fresh herbs – basil or mint is nice

22. Pear-fect Detox Water

Enjoy this pear infused detox water made with two pears and a ton of fresh ginger. Be sure to use fresh ginger because it doesn’t have the same effect if you try using a powder. There are four other detox water recipes on this page, each one designed to help you release toxins.

Ingredients:

  • 2 Pears
  • 10 slices of fresh ginger (mix pear and ginger first)
  • 3 quarts of water

23. Sassy Water

You may have heard of Sassy Water, which is basically a detox water that has been shown to help people lose weight, especially in the tummy area. It’s a simple concoction of lemons, mint, and cucumber, but it’s remarkably effective and owes its success to its detox effect.

Ingredients:

  • 2 lemons
  • 1/2 cucumber
  • 10-12 mint leaves
  • 3 quarts water

24. Strawberry Kiwi Detox Water

Strawberry and kiwi goes together amazingly well, and each of these fruits is cleansing for the body. By soaking them in the water you release not only their flavor, but also their antioxidants and vitamins so you can drink them up in the water and be fully refreshed and recharged.

Ingredients:

  • 2 kiwis
  • 1/2 lime
  • 1/4 cucumber
  • A sprig of mint

25. Raspberry Lemon Detox Water

Raspberry and lemons both have a tart taste, but each one helps the body in a different way. Lemons do so with Vitamin C, which acts as an antioxidant in the body, and raspberries are known for their high antioxidant content. Be sure to use organic raspberries for best results.

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups organic raspberries
  • 8 cups (64 ounces) spring or filtered water
  • 1 large organic lemon—cut into ½- inch slices
  • 2 dried Medjool dates (optional but adds nice sweetness to the water)
  • 1 drop lemon essential oil-optional
  • 1 gallon clean glass jar with lid

26. Detox Water 3 Ways

When starting out with detox water it’s important to have a large list of different recipes so that you can tailor it to what you have on hand, or what you’re in the mood for. Here are three ways you can make fruit infused water that replenishes key nutrients.

DIGESTIVE AID BEAUTY WATER

  • 8 ounces coconut water kefir or sparkling water
  • 2 tablespoons raw apple cider vinegar
  • 2 inch piece of ginger
  • juice from one lemon

COOL CALM BEAUTY WATER

  • 20 ounces water
  • 1 cup fresh berries
  • 1 handful fresh mint
  • 2 tablespoons honey or 3 drops stevia (optional)

WEIGHT LOSS FLUSH BEAUTY WATER

  • 20 ounces water
  • 1/2 grapefruit slices (ruby red is preferred)
  • 2 tablespoons vitamin C powder or camu camu powder
  • 2 tablespoons honey or 3 drops stevia (optional)

27. Fruit Infused Coconut Water

Coconut water by itself is a great detox beverage, but for many the taste needs an upgrade. That’s where fruit enters the pictures, and here they’re showing you four different ways you can doctor up that coconut water so you’ll crave it.

28. Apple Cinnamon Cranberry Water

The more ingredients you add to your detox water, the more interesting it will taste and the more likely you are to finish the glass. In this recipe they’re using a trio of ingredients including apples, cranberries, and cinnamon. There’s also six more recipes on the same page for variety.

Ingredients:

  • apple slices
  • frozen cranberries
  • cinnamon sticks
  • whole cloves
  • fresh grated ginger

29. Mango Ginger Water

You might sometimes see detox water referred to as spa water. It’s the kind of water they serve in upscale spas, particularly because of the cleansing effect it has on the body. Here they’re using the antioxidants from mango coupled with the soothing power of ginger.

Ingredients:

  • 1 inch Ginger Root, peeled and sliced
  • 1 cup Frozen Mango- fresh is fine too

30. Lemon Pomegranate Infused Water

Pomegranates top the charts in terms of antioxidants, and here they’re making a detox water that will be infused with plenty of nutrients. The lemon helps the flavor of the water and also adds in Vitamin C. Four hours of chilling and the water is ready to go.

Ingredients:

  • a small handful of pomegranate seeds (about 20)
  • 2 organic lemon slices.

31. Watermelon Detox Water

Watermelon is more than just a summertime favorite. It’s made up mostly of water, and contains two key nutrients, lycopene and beta-Carotene. Lycopene is a powerful antioxidant by itself, and the beta-Carotene is converted to Vitamin A in the body and has an antioxidant effect as well.

Ingredients:

  • 1/2 a small watermelon
  • 1 whole cucumber
  • 2 lemons
  • a big hunk of ginger

32. Cran Water

Cranberries are good for more than just a natural remedy for a urinary tract infection. That same healing power can help flush toxins from your kidneys, and makes a great addition to a detox. Here they’re touting its ability to help with bloating, making it a great anytime drink.

33. Strawberry Mint Water

Strawberries, blueberries, and mint combine to load up this detox water with antioxidants. Surprisingly enough it’s the mint that adds more antioxidants than the strawberries, and is on part with the blueberries. Lemons add in Vitamin C and digestive enzymes.

Ingredients:

  • 2 lemons
  • 1/2 cup strawberries
  • 1/4 cup blueberries
  • 10-12 fresh mint leaves
  • 3 quarts water

34. Lemony Herb Cucumber Water

Adding lemon to water helps to alkalize the body all by itself, so when you add in more ingredients like cucumber and a trio of herbs like mint, rosemary, and thyme, you’re really stacking the deck in your favor. Each herb contains different types of antioxidants.

What You Need
  • ½ cucumber
  • 1 lemon
  • 2 sprigs rosemary
  • 1 handful thyme
  • 1 handful mint

35. Orange and Basil Infused Water

The orange will add in Vitamin C to support your immune system during a cleanse, or just as a daily re-up of this important water-soluble vitamin. Basil is an antioxidant storehouse. Here you’ll find an assortment of detox water ideas, each with their own benefits.

Ingredients:

  • Orange & basil
  • Cucumber & mint
  • Lemon & ginger
  • Cucumber & lime
  • Orange, lime & mint

36. Turmeric Lemon Water

Turmeric has been used for generations in India as a healing spice. You can get its benefits by adding it to your lemon water and giving the water a totally new dynamic. The biggest benefit you can expect from this water is in the form of its anti-inflammatory ability.

Ingredients

  • 1/2 of a lemon
  • 1/4 – 1/2 tsp of turmeric
  • warm water
  • a dab of honey (optional)

37. Pineapple Blueberry Infused Water

Two delicious fruits are used in this detox water, pineapples and blueberries. Blueberries are known for the high antioxidant content, but pineapple is no slouch in this department either. Let it sit for at least an hour, preferably more to give the nutrients time to leach out of the fruit.

Ingredients:

  • ½ cup pineapple cut into chunks
  • 1/3 cup frozen blueberries
  • ½ cup ice

38. Healthy Infused Water

There are tons of ways you can infuse water and make it a more powerful detoxing agent. Here they show you a number of different recipes, including pineapple and mint and ginger and lime. All are great choices if you’re looking to get more nutrients into your system.

TRY THESE COMBINATIONS:

  • Ginger and lime — Peel 5-6 strips of fresh ginger and slice up two limes. I like to squeeze the lime juice into the water, let it sit for about 5 minutes, and then take the limes out. This was my favorite combination.
  • Cucumber and basil — Super refreshing. Slice up half a cucumber and then add 5 leaves of basil. Let the cucumber and basil infuse for 20 minutes, then drink up.
  • Pineapple and mint — I used about 1/4 of a chopped pineapple and then a handful of mint leaves. Muddle the mint into the bottom of the pitcher before pouring the water in to ensure the mint oils would be released and their flavor will be added. Should be flavor-ready in 5 minutes.
  • Melon and basil — I chopped up about 1/4 of a canteloupe scooped into balls (and ate the rest!) and 5 leaves of basil. Let sit 15 minutes and enjoy!

 

7 Easy Ways to Detox Every Day for More Energy and Vibrant Skin

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Source: youngandraw.com

While it is recommended to do a controlled detox a few times every year, detoxification itself is actually a continual physiological proves that our body is always going through. There are things you can do every day which will help to aid your body on going through this natural process of releasing toxins. By introducing these healthy habits into your daily life, it can help to keep your toxic load at bay by enhancing your body’s natural detox system to function effectively long-term.

1. Drink Filtered Water

As much as you possibly can, choose to drink clean water that has been filtered from heavy metals and chlorine. Use filtered water for drinking, showering and cooking when possible.

2. Do regular exercise

By moving your body every day, it helps to release toxins from your body by sweating. Exercising also helps to increase your body’s metabolic activity which aids effective in toxin removal, while also building lean body mass which assists in burning more calories. It also needs to be mentioned that moving your body is a stress relieving and produces a natural vitality boost.

3. Dry Skin Brushing

This relaxing activity takes just 2 minutes to do each day, but is a very powerful way to help your body’s lymphatic system to operate. You want to find a natural fibre brush that you will use to lightly brush over your body in a circular motion towards your heart. Do his before having a shower or a bath each day, which will also help to remove dead skin cells. Learn more about it here.

4. Have an Epsom Salt Bath

A hot bath with Epsom Salts can aid your body in drawing toxins out of your body, and not mention it is also calming and relaxing. The magnesium sulphate which is Epsom Salt is also a good nervous system relaxant. Adding some essential oils such as lavender to your bath will also aid in having a good night’s sleep.

5. Try an Infrared Sauna

Having a 15 minute sauna every day helps your body to remove toxins from your skin through sweat. If you can use an infrared sauna, you will also get extra benefits from the infrared rays which produce an energy like that from the sun, which will provide a cellular cleanse and increase metabolism and blood circulation. Sitting in a sauna is also very relaxing and rejuvenating, which is a healthy state for your body to enjoy.

6. Use only non-toxic skincare

Avoid using products on your skin that contain chemical ingredients and fragrances, which are easily absorbed by the skin. These toxic ingredient make your liver work harder in eliminating them from you body, and regular exposure to these ingredients have been linked to long term health conditions. Not only that, but they can block the detox pathways meaning that the toxins and chemicals your body is exposed to remain in your body, stored as fat cells that can affect weight loss and cause rashes, acne and wrinkles. Ironic, right?

7. Avoid Using Plastic

Plastics are an unstable compound and when heated, the harmful chemicals that plastics are made from will leach into the food that you then eat, or from the liquid you drink. Use glass or ceramic instead for cooking and drink from stainless steel bottles.

 

 

 

Key Points to GOP Healthcare Plan

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The news is full of all kinds of reports on what’s in and not in the proposed GOP healthcare plan which Republicans hope will replace Obamacare. Realize that most of the reports the public are hearing or reading are coming from ultra-liberal mainstream media outlets who are bent on destroying everything done by conservatives, Republicans and the Trump administration.

The relationship between liberals (mainstream media and Democrats) and conservatives (Republicans and Christians) has been described in terms generally used in divorce cases – IRRECONCILABLE DIFFERENCES.

The American Culture & Faith Institute conducted a survey which clearly displays the deep divide between the two warring political factions in our nation. One interesting facet of the survey is that the single most important issue causing the irreconcilable differences between the two political worldviews has to do with one’s worldview of God.

In the survey, WORLDVIEW SURVEY REVEALS “IRRECONCILABLE” DIFFERENCES BETWEEN CONSERVATIVES AND LIBERALS, they asked 20 key questions. Their report states:

Drawing from a nationwide survey of adults that measured how many people have a biblical worldview, the research discovered that people who are politically conservative are more than twice as likely as those who are politically liberal to have biblical positions on the twenty belief indicators tested by ACFI. In addition, the survey found that political conservatives are about 60% more likely to hold biblical positions on those indicators than are those who qualify as politically moderate.

There were 15 belief statements among the 20 included in the survey for which conservatives were substantially more likely than liberals to hold a biblical point of view – that is, a difference between the two groups of at least 25 percentage points. Those included the following differences:

  • Saying that God is the all-powerful, all-knowing, perfect creator of the universe who still rules it today (a 43 percentage point difference between the two segments)
  • Strongly agreeing that the main purpose of life is to know, love, and serve God (40-point gap)
  • Asserting that everyone is a sinner in need of a savior, repentance and forgiveness (39-point difference)
  • Believing that the Bible is the word of God, with no errors (38-point gap)
  • Strongly disagreeing that Satan does not exist but is just a symbol of evil (36-point gap)
  • Saying that God created human beings in what is pretty much their present form, just as the Bible says (34-point difference)
  • Strongly agreeing that the Bible is totally accurate in the life principles it conveys (33-point gap)
  • Believing that God is aware of everything happening and remains actively involved in peoples’ lives (33-point difference)
  • Believing that the Bible is the most reliable source of absolute moral truth (32-point gap)
  • Believing that the most important indicator of personal success in life is one’s commitment and obedience to God (31-point difference)
  • Believing that success is best indicated by commitment and obedience to God (31-point difference)
  • Firmly asserting that their religious faith is very important to them (31-point gap)
  • Contending that there are moral absolutes that are unchanging (30-point difference)
  • Saying it is very important to be engaged in developing a deeper relationship with God (27-point difference)
  • Saying it is very important to increase their personal understanding of God’s ways, as described in the Bible (27-point gap)

As the report stated:

“The ACFI survey revealed that the link between ideology and beliefs helps explain the recent election results. ‘Election surveys have pointed out how significant people’s candidate preference in the presidential race was to their hopes for the future,’ said Barna. ‘In that light, the Worldview Measurement Project surveys demonstrate the power of worldview, even in elections. Among all adults, those with a biblical worldview were more likely to vote than were those who did not. That is because a biblical worldview informs people that participating in the direction and leadership of society is a personal duty. Further, among voters who have a biblical worldview, 68% voted for Donald Trump and 27% voted for Hillary Clinton. Their primary motivation had to do with restoring traditional moral values. Among voters who do not have a biblical worldview, Mrs. Clinton held a 47% to 44% edge. She was the preference of those without a biblical worldview primarily in the hope of adopting more postmodern values’.”

It also explains why so many liberals are up in arms over everything President Donald Trump says and does. It often has nothing to do with what he actually does or says, but has everything to do with the irreconcilable differences between the two political factions, and until something breaks this deeply divided feud, nothing will ever be accomplished without major turmoil, bickering and lawsuits.

Knowing this, then realize that at this point, many of the details of the GOP healthcare plan are known, many are not and most could be in a state of flux and subject to change. However, here are several key points to report at this early stage:

1) The insurance mandate that penalized taxpayers from not having healthcare insurance goes away.

2) Instead of federal subsidies, individuals may qualify for ‘advanceable’ tax credits to help in the purchase of healthcare insurance. The tax credit amounts will generally range from $2,000 to $4,000 a year for lower and middle income families, depending on income, family size and age. Many critics say that the replacement of subsidies with the tax credits will leave millions of lower class and elderly people without healthcare due to the costs.

3) Pre-existing medical conditions will still coverable, but like Obamacare, nothing in the new plan says the coverage for pre-existing conditions will be affordable.

4) A broader selection of different types of policies will be available, including catastrophic policies.

5) Children up to the age of 26 will be allowed to remain under their parent’s healthcare policy.

6) Although Medicaid may first expand, it will eventually be reduced.

7) Most of the hidden and not-hidden taxes invoked by the Affordable Healthcare Act will be repealed. Some of those taxes involved prescriptions, over the counter medications, medical devices, etc.

8) The coverage for the ten essential healthcare benefits outlined in Obamacare will still be required. However, after December 31, 2019, those essential benefits will no longer be required in all policies, but will still be available depending on the needs of the policy holder. How this may help is an older couple will no longer have to pay for maternity or contraceptive coverages they no longer need, now will individuals be forced to pay for state Medicaid coverage they don’t need.

9) Under Obamacare, tax-exempt health savings accounts were capped at a maximum of $3,400 for individuals and $6,750 for families. The new limits would be raised to $6,550 for individuals and $13,100 for families.

One thing to consider with all the hype thrown at Obamacare and the GOP replacement healthcare is that it really only effects less than 10% of the entire US population. One report says that only 7% of the American population purchases their own healthcare insurance. Based on the population clock kept by the US Census, the current population is approximately 324.67 million meaning that only around 22.7 million are actually affected by the biggest story in the media. If you’re one of those, then it is a big deal and you’ll want to follow along and learn as much as possible of what kind of coverage you’ll get and how much it will cost you.

SCOTUS Nominee Gorsuch Could have Impact on Medical Industry

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www.abcnews.go.com

In 1986, then President Ronald Reagan nominated a member of the US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit to fill the Supreme Court seat of Justice William Rehnquist. The nominee was 50-year-old Antonin Scalia, who was known as a strong conservative. He was also said to be an originalist and textualist, meaning that he strongly adhered to the US Constitution and the meaning intended by the Framers who wrote our founding document.

Scalia served on the high court for nearly thirty years. During that time, he was considered to be the champion of conservative jurisprudence. He fought for the America our Founding Fathers established. He didn’t try to make it into anything different like so many liberal judges are trying to do these days.

When Scalia died suddenly, it was a shock to the conservative half of America. He was the counterbalance of the ultra-liberal rulings of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who many had hoped would leave the high court long before Scalia.

After placing two more ultra-liberals on the Supreme Court, Barack Obama was ready to do so again. However, knowing that he would never get the Republican controlled Senate to confirm another ultra-liberal, he tried to nominate someone he felt was more of a moderate – Judge Merrick Garland of the US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. As we all know, the GOP Senate refused to hold confirmation hearings on Garland or any nominee until after the election.

Now, the responsibility of replacing Scalia on the high bench has fallen on President Donald Trump who appointed 49-year-old Judge Neil Gorsuch. In 2006, then President George W. Bush appointed Gorsuch to the US Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit, located in Denver, Colorado.

According to the Washington Post:

“Our analysis suggests that if confirmed, Gorsuch might be the most conservative justice on the Supreme Court.”

A Gorsuch confirmation could also have an impact on the medical industry. According to the Star Tribune:

“But one of the most strongly expressed opinions Gorsuch would bring to the nation’s highest judicial body is a belief that federal law protects medical device makers from lawsuits filed by patients injured by their products.”

“As an appeals court judge in the U.S. 10th Circuit, Gorsuch wrote an important 2015 opinion that denied a woman the right to sue Medtronic for injuries she said were caused by the company’s improper off-label promotion of its Infuse bone graft…”

“In the Caplinger opinion, Gorsuch asserted: ‘Nothing depends on whether the plaintiff seeks to use state law to impose requirements for off-label uses or on-label uses. Rather, by its terms, the statute pre-empts any effort to use state law to impose a new requirement on a federally approved medical device’.”

“Gorsuch added that ‘a state’s judgment that a device is unsafe for a particular off-label use could require design changes that adversely affect the device’s safety for on-label uses’.”

“Having a Supreme Court justice who takes such an approach is good news for the medical device industry, which employs tens of thousands of workers in Minnesota and is home to one of the country’s most robust medical technology sectors, said John Dornik, an attorney at the Minneapolis firm of Siegel Brill, who also teaches product liability at the University of Minnesota.”

Some may look on this as a negative from the patient point of view, but others look on it as a positive for the medical device industry and a boon for jobs and medical research. One thing is for sure, if confirmed Neil Gorsuch could and probably will have an impact on the medical industry for years to come.

Your Health Skeletons May Come Back to Haunt You

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Everyone has some sort of skeletons hidden away in the closets of their past. Things they’ve done, said, should have done or didn’t do that they don’t want anyone to know about or hide from themselves. Some call it guilt. Others chalk it up to that embarrassing and sometimes uncontrollable time in our lives called youth or our teen years.

Some of these skeletons we hide away may have been something we did that was illegal or just wrong. A sin which we are now ashamed of. Some may be bad habits that we finally grew out of or changed. They tell us that with age comes wisdom, but we’ve all met some people that seem to defy getting any wiser as they grow older.

If someone asked you about the skeletons in your closet, would you even consider the fact that they may be talking about health-related skeletons? How many of you ever consider the fact that these health-related skeletons of our past may have a significant influence on our future health?

Obviously, one of the first skeletons most people think of is smoking. Did you smoke in your youth or sometime in your past, but quit? Did you know that how long your smoked and how long ago you quit may still be affecting your health today or in the future? Ask yourself if you quit smoking over a decade earlier if you are safe now? According to a report released by Fox News:

“You smoked a pack a day a decade ago
Safe: (Eh, almost.) It’s better if you never did. But kicking the habit before age 39 cut men and women’s smoking-associated risk of death from any cause by 90 percent in a 2013 study published in the New England Journal of Medicine. That’s the equivalent of nine extra years to pile candles on your birthday cake.”

What about your lack of activity? What if you were lazy or married to your desk job and just didn’t have time to exercise? What if you were a couch potato?

“Your butt used to be glued to your couch
Safe: A 2014 study published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine found that when older adults logged just one moderate or vigorous exercise session per week, they were three and four times, respectively, more likely to age healthfully — even if they used to be complete couch potatoes.”

What about your sleeping habits? The news has been filled for years with reports of how important it to your health to get enough sleep every night, but could your lack of enough sleep be one of your health skeletons hiding in your closet?

“You skimped on shut-eye regularly
Safe: Sleep deprivation is no joke. “You’re taking away vital energy that your brain needs to properly function,” Peterson, who also works with the digital health platform Zocdoc, told Fox News. “But luckily, most of the effects quickly disappear after giving your body the time it needs —and deserves — to rest and repair,” she said. The National Sleep Foundation recommends adults younger than 65 aim for seven to nine hours per night.”

Trust me, I know firsthand the effects of too little sleep. Between living in constant pain and having 3 distinct sleep disorders, I feel extremely fortunate if I get between 4-5 hours sleep a night. It’s generally closer to around 3 hours of sleep in an 8-hour period. Consequently, I feel like I have chronic fatigue. I can fall asleep very easy but I can’t stay asleep. A result of my sleep deprivation and chronic pain has resulted in a suppressed immune system, leaving me susceptible to far too many of the illnesses that sweep through the area.

What about stress in your life? Is stress something you used to have, but have finally gotten away from it and hid it in your health closet?

“You let stress build up
Not safe: Unfortunately, getting keyed up from even minor things can drag down your health a decade or two in the future, a 2014 study in the Annals of Behavioral Medicine suggests. However, having a better perspective on those stresses — not letting them bother you — can mitigate those ill effects.”

There are other health skeletons hidden in many closets that can have a direct impact on your current and future health. Too much exposure to the sun or use of tanning beds may have left your skin with enough damage that years down the road can develop into skin cancer.

Diet is another big skeleton in many health closets. Regardless if you are overweight, underweight or perfect weight, your past diet may still have an impact on your future health. Like those salty fries, potato chips and popcorn? If you have or are susceptible to high blood pressure, you need to consider cutting your salt intake as that has a direct impact on your blood pressure which can lead to other serious and fatal conditions.

“You loved your BBQ and burgers
Tie: Loading up on red meat is linked to weight gain and developing diabetes. However, over a four-year period, reducing red meat consumption by at least a half serving per day can drop your likelihood of the disease by 14 percent, a 2014 study published in JAMA Internal Medicine suggests. Peterson advised eating no more than 15 ounces of red meat per week.”

“You considered cookies a food group
Safe: Unfortunately, the sugar industry has historically downplayed the health effects of sugar, research reveals. And while eating too much of the sweet stuff can boost your odds of dying from heart disease by nearly threefold, according to a 2014 study in JAMA Internal Medicine, other research from 2015, in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism suggests you can undo some of the metabolic damage in a week or so of cutting down your consumption.”

Eventually, our past habits, those health skeletons in our closets, may and often to come back to haunt us in the future. What skeletons are in your closet? Are there any that you can eliminate? If not, what can you do now to try to keep them in the closet as long as possible?

See your doctor and get regular check-ups. Be honest with him or her because the more they know of your skeletons, the better they will be able to help you keep them there or help you deal with the ones that won’t stay hidden.

Some of my health skeletons came back to haunt me. I let myself get very overweight, knowing there is a family history of Type 2 diabetes. Once I was diagnosed as having the same, I stayed on a diabetic diet for a while but then stopped. After nearly 2 years of not watching what and how much I was eating, I ended up in the hospital with a severe bout of vertigo. I found out that my blood glucose and blood pressure levels were dangerously high. Once I got home, I took action and made changes. With my doctor’s supervision, I went on a strict diet and began walking 1-2 times a day. I lost over 80pouds, brought my blood pressure and blood glucose levels down and my last A1-C was below the diabetic level.

Bird Watching Good for Mental Health

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More and more Americans are becoming health conscious these days. They are eating less red meat, more fish, more leafy and colorful vegetables and more whole grain foods. The infamous food pyramid is constantly being reworked, leaving many people confused as to what food groups are what and how much of each they should be eating. Which dairy products are good and which aren’t?

One day some new study is being reported by the media that shows that coffee is good for you and then another one says coffee is not good for you.

Nuts like raw almonds and walnuts help lower blood pressure and blood glucose levels yet they contain a lot of fat that isn’t good for diet and weight loss.

Then there are always new reports on how much exercise one needs or should get every day or every week. One report says 20 minutes a day, seven days a week and another says 30 minutes a day at least 3 days a week. Other reports says that too much exercise lowers a person’s sex drive so that could be a problem as well.

But what about our mental health? Are there things we can do that are proven to improve our mental health?

YES!

I’ve seen many reports that indicating that doing things like puzzles help with mental health and can even help keep the mind of an older person sharper. I’ve read several studies that things like Sudoku puzzles are great for mental health, if one can keep from becoming frustrated. They force the mind to think and reason and are considered to be exercises for the mind on same par as walking and jogging are for the physical body.

Don’t laugh or scoff but now you can add bird watching to the list of things that are said to be good for one’s mental health. According to a new study conducted by the University of Exeter, University of Queensland and the British Trust for Ornithology:

“People living in neighbourhoods with more birds, shrubs and trees are less likely to suffer from depression, anxiety and stress…”

“The study, involving hundreds of people, found benefits for mental health of being able to see birds, shrubs and trees around the home, whether people lived in urban or more leafy suburban neighbourhoods.”

“The study, which surveyed mental health in over 270 people from different ages, incomes and ethnicities, also found that those who spent less time out of doors than usual in the previous week were more likely to report they were anxious or depressed.”

“After conducting extensive surveys of the number of birds in the morning and afternoon in Milton Keynes, Bedford and Luton, the study found that lower levels of depression, anxiety and stress were associated with the number of birds people could see in the afternoon. The academics studied afternoon bird numbers – which tend to be lower than birds generally seen in the morning – because are more in keeping with the number of birds that people are likely to see in their neighbourhood on a daily basis.”

“In the study, common types of birds including blackbirds, robins, blue tits and crows were seen. But the study did not find a relationship between the species of birds and mental health, but rather the number of birds they could see from their windows, in the garden or in their neighbourhood.”

Bird watching is easy and doesn’t require a lot of expensive equipment or knowledge. One can get a bird guide to their area and binoculars if they want, but simply watching out a window, sitting in the yard or talking a walk down the street or to the park can be all it takes to watch our feathered friends. It can be coupled with physical exercise or it can be done by anyone with physical limitations and limited mobility.

Whenever you find yourself feeling stressed, anxious or even depressed and down in the dumps, take some time to look or go outside and watch our feathered friends. According to this latest study, your stress, anxiety and depression will fly away along with the pigeons, Cardinals, robins, sparrows, wrens and more.

Although the study didn’t address added benefits of bird watching, from what I’ve read of other studies about exercising the mind, learning to identify the different birds by sight, their song or the way the fly should also prove to help with one’s mental health and keeping the mind active.

GOP Obamacare Replacement

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During his presidential campaign, Donald Trump promised to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare. He and others have pointed out the many problems associated with Obamacare.

Millions of Americans have seen their premiums skyrocket and their coverage decrease meaning they are paying more for less. A growing number of doctors left their private practices, either joining a larger medical group or finding a whole new profession because under Obamacare, they earn less and have more rules and restrictions and paperwork. A number of hospitals have stopped accepting patients on Obama’s expanded Medicaid because they are not getting reimbursed for services as promised and are losing too much money. Obamacare established a number of co-ops to help provide coverage for lower income people, however, the majority of the co-ops have failed and closed. A number of the major healthcare insurance companies have dropped many of their Obamacare policies and others have or are planning to completely withdraw from providing any Obamacare policies. Millions of Americans have had their healthcare policies cancelled on them.

On a more positive note, a number of lower income individuals were able to purchase healthcare coverage with the help of the federal subsidies. Additionally, many people with pre-existing conditions were also able to obtain healthcare coverage for the first time in years.

However, even though Obamacare promised that pre-existing medical conditions would be covered, it never promised that coverage would be affordable. My wife has a minor heart condition that is treated with medication. I am overweight and have Type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure. When we shopped for healthcare, the cheapest policy we found was a bronze-tier plan that had a $4,000 deductible and then would only pay 60% of covered items and we all know how ‘covered items’ works. For this wonderful healthcare insurance policy, it would have cost us $816 a month. Like most Americans, there was no way we could afford to pay that much a month for so little coverage. It was cheaper to pay the tax penalty for the first couple of years. Thankfully, we both have Medicare now which although not great, is better than nothing.

In the wake of the election, President Donald Trump has vowed to keep his promise on Obamacare and has tasked Congress to come up with a workable replacement.

In the meantime, many Americans have been protesting and telling their politicians in Washington DC and the liberal media that they fear they will lose their current healthcare coverage if Obamacare is repealed. Trump has tried to reassure the worried public by saying that everyone will be covered, but saying and doing are two different things.

Many liberal critics have been saying that the Republicans have no plan to replace Obamacare with and others are saying that they have no idea how to proceed. No matter what the Republicans do or how good of a replacement they come up with, liberals will still pick and choose on what aspects to complain about. Not everyone will be satisfied and someone will always be unhappy and complain.

A recent report indicates that Washington Republicans are working on a draft for a healthcare replacement of Obamacare. Like most drafts, it is subject to change, so people should not start getting too worked up or bent out of shape over the preliminary reports such as those currently surfacing.

“The Feb. 10 document follows the broad policy outline released by Republicans last week just before they went home for a Congressional recess. It proposes cuts to federal payments to states that have expanded Medicaid and offers tax credits for people to buy health insurance…”

“Under the plan, states that expanded eligibility for Medicaid would see their supplemental federal funding rolled back. The program would also be converted from a federal-state program that pays for all the health care beneficiaries get, to one where Washington sends a fixed amount of money to each state for each Medicaid enrollee.”

“To help people who don’t get insurance through their employer buy coverage, the bill offers age-based tax credits that start at $2,000 for individuals under age 30. It would rise to $4,000 for those over 60. Those credits are unlikely to cover the full cost of a plan that pays for routine health care, but could potentially pay for insurance that protects against a catastrophic health event.”

The problem I see with offering a tax credit is that it only applies when you file your taxes, not when you have to pay out that monthly premium while trying to pay your mortgage/rent, keep the utilities on and food on the table.

Larry Levitt, Senior Vice President at the Kaiser Family Foundation commented about the early draft:

“This would mean fewer people could afford health insurance and that the health insurance would likely cover less.”

Like I said, this is an early draft and subject to a lot of change. I don’t envy those men and women tasked to find a workable placement, but be assured, Republicans are working on a plan and hopefully, it will be better than Obamacare.

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