Halt the Salt?

Nutrition-conscious consumers carefully monitor their sodium intake, which should not exceed 2,300 milligrams (mg) per day, according to the 2005 U.S. Dietary Guidelines for Americans, released in January by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

But salt has been demonized by the media, according to Colorado nutritional psychologist Marc David, a workshop leader at the Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health in Lenox, Massachusetts, and author of The Slow Down Diet: Eating for Pleasure, Energy & Weight Loss.

"It's fascinating how salt has become such a maligned foodstuff in our culture," he tells OrganicAuthority.com. "Salt is essential for human existence. If we could suck all the salt out of your body in this moment, you'd fall over dead. How's that for an essential nutrient?

These jeweled berries are more than just a pretty fruit. Their bright color and tart yet sweet flavor reminds me of the holidays. Not only do I use these beautiful berries in my holiday cooking, but I use them in my decor when I entertain. But these are not the only benefits of these bejeweled berries. Cranberries are rich in antioxidants and nutrition which are vital to maintaining and increasing good health.

Human beings are known for their resilience, but the way we treat our bodies and minds often opens the door to illness, despair and a spiritual void in our lives. We may fall victim to our own success: working 12-hour days to climb the corporate ladder, while eating recklessly and neglecting to take time to refuel.

With his latest book, The Book of Secrets, Dr. Deepak Chopra-the iconic physician who has become synonymous with the intersection of Eastern and Western medicine-wants you to know that if you lead a purposeful life, time does not fly.

Aromatherapy provides a powerful sensory experience for one simple reason: The nose knows, according to Dr. Nancy B. Irwin, a Los Angeles hypnotherapist.

"The olfactory sense, like all of the others, holds memories that the subconscious mind associates to people, places or times in our lives that flood us with pleasure-or pain," she tells OrganicAuthority.com. "Smelling fresh-baked cookies reminds you of a favorite grandmother. A certain cologne reminds you of the first boy you ever kissed. We can immediately change state, or mood, just by breathing in these aromas."

Knowing how to choose the right essential oil for the right occasion is the first step to reaping aromatherapy's benefits. How can you tell which oils will calm your nerves and which will invigorate you? Read on to learn the essential of essential oils.

Aura Cacia, a leading U.S. manufacturer, uses organic essential oils in its wide variety of aromatherapy products.

Over a decade ago, Irene Tamaras sustained injuries to her coccyx (tailbone) and lower back after a severe fall. Each day brought terrible pain and decreased mobility, and she sought relief from both traditional and alternative health providers, with mixed results.

Tamaras ultimately discovered that the key to living with chronic pain is a blend of modern and ancient medical approaches, and organic essential oils play a major role in her self-care regimen. She has since founded North Bethesda, Maryland-based Dynamic Pain Relief, a company specializing in self-help treatments and products, so she can share her firsthand expertise with others.

"When inhaling the aroma of essential oils, the odor molecules travel up the nose to the olfactory membranes," she tells OrganicAuthority.com. "After a process where nerve cells are triggered, impulses are transmitted to different parts of our brain-particularly the limbic system. The limbic system is connected to parts of the brain that control our heart rate, blood pressure, breathing, memory, stress and hormone balance. Aromatherapy with essential oils can be very effective for both the mind and body. Studies have shown that essential oils can also help to reduce appetite and enhance sexual arousal. What I love the most is their ability to release emotional trauma through an emotional clearing process."