Extend the Benefits of Massage: Part 1

By Mindy Green for American College of Healthcare Sciences

There I was, lying on the massage table, basking in the afterglow of an hour of totally relaxing massage bliss. Do I really have to get up now? The reality of daily life was slowly creeping in.

How can I make the most of this experience and carry the tranquility of this moment throughout my day? My week? Anyone who has ever had a great massage has likely had these thoughts. There are a number of things you can do to maximize the physical and emotional benefits, post-massage.

Consider scheduling your massage at the end of the day to avoid making a mad dash back to the office or picking the kids up and running them to their myriad of activities. Try not to fall into a routine of drinking coffee to keep you revved up for the next thing on your list for the day.

Savor the moment. Make the most of extending your massage. Enjoy a cup of tea in a quiet setting or take a nice long bath with candles and soothing music. We may be aware of relaxation techniques such as meditation or deep breathing to sustain that inner peace, but there are also things we can do to help our physical bodies garner the maximum benefits of massage.

Diet

Eat lightly and drink plenty of water. These are two of the simplest ways to continue the cleansing process initiated by massage. The Swedish style or lymphatic drainage massage is best supported by a light diet of steamed vegetables or fresh fruit. Fresh squeezed juices such as carrot, beet, and parsley are often recommended in a cleansing regime.

Deep tissue massage needs protein to help rebuild connective tissue that has been heavily worked. Following any style of massage you should avoid stimulants, sweets and fatty foods. It is also important to drink plenty of fluids after a massage. A minimum of one quart of water or herb tea is required, but two quarts is best. Electrolyte replacement beverages, such as coconut water, are beneficial.

Herbs

Physical manipulation can stir up a lot of toxins and drinking lymphatic cleansing herbal teas such as cleavers and calendula are very helpful in continuing the detoxification process. Also useful is supporting the organs of detoxification such as the kidneys and liver with burdock, dandelion, parsley, yarrow, and celery seed.

Nervine tonic teas such as wild oat, vervain, chamomile, linden, or passion flower can help sustain a calm interior and maintain a sane life in a world filled with stress and high tension. Sore muscles can benefit from circulatory stimulant herbs such as ginger and peppermint, or a liniment infused with cayenne and rosemary oil. The antispasmodic activity of crampbark, black haw and kava is also useful for muscle cramps.

Let’s not forget the benefits of fragrant plants in the form of essential oils. The scent alone is enough to trigger a memory association in the brain, bringing you back to the massage table and that same state of relaxation, if only in your mind. Studies have shown that is all it takes to relive the benefits.

If your massage therapist used lavender scented oil for your treatment, using it in the bath can help recall the experience. Lavender oil itself has many benefits. Its healing attributes for the body include benefits for sore muscles, insomnia, stress and depression. It is healing for burns, bites or abrasions of the skin, and it helps to slow the aging process with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties; best of all, most people find the fragrance appealingly pleasant.

About the Author:
Mindy Green is a nationally recognized authority on botanicals and co-author of Aromatherapy, A Complete Guide to the Healing Art, 2009. Friend her on Facebook or see more at www.greenscentsations.com

>>To learn more about the benefits of using herbs and holistic nutrition as part of your health and wellness routine, click here for a schedule of accredited online holistic health classes and wellness programs from ACHS.

*Note: This information has not been reviewed by the FDA. This information has been provided for educational purposes only and is not intended to treat, diagnose, cure, or prevent disease. Before making any significant changes to your health routine, always consult with your primary care physician or naturopathic doctor.

Learn How to Make Healthy Herbal Sun Teas with ACHS

This summer, ACHS has partnered with the Beaverton Farmers Market to offer community education regarding holistic health and wellness.

At our booth this past weekend, we shared how easy it is to make a great-tasting and good-for-you herbal sun tea as a delicious alternative to sodas and other sugary drinks. The ACHS Herbal Sun Tea is also the perfect way to get your kids involved with organic gardening and cooking.

Here's a video of ACHS President Dorene Petersen demonstrating how to make herbal sun tea!



What's your favorite herbal tea blend? Please feel free to post your recipes and suggestions for fresh-from-the-garden summer tea. We look forward to hearing from you.

Meet Dean Vanderslice, Owner of edits!, and Learn to Harness the Clean Power of Essential Oils

ACHS Certificate in Aromatherapy Graduate Dean Vanderslice has found a unique way to combine her passions. Dean, owner of edits!, offers her clients more than one-day redesigns—she provides a fresh start.

“Our goal is to introduce a new beauty and function creating a new energy for living a more inspired life…naturally,” Dean says.

Edits! specializes in transforming homes and offices into stylish spaces by reusing, repurposing, and restyling things clients already own. While moving through a client’s space, edits! cleans, nourishes, and refreshes hard and soft surfaces with a line of non-toxic essential oil products Dean created.

“My confidence and passion for using essential oils in this way came from desperation, as most change does,” Dean says.

Six years ago, Dean’s husband underwent a stem cell transplant for a diagnosis of cancer. His doctor wanted him to live at home through the process because his body would already be used to bacteria, fungus, etc., living in the home verses a new environment, like the hospital. However, through the yearlong process, preventing exposure to new and seasonal “bugs” was critical.

“I was daunted by the task of keeping our home with two young children, two dogs, and lots of activity free of new germs,” Dean says. “I knew in my gut that Clorox and Lysol were not the answer for someone whose system was already being flooded with toxins. Thanks to my discovery of essential oils, we all survived and even thrived.”

Dean continued using essential oils to clean and disinfect her home, and soon began experimenting with using natural ingredients boosted by essential oils to counteract her husband’s chemo-dried skin. She also experimented with recipes for her daughters if they had sore muscles or started to get stuffy noses.

“I realized that since the use of essential oils, we had never been healthier. And I had to know more,” Dean says. “I found ACHS and was drawn to it because it was as serious as I was about utilizing the value of these amazing, therapeutic oils. I didn’t want fluff; I wanted real scientific information on why these oils worked and how to utilize them to their full potential. I got that and more. It was my first online study and although the coursework could be quite challenging, the process was simple. I enjoyed all my classes and was amazed and grateful that such acclaimed instructors took such time to develop us, not only as future aromatherapists, but business people as well.”

“As a mother of two teenage daughters, a wife to a husband who is a cancer survivor, and a business owner, I endorse a life that is simply free from artificial chemicals,” Dean says. “From what we eat, to what we put on our body, to what we clean our homes with—nature provides.”

For more information about edits! and Dean’s chemical-free products and philosophy, visit edits! online at http://www.editsinteriors.com/ or email Dean at dean@editsinteriors.com

For more information about the ACHS Certificate in Aromatherapy, visit ACHS online at http://www.achs.edu/course-desc.aspx?pid=10&id=1

Aromatherapy For Self-Care

BY ACHS President Dorene Petersen, BA, Dip.NT, Dip.Acu, RH (AHG)

Responding to stress is something people naturally do to help regulate the body—but staying in a constant state of stress will eventually have negative health effects. Cortisol, also called the stress hormone, is part of the body's natural response to stress, but when released at high levels, or when is it not allowed to disperse due to chronic stress, it can decrease immunity, bone density and overall quality of life.

Practicing consistent and intentional self-care to support the body's natural relaxation response and to keep our body's cortisol levels balanced and healthy is essential for long-term wellness. Self-care helps us to manage stress before it becomes constant. Aromatherapy is one effective self-care method we can use to stop stress from taking root in the body.

Aromatherapy triggers the relaxation response, necessary for self-care. The relaxation response can be triggered by doing something you like, such as deep breathing, walking, and self-massage. Triggering the relaxation response has many health benefits, including healthy cortisol levels and decreased heart rate, decreased blood pressure, improved digestion and normalized blood sugar levels.

That's why it is important to make time for yourself every day, even if that means stolen moments here and there, such as while you're between clients, in the car, washing dishes or even doing laundry. Aromatherapy is flexible and portable, and it provides a lot of diversity, so your self-care time can be most meaningful.

Consider using essential oils as part of your everyday health routine. Using essential oils when you are already relaxed, such as during a massage, creates a positive conditioning response, a positive association.

To support everyday use, try inhalation of single essential oils, or, if you have more time, creating a personal blend of essential oils. Both methods have therapeutic properties. Deciding which method is most appropriate for your immediate needs may be a simple factor of available time.

If you choose inhalation, select essential oils with a pleasant association. Waft (or diffuse) calming, yet uplifting aromas like palmarosa Cymbopogon martini, neroli Citrus aurantium var. amara, or bergamot Citrus aurantium var. bergamia. Inhale deeply.

If you choose to make a blend, select essential oil with relaxing and/or uplifting properties. Anise Pimpinella anisum, basil Ocimum basilicum, clary sage Salvia sclarea, geranium Pelargonium graveolens, grapefruit Citrus paradisi, lavender Lavandula angustifolia, nutmeg Myristica fragrans, petitgrain Citrus aurantium, rose attar Rosa damascena, rosemary Rosmarinus officinalis, sweet orange Citrus sinensis, tangerine Citrus reticulata, and ylang ylang Cananga odorata are especially useful for simple, stress-reducing blends.

To read the full-text article, which originally appeared in the May 2011 edition of Massage Magazine on massagemagazine.com, visit http://www.massagemag.com/News/print-this.php?id=10853

We want to hear from you. Post your best aromatherapy for self-care tips!

Honey a Natural Support for Wound Healing

There's nothing like fresh honey!

Perhaps most widely used as a natural culinary sweetener, honey also has many traditional uses as a health support, including its ability to coat sore throats, as an energizing pick me up, and as a soothing digestive aid.

How many of us think to use it on our wounds, though? You may want to add it to your medicine cabinet as a natural, cost effective support for wound healing!

Research suggests the natural acidity of unprocessed honey may be low enough to help prevent bacterial growth. In addition, honey absorbs water, which drys out the moisture bacteria rely on. Further studies suggest it may be an especially effective support for burns.

References
[1] Al-Waili NS.(2003). Topical application of natural honey, beeswax and olive oil mixture for atopic dermatitis or psoriasis: partially controlled, single-blinded study. Complement Ther Med. 11(4):226-34. Retrieved from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15022655
[2] Eischen, N. (February/March 1999). The Benefits of Honey: A Remedy for Sore Throats, Wound Care and More. Mother Earth News. [Online] Retrieved from http://www.motherearthnews.com/Natural-Health/1999-02-01/Honey-Benefits.aspx
[3] Nasir, et al. (2010). Antibacterial properties of tualang honey and its effect in burn wound management: a comparative study. BMC Complement Altern Med. 10: 31. Published online 2010 June 24. doi: 10.1186/1472-6882-10-31. Retrieved from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2908556/?tool=pubmed
[4] Waikato Honey Research Unit. (2009, September 3). What's special about Active Manuka Honey? The University of Waikato. Retrieved from http://bio.waikato.ac.nz/honey/special.shtml

This information is for educational purposes only. It is not intended to treat, diagnose, cure, or prevent disease. In an emergency, one should always call 911 or visit their primary care physician immediately.

Natural Diet and Lifestyle Tips to Help Improve Health and Wellness

Live your life as if your health depends on it…because it does! Making healthy lifestyle choices is a conscious act. That means, everyone is responsible for the choices they make. Health does not happen automatically or because someone else wants you to make changes. We make healthy choices when good health is something we want and value.

How, then, do we promote good health once we recognize it as a priority? Here are three tips to get you started:

1. Food provides energy for performing the activities of life. Eating is not just something you do when you're hungry. Food fuels our bodies, because within the food itself (protein, carbohydrate, and fat) are the components our bodies use to generate energy, to grow and repair, and to fight invaders like toxins.

2. Balance your plate. Finding a healthy balance of food (protein, carbohydrate, and fat) may be easier than you think. Split your plate into three sections. Then, fill half your plate with vegetables and salad; fill one-quarter of your plate with your protein (poultry, fish, beans, etc.); and fill the rest of your plate with whole grains (barley, pasta, etc.).

3. Eat frequently. Skipping meals can lead to increased production of hormones that cause muscle loss. Eat frequently. Three small meals and 2-3 snacks daily are recommended.


To read the full-length article, Natural Diet and Lifestyle Tips to Help Improve Health and Wellness, click HERE.

How to Use Essential Oils to Help Reduce Risk of Viral Infection

Essential oils can be used in the home as antiviral cleaning products. A diffuser used with essential oils like eucalyptus Eucalyptus globulus, lemon balm Melissa officinalis, peppermint Mentha piperita var. vulgaris, or thyme Thymus vulgaris may reduce the airborne viruses in a room.

Essential oils can also be added to hand creams to help reduce the spread of viruses by contact. Of course, these should be used in addition to the common sense CDC recommendations to wash your hands frequently, cover your mouth and nose with your arm when you sneeze, and to stay home if you are sick.

Winter can be a challenging time because there is the potential for many people to be sick with a cold or flu at the same time, but we can use natural support options, such as essential oils, to keep us healthy.

To read the full-length article "The Antiviral Activity of Essential Oils", click HERE.

This article is for informational purposes only. It is not intended to treat, diagnose, heal, or prevent disease. Always consult with your primary care provider for a proper diagnosis if you think you may have the seasonal flu or the H1N1 flu, and follow their recommendations.

ACHS Diploma in Holistic Health Practice Student Luvena Rangel on ACHS

Thank you, Luvena, for sharing your American College experience with the holistic health community! We're so proud to learn about your life changing experience and look forward to hearing more about your success in holistic health practice!

To learn more about the ACHS Diploma in Holistic Health Practice, visit the ACHS website at www.achs.edu or CLICK HERE: http://www.achs.edu/course-desc.aspx?pid=29&id=4

ACHS Photo of the Week: Check Out the Honey Bees, Nature's Farmers

Photo of the Week submission "winner" Letisha Smiths says about her photo "Not sure what this plant is. Found on the side of a dried river bed and the honey bees were all over it. Nature's little farmers!"

Our fans are posting guesses on ACHS Facebook. What's your guess? Visit http://www.facebook.com/ACHSedu to comment and see previous Photo of the Week submission winners.

To see your botanical photo on ACHS Facebook and blogs, email your photo to communications@achs.edu with a short descriptive caption. (Of course, you must own distribution rights for the image and be OK with having it posted to ACHS social media.)

Clove Essential Oil Support to Ease Pain, Kill Viruses

Clove essential oil is in the news ... again! A new article from Care2.com is a great addition to our post last week, New Study Finds Clove Essential Oil May Help with Rashes.

Here's a snippet of the article, "Essential Oil Eases Pain, Kills Viruses," featuring the analgesic and antifungal properties attributed to clove Syzygium aromaticum essential oil:

"Easing Pain: Clove essential oil’s is best known for its ability to alleviate toothaches, making it a common ingredient in natural toothpaste and mouthwash. Additionally, it is often added to liniment and massage oils since it component, eugenol, has anti-pain properties.

"Kills Viruses: This potent aromatherapy oil has also been shown in studies to halt reproduction of the herpes viruses including those linked to cold sores and shingles.

"Because it is a potent oil and can be irritating to mucous membranes and the skin, it should always be diluted in a carrier oil like sweet almond or extra virgin olive oil (about 3 drops in a teaspoon of carrier oil). Also, be sure to do a test patch on the inside of your arm and wait for 24 or 48 hours to be sure you aren’t sensitive to the oil."

To read the full-length article, visit the Care2.com website here: http://www.care2.com/greenliving/aromatherapy-oil-eases-pain-kills-viruses.html

Where Do I Find Information About Using Medicinal Herbs?

The Web offers a lot of information about the use of medicinal herbs and supplements, but sometimes the information conflicts and it can be hard to determine what is accurate and what is marketing. If you are thinking about incorporating herbs into your daily diet, you may want to spend some time researching.*

Herbs are attributed with many health promoting properties. How you use herbs may depend on the health benefit you are seeking: Is it general wellness or something more specific? Like pharmaceutical drugs, herbs can have several actions in the body, as well as potential contraindications, so if you plan to combine herbs--or to combine herbs with pharmaceutical medications--you will want to research the specific properties of the medicinal herbs you are interested in.*

Here are some research-based resources you can start canvassing. Remember to bring any questions you have to your primary care physician and you may even want to bring copies of your research!

> The ACHS Wellness Guide includes more than 120 pages of health and wellness tips.

> "Herbal and natural health tips for women experiencing menopause" on the ACHS website includes natural health and herbal tips and recipes for easing the menopause transition and improving overall health.

> MedlinePlus is a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine from the National Institutes of Health and posts new and developing studies daily.

> The American Botanical Council regularly posts new HerbClips on their website. HerbClips are summaries and critical research reviews of articles about the research, regulation, marketing, and responsible use of medicinal plants.

> The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) offers an A-Z Index of Health Topics, including profiles of specific medicinal herbs, supplements, and CAM modalities.

> The Apothecary Shoppe College Store carries a large selection of organic, sustainably wildcrafted herbs. Most herbs include a description of their traditional uses, medicinal uses, active constituents, and many have recipes too!

ACHS named 2011 Military Friendly School by G.I. Jobs magazine, its second year to receive this honor

ACHS has been named a Military Friendly School by G.I. Jobs magazine for 2011, its second year to receive this honor. ACHS was previously named a Military Friendly School for 2010, an honor ranking ACHS in the top 15 percent of colleges, universities, and trade schools who do the most to create opportunity for American veterans.

ACHS currently has more than 150 active duty service members, veterans, and military spouses enrolled. The College participates in the Yellow Ribbon GI Education Enhancement Program and is a member of Servicemembers Opportunity Colleges (SOC), strictly complying with SOC principles and criteria for flexible programs, including accommodations for non-traditional learners, a fully online format, and 24-hour access.

In addition, ACHS accepts all military education benefits, including the Military Spouse Career Advancement Account (MyCAA) for military spouses pursuing degrees, licenses, or credentials leading to employment in portable career fields, and a partnership with the Imagine America Foundation to offer a military scholarship for veterans and military spouses.

“It’s wonderful to see our military students apply what they learned where deployed to prepare for a career stateside,” says ACHS Dean of Admissions and Military Education Coordinator Tracey Miller. “CAM education and career training are a perfect fit for military students who are looking to continue their work educating others about holistic approaches to wellness, such as helping military and non-military clients who may be struggling with PTSD.”

A detailed list of Military Friendly Schools will be highlighted in the annual Guide to Military Friendly Schools, which will be distributed to thousands of active and former military personnel in late September. For more information, see the G.I. Jobs Military Friendly Schools announcement here: http://militaryfriendlyschools.com/Article/2011-military-friendly-schools-list-released

For more information about Military Friendly Schools and military education benefits, read the full-length press release on the ACHS website under News and Events, here: http://www.achs.edu/news/news-detail.aspx?nid=241

The New Dirty Dozen and Clean Foods You Don't Have to Buy Organic

The Dirty Dozen--the list of 12 foods you should eat organic--has been updated for 2010. The new list includes fruits, vegetables, and other foods with a high pesticide residue. It is highly recommended to buy organic when shopping for these foods. So, what are they?

The New Dirty Dozen includes:

• Celery
• Peaches
• Strawberries
• Apples
• Blueberries (new to the Dirty Dozen list, blueberries are reportedly treated with 52 pesticides, making them one of the dirtiest berries available)
• Nectarines
• Bell Peppers
• Spinach (also new to the Dirty Dozen, spinach may have as many as 48 different pesticides)
• Kale
• Cherries
• Potatoes
• Grapes

For more information about this new list, as well as information about how to shop for meats, milk, and leafy greens check out The Daily Green website.

By the way, carrots have been removed from the Dirty Dozen list, but made the list in previous years because of the up to 26 pesticides used. Carrots are a great source of beta-carotene and add great texture to vegetable dishes, so if you can't find organic, just be sure to scrub them before eating and you may consider peeling their skin as well.

The good news ... there are 15 identified "Clean Foods" you can eat without having to buy organic! Also from The Daily Green website, this list includes:

• Onion
• Avocado
• Sweet Corn
• Pineapple
• Mango
• Asparagus
• Sweet Peas
• Kiwi
• Cabbage
• Eggplant
• Papaya
• Watermelon
• Broccoli
• Tomato
• Sweet Potato

For more information about what "organic" means and why to buy organic, download our free ACHS Wellness Guide here. It also includes lots of practical tips for natura bodycare and holistic living.

Are you interested in exchanging recipes? We're collecting healthy, holistic recipes on ACHS Facebook for exchange. Get some new ideas, share some new ideas here: http://www.facebook.com/topic.php?uid=99091122240&topic=13172

ACHS in the News: Could a New Career in Aromatherapy Be a Natural Choice for You?

ACHS was recently featured in the online publication Improve Your Home and Garden!! Check out the article "Could a New Career in Aromatherapy Be a Natural Choice for You?" by Dee Baugher excerpted below for some great ideas about how to build a career in holistic health:

In these times of layoffs and downsizing, many people are considering changing careers. The American College of Healthcare Sciences (ACHS) in Portland, OR, gave us insight into the myriad of choices available to people interested in careers in these expanding fields.

What Types of Alternative Health Careers Are Available?

The number of choices is pretty impressive. ACHS is one of the first accredited, fully online colleges offering distance education programs in complementary and alternative modalities that include:

* Aromatherapy
* Iridology
* Flower Essences

You can study herbal medicine, holistic health, nutrition, wellness consulting and other fascinating subjects.

For several years, I’ve had an interest in aromatherapy. What is aromatherapy and what could I do career-wise if I had more of an education in that modality? [...]

Careers in Aromatherapy

Aromatherapy can be a career in itself or it works complimentary with other careers, such as massage therapy.

Aromatherapists must have knowledge about each oil and its affect. They are the people who develop specific mixes of oils in proper ratios to create the desired results. These compounds are often custom created for individual clients.

Another career option for someone with an education in aromatherapy is an aromatherapy retailer or, more specifically, the person who sells the oils to individual customers and practicing therapists. They need to be able to educate their clientele about the affects of each oil. Many of these specialists own their own business or work at a specialty counter in a natural health store or other business.

Aromatherapy is also a natural extension to the skills of a massage therapist. Being able to enhance a client’s experience by reducing stress levels or creating deeper relaxation can only benefit a massage therapist and her customers.

Aromatherapy is just one of the natural and holistic healing fields that are going to make a difference in the future of health care. Prevention of health problems, along with remedies that are sustainable and natural, are going to play an ever increasing role in taking care of both our physical and emotional needs. Along with learning a new career, following this path will also enable you to help others and enhance the quality of life for all the people who come in contact with you, including your own family.

It seems to me that if you are looking to make a career change, something in the naturalistic or holistic field would just be…well…natural.

To read the full-length article, go to http://www.improveyourhomeandgarden.com/aromatherapy

Recipes for Natural Summer Skin Care

The sun is here! It's time for playing outside, summer BBQs and picnics, trips to the beach. Which means ... it's also time to keep your skin protected and looking healthy.

Sunbathing, air conditioning, and temperature changes can all put a little extra stress on your skin, so in addition to wearing protective creams and a hat when you're out in the sun, here are a few recipes you can use at home to provide a little extra nourishment for your skin. Enjoy!

Exfoliating Mask

• 1/2 papaya
• 3-4 strawberries

Blend ingredients. Add brewer's yeast or fuller's earth if the mixture is too wet. Apply to the face, avoiding the area around the eyes. Apply cotton wool soaked in witch hazel over the eye area. Do not leave more than ten minutes or if the mask starts to sting, particularly on sensitive skins, as the papaya has a powerful enzyme action that can leave the face rather raw. Finish by splashing the face with lukewarm water.

A Cooling and Soothing Foot Mask

Your feet can be the most neglected part of the body - we tend not to think of them until they start to hurt! For those days when your feet need some indulgence, apply the following mask to clean feet.

• ¼-cup pineapple flesh
• 2-t chopped peppermint leaves
• 1-t chopped fresh basil
• 2-T rosemary leaves
• 1 drop cinnamon oil
• 5 drops of peppermint essential oil

Mix all ingredients together in blender for 45 seconds. Apply to tops and soles of feet. Wrap feet in plastic wrap, raise them on a pillow, and relax for 10 minutes. Rinse well with cool water.

Please feel free to share your own recipes for natural summer skin and body care! Post a comment here or add a post to our "Natural Bodycare Recipe" discussion on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/topic.php?uid=99091122240&topic=14158

More Great News about Strawberries

Back in March, we posted about how great strawberries are, including their unique flavor and nutrient-rich health properties. Here's the link for a quick review: http://achsnews.blogspot.com/2010/03/strawberries-sweet-vitamin-rich-health.html

Well, there's more great news about strawberries...

Turns out you don't have to waste over-ripe berries (though we know you never would!), nor do you have to become an expert canner if you don't want to. According to The Oregonian, over-ripe strawberries can be roasted in the oven like heartier fruits and veggies.

"The method is simple," Oregonian writer Danielle Centoni says. " Toss the berries with some sugar and slowly roast at moderate heat until much of the juices have been released and thickened, about one hour. The berries will shrink down considerably -- 2 pounds of berries (about 3 or 4 pints) will give you just 2 cups of roasted fruit. [...] It's a great way to turn berries past their prime, or a bumper crop, into something more versatile than jam that won't take up much real estate in your fridge or freezer.

You can also change up the flavors of your roasted berries in countless ways. Try adding the seeds of a vanilla bean and maybe a crushed cardamom pod to the roasting pan. Or add fresh herbs such as rosemary or thyme, maybe even some peppercorns or a cinnamon stick. A splash of balsamic vinegar adds brightness and dimension, too."

Give it a try and let us know how your strawberries turn out. We'd love for you to share your recipes with the ACHS Holistic Kitchen too! It just takes a moment to post here: http://www.facebook.com/topic.php?uid=99091122240&topic=13172

Planting Your Herbs and Lemon Balm Recipes

Once you have chosen the site of your garden and planned where your herbs will go, you are ready to prepare your soil! Preparing your soil, or amending soil, often involves drainage. To improve drainage, you can add compost or gravel as needed. The type of soil in your garden will help determine what needs to be added. One thing to keep in mind: good drainage is essential!

A few additional things to keep in mind when planting your herb garden:

• Do not put fertilizer in your planting hole.
• Dig the hole as deep and twice as wide as the pot your herb came in.
• Before you place your plant in the ground, break up the root ball to help the roots spread into the surrounding soil.
• Once you fill the hole, do not mound soil around the stem of the herb, which can cause rot.
• Water the herb gently once planted, and then determine a regular watering schedule.

For specific questions about amending the soil in your area and watering schedules, contact the local Master Gardeners' group in your area. Here's a link to search from the American Horticulture Society: http://www.ahs.org/master_gardeners/

Now use your herbs daily! Herbs included in the daily diet have been shown to support optimal health and wellness, and improve the color, flavor, and variety of dishes! Lemon balm, for example, has a somewhat sweet, honeylike, citrus flavor that can easily be added to a tea blend. Its lemon-like scent also makes a good addition to fruit salads, deserts (like sorbet), and as a flavoring for grains. Traditionally, lemon balm has been used as a digestive aid and is very easy to incorporate into the diet. It's fresh, young leaves can even be added to a salad raw!

Don't have a full-sized garden? No problem. Check out "Growing Herbs in Pots" for great tips from ACHS SVP and Master Gardener Erika Yigzaw.

ACHS is Now the Only U.S. Accredited School Approved as an IIPA Sanctioned Program

The American College of Healthcare Sciences (ACHS) has been approved as a sanctioned school by the International Iridology Practitioners Association (IIPA), making ACHS the only U.S. accredited school approved by IIPA with a sanctioned program. ACHS is accredited by the Distance Education and Training Council, a U.S. Department of Education and Council for Higher Education Accreditation recognized accrediting agency.

“We’re very proud our Certificate in Iridology Consulting program has been approved by IIPA,” says ACHS President Dorene Petersen. “IIPA maintains the utmost integrity, professionalism, and certification and standards, and provides a wonderful opportunity for iridology professionals to learn from, and exchange information worldwide. IIPA’s sanctioning of our Certificate program gives ACHS students even more confidence in their training and professional goals, and provides a strong connection to an outside organization with almost 30 years’ experience in the field.”

About Our Program
Graduates of the Certificate in Iridology Consulting will be able to implement tools for increased health and well-being and a more natural, balanced way of life. Graduates learn the techniques and theory of iridology, analyzing the iris of the eye in relation to the body's health. Graduates also have a comprehensive understanding of anatomy and physiology and holistic clinical correlates.

The Certificate in Iridology Consulting also provides training in how to legally and successfully operate a consulting practice, including how to create lifestyle plans to support optimal health. Graduates will be able to successfully operate a consultancy by implementing clinic management tools, including case taking, ethics, and informed consent.

>> For more information about the American College of Healthcare Sciences, request more information here: https://www.achs.edu/forms/request-info.html

>> To read the full press release, go to www.achs.edu and click on News and Events: http://www.achs.edu/news/news-detail.aspx?nid=231

The ACHS Team with DETC Outstanding Graduate Pat Reder in Del Mar

Our team just got back from the DETC conference in Del Mar, California. Here's a great picture of ACHS's 2010 DETC Outstanding Graduate Pat Reder with her son, Seth (far left), who traveled from Los Angeles to record Pat's speech! ACHS College President Dorene Petersen is on the far left and SVP Erika Yigzaw is between Pat and Seth.

Pat is a Registered Nurse and Holistic Health Practitioner. She has worked as a registered nurse for about 30 years, including critical care and emergency and trauma medicine. She has always had an interest in holistic health because she feels there is “a need for an integrative approach between allopathic and holistic healthcare practices.” That is why Reder chose to enroll in ACHS’s Holistic Health Practitioner Diploma program, which she completed in December 2009, in addition to a Certificate in Nutrition, Bodycare, and Herbalism.

Each year the Distance Education Training Council asks their accredited institutions to select exceptional distance education graduates for recognition. Award winners must meet select criteria set for academic records and the quality of their contribution to their chosen profession in specific, and society in general. Outstanding Graduates are featured in the DETC Outstanding Graduate brochure and on the DETC website.

You can read more about Pat's work with holistic health and wellness here: http://www.achs.edu/alumni/alumni-spotlight.aspx?spid=44

New Study Suggests A Minimum One-Hour Workout May Be Necessary

New research suggests that older women who are at a healthy weight may need a minimum of one hour of moderate activity per day to stay in shape. Women who are overweight may need even more exercise to "avoid gaining weight without eating less," according to the CBS News article "Study: 1-Hour Workouts Needed to Fight Fat."

The study's results, which appear today, April 7, in the Journal of the American Medical Association, is "based on 34,079 non-dieting middle-aged women followed for about 13 years. The women gained an average of almost 6 pounds during the study." Only women were included in the study and "researchers from Harvard's Brigham and Women Hospital said it's uncertain whether the results would apply to men."

To read the full-length article on the CBS News website, click here.


To watch "The Early Show" CBS News Medical Correspondent Dr. Jennifer Ashton talk about this study and how you can include more exercise in your everyday routine, click on the video link below.

Watch CBS News Videos Online