Nothing happens in our lives, and in the world, without purpose.
The path that speeds us toward our dreams can be a challenging and complex one, so it's easy to get bogged down in confusion and insecurities. We often hesitate at the start of that path, questioning our purpose or our capabilities. Yet we should be moving forward joyously, eager to discover what destiny has in store for us. The universe has plans for us that eclipse anything we have dreamed of thus far. Though we must work diligently to fulfill our potential and to accomplish our individual missions, the universe is aware of both the quests we chose before birth and the goals we have formulated in adulthood. If we accept that it is watching over us and believe that it will facilitate our eventual success, the universe will provide us with the assistance and opportunities that enable us to make significant progress on our journeys of ambition.
Nothing happens without a purpose. Whether we attract success or repel it depends on our willingness to stay open to a wide range of possibilities and to embrace concepts like synchronicity. The universe is always ready to care for our needs, but we must not write off its loving attention as mere circumstance or chance. Likewise, we must endeavor to ensure that our egos do not become a barrier that prevents us from recognizing that even perceived mistakes and strife can be profound lessons that smooth the progress of personal evolution. When we understand that we only need to enthusiastically try our best to realize our objectives, the universe will take care of the details, propelling us forward in its unstoppable current. We may not always immediately understand the significance of certain experiences, but our trust will help us choose wisely at each crossroads.
The universe wants to see you accomplish your goals. No matter how long you've dallied or hesitated, it will always be there to put its plan for you in motion at the first sign of your faith. You can make the most of this aid by acquiescing to it rather than fighting it--nurture your dreams but do not attempt to micromanage every detail along the way. The universe will provide you with guidance and, if you heed that guidance, you will find your formerly stressful quest for success will become a journey of great joy.
Benefits of Beets #1 — They Are Good for Your Heart
Did you hear about the guy who stopped eating his veggies? His heart missed a beet. (OK, there’s that pun I promised. Now I can relax and get back to work.)
Beets, along with spinach, carrots, and cabbage, are a great source of nitrates.
Nitrates are compounds that convert to nitric oxide in the body. Nitric oxide opens up your blood vessels, which helps lower blood pressure and heart rate.
Think nitrates aren’t good for you? Don’t confuse the nitrates in beets with the nitrates and nitrites added to processed foods, like deli meat, which can form cancer-causing nitrosamines. Plants that naturally contain nitrates, like beets, also contain vitamin C and other compounds that prevent them from becoming nitrosamines.
In a 2014 study published in Hypertension, researchers found that drinking one cup of beetroot juice daily for four weeks was able to reduce blood pressure.
Some participants were even able to reduce some types of blood pressure medication as a result. The overall function of blood vessels was also improved.
Benefits of Beets #2 — They Can Make You a Better Athlete
The nitrates in beets improve blood flow, which helps move oxygen throughout your body.
Endurance athletes often drink beetroot juice to improve performance, which has got to be one of the healthiest and most delicious forms of doping ever invented. Better oxygen flow means that the athlete’s heart and lungs don’t have to work so hard during exercise, allowing them to perform vigorous activity for longer.
Beets can also increase time-to-exhaustion in athletes. In other words, drinking beet juice before exercise seems to prevent fatigue. Beet juice also prevents muscles from exhausting. It’s not clear whether this is because muscle damage lessens or because repair is enhanced, but either way, the results are positive.
Studies suggest that beetroot juice should be consumed within 90 minutes of starting athletics for the best outcomes.
Benefits of Beets #3 — They Can Reduce Inflammation in Your Body
The betalain in beets can reduce inflammation, which researchers theorize is partially due to its ability to interfere with the inflammatory signaling process.
The anti-inflammatory effects are so promising that some researchers believe beetroot extract supplements could rival the benefits of certain synthetic drugs.
Inflammation is a factor in many health problems, including heart disease, cancer, and obesity.
One study of individuals with knee pain found that a twice-daily dose of concentrated betalain reduced pain and improved joint function in people suffering from osteoarthritis in their knee joints.
Is it possible the improvement was just a case of the placebo effect? Not likely, because another randomized group was given oat bran powder as a placebo, and the group who ate the oat bran powder saw much less improvement.
Benefits of Beets #4 — They Can Improve Your Digestive Health
Beets are high in fiber, which is good for your gut.
The fiber in beets resists digestion in the stomach and small intestine and travels more or less intact into the colon, where your health-promoting gut bacteria ferment it and use it for food.
The fiber also provides roughage that moves food through your intestines. Eating enough fiber protectsagainst constipation, hemorrhoids, colon cancer, acid reflux, ulcers, diverticulitis, and obesity.
Benefits of Beets #5 — They Are Good for Your Brain
Many cognitive diseases appear to be triggered by an interruption in nitric oxide pathways. It makes sense then that nitrates in beets can help improve brain function by increasing oxygen flow.
A 2017 study published in the Journal of Gerontology demonstrated the ability of beet juice to improve blood flow to the brain during exercise. None of the participants regularly exercised, and all were on blood pressure medication.
They were asked to exercise for 50 minutes, three times per week for six weeks, on a treadmill. Half drank high-nitrate beet juice concentrate before exercise, and half drank an identically flavored and colored placebo drink with almost zero nitrates. Those who consumed the beet juice drink showed improved function in the areas of the brain related to motor control, emotion, and cognition, compared to those in the placebo group.
Benefits of Beets #6 — They Have Cancer-Fighting Properties
Beets are known to have antioxidant properties, which protect cells from free radicals.
Most specifically, the betanin in beets has been studied for its ability to protect against cancer. Some researchers even see the potential for beet extracts for use in chemotherapy.
Of course, we don’t have to wait until cancer strikes to start taking advantage of the cancer-fighting properties of beets. And we don’t need a prescription from an oncologist either!
Benefits of Beets #7 — They Boost Your Immunity
Beets are high in zinc, copper, and vitamins A and C — all nutrients known to boost immunity.
Vitamin A increases antibody production and stimulates your white blood cells, which help ward off infections.
Beets also contain iron, which is needed to carry oxygen throughout your body, keep your cells strong, and enhance immune defense.
Benefits of Beets #8 — They Can Boost Your Libido
The use of beets as an aphrodisiac dates back to the time of the Romans, who attributed the beauty and allure of Aphrodite (goddess of love) to her insatiable appetite for beets.
A European folk belief holds that if a man and woman eat of the same beetroot, they are destined to fall in love. (Kind of an ancient version of sipping a root beer float through two straws. In fact, some old recipes for making authentic root beer include beets among the roots used.)
Beets are rich in the mineral boron, which plays a role in sex hormone production.
The effectiveness of dietary nitrates in beets to enhance blood flow can benefit sexual health as well. And some studies suggest beet juice can be effective in treating erectile dysfunction.
Benefits of Beets #9 — They Are Good for Your Eyes
It’s no surprise that eating fruits and vegetables is good for your eyes — especially those with richpigments.
Beets containlutein and zeaxanthin, which are well-studied for their positive impact on vision. Consuming these carotenoids can prevent and slow the progression of age-related macular degeneration, the leading cause of adult vision loss in America.
Benefits of Beets #10 — They Are Good for Your Liver
Beets have an abundance of nutrients that keep your liver healthy — such as iron, antioxidants, betaine, and vitamin B.
Beetroot helps protect the liver from oxidative damage and inflammation. The betaines in beets helpthe liver eliminate toxins. And betalains encourage the detoxification process. Also, pectin, a water-soluble fiber in these root vegetables, helps flush out toxins from the liver.
Potential Downsides of Beets
Beets have many benefits. But they may have a few negatives to consider:
They’re very high in oxalates. Foods high in oxalates can reduce the absorption of some nutrients, such as calcium. Iron is often thought to be influenced by oxalates, but not all studies support this. This doesn’t mean you should avoid beets — it just means you should be sure to get calcium and iron from other sources. Too many oxalates can also increase the risk of kidney stones, especially in people with a predisposition.
They’re relatively high in natural sugar. Beets have a moderately high glycemic load. But a single serving of 1/2 cup of beets has a negligible effect on blood sugar.
They can surprise you the next day. Don’t panic, but I feel it necessary to tell you to remember when you eat beets. Beets don’t just stain countertops and clothing; they also pass through your digestive tract over the next day or two. This is such a common occurrence that is actually has a name: beeturia.
How red your stool or urine will become depends on a few factors. For instance, how long beets are in your system, how many and what kind you ate, your stomach acidity at the time, and the presence of oxalic acid in your body from other foods.
But if things look red the next day, don’t worry: You’re probably not bleeding to death. You may simply have eaten beets with dinner.
When we're resisting something based on a limited understanding, we must then open ourselves to willingness.
There are times when we may find ourselves struggling or even fighting with our thoughts and emotions. We may feel that something must be done in a certain way or not at all, or there may be some other situation that feels absolutely black and white. But life is not this way--it's the way we are looking at our experiences that is causing the turmoil within us. When we become aware that the struggle we are having is with ourselves, we can turn our attention to the source in order to solve the problem, but we must be being willing to look where we need to and feel emotions that may make us uncomfortable at first. Then we can choose to really open ourselves to understanding all the options we can imagine. We are likely to discover that we are resisting something based on a limited understanding, and we must then open ourselves to willingness.
When we are willing to look at all the possibilities, we also become willing to accept that there is room for more than we can imagine. We can release ourselves from the grip we had on our emotions and stop limiting ourselves. We may have been unwilling to experience feeling loss, confusion, fear, or even joy for some reason or another, but when we realize that our understanding was limited we allow space for the universe to move in our lives.
Opening ourselves to willingness may feel like we are surrendering or abandoning all that we believed. But at the same time it is an act of power and courage because it is a conscious choice we make about how to apply our personal will. Being willing is to be in a state of willing something into creation. It is at once allowing ourselves to be while also choosing to direct our energy in a focused way. It is being and doing from a place of openness, where we can work with the universe rather than resist it. It is an open hand rather than one that is clenched into a fist. When we make a step toward willingness, we open ourselves to truth, possibility, and the movement of the wise universe in and through our lives.
One of the nicest gifts you can give to yourself is surrounding yourself with loving and kind people.
In our everyday life we are surrounded by a variety of people. Some of the people we deal with on a daily basis are a joy to be with, and their loving presence nurtures and encourages us. Others may have the opposite effect, draining us of our energy, making us feel tired and exhausted. Our well-being can be easily influenced by those around us, and if we can keep this in mind, we will have greater insights into the quality of our social interactions and their energetic effect on us.
Once we think more deeply about the people we interact with, it becomes easier for us to work toward filling our lives with people who help us cultivate healthy and positive relationships. Even though it might not always seem like we have much control over who we are with, we do. The power to step back from toxicity lies within us. All we have to do is take a few moments to reflect on how another person makes you feel. Assessing the people we spend the most time with allows us to see if they add something constructive to, or subtract from, our lives. Should a friend sap our strength, for example, we can simply set the intention to tell them how we feel or simply spend less time with them. We will find that the moment we are honest with ourselves about our own feelings, the more candid we can be with others about how they make us feel. While this may involve some drastic changes to our social life it can bring about a personal transformation that will truly empower us, since the decision to live our truth will infuse our lives with greater happiness.
When we surround ourselves with positive people, we clear away the negativity that exists around us and create more room to welcome nurturing energy. Doing this not only enriches our lives but also envelopes us in a supportive and healing space that fosters greater growth, understanding, and love of ourselves as well as those we care about.
Operator Cpl. Kevin van de Rijdt, 26, of the Netherlands, died Sept. 6, 2009, during heavy combat in Afghanistan. He was a member of Special Forces (Korps Commando Troepen) Task Force 55 within the Netherlands Armed Forces.
Van de Rijdt was an avid CrossFit athlete and instructor in Venlo, Netherlands. His favorite movements included deadlifts, bar muscle-ups and partner bar-facing burpees.
He is survived by his father, Paul; his mother, Karin; his sister, Wendy; his godchild; and many colleagues and friends.
Warm Up
A- Mash- Glutes and hamstrings
Activate- 2x 5m band walk + good mornings
B- Barbell Complex Warm Up #3
Deadlift/ Back squat/ Good morning/ Press from behind the neck/ Front squat/ Press from the front/ Thruster
Skill
Deadlifts & synchronized, bar-facing burpees
WOD
Kev
With a partner, complete as many rounds as possible in 26 minutes of:
Mustard plants are any of several plant species in the genera Brassica and Sinapis. Watch this video on the 7 Health Benefits Of Mustard.
Mustard plants are any of several plant species in the genera Brassica and Sinapis. Mustard seed is used as a spice. There are wide variety types of mustard plants. For example, the mild white mustard grows wild in North Africa, the Middle East, and Mediterranean Europe, and has spread farther by long cultivation. The oriental mustard (Brassica juncea), originally from the Himalaya, is also grown commercially in India, Canada, the United Kingdom, Denmark, and the US. Lastly, the black mustard (Brassica nigra) is grown in Argentina, Chile, the United States, and some European countries.
Here are the 7 health benefits of mustard.
1. Mustard could help fight uterine cancer.
Research, published in the Human & Experimental Toxicology, suggested that mustard seeds have chemopreventative potential and provide protection against the toxic effect of carcinogens.
2. Mustard can help improve your cardiovascular health.
A study, published in Cardiovascular Drugs and Therapy, suggested that mustard oil could reduce the risk of acute myocardial infarction or heart attack. The health properties of mustard oil attribute to the omega-3 fatty acid presence.
3. Mustard can assist in red blood cell formation.
Copper and iron are essential for the new blood cell formation. One tablespoon of mustard contains 6 percent of the recommended value for iron. A deficiency of iron can lead to anemia.
4. Mustards have a high selenium content that can help improve bone strength.
Selenium is found in large quantities in mustard and can improve bone health by adding strength and durability. The mineral also strengthens the teeth, hair, and nails. Also, this essential nutrient is a potent antioxidant, which rids the body of free radicals. One tablespoon of mustard contains 21 percent of daily recommended selenium.
5. Mustards can help you sleep better at night.
Mustard has been known to help an individual sleep with its high content of magnesium, which is a mineral that is directly linked to improving the quality, duration, and tranquility of sleep. Mustards also help regulate the metabolism, to help reduce sleep disorders and the occurrence of insomnia. There are many sleep aid devices that can help you sleep better but adding mustard to your diet can be a natural option.
6. Mustard seeds can fight against Psoriasis.
Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory autoimmune disorder. Research in The Journal of Dermatology suggested that mustard seeds are effective in curing the inflammation and lesions associated with psoriasis. According to the study, treatment with mustard seeds also stimulates the activities of proper enzymes such as superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, and catalase, which promote protective and healing action in such diseases.
7. Mustard can help promote healthy looking skin and hair.
Antibacterial properties of mustard seeds have been proven effective in curing the lesions caused by ringworm. Skin application of mustard seeds on a clean skin helps in soothing the symptoms associated with ringworms.
Also, mustard oil, extracted from mustard seeds, contain nutrients like vitamin A, vitamin E, omega-3 fatty acid, omega-6 fatty acid, and calcium that are essential for stimulating the growth of strong hair.
References and Information Sources used for the Article:
Spices, mustard seed, yellow Nutrition Facts & Calories. (n.d.). Retrieved July 06, 2017, from https://nutritiondata.self.com/facts/spices-and-herbs/194/2
Yang, R., Zhou, Q., Wen, C., Hu, J., Li, H., Zhao, M., & Zhao, H. (2013). Mustard seed (Sinapis Alba Linn) attenuates imiquimod‐induced psoriasiform inflammation of BALB/c mice. The Journal of dermatology, 40(7), 543-552.
Buttriss, J. L., & Stokes, C. S. (2008). Dietary fibre and health: an overview. Nutrition Bulletin, 33(3), 186-200.
Howarth, N. C., Saltzman, E., & Roberts, S. B. (2001). Dietary fiber and weight regulation. Nutrition reviews, 59(5), 129-139.
Singh, R. B., Niaz, M. A., Sharma, J. P., Kumar, R., Rastogi, V., & Moshiri, M. (1997). Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of fish oil and mustard oil in patients with suspected acute myocardial infarction: the Indian experiment of infarct survival—4. Cardiovascular drugs and therapy, 11(3), 485-491.
Takase, B., Akima, T., Uehata, A., Ohsuzu, F., & Kurita, A. (2004). Effect of chronic stress and sleep deprivation on both flow‐mediated dilation in the brachial artery and the intracellular magnesium level in humans. Clinical cardiology, 27(4), 223-227.
Reviewed and Approved by a member of the DoveMed Editorial Board First uploaded: Sept. 10, 2014 Last updated: March 20, 2018
