MSM & Sulfur - What's the Difference?

Hey everyone!

I hope you've been having a fabulous week. Today I want to share with you some amazing information about Organic Sulfur. Lately, I have been doing quite a bit of research on Organic Sulfur; and I was trying to understand the difference between Organic Sulfur and regular sulfur.

After a bit of reading and researching, I have come to understand the difference between the two, and the incredible benefits of consuming organic sulfur.

Recently, organic sulfur has surfaced as an essential mineral with endless benefits.

You may have heard of the chemical element sulfur, but most likely organic sulfur is not something you are too familiar with. However, the importance of organic sulfur seems to be gaining ground, and it is not a subject that can be ignored much longer.

What's the Difference

I, for one, was a bit confused about the difference between sulfur and organic sulfur. I recall learning a bit about sulfur in my high school chemistry class; however, beyond that, I wasn't really sure why sulfur was important for my body. Thankfully, upon further research, I began to understand the difference between sulfur and organic sulfur, and what they really are.

Sulfur exists in both mineral and organic forms. However, organic sulfur, also called Methylsulphonylmethane (MSM) sulfur, and sulfur are commonly confused to be one and the same. This mistaken belief has caused a bit of aversion to MSM sulfur; although it is perfectly safe and even necessary for a healthy body. Yes, these two substances are both sulfur, yet their forms differ. With a bit of explanation, it is simple to differentiate between the two.

Sulfur

To begin with, sulfur (also known as sulphur) is a chemical element. It is also known as sulfur oxide, which is processed into sulfuric acid. This form of sulfur is poisonous to the body, and cannot be absorbed or digested. Furthermore, Sulfur is often found in volcanic areas, and usually occurs in yellow crystalline form or in mass volume. It is often used in industry for such purposes as metallurgy, rubber vulcanization, and petroleum refining. However, back in the 1950's-1970's, doctors were prescribing this form of sulfur to people. As you might have guessed, the results of using this sulfur were not too good. It was especially irritating to the skin. You see, when the sulfuric acid was applied to the skin, the skin would then try to excrete it from the blood. That is because this form of sulfur is extremely dangerous to your body, and may even be fatal.

Organic Sulfur (MSM)

On the other hand, Methylsulphonylmethane (MSM) is a an organic sulfur compound found in all living plant and animal tissues. It is a white, odorless, crystalline powder. This form of sulfur is 100% organic, and is actually extremely beneficial to the human body. Unlike sulfur oxide, organic sulfur is a food grade form of sulfur  that is absolutely necessary for proper health. MSM sulfur works in the body by supporting the  connective tissues of tendons, muscles and ligaments. Furthermore, organic sulfur (MSM) is an essential mineral for cell oxygenation and detoxification. 

The results of consuming organic sulfur (MSM) are truly incredible. Here are just a few of the many benefits that result from organic sulfur usage.

Benefits of Organic Sulfur

• Repairs & detoxifies the cells
• Increases tissue flexibility & blood circulation
• Promotes healing, reduces inflammation, and prevents soreness in muscles
• Eliminates "free-radicals" in the body
• Reduces allergies to pollen & certain foods
• Promotes healthy growth of hair & nails
• Reduces wrinkles & maintains healthy skin
• Reverses osteoporosis, Alzheimer's disease, and Parkinson's
• Alleviates chronic headaches, hypoglycemia, PMS, and eye problems
• Helps alleviate emphysema

Where Can it Be Found

Now that you know how amazing this substance is, you are probably wondering where it can be found. Organic sulfur should be found in the foods that we eat. However, in 1954, when chemical fertilizers were mandated by the U.S. government, the sulfur cycle was broken. The use of chemical fertilizers, toxic pesticides and herbicides, prohibited plants from receiving the sulfur from the soil. As a result, organic sulfur is greatly lacking in the foods we consume. Although there are some sulfur-rich foods - such as cabbage, turnips, kale, and garlic - the majority of our diet is greatly sulfur deficient. Due to this sulfur deficiency, organic sulfur is now being sold as a dietary supplement. Since our bodies do not produce sulfur, nor can it be stored in the body, organic sulfur must be consumed on a daily basis. However, if you are purchasing any type of organic sulfur, beware of organic sulfur sold as powders. These powders contain anti-caking agents which counter-act the benefits of the sulfur. The crystal form of organic sulfur is highly recommended, as this form of MSM is the purest and best form.

Well, I hope that you found this enlightening and helpful. I will be posting some more articles on organic sulfur soon, so keep checking back. If you have any questions or comments about organic sulfur, please comment below and share your thoughts. I love hearing from you. Also, if the amazing benefits of organic sulfur excite you, and you would like to get your hands on this awesome supplement, you can visit our store. We sell the pure crystal food grade form. Thank you so much! Have an amazing day and enjoythe rest of your week! :) May God bless you!

References:

1. hawaiiwellnessmagazine.com/page/what-is-organic-sulfur

2. http://sulfurdefense.com/FAQ.html

3. http://www.naturodoc.com/sulfurstudy.htm

4. http://www.organicsulfur-msm.ca

5. http://cellular-oxygenation.com/Organic_Sulfur_Study.html

6. http://www.dazer.com/msm.jsp

7. http://www.marksdailyapple.com/why-you-should-eat-sulfur-rich-vegetables/#axzz2bfla4up7

8. http://dherbs.com/news/4481/4669/MSM-Sulfur-vs-Sulfur/d,ai.html#.UgjeDRaM5_c

9. http://www.msm-info.com

Sexy Leg Workout

I found this workout on Pinterest a while back and loved it. This is an awesome workout for when you are limited on time, but still want to fit in a quick exercise. For maximum burn, use weights with these moves.

Thanks for reading! Please comment below and let me know how you like this workout. If you have any suggestions for more awesome exercises, I would be more than happy to hear them. Have an incredible day and may God bless you beyond anything you could ever imagine! 

No-Excuse Workout

Here is a challenging workout perfect for those rainy days. 

Get your workout done - no matter what the weather! God bless you all! Click this link to be directed to the original source: NO-EXCUSE WORKOUT

Almond Joy Oatmeal

Happy Monday!
I hope that you all had a wonderful and relaxing weekend. I know I sure did!  My sister's and I spent most of our Saturday lying in my bed listening to the audio book "Little Women." I've read it before, and loved it soooo much. This is the first time some of my sisters have heard it though, and they are all really enjoying it.

Anyway, today I have another oatmeal recipe to share with you. I made this Wednesday morning for my breakfast, and it was sooo good. Despite it's name, this recipe has nothing to do with the candy bar. However, the name Almond Joy Oatmeal sounded a lot better to me than Banana Almond Raisin Oatmeal

However, if you would like to make this oatmeal similar to an Almond Joy, you could add coconut, cocoa powder, and maybe some chocolate chips too! :)

I must say a quick word about this banana picture to your left. You might be wondering why I included this picture in my post. Well, I love minions.  Seeing a minion on a banana is part of the reason I chose to eat a banana in my oatmeal. Can't you see that little minion begging you to eat it? So you see, putting minion stickers on fruit is a great way to encourage kids to eat healthy food! :)




Recipe:

• 1/2 c. old-fashioned oats
• 1 c. water
• 1 medium banana
• 6 almonds
• 1 tbsp. raisins
• 1 tsp. honey
• 1 tsp. cinnamon
• 1/4 c. almond milk

Cook 1/2 c. of old-fashioned oats in 1 c. of water. I cooked mine for about 5 minutes, but the directions may differ if you are using quick-cooking oats, steel-cut, or other types. When the oatmeal has reached a creamy consistency, it is done. Pour your oatmeal into a bowl and top with 1 sliced banana, 6 whole almonds, 1 tbsp. raisins, 1/4 c. almond milk, 1 tsp. of honey, and a dash of cinnamon. Now you have a marvelous bowl of oatmeal goodness.

Thanks for reading! I hope that you are able to try this oatmeal recipe. If you make this Almond Joy Oatmeal or the other variation I mentioned, please comment below and let me know how you liked it!

Have an amazing day everyone! May your week be exceedingly blessed, and may you enjoy great success on your health and fitness journey. Stay strong! :)

Love,

Mariah

Fruit & Yogurt Breakfast Bowl

This morning for breakfast, I had a delicious bowl of fruit and yogurt. It was so delicious and filling.
You could eat this with granola if you so desire, and make it more like a parfait. Either way, this breakfast is quick, healthy, and delicious.

• 1/2 c. yogurt
• 1/2 medium banana
• 1/4 c. pineapple
• 1/4 c. blueberries
• 6 whole almonds (you could use sliced)
• 1 tbsp. raisins
• 1 tbsp. coconut flakes
• sprinkle of cinnamon

I used the store-brand vanilla yogurt. You could use greek yogurt, a dairy-free yogurt, or whatever type of yogurt you fancy. :) Anyway, in a bowl pour 1/2 c. of yogurt. Next, top with 1/4 c. of chopped pineapple, 1/4c. of blueberries, 1/2 medium banana, 6 almonds, 1 tbsp. raisins, 1 tbsp. of coconut flakes, and a sprinkle of cinnamon. There you have it - a beautiful, healthy, and scrumptious bowl of fruit and yogurt!

I hope you enjoyed this breakfast recipe!  If you would like me to post a recipe for homemade granola, just comment below. Also, if you liked this fruit & yogurt bowl recipe, please comment and share. Thanks! Have an amazing day and may God bless you! :)

Love,

Mariah

Guacamole & Egg Toast

Happy Monday!

It has been a wonderful and beautiful morning so far. I always find it so exciting to begin a new week of healthy living. Yesterday I sat down with my mom and sister, and we made a meal plan for this week. I love making meal plans. It's so fun to organize recipes and plan out dishes, and cook and bake -   I love it! :)

Anyway, this morning has been splendid. I enjoyed a fabulous cup of coffee during my morning devotions and reading time. This held me over till nine o' clock, when I made myself this yummy breakfast.

My sister made the guacamole, so I don't know the recipe. I'm sure that any guacamole will work well.
When I find out the recipe, perhaps I can share it in another post.

Since I wanted to taste the guacamole she made, I decided I would incorporate it in my breakfast. I thought that eggs on toast sounded good, and then I decided to use guacamole instead of butter.
The recipe and directions are really simple.

Ingredients:

• slice of bread
• 1 large egg
• 2 tbsp. guacamole

Fill a small pot or pan with water. Once the water comes to a boil, crack in your egg. Make sure that the egg is covered by the water. Cook for 3 min. on medium heat. This will result in a runny yolk. If you prefer it dry, cook it longer on medium, or cook at a higher temperature for a shorter time - whatever you like. :)

While the egg is cooking, toast your bread and spread it with 2 tbsp. of guacamole. When the egg is done, scoop it out- without the water- and place on top of your toast. Add a sprinkle of salt and there you have a tasty breakfast.

Well, that's all for now. Let me know how you liked this recipe by commenting below. Thanks!

Have a marvelous day. May God bless you exceedingly and abundantly beyond all you could ask or think!

LOVE,

MARIAH

Summer Salad Bowl

Summertime is salad time! When it's hot and you're hungry, what's better than a cool, crisp, refreshing salad? I love salad. I can eat salad for my breakfast, lunch, dinner, or snack. Salads are the perfect combination of healthy and delicious. You can get really creative and make some fancy salad, or you can just throw together some lettuce and spinach leaves. I enjoy making my salad beautiful, and I usually make the salads for our family. Yesterday afternoon, I made this simple, delicious, and beautiful salad for a healthy lunch.

I used one bag of romaine lettuce (which was three small-medium heads of lettuce), 1/2 bag of fresh spinach leaves, 1 large onion, 2 stalks of celery, 2 medium/thick carrots, 1/2 can of corn, 1/2 can of whole pitted olives (which I chopped), and about 3/4 c. of frozen peas.

Usually we will add some cucumber, tomato, and greek peppers to our individual plates. Adding tomatoes and cucumbers to the whole bowl makes the salad a bit soggy, so that's why we don't put them in the salad bowl.

I'll be sharing some more salad pictures and recipes soon, so keep checking back. As always, have a marvelous day, and may God bless you more than you can possibly imagine!

LOVE,

MARIAH

Veggie Egg Scramble

Hey, everybody!

I hope that your week has been phenomenal so far. Can you believe it? It's almost the weekend! Wow! It seems like this week has just flown by.

Well, today's post is going to be short and simple. I just wanted to share my yummy breakfast with all of you. This morning I woke up a bit later than usual, and my workout was a mixture of different things, and... it was just a different kind of morning. :)

Anyway, when nine o' clock rolled around, I was famished. I hadn't eaten anything, and I was ready for a good breakfast. Since I have been focusing on eating protein and veggies today, I didn't want oatmeal or pancakes for breakfast. Instead, I whipped up a healthy and delicious egg and veggie scramble. It was so good, and I thought it looked so beautiful, that I just had to snap some pictures to post.

So, if you want to make this deliciousness, all you need are eggs, tomato, cilantro, and onion.

• 1 egg
• 1 egg white
• 1 dash of salt (probably 1/8 tsp. or less)
• 1 small tomato (sliced)
• 1/2 small onion (sliced)
• 1/4 c. cilantro (finely chopped)

To begin, I sliced 1/2 an onion, and sautéed it in my pan. I used Pam Spray to cook my onion - you could use a drop of olive oil, but if you just give your pan a quick spray, it saves you some extra calories. ;)

When the onion was lightly browned and a bit tender, I took it off the stove and set aside. Then, in a small container I beat together 1 egg and 1 egg white. I then sprayed my pan with a bit of Pam Spray and whisked my egg in there. I also sprinkled a dash of salt over my eggs as they cooked. When my eggs were slightly dry, I poured them onto my plate and topped them with the cooked onion. Then I added my sliced tomato and chopped cilantro. Ta-da!

I wasn't expecting it to taste so good, but it was amazing. The flavor was incredible. Today's breakfast was one of the best egg breakfasts I have ever tasted. Yum!

I hope that you try this breakfast scramble. If you like this recipe and found this post helpful, please comment below and share your opinions with me. Thanks!

Have a fabulous day, and may God bless you all!

Love & Grace,

Mariah

Plate Full of Pancakes...

Happy Hump Day! :)

I hope that your week has been awesome so far. Since I haven't posted in a while, I have a few recipes to share with you. Today, I will be sharing a delicious pancake recipe. These are super yummy, and really healthy. They make the perfect breakfast. They hold you over, but don't make you feel "full" as some pancakes do. I like pancakes, but I don't love pancakes. Either they don't fill me, or they make me feel stuffed. These pancakes are perfect, because they were perfectly filling and extremely good. Seriously, it was a taste sensation. Yum!

My sister was experimenting in the kitchen the other day, and she created these pancakes. (She has her own blog - thewholefruit - so check her out!) This recipe made nine pancakes - three servings. She put them in some little Ziploc baggies, and put them in the freezer for future breakfasts. I pulled my bag out of the freezer this morning and had my pancakes. They were fabulous. :)

Oatmeal Banana Pancakes

Serving size: 3 pancakes

Calories per serving: 246

• 1 large banana
• 1 1/2 c. oats
• 2 tsp. vanilla
• 1 tsp. cinnamon
• 1 c. milk
• 1 egg
• 1/2 c. apple sauce

Pour all of these ingredients into a blender and blend until well-mixed. Next, spray your pan, and pour the pancake batter in. Cook until golden. 

That's all! Now you can dig into this scrumptious breakfast! I topped mine with 1 tbsp. of peanut butter and 1 tbsp. of strawberry jam. I also added an extra sprinkle of cinnamon - I love cinnamon. ;)

It was fantastic this way, but you get creative and top it any way you like. These are great with honey drizzled over them, and some sliced fruit or berries are perfect. If you want something a bit sweeter, you could have these with peanut butter and chocolate chips!

My breakfast was 391 calories. The peanut butter had 95 calories and the strawberry jam had 50 calories. Add those two toppings to the pancakes, and you get 391 calories. This was the perfect balanced breakfast, and I am looking forward to making some more of these with my sis. :)

I ate our last bag today, so we will be making some more soon.

Well, that's all for now. I hope that you found this recipe helpful. Maybe it has inspired you to create your own healthy breakfast recipe? Please let me know if you try these! I would love to hear if you liked them, and how you topped yours. If you like this recipe, please show the love and comment below! Thanks for reading! Have an awesome day filled with the blessings of our Lord.

Love & Grace,

Mariah

Cabbage Salad & Banana Cookies

The other day I was so hungry, and I wanted something cool, crisp, and healthy for lunch. I threw together this healthy cabbage salad, and cooked up some mixed veggies too.

This salad consists of about 1 cup of cabbage, 5 slices of tomato, onion slices, 6 cucumber slices, 1/4 cup of tuna, 1 tbsp. of mayonnaise, and a few peas as a garnish. Also, I added a dash of salt, pepper, and a squirt of a secret sauce my dad makes. It was really good! (I took this picture while my other veggies were cooking.)

 While I fixed myself a salad, I had some cinnamon banana cookies baking in the oven. I got this recipe from Taralynn McNitt at Undressed Skeleton. When I saw them I thought that they looked so good, and I had just had to try them.

(These are her cookies - they look big, beautiful, and delicious!)

I was getting ready to make the cookies, and went into the kitchen to see if we had any flax seeds. I glanced at the fruit basket to see how many bananas were left. My dad was standing in the kitchen eating the last one. He caught me looking for bananas, and asked if I  had planned on eating one. Long story short, when he saw I needed a banana, he offered me what was left of his. That was just so sweet... there was about half a banana left - exactly what I needed. He's the best. :)

So, I whipped together these cookies and popped them in the oven. They were so easy to make!

Cinnamon Banana Cookies

• 1/2 medium banana
• 1 tsp. vanilla
• 1 tbsp. ground flax seed
• 1 tbsp. oats
• 1 tsp. sugar
• 1 tsp. cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp. baking soda (recommend using less)

Mix these ingredients together in a bowl and preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray your baking sheet and drop three, tablespoon sized, cookies on there. I made four instead of three. When your oven is ready, bake these for about 10-12 minutes. Let them cool and then dig in and enjoy! These are a healthy treat that are guilt-free. They are also gluten-free if you use gluten-free oats. These only have 30 calories per cookie!

The first cookie I ate was delicious! I loved it and was so pleasantly surprised by the absolute goodness. However, the second and third cookie were a bit too salty. I would recommend reducing the baking soda to about 1/4 tsp., and I would use a bit more banana next time. I had roughly half a banana, but not quite. It might have helped if I had more banana and less baking soda. 

I enjoyed my cookies with a glass of skim milk. My salad was finished, but the veggies weren't done cooking, and I was making my brother a sandwich. So I snacked on these cookies while I made the veggies and sandwich, then I went and enjoyed my complete lunch.

These cooked veggies are my very favorite mix. They are so amazing. I cook them in less than a tablespoon of olive oil until they are soft and warm. They need no salt or pepper - or anything! If you prefer your veggies without the extra calories from oil, spread them out on a baking pan, and broil them until done. They are fantastic this way! This mix is a bag I get at my grocery store - Aldi. It's called California Medley. They are so delicious, so if you can get a bag - try them! ;)

In this picture you can see that my cookies are a bit smaller and darker than Taralynn's. As I said before, I will make these again with more banana, and less baking soda. You could add raisins, coconut, or nuts to this, just remember that by doing so you will be increasing the amount of calories.

Well, thanks for reading! I hope that this post was helpful and inspiring. Please let me know if you try these cookies. I would love to hear how they turn out for you. Taralynn said that they were phenomanal, so even though mine weren't fantastic, I'm not giving up. I want all of my cookies to taste amazing - not just one. :) If you take my advice and reduce the baking soda, they should be fantastic. Also, if you happen to try my tuna cabbage salad, please let me know how you liked it. Thanks! Have an awesome day and a blessed week! 

Love & Grace,

Mariah

Happiness Happens

Hey everyone!

I hope that you are all well and thriving in your healthy lifestyle. Did you know that August is "Happiness Happens" month? That's right.
This month, it is my personal goal to exercise faithfully and to eat a clean/healthy diet. August is going to be - and already is - my month of health and happiness. Although happiness is not directly equivalent with being healthy, nor something that comes only at certain times of the year, it is a fun excuse to vamp up the exercise and commit myself to a higher standard of living.

By the end of this month, I want to begin seeing the results of a healthy diet, and faithful exercise. It's a new season of life, and I am ready to be fit and healthy!
In the past I have gone through phases of "fitness," and always would be disappointed by the results - or the lack thereof. My problem has always been giving up too soon. I always quit before I reached my goal, and because of that I had this mentality that my dreams were unattainable and unrealistic. In my mind I would just accept the fact that I could never reach the level of health and fitness that I desired.

Through the Lord's great favor and mercy, I have gotten past that corrupted mindset, and I know now that - "I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me."

My desire for August, is to be happy, healthy, and fit.
I have been thin and lower than my goal weight, yet I was not necessarily healthy and "fit." I think that sometimes we convince ourselves that we just need to be thin or weigh less to be happy. That is no longer my desire. I used to believe that if I was at my goal weight, I would be happy. However, the Lord has revealed to me that He alone is our source of joy; the number on the scale, the size of my waist, and the distance I can run, will never give me the satisfaction and peace that He gives. I should be thankful for the body the Lord has given me, and I should treat my body as a gift from God. That means, because I love the Lord, and respect the gifts He has given me, I will care for my body appropriately. That doesn't mean starving myself, exercising obsessively, or ignoring my body's needs. It means that I will exercise, eat healthy clean food, and thank the Lord for blessing me with a healthy strong body. It means that I live a healthy, balanced life.

When you make God the reason why you eat clean, exercise, and live a healthy lifestyle, it drastically changes everything. With God as the center and core reason for living healthy, the focus is no longer on meeting a deadline, impressing a person - even yourself, or feeling some certain way. These things may be the result of living your life in a manner pleasing to God, but they are not the reason you exercise and eat well. If we base our desires on things, we are often disappointed. Those people you wanted to impress, may disappear from your life, or maybe never care; the thrill of being a certain weight, or wearing a certain size is only temporary.

I want to say that I exercise and eat clean because I love the Lord - not to impress anyone or  to feel some certain way. I want my body to be in awesome condition, so that I can serve the Lord in whatever way He sees fit. I want to show the Lord that I truly am grateful for the body He has given me; and I do that by respecting it. Neither stuffing myself nor starving myself is respectful to my body, or to the Lord.

Before the Lord changed my heart on matters of health, I used to obsess over fitness - and that was not healthy. Inviting the Lord into my fitness journey was one of the best and most crucial decisions I've ever made. No longer do I stress over what I am eating, or how much I am exercising. Life with the Lord is a journey of joy. Because God is with me and blessing me, I have confidence that He will bless me with a healthy strong body. In fact, He already has; I am just receiving it.

I have come to realize that happiness is not equivalent to a size or weight, but to my relationship with God. When I live each day walking with the Lord, I am happy and healthy! I know that I am the child of the Lord, and He cares for me. When I seek His guidance, He always leads me in the perfect way. When God is with you, there is no other option besides victory and success.

If you are struggling with your body image, health, or fitness, I encourage you to first of all, seek the Lord, and pray that He would heal your heart. May He give you the confidence, joy, and peace that you desire.

"Delight yourself in the Lord, and He shall give you the desires of your heart." ~Psalm 37:4

Also, I recommend that you read the book "Made to Crave," by Lysa TerKeurst. This book has been very beneficial to me in my health journey. So much so, that I am actually reading it again. I want to take some notes this time around, and learn some of the verses that she references throughout.

Made to Crave: Satisfying Your Deepest Desire with God, Not Food

The Christian singer, Mandisa, says that this book changed her life, and had a huge influence on her. For those of you who aren't familiar with Mandisa, she was a contestant on American Idol. I really respect Mandisa, and she is a great inspiration to me. She is such an incredible lady. She struggled with her weight for quite a while, but by the grace of God, she has lost over 100 pounds, and has truly embraced healthy living. I saw on her Facebook that she was recommending the book "Made to Crave," and that's actually what prompted me to read it again. If you haven't heard her story - or her songs - check her out! :)

If you happen to read this book, I hope that it will be a blessing to you. If you like it and found it helpful in anyway, I would love to hear about it. You could share your thoughts on the book in the comment section below, or send me an email. I hope that you found this post helpful, and that it inspires to invite the Lord into your fitness journey if you haven't already. It truly is the Lord who make happiness happen. That's what I pray this month is all about. Let August be the month that you get healthy and fit, with the Lord by your side. Happy August everybody! May you have a wonderful weekend full of the blessings of our Lord. YOU are His beloved child, and He has great things in store for you.

"[He] is able to do exceedingly and abundantly above all that we ask or think," ~Ephesians 3:20

My prayer for you this month, is that God would bless you in your fitness journey, and that He would prosper you in all your ways. Remember, with the Lord, every month is the month that happiness happens. :)

Love & Grace,

Mariah