11 Foods that Boost Your Immune System

11 Foods that Boost Your Immune System



Here is a great article about several immune boosting foods and one drink.  Green tea is the healing drink.  Oatmeal and Vitamin C rich foods like oranges, strawberries, and bell peppers all help the immune system.  Sweet potatoes help protect your skin, and they also act in the production of connective tissue.  As a person gets older, connective tissue disappears unless it is properly replenished through Vitamin A type foods.  Garlic, cayenne, turmeric, and ginger all made the list, too.

10 Foods That Can Lower Your Blood Sugar Naturally

10 Foods That Can Lower Your Blood Sugar Naturally



As I occasionally do, I will talk about subjects other than the stock market.  The above article covers ten foods that can lower your blood sugar.  Blueberries, Avocados with beta-sitosterol and monounsaturated fat, chia seeds, 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon, mangos, spices like ginger, fenugreek, coriander, and turmeric, olive oil, two eggs per day, vinegar, and cherries all made the list.  In fact, cherries supposedly can reduce insulin by 50% along with protecting against heart disease and cancer.

echinacea: Uses, Side Effects, Interactions and Warnings - WebMD

echinacea: Uses, Side Effects, Interactions and Warnings - WebMD



As I occasionally do, I will talk about subjects other than the stock market.  The link above is a great article about echinacea.  The herb reportedly helps against colds, yeast infections, tonsillitis, strep infections, other bacteria infections, eczema, and other skin problems.  The brand I recommend is Super Echinacea liquid extract from Herb Pharm.  Just put a dropper full of the extract into one of your favorite beverages, and you will only notice a slight difference.  I put some echinacea extract in my prune juice this morning, and it still tasted good.

Safe, Sustainable 7% Yield From Common And Preferred Share Dividends - John Hancock Tax-Advantaged Dividend Income Fund (NYSE:HTD) | Seeking Alpha

Safe, Sustainable 7% Yield From Common And Preferred Share Dividends - John Hancock Tax-Advantaged Dividend Income Fund (NYSE:HTD) | Seeking Alpha



This is a very good article about a dependable 7% dividend stock that would be a good addition to a diversified portfolio.  Currently, the usual fall rally has started, and other stocks will temporarily outperform HTD, but smart investors know that you must protect yourself with appropriate asset allocation.



I plan to buy HTD at some point, but my buy for this week will be IBB, one of the leading biotech ETFs.  The stocks in this sector are coming off a double-digit bottom, and they will most likely rise with nearly all stocks for the next two months.  The MACD momentum for IBB has turned upward, and now is the time to buy it.

5 reasons oil is heading to new tipping point

5 reasons oil is heading to new tipping point



This is an excellent article about why we may hit low points in the price of oil again.  The supply continues to out-pace the demand even before sanctions are fully lifted from Iran.  There is no question that Iran will raise the saturation of oil supply.  The only unknown is by how much.



Storage of oil and refined products are also close to full.  U.S. shale oil did not roll over as the Saudis expected, and output is still very strong.  The World Bank sees an average barrel of oil price at $51 in 2016.  Even Barclay's optimistic outlook has oil only at $63 in the 4th quarter of 2016.  So, holding oil stocks for the next year may be a losing investment.

 

Lower Your Cancer Risk by Eating These 10 Foods

Lower Your Cancer Risk by Eating These 10 Foods



This is an outstanding article about foods that can lower your cancer risk.  The list contains more than just oatmeal which I struggled to learn how to eat on a regular basis.  I always had preferred grits over oatmeal, and I finally adopted both.



Beets made the list, and I already liked them.  In fact, I could probably eat beets every day, but beef or chicken with fries usually crowds them out since I can only eat so much at each meal.  I always keep beets on hand at home with the idea of eating a can of beets whenever I can work them in.



Lemons made the list, also.  This is a food item that I will have to add to my diet because they flush out body toxins, they are antibacterial and antiviral as well as anticancer, and they reduce inflammation.  My plan right now is to buy several lemons whenever I go to the store.  Then, I intend to cut them in half and squeeze out the juice into a cup of water or a beverage that would test good with lemon juice.



Ginger is another food that has anticancer properties.  I have taken ginger off and on for years, but I am going to make it a daily item now after reading this article.  Ginger extract has reportedly shrunk prostate cancer by 50%, and it is also anti-inflammatory.  I am ordering some ginger extract tonight, and I am going to get some ginger beer the next time I am at the grocery store.



Grapefruit, nuts, olive oil, and coconut water also made the list.  Tomatoes were not on the list, but they should have been listed.  They contain lycopene just like grapefruit, and lycopene prevents tumors.  So, we need to do all we can to help keep ourselves out of the doctor's office and avoid life-threatening situations.

3 Recession Signposts To Watch | ETF Trends

3 Recession Signposts To Watch | ETF Trends



Here is an excellent article on three indicators which predict a recession.  I agree wholeheartedly with the author that the CFNAI is the #1 predictor of recessions.  The August reading was -.41 which is cautionary.  If the Chicago Fed National Activity Index ever drops below -1.0, you should immediately sell your long stocks and go short, go to cash, or go to TLT, long term bonds.  I have back-tested this idea, and I believe it works to preserve capital during a recession.

10 Ways Coffee Can Save Your Life

10 Ways Coffee Can Save Your Life



This is a great article about how coffee is good for your health.  It makes you more mentally alert and it burns fat.  It can help prevent colon cancer and diabetes.  It is a pleasure enhancer, and it contains potassium and B vitamins.  Finally, it also helps to prevent liver cancer.

QLC: Large-Cap ETF With High-Quality Stocks - FlexShares US Quality Large Cap Index ETF (NASDAQ:QLC) | Seeking Alpha

QLC: Large-Cap ETF With High-Quality Stocks - FlexShares US Quality Large Cap Index ETF (NASDAQ:QLC) | Seeking Alpha



Here is a very good article about a new large-cap quality ETF that seems to have great potential especially in a volatile stock market.  QLC holds popular stocks like AAPL, XOM, and INTC.  It has also beat other similar ETFs so far.  The expense ratio is low also.  The only problem I see right now is low trading volume, but this could be a very important ETF in the future.

10 Tips to Cut Body Fat — for Good

10 Tips to Cut Body Fat — for Good



This is a very good article on how to cut body fat.  Protein is something you don't want to reduce, though, unless you are getting more than 100 grams of protein each day.  Many people don't get enough protein because it is harder than you may think for a 200 pound man to get 100 grams of protein.  If he drinks three glasses of milk, that is only 24 grams of protein.  Then, a small portion of meat might only be another 25 grams of protein.



This article gives you good exercises to boost muscles which will in turn burn body fat.  Nuts are actually good for building muscle mass as well as meat and eggs.  Fish oil up to 6 grams per day can help decrease fat mass.  Finally, you need to get at least 8 hours of sleep each night for muscle recovery and growth hormone production.  Low sleep slows down fat loss and causes muscle loss instead.  So, we have to keep major points in mind to lose fat and build muscles.

5 Things That Happen To Your Body When You Walk

5 Things That Happen To Your Body When You Walk



Here is a great article on the benefits of walking.  I work at a large manufacturing plant, and it is around a half mile from where I park my car to my shop in the plant.  I am always warm when I get to my work area because my blood is flowing freely by that time due to all the walking just as this article says.



Your muscles are invigorated by more blood flow, and your joints get more lubrication when you walk.  Your heartbeat elevates to a healthy level, and chemicals are released that open your blood vessels.  Fat is actually turned into fuel while you walk.  So, we need to walk each day for good health.

NXP Semiconductors: A Whole New Growth Story Post Merger - NXP Semiconductors (NASDAQ:NXPI) | Seeking Alpha

NXP Semiconductors: A Whole New Growth Story Post Merger - NXP Semiconductors (NASDAQ:NXPI) | Seeking Alpha



This is an outstanding article on NXPI.  I bought some shares today as I saw the stock galloping off to the races.  The near field chip technology and connected cars are trends that will certainly grow while the rest of the stock market may remain lackluster.  The Dow was down more than -150 points today while NXPI gained $4.50 per share.  This is probably only the beginning for NXPI.

5 Benefits of Evening Primrose Oil

5 Benefits of Evening Primrose Oil



This is a link to a good article on evening primrose oil.  I take the Solgar brand of 500 mg softgels myself.  Evening primrose oil can help in skin and arthritis problems, and essential oils like EPO become even more important as a person gets older.  As the article says, though, you will probably have to take the oil a while before you see any results.  Herbs are usually safer than taking drugs but they are also slower in action.

Approach Resources - Home

Approach Resources - Home



Here is a link to AREX, an oil company that is successfully operating in the Permian Basin of West Texas where they are producing low cost oil.  Approach Resources should be able to handle the ups and downs of volatile oil prices, and the stock price should increase significantly when we get back to $60 per barrel oil or higher.  The Saudis also need a higher oil price to sustain their economy.  I own AREX myself, and I plan to hang on to the stock.

So Far The Stock Split ETF Is Getting The Last Laugh - The United States Stock Split Index ETF (NYSEARCA:TOFR) | Seeking Alpha

So Far The Stock Split ETF Is Getting The Last Laugh - The United States Stock Split Index ETF (NYSEARCA:TOFR) | Seeking Alpha



This is a very good article on TOFR, the stock split index ETF.  It will probably be a nice addition to a diversified portfolio since stock splits are generally liked.  TOFR also has well known companies which add to its safety.  It should only be bought on pullbacks in today's stock market environment, though.

This Is One Heck Of A Great Bond ETF - Vanguard Long-Term Bond ETF (NYSEARCA:BLV) | Seeking Alpha

This Is One Heck Of A Great Bond ETF - Vanguard Long-Term Bond ETF (NYSEARCA:BLV) | Seeking Alpha



Here is an outstanding article on BLV, Vanguard's long-term bond ETF which yields 4% annually.  It also has about the lowest cost of any ETF.  I bought BLV this morning as part of a diversified portfolio.  The author also presented an excellent portfolio of 10 ETFs which form a good asset allocation.  One of his other portfolio picks was XBI, a biotech ETF.  I bought it this morning as well because it had been unfairly crushed in the recent stock market selloff.

What GoPro's Third Quarter Results Could Look Like - GoPro (NASDAQ:GPRO) | Seeking Alpha

What GoPro's Third Quarter Results Could Look Like - GoPro (NASDAQ:GPRO) | Seeking Alpha



This is a great article about GoPro with a little comment about their chip supplier AMBA mixed in.  I own both companies because cameras and camera chips are not dead.  It should be only be a matter of time before these two companies return to bull mode.  The momentum indicator MACD charts for both companies also have rising signal lines.

The Two Lines I Draw on Every Stock Chart | Power Profit Trades

The Two Lines I Draw on Every Stock Chart | Power Profit Trades



Here is an excellent article by Tom Gentile about how he uses the 50 day and 200 day simple moving average lines for buying and selling.  For example, Nike (NKE) has a long term uptrend.  Plenty of buyers stepped in when the stock dropped to its 200 day line in August.  I plan to buy Nike myself the next time this scenario occurs because Nike makes all kinds of clothing for sports.  Individuals, colleges, and pro teams all depend on Nike for new clothing every year.

ETF Resumé

ETF Resumé



This is an interesting link to VPU, Vanguard's low cost utility ETF.  The yield is more than 3% annually and the dividend is distributed in monthly allotments.  It is up more than 8% in the past month,and it can probably rise further due to cheap oil and natural gas.  Besides that, utilities do well in the cold months of the year which are not that far away. 



Moreover, VPU owns 83 holdings with very dominant utilities in the top 10 holdings.  The stock price could very easily rise more than 10% from here besides getting a great dividend.  I plan to buy VPU today.  Take a look at the 12 month chart below, and you will see the great possibility of future gain while the rest of the stock market may not go anywhere.

Why I'm Flipping Bullish On GoPro - GoPro (NASDAQ:GPRO) | Seeking Alpha

Why I'm Flipping Bullish On GoPro - GoPro (NASDAQ:GPRO) | Seeking Alpha



This is an outstanding article on GoPro (GPRO).  I agree with the author that MACD momentum has shifted, and the stock should go up from here.  The company's great business model will surely send the stock higher as well.  I bought some GPRO stock this morning along with AMBA which makes camera chips for GoPro products as well as for competitors.  Drones are a growing business also, and they will need cameras and camera chips to operate.  I am convinced that these stocks will move higher in spite of any volatility the general stock market may experience.   

Solar and wind just passed another big turning point

Solar and wind just passed another big turning point



Here is a very good article about why solar and wind power are here to stay.  The sector is very volatile, though.  I like Sun Edison (SUNE) a lot, and I plan to buy some shares in the $9 range this morning.  Insiders also have bought near that area.  I also own FAN, a wind ETF.  These stocks should only be bought when they are at their lows, though, because their gains will be capped since oil is so cheap nowadays.

U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA)

U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA)



Here is an outstanding source of information at the EIA about oil and natural gas drilling in the major areas of the U.S.  You can see from the table that drilling for oil and natural gas is still going on even while the rig count has dropped dramatically.  What this means is that the prices of oil and natural gas will continue to remain low for quite some time because we still have a huge supply, and the demand is not great enough to deplete our vast supplies here in the U.S. and also in the world.