A few weeks ago I began a series that I called “Health 101”, beginning with a discussion about meat and dairy. Today we will continue this series with a discussion on produce.
There once was a time when people primarily lived off of the food they grew themselves and buying what they hadn’t grown themselves from their neighbors or someone who lived in their village or community. Americans seem to “romanticize” the rural Italian villages and towns where the residents visit the local outdoor market several times a week to purchase their food from a fresh, local source. Although farmer’s markets are a growing trend in America, there aren’t nearly enough of them to be accessible to everybody.
Purchasing produce in America has become anything but natural. It all starts with the seed. Seeds used to be acquired from the last season’s crop. However, modern technology and greedy corporate conglomerates no longer allow that. Instead, farmers are required to purchase new seed every year. And the seeds made available to them have been genetically modified with the goal of producing larger fruits and vegetables, and an enormous quantity per acre.
I have a friend who used to be a corn farmer in Colorado. Every year, the huge seed company would roll into town to sell corn seed. They brought several varieties for the farmers to choose from. One was engineered to withstand certain pests. Another was engineered to produce a higher yield. Another was engineered to be more drought-resistant. However, they were all engineered in a laboratory.
In recent years, we have heard more and more about the tampering that has gone on with our food supply, particularly beginning with these genetically modified seeds. Some seeds have even been engineered to contain pesticides within the seed itself so that the crops don’t have to be sprayed later! Worse yet, many seeds have even been injected with human and animal DNA! For example, a number of years ago, there was an experiment to inject DNA from flounder (fish) into tomatoes. Flounder produces its own anti-freeze to enable it to swim in Arctic waters. Bioengineers captured that anti-freeze component from the flounder and introduced it to tomato seeds to see if they could produce a tomato that could freeze and then thaw without turning mushy. Apparently the experiment failed, however, there are many similar experiments that did NOT fail and are now in our food system.
When purchasing conventional produce from the supermarket, here are some things that you must understand about those beautiful fruits and vegetables that are uniform in size and color, that are larger than they were fifty years ago, and that are enticingly shiny.
1. If it is not certified organic, it is overwhelmingly likely that it has been genetically modified. GMO’s introduce increased cancer risk, increased food allergies, and dramatically decreased nutritional value, just to name a few.
2. If it’s super shiny, it has been coated with a wax that contains pesticides and fungicides. (Some supermarkets that sell organic produce will coat their organic products with vegetable oil to make them shiny, but they feel oily, not waxy, and are not glossy.)
3. If it has a beautiful color, the chances are pretty high that it was injected with dye. Many conventional fruits and vegetables are harvested before they are ripe and they never develop the color expected of their ripe counterparts. In order to give them eye appeal, they are injected with dye.
4. Because so much of the produce is harvested before ripening, they are gassed with highly toxic substances in order to ripen them. Some conventional produce has been known to last for weeks at room temperature without rotting due to these gassing agents. Certified organic produce goes bad within a week or so, just as God designed.
5. Let’s not forget all the pesticides, herbicides and fungicides that are applied to these crops while they are still growing! Massive crops of one fruit or one vegetable also mean massive pest problems. These are routinely treated with toxic chemicals that are absorbed into the plant and into the fruit itself.
Another problem that has developed in our food system has to do with the number of miles your food has traveled before reaching you. It has been determined that the average American meal has traveled 1,400 miles to get to your table. We have been conditioned to want our produce year-round. If apples are not in season in America, we have them shipped to us from New Zealand. If grapes are not in season in America, they are delivered to our supermarkets from Chile. Tomatoes from Florida are shipped all over our country when they cannot be found locally. When produce has to be shipped that far, it must be harvested before ripening and gassed to make it edible. Have you ever noticed how apples purchased out of season are not very appetizing? And tomatoes that have been gassed to ripen are mushy and tasteless?
When a person wants to begin healthier eating habits, often the first thing they think of is eating more fruits and vegetables. But it is vital that we understand that we are slowly being poisoned through the conventional produce we eat, even though we think we are “eating healthy”. What can we do about it?
1. Eat organic. Organic foods is another topic that needs to be discussed so you can understand what this word means in our American food system. However, you are much better off if you purchase organic. This means no pesticides, no gassing, no genetic modification.
2. Eat in season. This really takes some planning on our part. Just because it’s available in your supermarket doesn’t mean that it is in season here. Get to know the natural growing seasons for your fruits and vegetables. Say “no” to apples in the summer and grapes in the winter.
3. Eat local. Depending on where you live, this might really be challenging. But it is worth the effort for your health if you do your best to find a local source for your food. In eating local, you can meet the person who is growing your food, you can see where and how they are growing it, and you can guarantee that it is in season!
4. Grow your own food. It is much easier than most people think, it is much less expensive, and you know every aspect of that food. You know what variety, what kind of seeds, what was put in the soil, and when it was harvested. And the satisfaction of eating something you grew from seed is enormous!
Many people balk at the cost of purchasing organic food. But considering the cost of health care and medication to treat the poisonous state of our bodies that creates a breeding ground for disease, the cost is quite worthwhile. We can eat cheaply now and suffer sickness and disease and the associated costs for treating ourselves, or we can spend a little more now and enjoy good health and good nutrition all our lives.
Here are some tips to help you get started on your quest to eat more organic foods.
THE DIRTY DOZEN: These are the foods that should never be eaten unless you know they are organic, for they contain the highest levels of toxic substances:
Celery
Peaches
Strawberries
Apples
Blueberries
Nectarines
Sweet bell peppers
Spinach, kale and collard greens
Cherries
Potatoes
Grapes
Lettuce
FIFTEEN THAT ARE MORE CLEAN: These are conventional foods that can be eaten if you cannot find them in organic form. They contain little to no pesticides:
Onions
Avocados
Sweet corn
Pineapples
Mango
Sweet peas
Asparagus
Kiwi fruit
Cabbage
Eggplant
Cantaloupe
Watermelon
Grapefruit
Sweet potatoes
Sweet onions
Showing posts with label Health. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Health. Show all posts
May 9, 2011
April 18, 2011
The Miracle of Magnesium
Let me start by telling you my story with magnesium.
When I was in my later 20's and my kids were still in their toddler years, I began to experience an irregular heartbeat and palpitations, mostly noticeable at night when I relaxed to go to sleep. It frightened me and would keep me awake for hours. The symptoms grew worse and worse over a period of a couple of weeks.
One day I was driving somewhere with my children when I experienced a horribly painful, piercing sensation in the center of my chest. I honestly thought I might be having a heart attack. I was baffled because I ate healthy foods and I was so young. I arrived at my destination and my father-in-law was there. I described my symptoms to him and he told me that my body was probably depleted of magnesium.
Magnesium? I really knew nothing about it, except that it was a mineral.
I quickly acquired some magnesium and began taking it. My symptoms disappeared entirely within 24 hours. A number of years later, I began experiencing similar symptoms. I rushed for the magnesium and stopped those symptoms within the day. I recently went through this again, got some magnesium going, and the symptoms were gone.
Magnesium deficiency is a common problem in America, however, most people do not realize that the health issues they are dealing with are related to this deficiency. They try to treat their symptoms with synthetic drugs, only to create more health issues.
Magnesium and calcium work in tandem with one another. While calcium works to stimulate muscles, magnesium works to relax muscles. When magnesium levels are low, a number of physical symptoms begin to raise their frightening heads:
Insomnia
Restless leg syndrome
Poor memory and confusion
Painful periods
Depression
Hypertension
Cardiovascular problems and rapid or irregular heartbeats
Seizures
Fatigue
Irritability
Headaches, migraines
Sore, knotted muscles
Cramps, twitching, spasms
Lump in throat feeling
Feet puffy and sore upon rising in the morning
What can cause magnesium to be depleted from your body? This is important to know so that you can prevent excessive loss of magnesium, or at least be aware that in certain situations, you may require more magnesium supplementation:
Alcohol
Caffeine
Excessive dairy and sugar
Excessive exercising
Excessive sweating (this was the case with my first two incidents)
Parasites
Stress (this was the case with my most recent incident)
Synthetic drugs/medications
Indigestion and antacids
Acidic diet
CLICK HERE for a more comprehensive list.
My favorite source for restoring my magnesium levels is a product called "Calm". It is a powdered form of magnesium that is flavored with organic raspberry, lemon and stevia. Add a small amount to hot water and drink. It really does produce a calming affect, and it works fast.
I am only promoting this product because I have personally used it and can attest to its amazing ability to work so good while, at the same time, tasting so good. I receive no compensation for promoting this product in any way.
Disclaimer: I am not a medical professional. I am only sharing things from my personal experience. If you are experiencing health symptoms, see your health care provider or naturopath physician.
When I was in my later 20's and my kids were still in their toddler years, I began to experience an irregular heartbeat and palpitations, mostly noticeable at night when I relaxed to go to sleep. It frightened me and would keep me awake for hours. The symptoms grew worse and worse over a period of a couple of weeks.
One day I was driving somewhere with my children when I experienced a horribly painful, piercing sensation in the center of my chest. I honestly thought I might be having a heart attack. I was baffled because I ate healthy foods and I was so young. I arrived at my destination and my father-in-law was there. I described my symptoms to him and he told me that my body was probably depleted of magnesium.
Magnesium? I really knew nothing about it, except that it was a mineral.
I quickly acquired some magnesium and began taking it. My symptoms disappeared entirely within 24 hours. A number of years later, I began experiencing similar symptoms. I rushed for the magnesium and stopped those symptoms within the day. I recently went through this again, got some magnesium going, and the symptoms were gone.
Magnesium deficiency is a common problem in America, however, most people do not realize that the health issues they are dealing with are related to this deficiency. They try to treat their symptoms with synthetic drugs, only to create more health issues.
Magnesium and calcium work in tandem with one another. While calcium works to stimulate muscles, magnesium works to relax muscles. When magnesium levels are low, a number of physical symptoms begin to raise their frightening heads:
Insomnia
Restless leg syndrome
Poor memory and confusion
Painful periods
Depression
Hypertension
Cardiovascular problems and rapid or irregular heartbeats
Seizures
Fatigue
Irritability
Headaches, migraines
Sore, knotted muscles
Cramps, twitching, spasms
Lump in throat feeling
Feet puffy and sore upon rising in the morning
What can cause magnesium to be depleted from your body? This is important to know so that you can prevent excessive loss of magnesium, or at least be aware that in certain situations, you may require more magnesium supplementation:
Alcohol
Caffeine
Excessive dairy and sugar
Excessive exercising
Excessive sweating (this was the case with my first two incidents)
Parasites
Stress (this was the case with my most recent incident)
Synthetic drugs/medications
Indigestion and antacids
Acidic diet
CLICK HERE for a more comprehensive list.
My favorite source for restoring my magnesium levels is a product called "Calm". It is a powdered form of magnesium that is flavored with organic raspberry, lemon and stevia. Add a small amount to hot water and drink. It really does produce a calming affect, and it works fast.
I am only promoting this product because I have personally used it and can attest to its amazing ability to work so good while, at the same time, tasting so good. I receive no compensation for promoting this product in any way.
Disclaimer: I am not a medical professional. I am only sharing things from my personal experience. If you are experiencing health symptoms, see your health care provider or naturopath physician.
April 15, 2011
Health 101: Meat and Dairy
Learning how to eat in a truly healthy way requires gaining knowledge beyond what you learned in school, from food commercials and from product gimmicks. But gaining that knowledge can be overwhelming. I've received several requests recently from those who want to start eating a more natural, healthy diet, but don't know where or how to start. This has prompted me to write a series of posts that I will call Health 101.
Today we will start with meat and dairy. This is the food category that I believe can make you the most sick if you are careless about what you eat. Meat is loaded with antibiotics (thanks to the foul and disgusting living conditions of the animals). When you eat that meat, those antibiotics transfer to you and your family, causing a greater resistance to antibiotics in your own body. I believe that most Americans use FAR TOO MANY antibiotics, which is dangerous on many levels. Then they add to that the antibiotics in the meat. Then when they get dangerously ill and need an antibiotic, they don’t understand why it isn’t effective. Their body has built up a resistance to it.
Meat is loaded with growth hormones. Farmers make more money when there is more meat. The disgusting living conditions are not conducive to proper growth, so a growth hormone is necessary to maximize the farmer’s profit. These hormones produce great havoc in the human endocrine system. It is heartbreaking to hear of young girls developing breasts and beginning their menstrual cycles long before age ten (which I think is still young), thanks to the growth hormones they consume in their meat and dairy on a regular basis.
In addition to these toxic chemical substances, these animals are fed nasty food that does not belong in the food chain. It is not unheard of to find ground up animal parts in the feed. This produces such health problems in herds as “mad cow disease”. Speaking of beef specifically… cows are ruminants, which means that they eat foods that must go through an extensive digestive process. God designed them with 4 stomachs to accomplish this job. They primarily thrive off of grass and other such vegetation. Corn is NOT a natural food for cows. But the majority of beef in your supermarket comes from corn-fed cows. This creates an inferior meat, a meat that is insufficient in the nutrients it OUGHT to have, etc. It also produces a sick animal… back to the antibiotics and other meds that go right into their meat.
It should be obvious that dairy products contain these same properties (the antibiotics, hormones, etc.). If you choose to consume dairy products, the BEST choice is goat products. Goats only have one stomach, just like us, and their milk is much easier on our digestive systems. In fact, many people who are allergic to cow milk can easily tolerate goat milk. Goat milk has an acquired taste. And it is much more expensive. If you are going to choose cow dairy products, there are a few things you should do your best to look for. Raw milk is the best choice, but many states have outlawed the sale of it, unfortunately. The next best thing is to look for unhomogenized milk.
I buy a milk at Trader Joe’s that’s called Cream on Top (it is not homogenized). Homogenized milk is put in a machine and spun at dizzying speeds in order to separate the milk molecules. The forces the milk and cream to remain combined, thus not allowing the cream to rise to the top. The problem is that the milk molecules are now so small that they are able to permeate through your stomach, intestines, and blood vessels. This is one of the primary causes of scarring in the arteries. When the arteries are scarred, cholesterol has a place to hang on. When arteries are smooth and healthy, cholesterol has no place to lodge, even if your cholesterol levels are high, and it will have no negative effect on you. So do yourself a favor and stop drinking homogenized milk! It’s much more difficult to avoid pasteurized milk, due to the laws in most states. But if you are able to find raw milk, grab it!
The same goes for your cheese, yogurt, sour cream, etc.
The very best starting point, if you are overwhelmed, is to start with ORGANIC meat and dairy products. From there, begin your search for unhomogenized dairy products.
If you are having a hard time finding organic meat, at the very least look for something that is labeled “no hormones, no antibiotics ever”. Oftentimes, those meat products are organic, but the company hasn’t had the funds to get organic certification. Sometimes, though, it’s not labeled organic because of the feed the animal received.
While on the subject of meat, my husband and I have made the firm decision to honor God’s instructions in the Scriptures pertaining to clean and unclean meat. Although both of us were raised to believe that God’s dietary laws no longer pertain to us today, we honestly do not find anything in Scripture to support that. We also see that God knew what He was talking about when He categorized animals as clean and unclean. As the Creator of all things, He has all wisdom about what He created. Our modern science is now able to help us understand what makes the unclean animals “unclean”. Modern science has shown that these animals were truly not designed for the purpose of being food. The overwhelming majority of these unclean animals are actually the “vacuum cleaners” of the earth. Pigs, birds of prey, all cats, shellfish, etc. They all clean up the dead and diseased filth of the earth. Those disgusting things that they consume go straight to their meat. God did not design them to filter out those toxins, but rather to take those toxins into their meat in order to clean the earth. This poses a HUGE health risk for humans who consume their meat!
In fact, if you want some scientific evidence for never eating pork again (or any of the myriad ingredients that are derived from pork), do a short bit of research online on the trichinella parasite. It is widely prevalent in pork (but also other “unclean” animals that aren’t so popular in the USA).
There are so many good “clean” animals to eat that I have little complaint about giving up the nasty, putrid unclean meats that make so many people so sick. If we want hotdogs (which are a rare “treat”), we buy the Hebrew National brand because we know we can trust what kind of meat is in it. If we want bacon, we buy turkey bacon. I know it’s not the same, but sometimes you really need it for a favorite recipe, mostly for the flavor. Make sure it has not nitrates or nitrites (toxic). If we want sausage, we have found many kinds of chicken sausages that are absolutely delicious!!!! I just make sure that they do not have pork casings.
CLICK HERE to view a list of clean and unclean animals.
Today we will start with meat and dairy. This is the food category that I believe can make you the most sick if you are careless about what you eat. Meat is loaded with antibiotics (thanks to the foul and disgusting living conditions of the animals). When you eat that meat, those antibiotics transfer to you and your family, causing a greater resistance to antibiotics in your own body. I believe that most Americans use FAR TOO MANY antibiotics, which is dangerous on many levels. Then they add to that the antibiotics in the meat. Then when they get dangerously ill and need an antibiotic, they don’t understand why it isn’t effective. Their body has built up a resistance to it.
Meat is loaded with growth hormones. Farmers make more money when there is more meat. The disgusting living conditions are not conducive to proper growth, so a growth hormone is necessary to maximize the farmer’s profit. These hormones produce great havoc in the human endocrine system. It is heartbreaking to hear of young girls developing breasts and beginning their menstrual cycles long before age ten (which I think is still young), thanks to the growth hormones they consume in their meat and dairy on a regular basis.
In addition to these toxic chemical substances, these animals are fed nasty food that does not belong in the food chain. It is not unheard of to find ground up animal parts in the feed. This produces such health problems in herds as “mad cow disease”. Speaking of beef specifically… cows are ruminants, which means that they eat foods that must go through an extensive digestive process. God designed them with 4 stomachs to accomplish this job. They primarily thrive off of grass and other such vegetation. Corn is NOT a natural food for cows. But the majority of beef in your supermarket comes from corn-fed cows. This creates an inferior meat, a meat that is insufficient in the nutrients it OUGHT to have, etc. It also produces a sick animal… back to the antibiotics and other meds that go right into their meat.
It should be obvious that dairy products contain these same properties (the antibiotics, hormones, etc.). If you choose to consume dairy products, the BEST choice is goat products. Goats only have one stomach, just like us, and their milk is much easier on our digestive systems. In fact, many people who are allergic to cow milk can easily tolerate goat milk. Goat milk has an acquired taste. And it is much more expensive. If you are going to choose cow dairy products, there are a few things you should do your best to look for. Raw milk is the best choice, but many states have outlawed the sale of it, unfortunately. The next best thing is to look for unhomogenized milk.
I buy a milk at Trader Joe’s that’s called Cream on Top (it is not homogenized). Homogenized milk is put in a machine and spun at dizzying speeds in order to separate the milk molecules. The forces the milk and cream to remain combined, thus not allowing the cream to rise to the top. The problem is that the milk molecules are now so small that they are able to permeate through your stomach, intestines, and blood vessels. This is one of the primary causes of scarring in the arteries. When the arteries are scarred, cholesterol has a place to hang on. When arteries are smooth and healthy, cholesterol has no place to lodge, even if your cholesterol levels are high, and it will have no negative effect on you. So do yourself a favor and stop drinking homogenized milk! It’s much more difficult to avoid pasteurized milk, due to the laws in most states. But if you are able to find raw milk, grab it!
The same goes for your cheese, yogurt, sour cream, etc.
The very best starting point, if you are overwhelmed, is to start with ORGANIC meat and dairy products. From there, begin your search for unhomogenized dairy products.
If you are having a hard time finding organic meat, at the very least look for something that is labeled “no hormones, no antibiotics ever”. Oftentimes, those meat products are organic, but the company hasn’t had the funds to get organic certification. Sometimes, though, it’s not labeled organic because of the feed the animal received.
While on the subject of meat, my husband and I have made the firm decision to honor God’s instructions in the Scriptures pertaining to clean and unclean meat. Although both of us were raised to believe that God’s dietary laws no longer pertain to us today, we honestly do not find anything in Scripture to support that. We also see that God knew what He was talking about when He categorized animals as clean and unclean. As the Creator of all things, He has all wisdom about what He created. Our modern science is now able to help us understand what makes the unclean animals “unclean”. Modern science has shown that these animals were truly not designed for the purpose of being food. The overwhelming majority of these unclean animals are actually the “vacuum cleaners” of the earth. Pigs, birds of prey, all cats, shellfish, etc. They all clean up the dead and diseased filth of the earth. Those disgusting things that they consume go straight to their meat. God did not design them to filter out those toxins, but rather to take those toxins into their meat in order to clean the earth. This poses a HUGE health risk for humans who consume their meat!
In fact, if you want some scientific evidence for never eating pork again (or any of the myriad ingredients that are derived from pork), do a short bit of research online on the trichinella parasite. It is widely prevalent in pork (but also other “unclean” animals that aren’t so popular in the USA).
There are so many good “clean” animals to eat that I have little complaint about giving up the nasty, putrid unclean meats that make so many people so sick. If we want hotdogs (which are a rare “treat”), we buy the Hebrew National brand because we know we can trust what kind of meat is in it. If we want bacon, we buy turkey bacon. I know it’s not the same, but sometimes you really need it for a favorite recipe, mostly for the flavor. Make sure it has not nitrates or nitrites (toxic). If we want sausage, we have found many kinds of chicken sausages that are absolutely delicious!!!! I just make sure that they do not have pork casings.
CLICK HERE to view a list of clean and unclean animals.
April 6, 2011
The Seven Pillars of Health
I have read numerous books on the topic of natural health, but The Seven Pillars of Health by Dr. Don Colbert takes them all. Trying to figure out how to eat and live a healthy lifestyle can be overwhelming. This books helps you to focus specifically on seven of the most important things:
Water. Sleep and rest. Living foods. Exercise. Detoxification. Nutritional supplements. Coping with stress.
In this book, I learned my body's relation to each of the these seven pillars. I found the information to be easy to understand and easy to apply. If you want to get a good grasp on good health, this is the best starting point that I could suggest.
Water. Sleep and rest. Living foods. Exercise. Detoxification. Nutritional supplements. Coping with stress.
"These are not the seven 'fads' of health or the seven 'theories' of health, but the seven pillars of health. Backed up by medical research and my actual experiences with real problems and real people that span more than two decades of practice, these seven pillars have contributed health and freedom to thousands of people. ...It won't take more work on your part. You will simply exchange old habits for new ones."
In this book, I learned my body's relation to each of the these seven pillars. I found the information to be easy to understand and easy to apply. If you want to get a good grasp on good health, this is the best starting point that I could suggest.
April 4, 2011
Jojoba Oil
I have been attending a monthly class to learn about using herbs to improve health. The last class I attended was exceptionally fun. The fifteen women in attendance enjoyed facials with homemade products. After using a blend of oils and herbs to cleanse the face, we did a clay mask. We finished up, not with moisturizer as I had expected, but with 100% pure jojoba oil.
I have never used straight oil on my face. My forehead turns into a grease pit quite easily, and it just didn't make sense to put oil there on purpose. But for the sake of experimenting, I tried the jojoba oil.
The next morning I showered, and when I finally got in front of the mirror, I was stunned! The skin on my face looked like it belonged to someone else! It was so smooth, clear, and glowing. My forehead was not oily like I thought it would be, even after hours of sleeping.
Jojoba oil isn't really an oil, but rather a "wax ester". Out of all the compounds in nature, it is the most similar to human skin oil (sebum). The theory is that jojoba can cause your skin to think it has produced enough oil, thereby balancing oil production.
Jojoba oil is not water-based, so it does not evaporate during the day like moisturizers. It's easy to spread over the skin and it absorbs well. Unlike most oils, it does not become rancid or lose antioxidants over time.
You can apply it directly to your skin, or add a few drops to your moisturizer before applying. It works beautifully to remove makeup without irritation to the eyes. Jojoba oil is very beneficial as a hair product. Massaging it into the scalp helps prevent dandruff. A small amount can be worked into the hair as a leave-in conditioner.
Jojoba oil can be expensive, but it is worth every penny. Considering the number of products it can replace, it is a work-horse ingredient.
I have never used straight oil on my face. My forehead turns into a grease pit quite easily, and it just didn't make sense to put oil there on purpose. But for the sake of experimenting, I tried the jojoba oil.
The next morning I showered, and when I finally got in front of the mirror, I was stunned! The skin on my face looked like it belonged to someone else! It was so smooth, clear, and glowing. My forehead was not oily like I thought it would be, even after hours of sleeping.
Jojoba oil isn't really an oil, but rather a "wax ester". Out of all the compounds in nature, it is the most similar to human skin oil (sebum). The theory is that jojoba can cause your skin to think it has produced enough oil, thereby balancing oil production.
Jojoba oil is not water-based, so it does not evaporate during the day like moisturizers. It's easy to spread over the skin and it absorbs well. Unlike most oils, it does not become rancid or lose antioxidants over time.
You can apply it directly to your skin, or add a few drops to your moisturizer before applying. It works beautifully to remove makeup without irritation to the eyes. Jojoba oil is very beneficial as a hair product. Massaging it into the scalp helps prevent dandruff. A small amount can be worked into the hair as a leave-in conditioner.
Jojoba oil can be expensive, but it is worth every penny. Considering the number of products it can replace, it is a work-horse ingredient.
March 7, 2011
Apple Cider Vinegar to Treat Heartburn
I'll never forget the first time I had heartburn. I was pregnant for the first time, and I woke up with the most intense, painful sensation in my chest and throat. The next day, I spoke to my midwife about it and she explained that I'd had heartburn. She suggested combating it with a glass of milk or eating a banana to neutralize the acid.
It was a number of years before I ever experienced it again. Being that it always hits me in the middle of the night, the last thing I want to do is get up and eat a banana. I always went the route of drinking some milk. This gave me about a 50% success rate in eliminating the acid discomfort in my body.
In a conversation with my mom one day, she mentioned that apple cider vinegar was the best natural remedy for heartburn and acid reflux. That sounded crazy to me. How could vinegar neutralize acid? She told me that my uncle, who had serious issues with acid reflux, consistently popped the "purple pill" (Nexium). He called my mom on the phone late one evening to ask what he could do for his acid reflux. He ran out of pills and it was too late to get any (he lived out in the mountains). My mom told him to try the apple cider vinegar. He thought she was nuts. But in desperation, he tried it. He never returned to the "purple pill".
The next time heartburn struck me, I pulled out the Bragg apple cider vinegar from my pantry. I mixed a little bit with some water and gagged it down. IT WORKED! I have had a 100% success rate with this remedy.
As with most pharmaceutical treatments, Nexium and other medications for heartburn and acid reflux come with the risk of numerous side effects, some worse than the condition being treated. And death is not ruled out as a side effect!
On the other hand, apple cider vinegar is a food. It has no ill side effects, and actually produces many amazing nutritionally benefits in the human body.
WHAT TO DO: I mix about 2 tsp. apple cider vinegar with 1/4 cup of water and drink as quickly as possible. The taste is intense, and it causes a quick mucous buildup in my mouth. So I generally have to spit after each swallow. But it sure beats using a toxic medication! Some people add a little bit of honey to this mix to make it easier to swallow. Occasionally I will have to repeat this dosage a few minutes later, but it works every time.
For those who simply cannot handle the flavor, there are apple cider tablets available, but I cannot vouch for their effectiveness since I've never tried them. I recommend organic vinegar, and if you want the very best, get the Bragg brand, as it contains beneficial bacteria (called the Mother) as well.
It would probably be a good idea to brush your teeth after using this remedy if you have to do it often. I'm not sure that going back to sleep after putting vinegar in your mouth is such a good idea.
Disclaimer: I am not a medical care professional, so if you follow this advice, you do so at your own risk. Personally, I find no more risk in this method than you would find in your daily diet.
It was a number of years before I ever experienced it again. Being that it always hits me in the middle of the night, the last thing I want to do is get up and eat a banana. I always went the route of drinking some milk. This gave me about a 50% success rate in eliminating the acid discomfort in my body.
In a conversation with my mom one day, she mentioned that apple cider vinegar was the best natural remedy for heartburn and acid reflux. That sounded crazy to me. How could vinegar neutralize acid? She told me that my uncle, who had serious issues with acid reflux, consistently popped the "purple pill" (Nexium). He called my mom on the phone late one evening to ask what he could do for his acid reflux. He ran out of pills and it was too late to get any (he lived out in the mountains). My mom told him to try the apple cider vinegar. He thought she was nuts. But in desperation, he tried it. He never returned to the "purple pill".
The next time heartburn struck me, I pulled out the Bragg apple cider vinegar from my pantry. I mixed a little bit with some water and gagged it down. IT WORKED! I have had a 100% success rate with this remedy.
As with most pharmaceutical treatments, Nexium and other medications for heartburn and acid reflux come with the risk of numerous side effects, some worse than the condition being treated. And death is not ruled out as a side effect!
On the other hand, apple cider vinegar is a food. It has no ill side effects, and actually produces many amazing nutritionally benefits in the human body.
WHAT TO DO: I mix about 2 tsp. apple cider vinegar with 1/4 cup of water and drink as quickly as possible. The taste is intense, and it causes a quick mucous buildup in my mouth. So I generally have to spit after each swallow. But it sure beats using a toxic medication! Some people add a little bit of honey to this mix to make it easier to swallow. Occasionally I will have to repeat this dosage a few minutes later, but it works every time.
For those who simply cannot handle the flavor, there are apple cider tablets available, but I cannot vouch for their effectiveness since I've never tried them. I recommend organic vinegar, and if you want the very best, get the Bragg brand, as it contains beneficial bacteria (called the Mother) as well.
It would probably be a good idea to brush your teeth after using this remedy if you have to do it often. I'm not sure that going back to sleep after putting vinegar in your mouth is such a good idea.
Disclaimer: I am not a medical care professional, so if you follow this advice, you do so at your own risk. Personally, I find no more risk in this method than you would find in your daily diet.
February 28, 2011
Herbal Tinctures
I'm pretty sure that many of my friends think I'm from another planet, or a freak of nature, and no doubt they think I'm just plain weird. It's because I don't quite think like most people, I guess. I've never been satisfied with following "the norm". Not because I WANT to be different than everybody, but because the way I see it, "the norm" is not necessarily the best option. I think it's important to continuously examine and learn about the things we put on and in our bodies.
I'm an avid learner, and I recently began learning about herbal remedies. A friend started doing herbal classes in her home and I've been making my own tinctures in my kitchen. It's very easy, and surprisingly inexpensive.
What is a tincture? Most people are accustomed to making tea from herbs, and there are tremendous health benefits that can be derived from various herbs. But sometimes we need a more potent form than what we would get from drinking it as a tea. That's where tinctures come in. The herbs are placed in a medium (apple cider vinegar, glycerin, or alcohol), and all the potent and beneficial elements are extracted from the herb over a period of 4-6 weeks. They are then taken in very small doses (usually 2-3 droppers full).
For example, the first herbal tincture I ever made was for nourishing the endocrine system. This particular blend came already mixed and includes: wild yam, sarsaparilla, black & blue cohosh, false unicorn, dong quai, sage, licorice and dandelion. Each of these herbs contains properties that nourish the endocrine system (which is primarily your hormones).
To make this particular tincture, you simply fill a glass jar half full with the herb blend, and cover completely with vodka or apple cider vinegar (I used the vinegar because of the added nutrients). Cover with plastic wrap and a lid. Shake daily for 2 weeks. Strain, and put in a bottle with a dropper. Take 2-3 droppers in the morning and the evening.
Herbs take some time to accumulate in your system, so it may take a few weeks or even a couple of months before you begin to notice a difference. This tincture can also be given to children who have reached puberty at half the adult dosage. And the endocrine tincture is not just for women! Men need it, too!
I got my endocrine blend from Southwest Herb, located in Mesa, Arizona.
I'm not an expert herbalist, but I'm thrilled to share with you the things I'm learning. One of the greatest companies for herbs is Mountain Rose Herbs, located in Eugene, Oregon. Their herbs are inexpensive, and you might be inspired just by browsing through their website.
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