Heavy Metal

 With skin being our largest organ, it is so very important that we monitor what we slather on it. Some of you may not know, but my mother is declining from Alzheimer's disease. It is one of the main reasons I do what I do with researching products and eating as healthy as I can, in addition to my exercise regime. 

     Aluminum Zirconium has been linked highly to breast cancer and Alzheimer's disease. Most antiperspirants on the market contain high levels of this ingredient (anywhere from 10-25%!!!)  Aluminum is a POTENT neurotoxin. The way it works in antiperspirants is trapping the sweat in the glands with aluminum ions. When the sweat ducts get trapped with this heavy metal, it accumulates in the breast tissue (particularly the lymph nodes), blood stream and ultimately the brain. 

     There are plenty of natural deodorants on the market. Some work better than others. It really is a trial and error type game due to people's body chemistry. Don't get discouraged. Sweat becomes body odor, but we are SUPPOSED to sweat. 

     I have had good success with Earth Science products, Tom's of Maine and also Primal Pit Paste. I recently came across a recipe for making my own deodorant and I absolutely love it. 

      Here is the recipe:

2 Tbsp of coconut oil

1 Tbsp of sodium bicarbonate (baking soda)

3 Tbsp of arrowroot powder

5 drops of essential oil (I do NOT advise peppermint oil...trust me...it kinda burns) TRY lemon, lime, lavender, or patchouli.

 Mix these together until creamy

     Also, with these "natural" choices, I suggest re-applying if need be. It is NOT as potent as aluminum-based products, so it wears off. 

     Just consider the effects of heavy metals entering the blood stream....and let me know if you find one that works for you. I'd love to know what has worked for you.

You've got to move it, move it

After I became a Certified Health Coach, I decided to become a Certified Personal Trainer. I figured the two complimented each other. My desire to learn about the way the body responds to food and exercise became more than a passion for me, it became a lifestyle; albeit a tad obsessive.

     This space for typing a note doesn't even begin to give me adequate room to write about the importance of exercise, but I will do my best. The human body was designed to move!!! I schedule my workouts like I would a meeting on my calendar. I have 3 kids and work part time, but I make time to work out 6 days a week (sometimes 2 workouts a day.....I said obsessive). It is MY time, MY therapy and necessary for MY sanity. It doesn't take long for something to become a habit. The more you exercise, the more your body learns to burn fat rather than storing it. Exercise releases endorphins and increases the amounts of the neurotransmitters, serotonin and dopamine, thus becomes addicting. It is a good addiction. Trust me, I know.

     When we are idle, the incidence of chronic conditions, including obesity, increases. Here are some of the conditions induced, at least partly, by inactivity:
-breast cancer....physically active females have reduced cases of amenorrhea, fewer irregular cycles, and they start their periods later...all associated with reduced development of breast cancer. Women with the highest levels of activity are 30% less likely to be diagnosed with breast cancer. Bottom line: the more calories you burn over time, the lower your risk of breast cancer.
-colon cancer....those with high levels of physical activity are 50% less likely to develop colon cancer
-pancreatic cancer...people who exercise 4 hours a week have a 50% less chance to develop pancreatic cancer.
-melanoma....sedentary men and women have a 56% and 72% respectively higher rate of melanoma.
-hypertension(high blood pressure)...obviously blood pressure is significantly higher in people who are sedentary.
-osteoarthritis...exercise helps manage this, reduces pain, increases flexibility.
-insomnia...the harder you train, the better you sleep
-diabetes (type 2)....studies show that those that exercise 5 times a week were less likely to develop diabetes.

     Not everyone is going to like the same kind of exercise, but let's first define exercise. I am not talking about vacuuming or gardening. I am talking about aerobic or anaerobic activity, ideally a combination of both. Aerobic activity can be simply walking (45-60 minutes, 3-5 times a week)  at a brisk pace..not a casual stroll. Running is phenomenal for the heart, but of course brutal on the joints (which is why I can't do it too often). Also, zumba, barre classes (my fave), yoga, jazzercise, dance, cross training, elliptical machine, treadmill, spinning, stationary bike, aerobic classes, swimming, etc.
AND then there is anaerobic... weight training. The real benefits of weight lifting (even light weights) happen 24 hours AFTER a workout during the after burn....burning 100-200 extra calories. So if you incorporate strength training into your routine, you can burn an extra 300-600 calories per week. Weight training also helps build bone mass/density. Muscles weigh more than fat(so don't live by the number on the scale, EVER), but muscle burns calories faster.

     DO NOT tell me you don't have time. Apply what you know about setting and accomplishing business goals to setting and achieving fitness goals. YOU are the boss of you and bosses don't cancel. Remember, exercise is not only about losing weight and gaining muscle. It is about creating healthy blood flow, healthy heart, healthy brain, healthy bones, and a healthy mind. There are plenty of thin UNHEALTHY people. DO it for the right reasons. 

     Lastly...did you know that human sweat contains a natural antibiotic that can actually protect us from skin fungi and bacteria? Yep.  

     So find a way to move. Create a habit. Be the boss of you. Don't cancel. You can be fit and healthy, or you can be jealous. You decide. 

Your Third Lung

 The Chinese actually call the skin the "Third Lung" because it breathes. Our skin takes in oxygen and releases carbon dioxide (the same amount AS the lungs in a 60 minute time frame!!!!!).
     Our skin has 3 layers: 
-epidermis, which sheds and replenishes every 28 days. The reason signs of aging occur is because as we age, the cells begin to mix with sebum (which is the oil produced by sebaceous glands) and forms a sticky bond which makes the skin look wrinkled. This is because the skin simply cannot "breathe" like it did in younger years. 
-dermis, the middle layer where you will find hair follicles, sweat glands, nerves and blood vessels. We have to be extremely careful about what reaches this level and enters the bloodstream. You will notice that people who have severe sun damage, or those who simply do not take care of their skin (and eat poorly), look older than they are. This dermis is 70% collagen fibers bonded by elastin. When there is loss of moisture, the fibers become less elastic....skin sags and we get wrinkles.
-subcutaneous layer, the deepest layer.

     In each square INCH of skin there are:

65 hairs
95-100 sebaceous glands
78 yards of nerve fibers
19 yards of blood vessels
650 sweat glands
9,500,000 cells (this blows my mind)
1,300 nerve endings
19,500 additional cells at the end of the nerve fibers
78 sensory apparatuses for heat
13 sensory apparatuses for cold
160-165 pressure apparatuses for the perception of tactile stimuli

     With all this going on, the skin performs 5 functions. It protects our bones and organs. It allows you to feel via the power of sensation. It regulates body temperature. It excretes and secretes. You can absorb as much through your skin as you can through consuming food. SO needless to say, we NEED to treat it better.
     There are about 25,000 chemicals found in household products and personal care products. This is the MAIN reason for my page. I hope to make you aware of these chemicals including coloring agents, perfumes, preservatives, sequestrants, fillers, humectants, texturizers, and stabilizers.

Keep an eye out for these:
*Benzyl alcohol-usually found in cosmetics and perfumes. HIGHLY toxic, poisonous if swallowed, moderately toxic if inhaled or absorbed via skin, can cause skin and eye irritations.
*Benzyl Salicylate- found in perfumes and sunscreens. Possible allergen and can irritate skin. Moderately toxic if swallowed.
*Butyl alcohol- Used in shampoos..oh and gasoline. Need I say more? ok I will..skin irritant, harmful and toxic if swallowed or if it comes in contact with the eyes. Duh.
*Sodium Lauryl Sulfate- VERY COMMON in shampoos, bath and shower gels, hand lotions, bubble baths, toothpaste. This is toxic if swallowed (ironic that it is in toothpaste), it is a mild allergen and skin irritant..and and this gem is also a mutagen(chemical agent that CHANGES DNA and causes mutations) 
*Methoxsalen-Found in suntan lotions, hair gels, mousse, creams and ointments. This is a confirmed carcinogen(causes cancer...infuriates me that this is even legal), toxic by swallowing, mutagen.
*Octyle acetate- Oderant in perfumes cosmetics, hair products, skin lotions. Toxic if swallowed..also skin and eye irritant.
*Salicyclic Acid- used in hair gels and skin care products. Mutagen and poisonous if swallowed.
*Methylparaben-Preservative used in moisturizers. Mutagen, toxic if swallowed, can cause allergic reactions
*Isopropyl myristate-helps absorption of skin creams. Irritates skin and clogs pores
*Stearic acid-Found in bar soaps, cosmetics, facial creams, lotions and shaving creams. Causes skin irritations.
*Triethanolamine- Found in shampoos and shaving gels and helps products from drying out. Toxic if swallowed
*Propylparaben-added in products to kill germs. Toxic if swallowed; allergen.
*Titanium dioxide- Provides white pigment in products. Known skin irritant.
(these are just the most common toxins)

     Now you may be saying "Hey Holly, I won't eat these and won't swallow them so why be so worried?". Well, if you swallow a substance, the liver filters SOME of it protecting the bloodstream..and while this causes stress on your liver, it WILL end up reducing the harmful effects. However, if you apply this same toxin to the skin, the wonderful mechanism of the liver is completely bypassed. The skin is kinda counting on you to NOT put poison on it...for real.

     Again, please look through the photo album I created. I have found high quality, SAFE products for you to use. I will continue to research and add to this album and list. The FDA is not your friend, but I am. Please become a label reader, with food AND health care products/cosmetics. We really do not know the full extent of the damage of these toxins, and I can assure you that we don't WANT to know.

The Fantastic Four

The skin is the largest organ of the body and as discussed in a previous note, it serves so many vital purposes. Obviously it protects us. Skin regulates our body temperature, it excretes, secretes, and most importantly....absorbs. You need to be working on the outward appearance of your skin by working from the inside first. If you think that slathering yourself in expensive lotions will do the trick, you will be in for a letdown and a big credit card bill. (trust me, I've tried them ALL for you!!!)

     The four essentials that you need to know for repairing and maintaining healthy skin are:

-Vitamin A: Vit A helps with skin injuries and also improves the texture of skin, making it much softer. There are two types of A; retinoids and carotenoids. Retinoids are from animal derived foods. Carotenoids are from plant and veg (mainly carrots, green leafy veg, eggs and sweet potato)

-Vitamin E: Vit E is a power house. It helps the skin fight free radicals (these are the bad guys that attack cells and cause cancer) and E also works as an anti-oxidant to reduce damage caused by exposure to sun and pollutants. Vit E also fights premature aging. It can reduce stretch marks and also blemishes. Just recently, E added to it's awesome resume the ability to protect you from prostate cancer and Alzheimer's.  Vitamin E can be found in sunflower seeds, leafy greens (Swiss chard, turnip greens, mustard greens), almonds, papaya and asparagus.

-Vitamin D: lowers the risk of inflammation, bacterial infections and helps replace and regenerate skin cells. It is found in sardines, salmon, mushrooms and eggs.

-Zinc: when taken orally or applied topically, zinc can help with acne and skin wounds. Foods rich in zinc are meats, lentils, nuts, oysters.

     I listed the foods because you should NEVER take synthetic, isolated vitamins. High levels of Vitamin A, C, and E have been proven to be toxic to our system and can cause organ damage. This is because the body will only absorb what it needs..then dump the rest. Your organs help that release. Please don't put that pressure of work on your kidneys and liver. Whole foods is what your body needs...think back to basics.

Yo Soy

 Some people are really afraid to consume soy despite the incredible benefits. Of course the dairy industry is tops on the list to discredit soy as they see soymilk as a threat. There are two huge soy critics (Sally Fallon and Mary Enig) who are very outspoken against soy. I won't get into their rants on here, but will gladly provide you with information easily discrediting their statements.
     Soybeans have been around for over 5,000 years...even considered a sacred crop in China. The greatest herbalist in Chinese history, Li-Shi-Chen, wrote about soy in 1578 as being an effective remedy for kidney disease, water retention and poisoning. To this day, the Chinese use soybeans to cure many conditions, from the common cold to diseases.
     Soy is a healthy source of protein. Half of the body's non-water weight is protein, so it is essential to our diet. However, most people consume TOO much protein, especially from animal sources. If it comes from an animal, it also comes with saturated fats and cholesterol. Soy protein is equal in quality to animal protein; without the fats and cholesterol. In addition, soy contains fiber...AND it is far cheaper than meat.
     As stated above, the Chinese consider soybeans a super food. I'll tell you why. Soy is a cancer fighter. Soy foods contain:
- protease inhibitors, which interfere with the digestion of protein from food. This is important because these inhibitors protect against harmful radiation and free radicals and have actually been shown to inhibit cancers of the lung, pancreas, colon, mouth and esophagus.
- phytate which is a phosphorous storage and extremely essential.
- phytosterols....another cancer-protective element and is highly effective in regulating the colon.
-saponins which are antioxidants
-isoflavones...these are plant estrogens and bind to estrogen receptors in the body(breast tissue). They keep natural and more powerful human estrogen from binding to those same site. High levels of estrogen are linked to some breast cancers, so this binding is obviously important.
-genistein...it is an isoflavone that converts cancerous cells to normal cells. Also inhibits tumor growth. That in itself is amazing (the power of whole foods).
     The benefits of soy do not stop at merely fighting cancer. It also fights heart disease. As we know, high cholesterol is linked to cardiovascular disease. Soy actually lowers cholesterol. Soy also wards off osteoporosis. It helps the kidneys. It helps lower blood pressure. It helps with gallstones. I think the Chinese were onto something here :)
     Let's clear up a HUGE misunderstanding: soy foods do NOT contain estrogen, they contain phytoestrogen. NOT THE SAME.
     You can find soy in soybeans, edamame, soy nuts, texturized vegetable protein, soy flour, tofu, tempeh, miso, soy sauce, soy milk.
     Read labels as well...non-GMO soy is a must. :) So don't shy away from soy, simply educate yourself on the facts and enjoy.
     Thanks for reading!

The Paleo Lifestyle

Notice I did not say diet. I won't use that word because it is a pointless word. The first 3 letters of the word diet...D-I-E. Whether you choose Paleo or vegan or any other eating lifestyle, make it a life change, not a phase. I will say, I was vegetarian for about 9 years, but when I was pregnant with my first child, I really craved meat! Then when I had 3 kids and a spouse to cook for, I realized I needed to find a method of cooking that made everyone happy. It wasn't until 2009 when I went to Dr Michael Smith at Carolinas Natural Health Center and started the Renew program. It changed my life. (I can get you in touch with him if you would like). Paleo is getting much attention these days. It is not for everyone. As a matter of fact, I find it most common with athletes. Loren Chordain PhD was the man who discovered that common health problems started when processed foods, including breads and pastas, came onto the scene. He realized that if we ate a more "back to basics" menu like hunters and gatherers did in caveman days, then we could eliminate common ailments. From personal experience, I find this true. When I started working at Carolinas Natural Health, I witnessed the benefits with many of my clients. People with celiac disease cannot have gluten because their small intestine doesn't have the capability of breaking down the gluten due to damage in the intestinal wall. The intestines are lined with villi. If you or I eat gluten, the villi restores itself...so no problem eating gluten. However, someone with celiac would suffer from intestinal pain. I tell you this to further solidify the fact that our intestines weren't designed to tolerate gluten. Before we had ovens or stoves, we didn't cook breads and pastas. We ate off the land...what we killed, hunted and cropped. Gluten causes inflammation leading to joint pain. Many clients find that after a week or two off gluten, all arthritic pain goes away. Their bowels regulate due to clean intestinal wall. Skin improves as well. True Paleo is no gluten(pasta, rice, bread,chips, cake, etc), no dairy, no processed foods and no sugar (even strict enough to eliminate alcohol if you are true to Paleo). As with ANYTHING, I find a balance living Paleo. I consider myself 80/20. I'll explain: for the most part, I am 100% Paleo, but if I am out with friends or at a party, I won't go out of my way to avoid certain dishes. If I go out of town it's a free for all! I don't limit myself or deny myself. Paleo is a lifestyle...it's just how I eat. Again, I found Paleo to work well for me. I lost 45 lbs in 4 months and never gained it back. I am in the best shape of my life and the healthiest I have ever been. It may not be for everyone, but it changed my life and  Notice I did not say diet. I won't use that word because it is a pointless word. The first 3 letters of the word diet...D-I-E. Whether you choose Paleo or vegan or any other eating lifestyle, make it a life change, not a phase. I will say, I was vegetarian for about 9 years, but when I was pregnant with my first child, I really craved meat! Then when I had 3 kids and a spouse to cook for, I realized I needed to find a method of cooking that made everyone happy. It wasn't until 2009 when I went to Dr Michael Smith at Carolinas Natural Health Center and started the Renew program. It changed my life. (I can get you in touch with him if you would like). 
     Paleo is getting much attention these days. It is not for everyone. As a matter of fact, I find it most common with athletes. Loren Chordain PhD was the man who discovered that common health problems started when processed foods, including breads and pastas, came onto the scene. He realized that if we ate a more "back to basics" menu like hunters and gatherers did in caveman days, then we could eliminate common ailments. From personal experience, I find this true. When I started working at Carolinas Natural Health, I witnessed the benefits with many of my clients. 
     People with celiac disease cannot have gluten because their small intestine doesn't have the capability of breaking down the gluten due to damage in the intestinal wall. The intestines are lined with villi. If you or I eat gluten, the villi restores itself...so no problem eating gluten. However, someone with celiac would suffer from intestinal pain. I tell you this to further solidify the fact that our intestines weren't designed to tolerate gluten. Before we had ovens or stoves, we didn't cook breads and pastas. We ate off the land...what we killed, hunted and cropped. Gluten causes inflammation leading to joint pain. Many clients find that after a week or two off gluten, all arthritic pain goes away. Their bowels regulate due to clean intestinal wall. Skin improves as well. 
     True Paleo is no gluten(pasta, rice, bread,chips, cake, etc), no dairy, no processed foods and no sugar (even strict enough to eliminate alcohol if you are true to Paleo). As with ANYTHING, I find a balance living Paleo. I consider myself 80/20. I'll explain: for the most part, I am 100% Paleo, but if I am out with friends or at a party, I won't go out of my way to avoid certain dishes. If I go out of town it's a free for all! I don't limit myself or deny myself. Paleo is a lifestyle...it's just how I eat. 
     Again, I found Paleo to work well for me. I lost 45 lbs in 4 months and never gained it back. I am in the best shape of my life and the healthiest I have ever been. It may not be for everyone, but it changed my life and body. 
     A good site to look into is everydaypaleo.com. 

Carbs: the good, the bad, and the ugly

 Carbs: to many, it's a "bad" word. There are BAD carbs, of course....the white, bready, sugary carbs that we KNOW are a no-no. However, fruits and vegetables are carbs as well and since fruits and vegetables are the only known way to fight cancer and get antioxidants, we need to get over our fear of "carbs". Take note...most vegetables average 20 calories per serving, while fruits average 60 per serving (fruits have sugar). Fruits and veg also contain fiber. Just adding 14 grams of fiber per day reduces caloric intake.
     What you DO need to know is how the body works in order to use what we feed it as fuel. Ideally, we should eat 6 times a day....3 meals, 3 snacks. If we skip a meal or go too long without food, our body will try to "save" us and go into fat storing mode i.e. slowing down metabolism. The snack should be something quite small like a handful of almonds (about 25 grams) or 1/3 of a food bar (a whole bar is too many calories). The idea is merely to trick the body from going into fat storing.
      Once your body is done digesting the food and has used it as fuel, alllllll extra carbs will be stored as fat.....even if it's fruits and/or veg. This is why there are so many overweight vegetarians or vegans. They think that eating beans and rice and pasta is soooooo healthy. In reality, it is anything but healthy, especially eating it later in the day.  Ideally, we should taper down from carbs later in the day. Proteins will help restore our muscles while we sleep, so if you are having a dinner of chicken or meat, then have a very small portion of veg (about 70 grams). Don't eat anything 2 hours before you go to sleep. ANYTHING you eat will get stored as fat.
     As far as desserts or "bad" carbs go, as you can deduce from reading the words above, they serve NO nutritional value and will ALL get stored as fat. This is why breakfast "bars" and cereals are such a bad choice for you as breakfast. After we wake up, the last thing we need as fuel is a ton of bad carbs. Rehydrate the organs with water upon waking up, then have a couple of eggs with tomato, or maybe fruit and good turkey bacon.....even avocado...just make a smart choice, not a processed one.  
     Lastly, if you eat and drink sugary items, you will crave them. This is why restaurants offer us free refills. If we are eating something salty or spicy, we drown it with a sugary soda and the vicious cycle begins. It takes about 4 days to detox from sugar. Try it.
     I eat a Paleo-based diet (about 80/20). It changed my life in 2009 and if you need to know more about it, feel free to comment below or inbox me. 

Them bones

If we used common sense for this topic, it would be easier to grasp. I will do my best to explain what convinced me to steer clear of dairy. We are really the only species that drinks another mammal's milk. You wouldn't dream of going up to a lioness and start sucking her teat for milk. You don't see a kangaroo sucking on a possum. SOOO let's talk about cow's milk (I'll just go with this since it is obviously the most common milk consumed). Cow's milk is designed to help baby cattle grow from  90 lbs at birth to several hundred pounds in less than two years. Humans grow from 6-8 lbs at birth to between 100-200 lbs in 18 YEARS. Dairy is high in cholesterol and fat and contains zero fiber.
     How about this..... people in the U.S. consume more dairy products than any other country. Fact. The U.S. has the highest rates of osteoporosis, osteoarthritis and bone fractures. So clearly something doesn't add up. In most other cultures, they rely on FOOD as their calcium source. Look at China: most are vegetarian there. They take in, easily, half the calcium recommended by the USDA, yet their bones are stronger and healthier. In women over the age of 50, the hip fracture rate is one-fifth the rates of Western nations.
     If you remember me talking about water and the pH levels in our body (acidic versus alkaline) and how our bodies strive to be neutral.....animal proteins are acidic. Since the body craves neutrality, it will drain calcium out of the bones to ward off acidity. The largest storage depot for calcium is....you guessed it, our BONES. So drinking cow's milk to strengthen bones is much like filling up a pail with a hole at the bottom.
     In true American form, calcium SUPPLEMENTS were invented (because heaven forbid we get our nutritional needs from a food source). Our bodies can only absorb about 500 mg of calcium at a time, so that 1200 mg horse pill of calcium you are taking is doing more harm than good (if any good at all). Think about this:  a cup of skim milk has about 300 mg of calcium while 1 cup of broccoli has 95 mg of calcium. HOWEVER, the body absorbs over 52% of the calcium in the broccoli while only about 30% of that in the milk. So a great source of calcium is dark leafy vegetable (the highest being bok choy). Keep in mind that skim milk is significantly higher in calories than green leafy vegetables. Seems like a win-win for the veg.
     Since I mentioned calcium drain from the body, you may want to know what else drains calcium.
     1) tobacco use
     2) alcohol
     3) caffeine
     4) sodas
     5) animal foods (meat, dairy)
     6) refined salt
     7) antacids
     8) too much animal protein
     9) not enough exercise
     10) lack of sunlight

So the dairy industry is yet another perfect example of how misleading information about food can truly be.

A GREAT go-to site that i highly recommend is strongbones.org

Milk, it doesn't do a body good.

Splenda: just say no

  SOO much controversy over articficial sweeteners...with due reason. If you take the time to research it, there are more adverse reports to the FDA about aspartame than ANY other food additive....yet look at the amount of food and drinks with fake sugar. Sucralose, a.k.a. Splenda, prides themselves with the ingenious labeling of their product "made from sugar". This IS true...but it is chlorinated sugar. They chemically change it by substituting 3 chlorine atoms for 3 hydroxyl groups. In other words, it is altered. In 1998, sucralose was approved by the FDA to be used in food products. In Europe...not so much. It is STILL being tested for safety. Good luck with that...it is NOT safe. The effects in labs, on animals, includes shrunken thymus gland, enlarged liver and kidneys and aborted pregnancies. How this stuff is on the shelves really escapes me. 

     Sucralose actually worsens diabetic conditions, so don't try to tell me you need it as a diabetic to use instead of sugar. The only known way, and PROVEN way to control diabetes (Type 1 AND Type 2) is through a healthy, plant-based diet combined with exercise and actually being aware of your body composition. As far as using it for help with your "diet", shelf it. It will mess with the insulin transport and it is recognized as a chemical; therefore, that will backfire on your body. 

     About 11-27% of the sucralose you consume WILL be absorbed into your body..and aspartame actually breaks down in our organs as formaldehyde. Mmmmmmmm, tasty. How can THAT be good?

     Quick lesson in sugar. Regular white sugar that you buy at the store is processed (bleached and such) over 200 times. Sugar in the Raw is processed about 40-50 times then coated with molasses to make it look "raw"...clever huh?...again, labeling geniuses. I recommend Sucanat for baking and coffee/tea It stands for Sugar Cane Naturally. It looks like brown sugar (well because sugar is NOT WHITE!!) so it can be used equal parts in any recipe as a sugar replacement. 

     Stevia is from a Peruvian plant and is an all natural sweetner. It is VERY sweet and potent so it cannot be used for baking as a sugar replacement. It does take some getting used to with the taste and measuring. There are several sweetners in the sugar aisle at the grocery store with stevia as the ingredient, including Truvia and PureLeaf. READ the labels though. It should JUST SAY STEVIA!! Agave syrup can be used as well, but there is now some controversy surrounding the manufacturing methods of agave as well, so check the source and brand. 

     If you want to REALLY learn about artificial sweeteners, I highly recommend a book called Sweet Deception by Dr. Mercola. OR check out the 15 minute video on mercola.com. That should be enough to do the trick. It did for me.

Overwhelming?

 I have been getting GREAT emails from some of you. First of all, thank you for the great feedback and response. It CAN be overwhelming at first. By no means am I suggesting that you run out and buy all the same things I use. I want you to share with me as I share with you. IF by chance you need help or have been searching for something, please don't hesitate to ask. I started learning about all this almost 10 years ago, so I have done some leg work for you. What I do recommend is simply being aware of your labels and/or advertising. There is a HUGE difference in scientific research and what the media tells you. Some ads are flat out LIES. I am trying to help you make intelligent choices about nutrition and health. Simple as that. If you are out of eye cream, try one that I have used. If you need sunscreen, try one I posted. The more natural, the better. Our skin is our largest organ. It ALL starts with the skin and what it absorbs. The skin serves several functions including protection, sensation, heat regulation, excretion, secretion and ABSORPTION. Start with a good cleanser. Work your way into a good moisturizer. If you wear make-up every day, then try some more natural selections.

     If you strive to be healthier, you will have to adopt the lifestyle habits of a healthy person: inside AND out. Just add things here and there as you run out. I have so much information that I honestly don't know where to start. Keep emailing me ideas. I have a request to discuss the aluminum in anit-perspirants. I have a request to discuss Splenda. I have a request to talk about good carbs and bad carbs. I promise I am working on these for you. 

     Lastly, I am not perfect and always learning. I don't think YOU need to be perfect..you need to find what works for your lifestyle. However, keep in mind that the more we strive to eliminate toxins, the better our bodies will work for us to fight disease and help us age better. Read labels. Slowly replace toxic products with chemical-free, high quality products. You will be impressed at how much more effective those products are WHILE reducing your risk of developing degenerative conditions. 

     Thank you for your ongoing support.

How about GMnOOOO

This is a BIG concern for many and making headlines....

If you were to look at all the processed foods in the grocery stores, sadly as much as 60% contains genetically engineered ingredients. The IDEA of GMO wasn't "bad" per se'. Corporations tried to improve the make-up of food. Unfortunately, things went downhill, quickly. To make matters worse, so many of the genetically modified foods are not even labeled. People can have allergic reactions without even realizing what set it off. (In Europe, the European Union requires that transgenic food be labeled.) 

So much of this SHOULD be common sense...do NOT mess with nature. Crossing species seriously cannot be a good thing, and that is precisely what is happening.

DO you realize that some of the fruits and vegetables that you buy at the grocery store MAY contain genes from ANIMALS?

Have you heard of rBGH? Monsato is the developer. It stands for Recombinant Bovine Growth Hormone. It is used to help increase milk production in the cows. Milk from cows given this hormone contain pus from udder infections, antibiotics to then cure aforementioned infection, AND high levels of IGF-1 which is Insulin-like Growth Factor (that is linked to breast cancer and prostate cancer). I can't even get in to what happens to the cows as a result of all this.

Other facts you should know is the increased herbicide and pesticide use...which over the past years has only increased. Monsato won't share the reasons why they requested the increase (from 6 parts per million to 20 parts to million!) and shockingly, the government has not forced them to provide us with the reasons.

These altered foods ARE affecting the environment. The proliferation of Bt crops could, theoretically, eliminate certain species or a mutation.

The proof is in the label: if it says "certified organic" it means that the produce has been grown on a farm that has had annual reviews of farming practices and inspections. This means NO prohibited synthetic fertilizers, pesticides or fungicides within hte past 3 years. Certified livestock must be fed 100% organic feed without the use of synthetic supplements or growth hormones. An added bonus is this method of farming does not harm the environment. 

Lastly, if you still think this is a bunch of crazy talk, here are just a FEW links between herbicides and pesticides and health risks: leukemia and lymphatic cancers are more prevalent, immune system impairment, higher cancer rates, higher rates of Alzheimer's and Parkinson's in people exposed to pesticides, and even a Japanese study showing exposure to organophosphate insecticides causing nearsightedness in children. 

A lesson in water

     It is important to understand that our bodies are 25% solid matter and the rest....water. It is believed that up to 85% of the brain tissue is water. Muscles are 85% water. The liver is 82% water. Our bones, 22% water. Water is SOOOO important that a mere 5% drop in water levels in the body can cause a 25-30% loss of energy.

     Dehydration can lead to fatigue, constipation, kidney disease, kidney failure, allergies(as it alters the body's histamine response and function), asthma, headaches, depression, heartburn, arthritis, back pain, hypertension, cholesterol issues, diabetes, muscle pain, and even cancerous tumor growth.

     Our bodies strive to maintain neutrality...a pH level of 7.0 is neutral. I'll keep this simple.....animal products are acidic. Fruits and veg are alkaline. Beverages (and even poor water) are acidic. The more acidic our diet, the more we need alkalinity to balance that out. If we don't, then the body will pull nutrients from our body to maintain a neutral pH. The body is incredibly smart. If you want to know how your tap water rates, simply go to a home store, or pool store, and get a water test kit. They do not cost much and it may be good to know what you are drinking. Most tap water has contaminants....chlorine for one. We have a whole house water filter making our tap water a solid 7.0. Even our toilets have 7.0 since it is hooked to our main water line. However, I get my drinking water from Carolinas Natural Health...I drink 9.5 on the alkaline scale. Below is a list of levels for you to get an idea of how acidic beverages are:

ACIDIC =3.0-6.9      NEUTRAL =7     ALKALINE= above 7

Snapple 3.67

Propel 3.6

Gatorade 3.5

Sprite 3.5

Pepsi 3.2

Coke 2.8

Red Bull 3.2

Starbucks coffee 5.5

Odwalla orange juice 4.2

MonaVie 6.18

Red wine 4.05

Heineken 4.76

Patron 4.55

Vodka 6.2

Aquafina 5.35

Evian 7.64

Fiji 7.6

Smart Water 5.9

Evamor water 9.18

Penta Water 5.27

Essentia 9.26

Vitamin Water 3.34

Dasani 3.04

Perrier 5.53

Deer Park 4.3

Kangen water 9.5 (enagic.com if you want to learn about the machine that gives me 9.5)

SO, yes, water quality counts.

If you have ANY questions, please ask. I coud go on for days.