1. The Doctor is In and her name is Meditation

    There has been a lot of talk of meditation floating around recently…and it makes me happy! I have been using a very simple form of meditation for years to help with insomnia, long flights, bouts of anxiety, and etc and let me tell ya something, it has worked wonders. I am not a fan of taking medication (there seems to be a pill for everything these days) but before I discovered meditation, I popped a few pills in times of “crisis”. I can honestly say that the simple meditation I do has helped better than any pill ever has AND there are no negative side affects. There are many forms of meditation so if you have tried it in the past and it didn’t work for you, maybe you just were not doing one that works for you. I am currently working to make meditation part of my daily life and not just use it in stressful times. I’ll let you know how it goes;) I just got a book by Thich Nhat Hanh, my favorite modern day philosopher, titled “The Miracle of Mindfulness: An Introduction to the Practice of Meditation” and cannot wait to get started. Meditation > Medication 

  2. Body Image PSA.

    (Source: vimeo.com)

  3. chemicalfreeskinny: FOOD CHEMICALS:  ADVERSE REACTIONS LINKED with FOOD COLORINGS/DYES* ______________ “A study published in The Lancet in 2007 found that certain food additives, like the preservative sodium benzoate and colorings, can actually increase hyperactivity in children. “The finding lends strong support for the case that food additives exacerbate hyperactive behaviors (inattention, impulsivity and overactivity) at least into middle childhood,” the researchers wrote.”- Deirdre Imus, Growing Up Green: Baby and Child Care: Volume 2 in the Bestselling Green This! Series _______________________ “As with many food additives, this American [food] industry has annual revenues of about $1.4 billion. Approximately 10,000 new processed food products are introduced every year in the United States. Almost all of them require additives not required by the FDA to be explicitly named in all ingredient lists, and may sometimes be represented under “natural coloring” or “added coloring.” It has been known to cause severe allergic reactions and anaphylactic shock in some people.”- Brenda Watson and Leonard Smith, The Detox Strategy: Vibrant Health in 5 Easy Steps __________________________ FOOD COLORINGS AND BEHAVIORAL PROBLEMS in CHILDREN Crusade Against Food Coloring Unveiled “One of the best resources for information about child behavior and food additives is the Feingold Association.  Dr. Ben F. Feingold was an eminent pediatrician and allergist, and was Chief of Allergy at the Kaiser Permanente Medical Center in San Francisco.  As early as 1968, he was publishing articles about the dangers of food additives, and making their connection to learning disabilities.  Today the Feingold Association guides families of children with behavioral and learning challenges toward a diet free of artificial colorings, flavorings and preservatives. Their website, www.feingold.org, offers a wealth of information and FDA research about the carcinogenic and behavioral side effects of these petro-chemical based food additives. The organization supplies families with shopping guides so that they can navigate their way down the aisles of conventional grocery stores to avoid these chemicals. One thing Feingold stresses is that these additives are not only found in food. They are in many toothpastes, bubblebaths, shampoos, and soaps. Kids who are sensitive to food coloring in food will also react to it topically… Just some of the behavioral, health and psychological symptoms that the Feingold diet can help are: insomnia, frequent crying, asthma, hyperactivity, depression, eczema, sensory integration disorder, ADHD, and learning disabilities.” … *For information on findings from several decades of international scientific studies examining the link between food coloring/dyes and adverse reactions (including breathing difficulties, asthma attacks, headaches, depression, edema, anxiety, skin reactions, insomnia, etc.) please search our blog archives. …

    chemicalfreeskinny:

    FOOD CHEMICALS:  ADVERSE REACTIONS LINKED with FOOD COLORINGS/DYES*

    ______________

    “A study published in The Lancet in 2007 found that certain food additives, like the preservative sodium benzoate and colorings, can actually increase hyperactivity in children. “The finding lends strong support for the case that food additives exacerbate hyperactive behaviors (inattention, impulsivity and overactivity) at least into middle childhood,” the researchers wrote.”
    - Deirdre Imus, Growing Up Green: Baby and Child Care: Volume 2 in the Bestselling Green This! Series

    _______________________

    “As with many food additives, this American [food] industry has annual revenues of about $1.4 billion. Approximately 10,000 new processed food products are introduced every year in the United States. Almost all of them require additives not required by the FDA to be explicitly named in all ingredient lists, and may sometimes be represented under “natural coloring” or “added coloring.” It has been known to cause severe allergic reactions and anaphylactic shock in some people.”
    - Brenda Watson and Leonard Smith, The Detox Strategy: Vibrant Health in 5 Easy Steps

    __________________________

    FOOD COLORINGS AND BEHAVIORAL PROBLEMS in CHILDREN

    Crusade Against Food Coloring Unveiled

    “One of the best resources for information about child behavior and food additives is the Feingold Association.  Dr. Ben F. Feingold was an eminent pediatrician and allergist, and was Chief of Allergy at the Kaiser Permanente Medical Center in San Francisco.  As early as 1968, he was publishing articles about the dangers of food additives, and making their connection to learning disabilities.  Today the Feingold Association guides families of children with behavioral and learning challenges toward a diet free of artificial colorings, flavorings and preservatives.

    Their website, www.feingold.org, offers a wealth of information and FDA research about the carcinogenic and behavioral side effects of these petro-chemical based food additives. The organization supplies families with shopping guides so that they can navigate their way down the aisles of conventional grocery stores to avoid these chemicals. One thing Feingold stresses is that these additives are not only found in food. They are in many toothpastes, bubblebaths, shampoos, and soaps. Kids who are sensitive to food coloring in food will also react to it topically… Just some of the behavioral, health and psychological symptoms that the Feingold diet can help are: insomnia, frequent crying, asthma, hyperactivity, depression, eczema, sensory integration disorder, ADHD, and learning disabilities.”

    …

    *For information on findings from several decades of international scientific studies examining the link between food coloring/dyes and adverse reactions (including breathing difficulties, asthma attacks, headaches, depression, edema, anxiety, skin reactions, insomnia, etc.) please search our blog archives.

    …

  4. Horehound - Herb Talk Tuesdays

    Ok, I know it is not Tuesday…sorry, I had some pressing matters I had to attend to…but I still wants to talk about some herbz. This one is dedicated to a friend who is suffering from a “summer cold” and has a pretty nasty accompanying cough. Horehound is a wonderful cough suppressant and helps a lot with clearing mucus.



    Horehound (Marrubium Vulgare):
    Horehound’s bitterness stimulates the appetite and also promotes bile, making large doses laxative. The whole herb and its derivatives are used in thousands of lung medications around the world, especially for treating bronchitis and coughs. The essential oils and Marrubium dilate the arteries and help to ease lung congestion. The herb apparently causes the secretion of a more fluid mucus, which is more readily cleared by coughing. Marrubium also normalizes the heart beat. Since it also induces sweating it has been used to reduce fevers, even those associated with malaria. It is less commonly used as a decoction for skin conditions. 

    My favorite Horehound tincture is from Herb Pharm.



    I love Horehound candies, especially handmade. I found these on Etsy. 



    And if you want to make your own, here is a recipe! But make sure to use only organic Horehound in your concoctions.

    Light,
    c

  5. From the peeps who gave us The Story of Stuff and The Story of Bottled Water comes The Story of Cosmetics. Give all of them a watch and make more informed decisions about the products you buy. Not only for your own health and the health of your family members, but also for the health of the planet. We vote each day with our dollars, vote wisely.

  6. Calendula: Herb Talk Tuesdays



    Yay! Flowers! I absolutely love Calendula (aka Marigold). Not only do I enjoy to eat the flower buds in herb salads, but I also practice with it internally in tincture form and topically in lotions and body oils.



    Calendula (Calendula Officinalis):
    Also known as Marigold, Marybud, Pot Marigold, Garden Marigold and Gold Bloom. The name comes from the Latin word calendae, meaning first day of the month referring to the plant’s continual flowering pattern. Native to the Mediterranean. The flowers are collected when fully open then they are dried. Each flower has a bright yellow or orange corolla with a slightly bitter and salty taste and odor. Contains flavonoids, terpenoids, glycosides, carotenoids and volatile oils. Relieves inflammation of the digestive tract and promotes the healing of skin tissue. Has anti-microbial properties which help to fight infection, gastric and duodenal ulcers, gastritis and other digestive disorders. Treats mouth ulcers. Relieves the symptoms of bleeding gums, gingivitis and sore throat (in a gargle combined with echinacea). Menstrual cycle normalizer for irregular or delayed periods. Helps against painful menstruation. May also be used as a douche to treat some cases of vaginal discharge. Helps relieve vaginal dryness and redness in menopausal women. Helps with sluggish digestion, constipation and bloating. Acts on the liver and gallbladder to improve the quality of bile, and digestive secretion from the liver that helps to break down dietary fats into smaller fragments for digestion. May also help maintain healthy cholesterol levels. Helps treat conjunctivitis, blepharitis, eczema, minor burns including sunburns, warts and minor injures such as sprains, coughs and snake bites. Effective for juvenile acne and dry phthiriasis. Is anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, anti-haemornhagic, vulnerary and a mild diaphoretic. 

    My favorite brand of Calendula tincture is from Herb Pharm.


    My favorite brand of Calendula Oil is from Weleda.


    Or you can try to make your own!  Just make sure to get organic flowers for your concoctions.

    Flower powered,
    c

  7. Scientists finally seeking the link between chemicals and cancer.

  8. 6 Secrets To Staying Young

    “With aging, we’ve always studied things that decline,” says Changiz Geula, PhD, research professor of neurology at the Cognitive Neurology and Alzheimer’s Disease Center at Northwestern’s Feinberg School of Medicine. But now she and other experts are looking instead to unlock the secrets of the “superaged,” those lucky individuals who seem to stay vital well into their 80s and beyond. Here’s some of their latest research, with advice on how you can add years to your life.

    via the Huffington Post. Read the whole article HERE.

  9. In EU ‘No’ to Genetically Modified Food Could Conceal a ‘Yes’

    BRUSSELS - Genetically modified (GM) foods will be introduced more quickly in Europe as a result of a new proposal, some Brussels officials fear.

    Read the rest of the article here: http://www.commondreams.org/headline/2010/07/14-3

  10. Make it Work: Work it Out Wednesdays

    Let’s face it. No matter how much you may not like it, exercise is key. Physical activity is not only essential in losing weight but keeps us moving around when we get older, helps improve our memory and makes you feel great about yourself. No one is saying you need to be able to keep up with Matt and Lance, but you should have some exercise in your daily life. Slowly build up your strength and stamina and who knows, maybe we’ll see you in the next Tour De France. If you don’t already, you should start working out today. There is no better time to start then now. The first (and second) time is the hardest. But you will start noticing a change in your strength and endurance right away. It really is amazing.

    From Wikipedia (Physical Exercise):

    “Physical exercise is any bodily activity that enhances or maintains physical fitness and overall health or wellness. It is performed for various reasons. These include strengthening muscles and the cardiovascular system, honing athletic skills, weight loss or maintenance and for enjoyment. Frequent and regular physical exercise boosts the immune system, and helps prevent the “diseases of affluence” such as heart disease, cardiovascular disease, Type 2 diabetes and obesity. It also improves mental health, helps prevent depression, helps to promote or maintain positive self-esteem, and can even augment an individual’s sex appeal or body image. Childhood obesity is a growing global concern and physical exercise may help decrease the effects of childhood obesity in developed countries.”

    When I decided it was time for me to finally get my sh*t together and be healthy, the first thing I started doing was exercising. It gave me a reason right away to change my diet. I didn’t want to eat all unhealthy and stuff after I just worked it at the gym.

    If you are trying to lose weight, another key element is calorie counting. Say you want to lose X amount of weight in a certain amount of time. Given certain other factors like current weight and height, you will need to lose Y amount of weight each week to reach your goal. That means you will only be able to eat a certain # of calories per day. The amount of calories you burn at the gym, or through the many different types of physical activity that there are out there, gets added onto your allotted calories you are “allowed” to consume each day. Once you start learning how many calories things that you may normally eat are and how long it takes to burn it off at the gym, you start to think twice about what you are putting in your body.



    If you have an IPhone there is a really helpful app called “Lose It”. It changed my life. “Lose It” does all of the necessary calculations for you involving your goal weight then lets you know how many calories you can eat a day. You input any exercise you’ve done or food you’ve eaten and it does the appropriate additions and subtractions. It also has a huge data base of food items and exercises that will tell you how many calories you consumed or burned by entering quantities and times. It makes calorie counting remarkably easy, and it’s free. If you don’t have an IPhone, try www.my-calorie-counter.com for a good online diet journal and calorie counter.

    When I first started working out again, I did 30 minutes 3 times a week on the elliptical machine at the gym. Now, I have a full on routine and go at least 5 times a week. Start out small and work your way up. You don’t need a gym to work out. Walk, bike, run, swim, play basketball…just do something to get that heart rate up! :)

    Since it is Wednesday and I am talking about working out, I present to you Work it Out Wednesdays by BAM! Every Wednesday, I will give you one of my favorite workout tips, tricks and techniques. BAM! Work it Out Wednesdays! Whoot! (I am a sucker for alliteration)

    You’ve got to move it, move it,
    c