HOLIDAY STRESS AND IMMUNITY

Ready!  Set!  Go!  Here come the holidays!  The preparations for the holidays begin earlier each and every year.  A month before Halloween we already see Thanksgiving Day decorations and cards taking space in Hallmark stores.  One look at those cards and we can feel the squirt of adrenaline release.

Now I can hear you saying, “She’s exaggerating.”  So why is the biggest shopping day for Christmas the day after Thanksgiving?  Before that second piece of pumpkin pie is digested, you get into bed and set the alarm early enough to beat the crowds in the morning.  After all, it’s important to get the sales of the year and cut down on the annual debt caused by purchasing “loved ones” their holiday gifts.

It’s no wonder that by January 2^nd we feel like we’re ready to collapse, and many of us are in the middle of a winter cold or flu.

How can we survive the last months of the year and come out on the other side calmer, healthier and with some joyful memories?

Instead of waiting to add a healthier lifestyle to your list of New Year’s resolutions why not do it now?  Let’s get our immune systems ready for what’s to come.  While we’re at it, let’s look at it from a holistic point of view and take into consideration our emotional and mental health.  Many studies have confirmed their effect on our immunity.

Let’s start with the simple basics: diet, Supplements, Flower Essences, Proper Rest, Exercise and Immune Modulators.

The type of food we eat and how we digest it is most important.  Find a philosophy of eating that works for you.  Diets only work when they become a way of life.  Instead of crash dieting before the holidays (and gaining it back immediately after) starts now to eat healthy.  Whether you’re going to use the Blood Type Diet, The Zone Diet, the McDougall Plan or Macrobiotics, they all have the following points in common:

1   1)    Cut out refined sugar and white flour.

2   2)    Eat more whole grains, i.e., substitute long grain brown basmati rice for   the Rice-A-Roni.

3   3)    Eat more fresh vegetables (your mother was right!).  Each day choose at least two green vegetables (broccoli, chard) and two yellow, orange or red vegetables (carrots, squash, beets).  This simple color code will give you a fairly complete spectrum of vital antioxidants.

4   4)    Choose at least two pieces of fruit per day that are in season locally.

5   5)    Cut down on meat and dairy products.

6   6)    Reduce or eliminate caffeine, alcohol and tobacco products.

7   7)    Take food enzymes or Swedish Bitters with each meal.  After all, “You are what you DIGEST.”   If you have poor digestion, see a health care practitioner and ask about leaky gut syndrome and/or candida. 

Take a good quality Vitamin/Mineral supplement daily.  Many fruits and vegetables are picked green and ripen on a truck on the way to the market.  They may look beautiful but are missing the phytochemicals that are created when produce is ripened on the plant.

Flower Essences can create emotional balance.  Taken daily over a period of a few weeks you will begin to notice subtle changes in your reactions, peace of mind and the ability to experience joy.  Get together with a flower essence practitioner and work through those feelings of resentment, the inability to let go, an anxious mind, grief, etc. Do it now before you come face to face with that relative you only see once a year.  Flower Essences can help a person to see the good in others and establish healthy boundaries.

The combination flower essence called Rescue Remedy is used for trauma (physical as well as emotional) and especially stressful times.  It’s the perfect companion to take to the shopping mall and before going home for the holidays.

Are you getting enough rest and sleep?  Think of a good night’s sleep as being as important as recharging your cellular phone.  The body requires several hours of down time to function optimally.

If you are cursed with insomnia, it is important to find the cause of it.  Are you giving yourself a chance to wind down before bed or are you ending a busy evening with the late news reporting the latest murder and a Stephen King novel?  Herbs such as Valerian, California Poppy and Passionflower help to relax the body.  The flower essence White Chestnut helps to quiet the mental chatter.  Try Calcium/Magnesium in a 1:1 ratio before bed to relax (it’s also when it absorbs the best).  If the problem seems to be more chemical in nature, talk to your health practitioner about supplements like 5-HTP (the precursor to tryptophan) or St. John’s Wort.  Try Lavender oil in your bath water or Aromatherapy diffuser.  Finding the right combination bedtime rituals and supplements will pay off.

Get some form of exercise at least three times a week.  You don’t need to take up jogging or go into competition with Jane Fonda, but we need to move!  Get out and walk or take a yoga class.  Find something that is enjoyable enough to you that you will stick to it.  Maybe you need to alternate Tai Chi and Qi Gong.    It’s pure will power in the beginning.  But stick with it for twenty-one days and something switches.  You become aware that you’re not as depressed, that you have more energy, the weight is coming off easier and maybe you even look forward to it because you’re more relaxed after your sessions.  Stay flexible, stay strong and you will stay younger longer.

Immune modulators help our bodies to stay in balance and to be more resistant to disease.  Siberian Ginseng is an ancient immune modulator.  It gives the body a quiet energy and its effect builds over time.  Alternating herbs such as Echinacea and Astragalus (Echinacea 2 X day for one week and then Astragalus 2 X day for a week- repeat) will often help you to be the one in a group that didn’t come down with the cold everyone else developed.  The homeopathic, Oscillococcinum is especially valuable when taken just before boarding a plane and before bed that night to prevent the illnesses so many complain of when traveling.  Don’t forget to repeat it on the ride home.

If all this seems overwhelming- take a dose of the flower essence Elm; make a cup of Chamomile tea; spray the room with Lavender and take three deep breaths.  Pretend its January 1, 2013!  Get out a piece of paper and a pencil and list the things above that make sense for you.  Remember that holistic medicine respects the fact that each of us is an individual and needs to find our own rhythm, but don’t put it off.  Start now and make this the best holiday season you’ve ever had.

NATURAL CLEANING SOLUTIONS - PART 3

Natures Most Powerful Cleaners

Enzymes are Safe & Effective
by: Dennis Voss

For more than 200 years, all cleaners have pretty much worked the same—acids to break down alkaline, alkaline to break down acid, detergents to reduce surface tension so the dirt separates from the surface it’s stuck to, and surfactants to encapsulate the dirt for transfer to the mop, sponge, or bucket.
Recently, leading green manufacturers have started using enzyme blends as a new and more effective way to clean around your home. They’re safe for families and safe for the environment, but the real surprise is how well they clean. Similar to amylase, protease, and lipase found in many nutritional supplements, these blends rapidly biodegrade away starch, protein, fats, oils, and greases that form most common household soils.
For example, one of the more difficult household cleaning challenges is black glass electric stovetops. Grease splatters are quite routine, and most cleaners leave the surface dull, filmy, and streaked. But enzymes actually biodegrade the grease away leaving the surface completely clean. It’s because the enzymes have broken the grease down to the point that it’s no longer grease.

What are Enzymes?
You’ve probably tried green cleaners that use different approaches to remove harsh or toxic chemicals from their formulations, but have not been thrilled with their job performance. To really get the job done, we often end up with an arsenal of toxic chemical-based cleaners. Natural cleaners typically use the same chemistry as traditional cleaners but get their acid/alkaline and detergent/surfactant from natural sources like oranges or corn. Toxic chemicals work well because they’re strong acids and alkaline, and green cleaners are typically less effective because they’re weaker acids or alkaline.
Enzymes are large protein molecules found in all living things. They are nature’s workers, speeding chemical processes and rapidly biodegrading materials like grease, foods, oils, and grime into their basic elements like carbon, oxygen, and hydrogen. Enzymes completely remove (not just mask) odors by breaking down the organic materials that are causing the odor. The key is finding the right enzymes suited for each task.

What can Enzymes Clean?
Enzymes can clean an extremely wide variety of surfaces around the house. One of the more surprising tasks is removing mold and mildew stains, not by killing the fungus, but by breaking down and removing the organic materials that mold and mildew grows in. Not only is it clean, but the mildew won’t return as quickly because there’s no home for it to grow in.
Hard surface floors are another cleaning task for which enzymes are particularly well suited—you can use one bucket to clean everything from hardwood or laminate to ceramic tile and natural stone. There’s no need to rinse any surface, and there’s no film or residue left behind. Lastly, enzymes are pH neutral, making them safe for sensitive floors like marble and safer for you. Most can also be mixed in a spray bottle for regular touch-ups. And that bucket of floor cleaner can be dumped down the garbage disposal to remove odors and keep drains from clogging. Enzymes also clean kitchens, tubs, tile, and toilets; pre-treat laundry stains; clean and deodorize carpet and upholstery; and clean glass, including flat screens and computer monitors.

Safe for Your Family, Pets & the Planet
Experts agree that toxic elements in our environment are largely responsible for the increased occurrence of cancer and serious health issues in our world today. In fact, cleaners are typically one of the two most toxic things regularly brought into the home. Opting for a natural cleaner is one of the easiest changes you can do today to make your home safer for you, your family and pets, and the earth.
Enzymes are present in all biological systems. When they finish their job they are readily absorbed back into nature—they’re biodegradable. Enzyme cleaners are nontoxic, non-caustic, hypoallergenic, and safe for human, animal, and plant life. They should contain no petroleum-based ingredients and often use all-natural ingredients and are free of harsh fumes and vapors, phosphates, chlorine, and petroleum surfactants.
Enzymes are not corrosive and can safely be used on any surface not harmed by water. This makes them safe to use, with no side effects and no need for warning labels. Have you read the caution labels on most cleaners lately? Rubber gloves, ventilated work areas, and poison control contact instructions. Is that stuff safe? Enzyme cleaners are safe and effective, though they are not disinfectants. And of course, responsible manufacturers would never test on animals. Also look for those who keep everything local with all the components from the USA, including the enzymes, bottles, and packets. Even the labels can be printed with soy-based inks.

Easily Concentrated
Enzymes can be easily concentrated into formulas and packet-refill systems and reconstitute in tap water, meaning they can be part of a more sustainable lifestyle. There’s less packaging waste and you save money by reusing the bottles, simply refilling with the contents of a small packet and adding water. This reduces the products’ carbon footprint by shipping less weight. The packet system means no measuring and no complicated dilution formulas, just pour, fill, and mix.
If you haven’t tried an enzyme cleaner yet, we encourage you to give it a try. Make your home safer, greener, and more sustainable today.


Note:  I order a concentrated, unscented  cleaner- Organic Cleaner/Degreaser from www.EnviroSafetyInc.com.  We mix 3 Tbsp. in 1 qt. of water for general cleaning- counters, mirrors, etc.  I also order an unscented hand soap from them. 

Dr. Zeeb

WORRY

My post on Anxiety, June 29, 2011, can help when
you're in this place.
Dr. Jeanne

NATURAL CLEANING SOLUTIONS - PART 2

I’m back with a few more suggestions for getting your home as clean as possible with as few toxic chemicals as possible.  I’m figuring this out with you.  So, as I find solutions that work for me I will pass them on.

Since my first article I’ve been asked what I use to wash dishes.  After trying several brands I like Seventh Generation’s Natural Dish Liquid.  I like the mild fragrance of Lemongrass & Clementine Zest.  However, a fragrance free version is available. 

You can add a few drops of Lemon essential oil for a scent and/or an anti-bacterial essential oil like Thieves from Young Living Oils.  I usually add 20 drops of concentrated Grapefruit Seed Extract (GFS) to kill bacteria, viruses and fungus.  My soap dispenser holds about 12 ounces of soap. 

These suggestions are better than using the Triclosan that is added to many cleaning products like dish washing soap to kill bacteria.   It’s currently under review by the FDA.

Another thought- too much protection from bacteria can cause antibiotic resistance.  I like the GFS because I feed my cats raw food and I’m conscious of the bacteria that can grow on raw meat.

While I’m writing about the kitchen I want you to be aware of the greatest germ carrier in your home- the sponge.  All the little nooks and crannies in a sponge make it the perfect place for food to hide and rot.  Your sponge should never smell!  If it does, Throw It Out.    Studies show that there are more germs in your sponge than in a flushed toilet! 

The same studies look at different modes of cleaning the sponge.  The top method is a 1:9 combination of bleach in water. You soak the sponge for at least 20 minutes.  This is more successful than boiling.  The next cleaning method is the microwave oven.  You saturate the sponge with water and “cook” for 2 minutes (50% bacteria free) or 5 minutes (97% bacteria free).  If your sponge contains plastic it will melt.  If there is any metal in the scrubber material on one side it will short out the oven.  We eliminated our microwave many years ago.  Although it’s convenient, plants given only micro waved water will die.  That’s a post for another time.  I change to a new sponge once a week.

I  recommend that you switch to a plastic cutting board.  Wooden boards are very porous and hold germs.  They are a common place for salmonella and e. coli bacteria to grow if you use it to cut chicken or meat.   Plastic boards can be washed and periodically soaked like the sponges.

My last suggestion has to do with Disinfecting Wipes.  I use these sparingly because I want to maintain my immune system’s ability to kill germs.  I wipe out the cat box with one when I change the cat litter.  Occasionally, I use one on the toilet seat or faucets when someone is sick.

I’ve found three brands that I like.  None of them use Triclosan or other toxic chemicals for disinfecting. 

Lysol makes Power Free Toilet and Bathroom wipes with Hydrogen Peroxide.  I like this one but I’m hoping they will offer an unscented variety soon.  Clorox makes Green Works Compostable Cleaning Wipes.  And, Seventh Generation makes a good one that eliminates 99.99% of the germs with botanical ingredients- it doesn’t smell great (thyme). 

Germs hang around the house in places that we touch often: door knobs, faucet handles, cabinet handles, remote controls, telephones, cell phones, computer keys and the computer mouse.  Wipe these down with soapy water, especially during the flu season and wash your hands that touch all these things often.

I hope these products will help you in your search for a less toxic house.  I would love to hear about any cleaning products or home recipes for cleaning that you found effective. 

Dr. Jeanne

ILLNESS

"Like weeds, illness will
take hold if the grounds
are not well tended."
        annonymous

NATURAL CLEANING SOLUTIONS

The good news is that once you switch over to Natural Cleaning Solutions you will be free of dangerous toxic chemicals and their fumes which can damage your lungs.  Skin irritation is a thing of the past.  

I have tried several "recipes" for natural cleaners and they don't all work.  These are the ones that have given me the best results.  I will be adding more as I find and test them.

Copper-bottomed pans

Clean your pan with soap and water.  Sprinkle coarse salt (Kosher salt is available in mainstream markets) over the wet copper pan bottom.  Roll a lemon on the counter to get it juicy.  Then cut it in half.  Use one half, cut side down, like a scrubber on the pan bottom.  If there are any marks on the bottom they can be easily removed with a heavy duty scrub sponge.  The pans are shinier than when using copper cleaner, without the toxins.  My grandson said, “Is this magic, Granny?”

Silver

Line a basin or flat-bottomed container (glass or plastic, not metal) with aluminum foil.  Add about 4 inches of hot water.  Add 2 heaping Tbsp. of baking soda and 2 Tbsp. of salt.  Stir.  Place a few pieces of silverware in the water for 1-2 minutes.  Remove the pieces and rinse. Polish dry with a soft cloth.  Change the water, etc. when you see oxidation residue settle on the silver or the sides of the bowl.  This works almost as fast as Tarnex without the wear that long-term Tarnex use can cause to your silver and there are no fumes.  I get the best results when I clean the silver every 1-2 months.  It takes very little time.

Showers

Spray the shower with a mixture of 1 C. white vinegar and 1 C. water every week to prevent mildew and a build up of soap scum.  You can add 10 drops of lemon, orange or lavender essential oil to create a pleasant smell.

Use a paste of baking soda and white vinegar and scrub if there is a small amount of scum.  I did clean my shower one last time with bleach based products and then threw them out.  Now, it stays clean.

Cleaners

Erewhon Natural Foods Market recommends the following homemade cleaner.  Loosely fill a quart jar with orange peels.  Fill with white vinegar.  Cover with a lid and let stand for at least 10 days.  Strain out the liquid and use it as an all-purpose cleaner.  This cleans the stove top, windows, etc.  (I wouldn’t use on wood.)  Orange peels have a disinfecting action and help with the cleaning action of the vinegar. 

Add 10-15 drops of orange essential oil and everything will smell extra clean.

Enjoy and breath deeply.

Dr. Jeanne

HOMEOPATHY SAVED MY SON'S LIFE

The Who frontman Roger Daltrey: "Homeopathy saved my son's life." 

Friday, June 10, 2011 at 2:05PM
[C.M.J.] in Alternative Medicine, Children, Family, Florida, Homeopathy, Homeopathy saved my son's life, Roger Daltry, St.Petersburg, Tampa, Treatment, the Who

"Homeopathy saved my son's life". Roger Daltry of the Who, has been a family man and rock and roll icon for over 30 years.. The Who frontman Roger Daltrey has publicly stated that his son Jamie's life was saved by homeopathy.

 In an interview with the Times Online, The Who frontman Roger Daltrey explained the reasons behind his belief in alternative medicine.  During a health scare with his then 9-month-old son Jamie, now 27, Roger says that a homeopathic treatment regimen ultimately saved his life.  Jamie developed unexplainable gastrointestinal issues to such an extent that he "turned into skin and bone," Roger recalled.
"At the hospital, they did every test to him, and in the end they just handed him back to me. My wife and I were in bits. My poor baby. The kid was dying. It was terrifying. I thought, there's got to be something. I'd heard of homeopathy, so I found a local guy in the Yellow Pages and took my boy there. He gave him some powders. Within two weeks he was putting weight on, keeping the food down. The trouble recurred periodically for a couple of years, but he's now 27, a fit and healthy young man."
Roger's faith in homeopathy was reaffirmed recently when a friend shared a similar experience. "He thought he was about to lose [his baby]. But I recommended homeopathic remedies, and he recovered too. That's God's honest truth. Now I bet doctors would say, ‘Oh they'd have got better anyway'. But I can't believe that."
Roger, 65, and his wife Heather have been married for 37 years.

Article originally appeared on Classical Medicine Journal (http://www.classicalmedicinejournal.com/).

See website for complete article licensing information.

HEALTH DANGERS LURK IN YOUR DRINKING WATER

Dr. Isaac Eliaz

Got water? Most of us suffer chronic dehydration thanks to busy schedules and a lack of fresh, clean water when needed. That water shortage can make you moody, fatigued, brain-fogged and health-deprived. But be careful what you swallow. The invisible contaminants you’re drinking in your water every day may be your worst toxic nightmare.

Dehydration Issues

As your body grows accustomed to a state of chronic dehydration, you lose sensitivity to water deprivation and don’t get thirsty when you need hydration. This can be a major problem because water is essential for maintaining optimal health. It comprises more than half of your body mass in the form of intracellular fluid, interstitial fluids, cerebrospinal fluid and more.

It’s easy to see why dehydration is such a problem for your health. In Chinese Medicine, water is considered the body’s essential medium, allowing for communication between vital organs and facilitating proper flow. It seems the solution should be simple: Drink more water. Unfortunately, water that is not properly filtered may prove more harmful than beneficial. It can expose the body to various toxic chemicals, including heavy metals like lead, mercury, copper, cadmium and aluminum. It may also contain hexavalent chromium, water treatment additives such as chlorine and fluoride, and bacteria and viruses such as giardia, coliform and E-coli.

Heavy Metals In Drinking Water

Heavy metals can seep into your drinking water from the pipes and plumbing through which it travels. Once ingested, heavy metals are difficult for the body to remove and can damage the body’s systems at the cellular level. Exposure can weaken the immune system, contributing to increased risk of kidney problems, high blood pressure and chronic inflammation.

Hexavalent Chromium

Hexavalent chromium compounds are found in dyes, paints, inks and plastics, as well as in agents added to paints and primers. While workers in shipyards, marine terminals and construction sites suffer the highest exposure, new information shows that drinking water across the country may be contaminated with this toxin. The chemical can seep into groundwater from natural sources and be present in soil. When inhaled from polluted air or polluted soil, it causes respiratory complications like coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath and nasal itch. The Environmental Protection Agency says that the presence of this compound in tap water may be carcinogenic, but the Federal government has yet to set a limit for hexavalent chromium levels in drinking water.

Water Treatment Additives

Chlorine is primarily used in municipal water treatment facilities to kill microorganisms due to its powerful disinfectant properties. However, it becomes dangerous to people when it reacts with other naturally occurring elements to form toxins called trihalomethanes (THMs). These toxins have been linked to a range of health problems including asthma, eczema, bladder cancer, heart disease and others.

Viruses And Bacteria

Although most filters and water treatments can successfully remove certain viruses and bacteria from drinking water, they are mostly inadequate. Therefore, you need to take extra precautions. Cities all over the country have experienced outbreaks of E. coli and other waterborne diseases including cholera, typhoid and dysentery originating in contaminated water. Exposure to E. coli bacteria can cause diarrhea, abdominal cramps and gastrointestinal diseases as well as long-term kidney problems.

Water Filtration Options

With so many risks of contamination, it’s imperative to not only choose clean, filtered water when hydrating, but also to take advanced measures to build immunity and prevent these toxins from harming your body’s systems. Installing a water filtration system in your home or office is the easiest, most effective and most economical way to ensure safe drinking water. Common Brita and PUR water filters do not remove all harmful compounds. However, various reverse-osmosis systems that are designed for the home can effectively purify most tap water. Additionally, undergoing regular cleanses to detoxify the body of harmful chemicals, toxins and heavy metals that have collected in organs and tissues can help protect your body from further damage.

Safe and Natural Detoxification

While the best way to protect yourself is by minimizing your exposure to these health-robbing chemicals, you can take action to help your body remove these toxins safely and effectively if you’ve already been put at risk. The most important aspect of any detox program is a healthy cleansing diet, which helps:

• Eliminate foods possessing strong pro-inflammatory potential.
• Alkalize your system to promote oxygenation and detoxification of tissues and organs.
• Provide nutritional support to your organs.
• Revitalize cells and tissues.
• Balance blood sugar.
• Improve digestion.
• Remove toxins and heavy metals.

Extra Support

For added support, supplement with PectaSol-C Modified Citrus Pectin to remove toxins and heavy metals from deep within the tissues and organs. Numerous studies show that Modified Citrus Pectin (MCP) is a safe and powerful detoxifying agent. Recent studies also prove its ability to significantly enhance immune function for both short-term and long-term immunity.

Clean drinking water is an essential health resource for the entire planet. It is one of the key components to vitality and longevity. To best ensure your health and that of your family, invest in a high-quality water filter or purchase pre-filtered water in glass jars from your local grocer. Along with proper diet and supplementation, plenty of good hydration with high-quality drinking water helps you look and feel your best, giving you the energy you need to keep up with our fast-paced world — without letting your engine overheat.

Four Rooms

"There is an Indian proverb, or axiom, that says that everyone is a house with four rooms: a physical, a mental, an emotional, and a spiritual.  Most of us tend to live in one room most of the time but, unless we go into every room every day,even if only to keep it aired, we are not a complete person."

Rumer Godden

from A House With Four Rooms