Americans not getting enough fruits and veggies...

Ultimately, we ought to be getting our vitamins and nutrients from our diet - so many people depend only upon that. But studies are showing more and more that we are not getting what we need from our diets. There are many reasons for this (ie fast food, processed meats, pesticides all over fresh food, hormones being pumped into our meat...) but the point is, our bodies are not getting what they need to function well or even function correctly.

Our body is an INCREDIBLE place! There is so much going on, and on such a microscopic level. But we do know that your body can go a long way to restoring itself if we take good care of it, and give it what it needs (good food, exercise, rest...). These are things we all know, right? But how many of us abide by that? Your body knows what to do with the nutrients, if it receives them.

I came across an article today that says:

"According to a new government study, only 14 percent of American adults are eating the recommended daily servings of fruits and vegetables, and less than 10 percent of high school students are getting the proper amounts of these wholesome foods."

The need for fresh foods is so great in our bodies, yet we are not eating them!

"Fruits and vegetables, in general, provide our bodies with vitamins, minerals, fiber, and loads of disease-fighting antioxidants. Almost all are naturally low in fat and calories and none have cholesterol. All of these healthful characteristics may help protect against cardiovascular disease,type 2 diabetes, and other chronic illnesses."

The study is calling for the desperate need for us to pay attention to what we eat, and start eating healthy. Their goal is to get "at least 75 percent of Americans to consume two or more daily servings of fruit and for at least 50 percent to consume three or more daily servings of vegetables." But they are not sure how quickly or efficiently it can be done.

I say they also start advocating natural supplements, which will go a long way to helping people get the necessary nutrients. But this has its own pool of confusion and controversy surrounding what to buy? What works? How much of what is stated on the bottle will really make it into my system? What's the difference between natural and synthetic, and should I care?

These are all fantastic questions, and ones you should be asking. I've done some research on the matter, and have been shocked with what I found. Many posts on this blog are dedicated to that topic. If you want to discuss the matter, or want to share your thoughts, please do! Comment or contact me with questions.

You can read the whole article HERE.

Toxic Homes

Another news report on toxic homes, asthma, and other health problems related to household cleaners and chemicals in our indoor environments...

Toxic Brew

Anyone want to go green with their cleaners yet? Tell me what you think! Contact me if you want more info.

Tanning Beds?

Umm... ever used a tanning bed? Ever used one a lot? And love the beautiful dark skin that accompanies its use?

Unfortunately, those of us who love tanning need to reconsider the safety (or lack thereof) of this seemingly harmless habit, because:

"The IARC, a part of the World Health Organization (WHO), has now re-classified UV tanning beds to the highest possible cancer risk category known as "carcinogenic to humans."

Ok. Alright. That's interesting.

"The analysis reviewed about 20 studies to reach the conclusion that the risk of skin cancer is increased by 75 percent when individuals use tanning beds prior to reaching the age of 30."

Tanning in a bed is now known to be just as detrimental to health as "tobacco, the hepatitis B virus and chimney sweeping, which are all known to be definite causes of cancer."

Read the full article HERE. At the end, they curiously recommend using bronzing or self-tanning creams. Umm... don't know that I like that suggestion, either. What happened to just going out in the sun and soaking up some rays? Sunshine is a phenomenal source of Vitamin D, which we all need for healthy bodies. Look it up. The sun is friendlier than some would have us think.

I think... when in doubt, go the most natural route...

Walking your way to health!

How many times have we heard, you have to exercise in order to be healthy and maintain a healthy body weight? (If I only had a dollar for every time I heard that one, huh?) Exercise is the heart of health, it seems. But so many of us let it slide because we are too busy, don't have enough time, or quite honestly just can't get motivated enough to do it. But then, how many times have you heard a very active person say they HAVE to exercise - that they are addicted to it and love it? Yeah, have to admit I've never been one of those people, but I aspire to be one! ;-D

I'm not so good at a strict routine. I get bored with it, and want to have the spontaneous excitement of not knowing what I'm going to do from day to day. And I've never been loyal to a treadmill or even walking outside, let alone pay and commit to a gym membership. But I also know the tremendous benefits of physical activity, and love what I feel like after I've exercised. I have more energy and more flexibility - and am proud that I 'worked out' today.

So, I love coming across articles like THIS one, where they rave about the benefits simply of walking. Not even lifting or running or swimming (though I love to swim!). Simply walking. And it doesn't have to be at a gym or work out facility. Just go out in the sunshine and fresh air and take advantage of your neighborhood and local parks! And it's free!

Listen to an iPod, music, talks, or contemplate the glory of God's creation and listen to the birds serenade you as you walk by. Turning your 30 minutes of walking into quiet/meditation time is also very calming and healthy.

"Walking is a wonder exercise. Not only can it can help control weight, it also reduces the risk of developing diabetes, certain cancers, and heart disease. Walking bestows benefits to the brain too, by relieving stress and improving mood. Best of all, walking is free: You don't need fancy equipment or a gym membership to reap the benefits. Here's how to make every step count, no matter how often you hit the pavement."

Drinking Pesticides?

Wells in some schools, nationwide, are so contaminated with residue from pesticides that posted warnings tell people not to drink water from the tap.

Along with raising a whole host of other questions and concerns, my number one question was, "WHAT? How is the water contaminated again?"

It seems that it's a super common problem. Chemicals, pesticides, and run-off from farms, gardens, land-fills and other such places sink into the ground, and get caught in our well systems, which are meant to capture rain water. So these chemicals get mixed in with our water supply, and get pumped up along with our 'pure and clean' water. What happens then? We, unknowingly, consume varied amounts of the contaminated water, and reap the consequences of accumulating these toxins in our body systems.

See the news video HERE.

I guess my next question would be - if it's in our school's water system, wouldn't that same problem affect homes as well? Wells should be the safest and most reliable source of clean water - we are poisoning ourselves! What has happened?

So groups take water and put it into some kind of collecting pool and 'treat it' - adding chemicals to counteract other chemicals - then put the whole city on a water system that is 'safe.' Tell me, isn't there any way of just getting plain old-fashioned wonderful clean water?

What are our options, if we want any? Buy spring water from the store, get purifier systems in your home/school/work, or invest in water filters/water pitchers to filter your own tap. That's what we've done. There are inexpensive ways to be smart and take better care of yourself.

Stay informed. Check out your area. Then, if you feel you must make a change - do it.

"Ten Things in Your Home that may age You Prematurely"

I found this post HERE. These aren't my words. They are from someone else's report... see what they have to say!

Story courtesy: www.doctoroz.com

There may be products in our closets and cupboards right now that can shave years off our lives. They can penetrate our lungs, cause asthma and allergies, poison our liver, damage our hearts, and irritate our eyes and skin. Before Dr. Oz stages an intervention, grab a trashcan and recycle bin and go from room to room to eliminate these 10 age stealers. In many cases there are healthier alternatives you can use instead.

1. High Fructose Corn Syrup
High fructose corn syrup (HFCS) is a type of sugar that has been processed and combined with corn syrup to produce a cheap, easily dissolvable sweetener. But this sugar is quickly absorbed by the liver where it is converted into fat. Since your brain doesn't recognize HFCS as regular food, it never shuts off the appetite center -- so you keep eating. Blood sugar levels rise, massive amounts of insulin is recruited to metabolize it and then you crash and feel hungry again. It is found in soft drinks, fruit juices, salad dressings and baked goods. Read the food labels of products in your pantry and refrigerator and throw out all products that contain HFCS.

2. Chlorine Bleach
Household bleach contains the chemical sodium hypochlorite and is used to whiten clothes and kill germs like mold, bacteria and virtues. It’s not good for the environment and not good for you; it is that it evaporates quickly to irritate your nose, eyes, throat, skin and lungs. Good non-toxic alternatives are baking soda, white vinegar or alcohol- and peroxide-based products.

3. Insecticides
Mosquitoes can be annoying and carry diseases. But keeping them at bay doesn't mean you need to drench you and your property in carcinogenic pesticides. Instead use a natural repellant that contains essential oils such as lemon eucalyptus and lavender. Burning citronella candles outdoors, staying indoors at high biting times, and removing still water where mosquitoes lay eggs is a healthier strategy.

4. Drinking Hard Alcohol
Not all alcoholic beverages are alike. Beer, wine, and spirits, sometimes referred to as hard alcohol, can be damaging when drunk in excess; they can damage the liver (cirrhosis), cause esophageal cancer, internal bleeding, heart failure, pancreatitis and gastritis. And some breast cancers can be fueled by alcohol. Although one glass of red wine a day can offer health benefits, spirits have a higher alcohol content and contain more synthetic chemicals and sugars.

5. Moth Balls
For generations it has been customary to sprinkle a few mothballs made of naphthalene in a box of sweaters to prevent moths from feasting on the fibers. Today, a better choice would be natural alternatives such as cedar chips and lavender sachets. Remember to clean clothes first then zip them up at the end of the season.

6. Air Fresheners and Fragrance Candles
Everyone likes their home to smell clean and fresh but synthetic fragrances that waif through the air can negatively affect the quality of indoor air, damage lung tissue and airways and irritate the eyes. Keep it real. If your house is clean it shouldn't smell.

7. Trans Fats
Trans fat is a type of unsaturated fat that is made saturated during a manufacturing process that adds a molecule of hydrogen. These hydrogentated oils raise bad cholesterol and lower good cholesterol and cause a host of cardiovascular diseases. They are slowly being removed from commercial recipes but products in your home may still contain them. Look in your cupboard and dump anything with hydrogenated oil on the label.

8. Toluene
Toluene, a solvent found in nail polish, paints and when petroleum-based paraffin candles are burned can cause nervous system damage. Naturally scented beeswax, soy or vegetable candles and natural alternatives to nail products are a better choice.

9. Detergents with NPE
Nonylphenol ethoxylates (NPE) are chemicals that help liquid substances such as oil and water mix. They are found in laundry detergents, shampoos, and cleaners. These chemicals can mimic the hormone estrogen to cause early menstruation, low sperm counts and poor reproductive health. Use natural cleansers and consider alternative cleaning tools such as the microfiber mops or steam cleaner that can reduce or eliminate the use of harsh chemicals.

10. Cigarette, pipe, and cigar products
All tobacco products produce harmful chemicals even after you have eliminated the smoker from the house. When you have stopped smoking give your house a clean makeover, washing all fabric curtains and upholstery and think about putting on a fresh coat of paint. Ban smoking in and near your home forever after.

My Journey into the Land of Natural... II.

Toothpaste.

Yeah, call me crazy. I thought I was, too. I was a girl who loved Crest and Colgate, who loved the taste and smell, who never thought twice about the poison control number on the back of the tube. And I had read it, too, but I wasn't under six, so did it matter? It never hit me that kids could get poisoned from swallowing toothpaste. I didn't have any kids, so need I worry? My teeth were clean, and my morning breath was minty. The makings of a good day, right?

Until a lady friend of mine pointed out that, According to research conducted and posted by the National Cancer Prevention Coalition, Crest Tartar Control Toothpaste was the THIRD item on the list of the Top Twelve CANCER – CAUSING Household Products. Nice, right? (If you are curious what other everyday HOUSEHOLD PRODUCTS are on this list, click HERE.)

So... what does a person say to that? Honestly! I've been brushing my teeth with that same exact toothpaste for HOW LONG? Years! My whole life! You can bet I was skeptical, and was ready for some real answers... It tasted just fine to me! Though I couldn't get the fact out of my mind that liquids already begin to be absorbed into our bodies through our mouths... Ok. I'd check it out: what ingredient is contained in that tube is so terrible for me? I went digging HERE.

Crest Tartar Control Toothpaste - (Procter & Gamble. Inc.)

Labeled Toxic Ingredients:

FD&C BLUE #1, Carcinogenic.

SACCHARIN, Carcinogenic.

FLUORIDE, Possibly carcinogenic.

Safer Alternative: Tom's of Maine Natural Non-Fluoride Toothpaste

Yeah, But, in case you didn't know, Tom's of Main also contains the poison control warning.

This is gonna be gross, but after learning all this, and without an immediate alternative, I simply stopped brushing my teeth. I rinsed out my mouth with water and ate gum every once in a while. Maybe my dentist wouldn't approve, but, to me, it was better to have stinky breath than cancer breath.

Eventually a real, natural option showed itself, and I took it. My teeth and my peace of mind are grateful for it. Contact me if you'd care to know more.