Take a Plaster - Bamboo’s strength and vitality.

Wood vinegar plasters were developed to help revitalize the body and promote better health and longevity.  Wood vinegar plasters are totally natural, safe and easy to use.

 Wood vinegar plasters:

- soothe pain and reduces swelling 

- strengthen the immune system 

- relieve fatigue 

- improve the quality of sleep 

- improve metabolism

Your body is bombarded constantly by environmental pollutants and attacked by toxins present in food and drinks.  Such substances build up in your body continuously.  If not removed, the substances can become toxic waste accumulating in your body and contributing to the occurrence of various diseases and brain dysfunctions. 

Accumulated toxic waste tends to affect and disturb all systems in your body and so to predispose your body organs, joints and tissues to inflammations.  Once the microorganisms that induce inflammation start to proliferate, the disease begins to develop.  And when the waste substances present in your body reach a certain level, you can experience fatigue, restlessness, brain and nervous disturbances and other health problems.

Benefiting from the experience and well-proven procedures of traditional Chinese medicine, Take a Plaster detox patches help cleanse your body of toxic waste.

There are over 360 reflection points on the surface of the human body.  More than 60 of them are located on the soles, which traditional Chinese medicine regards as the “second heart” of the body.  Toxins travel through your body during the day and accumulate in the reflection zones of your feet.  Wood vinegar essence extracted from some tree species has the capability to absorb toxins through the reflection points on the soles.

And it is this principle fostered by traditional Chinese medicine that is used by the new Akuna product – the Take a Plaster patch.  As the blood circulating through your body passes through your feet, the patches applied to the soles absorb toxins accumulated in the body.  The harmful substances are thus removed in a natural manner and it is easier for blood to flow through the legs and feet.  In this way your body will attain the optimum health.

Main ingredients:

 
Wood vinegar improves blood circulation and exerts an osmotic effect facilitating the transfer of toxins through cell membranes, whereby it helps significantly in removing harmful substances via pores on the soles.  Wood vinegar also has the capacity to remove toxins from swollen body parts and relieves other problems that cause swelling.

Bamboo vinegar is a very rare and valuable by-product of bamboo carbonization. It features exceedingly good absorption and sterilization properties.  In fact, bamboo vinegar is believed to be three times as efficient as wood vinegar. Its favorable herbal properties can be used to remove unwanted harmful waste substances and toxins from human body.

Tourmaline transfers the cleansing and liberating energy with its stabilizing and purging effect to the whole nervous system.  In the product, tourmaline removes blocks and improves blood circulation and metabolism.  As a consequence, tourmaline is also efficient in relieving stress, improving vigor and strengthening the immune system.

Additional ingredients:

Dextrin, carapace powder, vitamin C, vegetable fibers

FAQs

How long should I use the plasters for?

The duration of use depends on how often you have used similar products or procedures in the past, and how unwell you feel.  If you have not used any detox methods before or for a long time, it is advisable to use them for at least one month.  However any detoxifying is good for your body so even using them for two weeks may provide benefits.

How do the plasters work with other Akuna products?

Take a Plaster detox plasters complement nicely the existing comprehensive series of Akuna natural health products, i.e. Alveo and Onyx Plus.  The plasters do not supersede any of the existing products.  On the contrary, their interaction makes for a better quality of human body care.  This extended product range provides a unique method of prevention, health care and attainment of a higher level of health status optimization.  Now the detoxification plasters constitute an integral part of the series of Akuna’s self-care products.  In other words, Take a Plaster help you take care of your own health.

Can I use the plasters anywhere else on body?

Plasters can be used on any part of the body where you experience discomfort, such as knees, shoulders, back, etc.  The color of the sheet will change according to the condition of your health.  Initially the plaster sheets may appear darker but with regular use, the sheets will progressively get lighter and lighter, indicating a steady improvement in your health.

Who can use Take a Plaster wood vinegar plasters?

It can be used by everyone for easy and effective detoxifying.  Please note that due to a lack of scientific evidence they are not recommended for children or pregnant women.

What side effects do Take a Plaster plasters have?

Unless you are allergic to the ingredients, until now, no side effects have been noted.  There are no known adverse reactions during the use of these plasters.

 
Manufacturing process
Take a Plaster plasters are manufactured in a GMP and ISO certified facility.  Akuna’s Scientific Board inspects the Take a Plaster manufacturing process on an ongoing basis and sees to it that all criteria are strictly complied with.

The effects, efficacy and safety of detoxification products made of purely natural materials have been proved in practice by millions of people during centuries of use of traditional Chinese medicine.

Until next time…Stay healthy

Katarzyna

By, amosik_'s

One of my most prized sources of information about all sorts of things regarding healthy and green-living… health & toxins, home, farming, natural resources, energy choices, health tips, skin care, child safety…  the list goes on. 

The Environmental Working Group is a non-profit, non-partisan research organization dedicated to using the power of information to protect human health and the environment.

The Environmental Working Group is an amazing resource with great health information using valid research to back up their claims.  They work hard to make sure you have all the information you need about the products you are using everyday.  If you haven’t already check out the Environmental Working Group’s Skin Deep Website, it’s a database of most skin care products, their safety, ingredients & possible toxicity… it’s pretty eye-opening!   (You can also check out my blog post on ”Living Organically“).   In addition they have a Shoppers’ Guide to Pesticides in Produce. 

They also have an Enviroblog, which I have listed under ‘Blogs and Websites I love’ to the right.  Check it out!  If you are like me, you like to be “in the know” about products and how they affect us and right now the EWG is looking for donations of any amount (as low as $5) to keep up the good work! 

I am a big fan of the organization and in the midst of the holiday season, I urge you to make informed decisions about the gifts you give and check out their sites! 

~Happy Holidays~

Erin

Source:  Environmental Working Group, Dec. 2nd 2009

I’ve been a massage therapist for more than four years, and to this day, I am still amazed at how many different ways this beneficial form of therapy contributes to overall health and wellness. Here’s a list of 10 reasons why you should get into the habit of restoring your mind, body and soul through regular massage.

Massage therapy contributes to overall health and wellness.

1. You don’t have to live with aches and pain. Relieve it!

A frequent massage can provide a considerable reduction in pain. Whether you have pain in your back, neck, shoulder, joints or muscles, or suffer from arthritis, migraine headaches, Fibromyalgia or muscle injuries, coming in for a regular massage can release all of this unnecessary tension.

2. Say goodbye to stress!

Stress is something we all encounter – but how we manage that stress is key to living a healthy, balanced life. According to Ronda Del Boccio, a Nationally Certified Therapist of Massage and Bodywork, experts believe that stress accounts for 80-90% of all illness. Can you believe that? We could significantly reduce much of what ails us today if we listen to what our mind and body is telling us – it’s time to RELAX!

When you come in for a massage, you allow your body and mind to delve into a deep state of relaxation, which relieves muscle tension and lowers your blood pressure. In addition, you’ll feel more alert and revitalized – not just physically, but mentally too.

3. Banish your body’s built-up toxins.

Massage helps remove waste products from your muscles, tissues, and skin more easily. According to the American Massage Therapy Association, a massage can release the lactic and carbonic acids built up in your muscles during exercise (these acids are the reason you feel pain and occasional cramping post-workout), thus increasing muscle recovery rates. Why do you think pro-athletes receive regular massages? (Hint: It’s not because they are spoiled!

4. Find your inner R&R.

I can’t recount how many clients I see who benefit from a regular massage as an alternative to coping with depression. When you treat yourself to a regular massage, you’re doing more for yourself than you realize! A massage can boost your self-esteem, improve your mood, reduce the symptoms of depression, diminish anxiety, and alleviate insomnia. Moreover, there’s a bonus for all of you ladies – massage also can ease PMS symptoms.

Massage can improve your mood, reduce unwanted stress and eliminate toxins from your body.

5. Get your groove on with better flexibility and mobility!

Massage therapy is a fantastic way to improve one’s motor skills, and it maintains posture in the skeletal system. Think of how much better you’ll feel with all of the “kinks” worked out!

6. Fight the signs of aging.

Perk up your immune system functions. Alleviate muscle aches and stiffness. Improve your tissue elasticity and joint flexibility. Enhance your blood and lymph circulation. Renew your once-healthy, vibrant skin. ‘Nuff said.

7. Get better – faster.

Accelerate the healing process when it comes to your muscles, tissues and skin. Massage therapy is great for athletes, as well as for those recovering from surgery or workout soreness.

8. You won’t just feel better – you’ll LOOK better!

A regular massage invigorates skin gland production. What does that mean? Clear, healthy skin. Studies have also shown that massage therapy can help reduce cellulite and superficial scar tissue.

9. Duh! It also feels AMAZING.

Who doesn’t love a good massage? Seeing your massage therapist on a regular basis can be a wonderful experience for deep relaxation, leaving your body and mind feeling rejuvenated and at ease.

10. It’s a healthy investment in you.

If the first nine reasons didn’t convince you, then think of it this way – when was the last time you were able to take a vacation and retreat from the everyday stresses of life? A regular massage will not only make you look and feel years younger, it’s an opportunity to give your mind and body a mini-vacation without leaving far from home. Cheers to good health!

Toxin Awareness

The latest research is something to take seriously.! Toxins are playing a role in our health and are particularly being linked to cancers.! In 1900, between 1 in 1000 to 1 in 100 people could expect to have cancer in their lifetime.! In the year 1997, it was 1 in 3 people; and in 2002, it’s 1 in 2 people in America.! The predictions are that by the year 2030, every American can expect to contract cancer in their lifetime! Scary stuff!

[Good Resources at Amazon: Home Safe Home! by Debra Lynn Dadd; What Your Doctor May Not Tell

You About Breast Cancer by Dr. John Lee; Hormone Balance: A Matter of Life & Health by Kris Klitzke]

Prevention and education/awareness are key! I am so into this and want to share it with you  to help educate you about toxic substances that may be in your home or in products you use- not to mention animal testing and ingredients! There are many books and other resources available on this topic and I encourage you to conduct some of your own research.

The Personal Care and Cosmetic Industry cannot be left out of the concern when it comes to toxins. There are ingredients in mainstream cosmetics and personal care that you can avoid. It’s important that you read labels on the products you use/purchase!

Some typical toxic  ingredients are: Mineral Oil, Petroleum Jelly, Paraffin Wax, Beeswax and something that is called ‘Natural Ingredients’ which is really Tallow ( boiled dead animals taken from the pound). Really horrific and totally unnecessary  stuff!

Our skin is our largest organ so why not do what we can to preserve and respect in. If we can CONTROL this,  then we should. And that’s what I do. I encourage you to do the same. Let’s be healthy together!

It’s been a while since I have covered personal care products.  In this series I have covered a number of topics.

Part 1 – Deodorant

Part 2 – Natural Soap

Part 3 – Toothpaste

Part 4 – Facial Products – Cleanser and Moisturizer

Today, I will cover Part 5 – Hair Care

I have been using this all-natural “product” for a little over two years.  It is called “no poo”, because it isn’t shampoo.  I use baking soda to wash and apple cider vinegar (or citric acid) to rinse.  Click here for more information. You can also Google “no poo” and get lots of information.

Did you know that shampoo was only invented in the last century?  Before that people used to wash their hair once a week, on average, and they used bar soap or borax.  Shampoo is detergent and it is very harsh.  It strips our hair of natural oils and then we have to use conditioner to soften our hair.  But conditioner is just building up unnatural waxes and chemicals on our hair.

I don’t really have a problem putting a chemical on my hair, I do color my hair after all, but my issue is what goes on my scalp.  There are various toxins (click here to learn more) in shampoo and these toxins can be absorbed through the skin.

Now, I know that washing my hair with baking soda may sound really odd, but I absolutely love it.  I assure you that I am no hippy, I don’t wear dreadlocks, and my hair is not greasy.  My hair behaves better with the baking soda than with conventional shampoo.  It doesn’t lie so flat, it has more body (and I need that).  And my hair is so soft!  I used to have bad split ends all the time and now even my hairdresser has noticed that my hair is much healthier.  I still use a hair dryer and flat iron.  In fact, people are always surprised to find out I use baking soda.  They can’t tell the difference, that’s how well the baking soda cleans.  I have heard from people with curly hair that baking soda makes their hair behave better, too.  So don’t worry about my comment about more body.  Perhaps you don’t need more body.  It seems that the baking soda brings balance, whether that be more body or less.

The general recipe is 1 tablespoon baking soda to eight ounces water to wash.  Then you rinse with either apple cider vinegar or citric acid.  I used to use 1 tablespoon ACV to eight ounces water, but now I use 1/8 teaspoon citric acid to eight ounces water.  I was using 1/4 teaspoon citric acid for a time, but noticed my hair was a bit dull.  When I lowered it to 1/8 teaspoon, it brought back the shine.  In the summer months my hair can be more oily (in this humid climate), so I increase my baking soda to two tablespoons in eight ounces water.  It’s something you have to try out and see what works best for you.

I let the baking soda wash sit on my hair and scalp a few minutes and massage my scalp with it.  Then I rinse thoroughly with plain water.  Next comes the rinse.  I let it sit for about a minute and rinse it out with plain water.

This may sound interesting to you.  It may sound crazy!  Some other options are to use a shampoo bar instead.  This is a natural soap that suds nicely and won’t strip your hair of its natural oil.  It’s not a harsh detergent.  I have used one from Heart of Iowa Soapworks that I liked a lot.  It had castor oil in it and lathered very well.  I know that you can also buy shampoo bars through the Oklahoma Food Coop.  I’m sure most natural soapmakers sell a shampoo bar.  Just ask.  You don’t want a regular soap bar, but one that is meant for the hair.  Then follow this wash with either the apple cider rinse or a citric acid rinse.

Still too daring for you?  Try going farther between washes with your regular shampoo.  I used to think I had to wash my hair every single day.  My hair is oily and if I skipped a day it wasn’t pleasant.  But then I tried it.  I tried washing every other day and realized my hair got used to it, my skin produced less oil.  So then I decided to try washing every third day and that worked, too (after a little adjustment period).  I now wash my hair only twice a week.  This has really helped with the split ends since I blow dry and use a flat iron every time I wash.  Cutting back on heat from seven to two days a week is a big difference.  So if you’re not comfortable with baking soda or shampoo bars, you can cut back on your chemical load by washing less.  Remember that 100 years ago, women only washed their hair about once a week.  And they typically had very long, beautiful hair.  Women that grow their hair really long will tell you that washing often is damaging.

If you want to give the baking soda method a try, here are a few tips.

Adjustment Period Your skin is used to producing a certain amount of oil to moisturize your hair.  When you stop stripping your hair of this oil, it takes a bit to adjust.  The first couple weeks may be a bit oily.  If you want, you could start out using the baking soda wash every other time you wash.  Then slowly back off the shampoo, try it every third time you wash, then every fourth, and so on, until you don’t need it anymore.  That’s the way I made the switch.

Vinegar Smell Some people are put off by the vinegar smell of the apple cider vinegar.  Citric acid on the other hand (this is the same acid in lemons) does not have a smell.  You can buy citric acid crystals at the grocery store, they are usually sold with the canning supplies, it’s a natural food preservative.  I had some on hand because I made bath bombs a few years ago.  I bought my citric acid from Majestic Mountain Sage.

Fragrance You can add essential oils to the wash and rinse for fragrance and health benefits.  Here is a list of oils and their benefits.

No Detangler?  I’ll never be able to brush through my hair! Your hair is slightly less manageable when wet, using the baking soda/vinegar routine (as opposed to using conditioner and being able to pull a comb right through it).  I find that if I just brush through my hair before washing, though, it is fine and manageable.

Learn From My Mistakes A mistake I made at first was not rinsing out the vinegar rinse solution.  For some reason I thought that my hard water would be bad on my hair after washing (I did read this somewhere).  This was a bad idea, my hair felt like straw most of the time.  I almost gave up on “no poo.”  Then someone mentioned rinsing the rinse out.  I tried it and wonder of wonders, that was the trick.

Trial Period Give your hair a good two-week trial to see if you like this method.  Like I mentioned, your hair will need to adjust the amount of oil it produces.

Redistribute The Oil You may consider buying a natural bristle brush, it will help distribute your hair’s oils down to the ends where it needs it most.  Remember in Little House on the Prairie, Ma and the girls would brush their hair 100 strokes per night?  I don’t do that, but I do use the natural bristle brush occasionally.  I just take sections of my hair and brush each one 10 to 15 strokes.  I wash this brush out often since it’s picking up the oil from my hair.

Hair Loss? You may notice more hair in your brush, switching to this baking soda wash.  I did.  But don’t be alarmed.  I also noticed that there was a lot less hair in my drain.  So it seems I’m shedding the same amount of hair, it just isn’t coming out in the shower as before.  I think this is because when you use regular shampoo you are scrubbing more and the shampoo creates a slick environment, the loose hair is easily rinsed out.  With the baking soda, I am massaging my scalp, but I can’t run my fingers through my hair as I could with shampoo.  This means those loose hairs aren’t being displaced until I brush my hair.

Adjust If Necessary My hair is naturally oily.  You have to see what works best for your hair type.  If your hair is dry, you will want to use less baking soda than I use.  Search a little online and ask me any questions you have.

The Pacific garbage patch is so large it cannot be precisely measured. It is estimated to be twice the size of Texas and  one of five in the world. Out of sight, out of mind? I think not.

Light bulbs, bottle caps, toothbrushes, Popsicle sticks and tiny pieces of plastic, each the size of a grain of rice, inhabit the Pacific garbage patch, an area of widely dispersed trash that doubles in size every decade and is now believed to be roughly twice the size of Texas. But one research organization estimates that the garbage now actually pervades the Pacific, though most of it is caught in what oceanographers call a gyre like this one — an area of heavy currents and slack winds that keep the trash swirling in a giant whirlpool.

PCBs, DDT and other toxic chemicals cannot dissolve in water, but the plastic absorbs them like a sponge. Fish that feed on plankton ingest the tiny plastic particles. Scientists from the Algalita Marine Research Foundation say that fish tissues contain some of the same chemicals as the plastic. The scientists speculate that toxic chemicals are leaching into fish tissue from the plastic they eat.

The researchers say that when a predator — a larger fish or a person — eats the fish that eats the plastic, that predator may be transferring toxins to its own tissues, and in greater concentrations since toxins from multiple food sources can accumulate in the body.

It may be out of sight, but it should be on your mind. After all, the effects could end up in your body. 

For the captain’s first mate, Jeffery Ernst, the patch was “just a reminder that there’s nowhere that isn’t affected by humanity.”

To read the rest of the article, click here. 

The 10 Best Pollution-Busting Houseplants
Posted by: Dr. Mercola

Over the years there has been quite a bit of debate about whether houseplants really can filter indoor air by removing toxins and particles. NASA tests in a spacecraft packed with plants showed markedly better air, but proving that plants are efficient filters in other situations hasn’t been so easy.
But houseplants can’t hurt. Not only might they take out some of the air pollution, but some think they may offer some protection against electromagnetic radiation. But which houseplants should you pick?

The New Ecologist made a list of the top 10 anti-pollutant houseplants. They rate the best as:

1. The Feston Rose plant
2. Devil’s Ivy
3. Phalaenopsis
4. English Ivy
5. Parlor Ivy
6. African Violets
7. Christmas Cactus
8. Yellow Goddess
9. Garlic Vine
10. Peace Lily

A relatively new discovery has merged ingredients in nature in a way that science did not know was possible. These nutrients are called Betalains. Betalains were originally thought to be just a pigment – an inert color that made a plant pretty, but imparted no real health benefit.
Betalains exist in a wide variety (there are 24 Betalains), and each one completes a specific need in human health by supplying structure and function to every human cell.

A cell distressed by external toxins and internal deficiencies will eventually wither, collapse and die. If more cells die than can be replaced, we slip into a kind of “deficit spending” and our lean body mass withers. This is called sarcopenia or premature aging. Betalains can be used to shore up or strengthen the cell wall. This leads to rehydration of the cell and repair of sarcopenia, premature aging.

Some vegetables (beets and rainbow chard) contain a few Betalains; some desert plants contain a few more. Only the Nopal cactus of the Sonoran Desert contains all 24 Betalains. This is because the Sonoran Desert is the most extreme desert in the world and the Nopal plant needs all 24 Betalains to survive in this intense environment.

Nopalea (“No-pah lay’ uh”) is a tasty superfruit drink sourced from the fruit of the Nopal cactus (Opuntia Ficus Indica). This remarkable healing plant thrives in the Sonoran Desert of the southwestern U.S. and Mexico. The healing properties of the Nopal cactus have been relied on for centuries by native peoples, and they’re now available in Nopalea, the first product in TriVita’s exclusive Sonoran Bloom™ line.

Discover Nopalea – the new health solution for today’s unhealthy world: http://www.sonoranbloom.com/13170419


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These are the articles that caught my eye this month:

I have not said enough about soy on this site, even though I feel very strongly about it.  My focus has primarily been showing people that packaged food is so terrible and I admit that my favorite area of interest is healthy fats, so I tend toward that topic.  But this article is one of the very best I have seen on why soy is so bad.  It goes hand in hand with my interest in helping people ditch packaged food.  Strangely enough, soy is in practically every single package of processed food out there (if not all).  But isn’t soy a health food?!?  You have got to read this!

If you’ve read this blog very long, you know I am a raw milk fan.  I won’t touch pasteurized milk with a ten-foot pole!  I am very thankful to live in Oklahoma where I can freely buy raw milk.  It saddens me that not everyone in these United States has that freedom.  This letter from a Georgia man put a smile on my face.  Click here to read.

Apparently because of the above situation, and/or the letter, legislation in Georgia may soon be changed.  Click here to read that story. I love good news!

Advice from the experts – 7 Food That Should Never Cross Your Lips – lower your toxin intake.

I feel very strongly about what my children watch on television.  There really are no television shows they watch on TV, except we all watch America’s Funniest Home Videos as a family on Sunday nights.  We check out DVDs from the library for them, or just grab something off our home movie shelf.  One reason is time, we just don’t have the time for TV.  We’re either eating, doing school, cleaning, or running errands.  The other reason I limit television time is that I am so opposed to commercials.  I won’t have my children bombarded with toy and junk food commercials.  There really are very few safe commercials.  One evening we were watching AFV and a commercial came on for a prescription sleep aid.  I didn’t think that would be offensive, so I didn’t mute or change the channel (we now mute all the commercials that run during AFV).  My son (he was 8 at the time) said, “I think I need that,” because it takes him a bit to fall asleep at night (doesn’t it for everyone?).  Needless to say, we had a discussion about prescription medication and now are on a higher level of guarding what is going into their little minds.  This includes philosophies that I don’t agree with.  There are a lot of them on children’s television these days.  This is why this article caught my eye – New PBS Show Fizzy’s Lunch Lab – read all about it.  Seems harmless?  I know a whole generation of people that don’t believe what their parents believe, because 1)their parents didn’t teach them and 2)they had unguarded access to television growing up, and so were exposed to values their parents didn’t agree with.  I want my children to know what I believe and why, not what the television has taught them.

And finally, this recipe for Bruschetta Stuffed Potatoes looks SO yummy!  Check it out.

Living with Vitiligo

After living many years in hot climates there is going to be undoubtedly some sort of sun damage to the skin. I always took care of my skin and rarely sun bathed. 12 years after returning from the sun drenched beaches we settled back into Europe. That is when I noticed my skin had patches and white circular spots. My first reaction was that it was sun damage, as when the sun is out it becomes more prominent.  I have been diagnosed with Vitiligo which apparently is not sun related!

Due to the embarrassment of having ‘uneven’ skin pigment I decided to do research. The embarrassment has not gone away, but understanding the condition has helped me live with it easier.  The following is what I have found and hope that anyone who has this will learn from it.

What is Vitiligo

Vitiligo is quite a common skin disease which affects at least 1 person in 100 in countries worldwide  regardless of the climate.  Anyone, male or female, irrespective of skin colour or ethnic origin can develop the condition. 
  
Vitiligo causes the skin, and sometimes the hair, to turn white in patches. Skin contains cells called melanocytes,these cells give the skin its colour. If these cells become damaged or destroyed white patches start to form due to the lack of melanin.  The most common form of vitiligo appears in symmetrical form (generalized vitiligo) affecting both sides of the body.   In some cases only one half of the body is affected (segmental vitiligo).

Can you catch vitiligo?

You cannot catch vitiligo. It is not infectious.  It can cause severe psychological distress, especially when the face, neck, hands and genitals are affected.  Many children and adults have been bullied because of this condition. Children need to understand the implications of bullying children with vitiligo.
Vitiligo is unpredictable.  Some people may not notice a change in their condition for many years, while for others it can spread quite rapidly.  In some cases the white patches can spontaneously re-pigment, particularly in children, though it is rare for the disease to resolve completely without treatment.

What Causes Vitiligo?

There are several theories but nobody is really sure what causes it. Extensive research is being carried out in various centers in different countries to find a solution. We know that the pigment cells do not function properly. My doctor told me that my autoimmune system was attacking my own cells, which is what is the probable cause of my vitiligo.

Other theories of cause are:

• hereditary
• thyroid problems
• Neuronal, where the nerves in the skin are implicated in the damage to pigment cells.
• Exposure to hydrogen peroxide is toxic to pigment cells.
• Hormonal change
• psychological stress

Help! I have a white patch in my hair now

Those who remember the program The Malans, where the lead male earned the title of  ‘The Malan Streak’ will know what I am taking about. I wonder if he had Vitiligo?

Can hair be affected also. The anser is yes. Below is an extract from a case study. We would like to thank www.vitiligo.org.uk for this information.

DYEING HEAD HAIR AFFECTED BY VITILIGO Abstract from the publication “Vitiligo – Understanding the loss of skin colour” by Marion Lesage for the Vitiligo Society (published 2002)

Every authority/manufacturer I have consulted tells me that there is no problem dyeing hair affected by Vitiligo, however people with hair affected by Vitiligo tell a different story!

The best advice I have received so far is from my own hairdresser, who says that a product which contains ammonia is essential to raise the hair cuticle. The ammonia will almost certainly have to stay on the hair for longer than for people who do not have hair affected by Vitiligo. Provided this is done there should not be a problem in getting the Vitiligo hair to accept the dye in the normal way.

Of course the need to use a patch test when trying out this method on yourself is essential. I would strongly recommend that anyone experiencing problems should contact the product manufacturer for advice and ask to speak to the technical department for product development. Only if enough customers do this will the manufacturers become aware of the problem. Then they will not be able to say that the problem does not exist and they may be motivated to do something.

I am going to try the ginseng care serum over the next few months to see if it will make any difference. The properties in is cream has proven to work on skin with eczema, bed sores, cold sores. Let’s see if we can have some kind of break through.

Image : http://www.flickr.com

I'm shocked. Skin care cream can of toxic chemicals and reject parts of dead animals treated with acid.

And if you think this is bad, it gets even worse to come .. these things in skin care moisturizer can be found by some of the biggest beauty product brands.

I know this flies against what we are told, in the fashion ads in magazines. This erotic models give the impression that care cream will make you young, feel better, andhealthier.

What they will not reveal what is in the pot. And some of this level is dangerous. These things can have symptoms ranging from skin irritation to cancer.

Here is a list of 15 things that are avoided at all costs, as you look for skin care cream. Unfortunately, some of the most common ingredients in skin care products.

Acrylamide: not seeing you in the hand and face creams, as some are links to breast cancer research.

Alcohols such as ethanol, ethyl –Alcohol, methanol, benzyl alcohol, isopropyl alcohol and SD alcohol. They dry out the skin, causing irritation and will wash away your natural protective oils of the skin you expose to the risk of bacteria, mold and viruses.

DEA (diethanolamine), MEA (monoethanolamine) and TEA (triethanolamine): You will find them used to adjust pH in the skin care cream. There you will receive an eye disease, dry skin, and long term, can be toxic. They are banned in Europe.

Dioxane: (a synthetic derivative ofCoconut). This one's everywhere. A major component is 1,4-dioxane that is officially recognized to cause cancer.

Aroma: Just added to skin care cream a nice smell, but many ingredients are toxic or carcinogenic, the central nervous system and causes depression, hyperactivity and irritability.

Mineral oil: paraffin oil, paraffin, petroleum jelly is often used to seal moisture into the skin. In practice, they will clog the pores, and keep toxins in the promotionAcne, removing natural oils and skin so encouraging, dry skin and gives you an old look. But to use it because it's cheap.

Nitrosamines: You are carcinogenic.

Padimate-O: Even octyl-dimethyl is known, it is found in sunscreens. Researchers wonder whether the energy that is absorbed by the sunscreen into radicals. If so, this increases the risk of skin cancer.

Parabens: methyl, propyl, butyl and ethyl paraben – These are preservatives, so you can see how theyoverall. Studies suggest they may cause cancer and endocrine system of the body. Can also be some allergic reactions and skin rashes responsible.

Phenol carbolic acid, many lotions and skin care cream have them. It is dangerous. Can cause circulatory collapse, paralysis, convulsions, coma and even death from respiratory failure.

Polyethylene glycol (PEG): This is an emulsifier and humectant. Some researchers say it is carcinogenic.

Rancid naturalEmollients: Use a moisturizing cream, where the oils are cold pressed, because the natural oils from refining, which is produced very often, nutrients and leaves toxic trans-fatty acids removed. Also, note their age, and can go rancid as a moisturizing cream when they go past their use stored by date.

Toluene: This can be found in almost all artificial fragrances. Get too much and you are in danger, anemia, lowered blood cell count, liver or kidney damage. Research suggests overuse isRisk of a developing fetus. Be sure to butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), benzoic acid and benzyl.

Triclosan: This is an antibacterial substance. Used in weed killers and a lot of skin care cream. Some studies suggest it can help, loads of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

That's a long, detailed list. So, do yourself a favor. Mail to the company you buy from your skin care cream and ask them if they contain any of these ingredients in their products. If they do not, you'reFine.

If they do, you need to find to another company with a conscious policy, the use of these nasties.

See Also : home skincarebeautys.blogspot.com hair.blogs.thaihealth.net nailsbeauty.wordpress.com

U.S. health authorities have made pregnant women one of the highest priority groups for getting the H1N1 swine flu vaccine. Is it actually safe for pregnant women and their babies?

In fact, the package inserts for the swine flu vaccines actually say that the safety of these vaccines for pregnant women has not been established. And miscarriage reports from pregnant women who have taken the H1N1 swine flu vaccine have started to pour in from all over the nation, according to Organic Health November 11, 2009.

I’ve read hundreds of heartbreaking personal stories from women who lost their babies just hours or days after getting the H1N1 vaccine this year. Someone might argue that miscarriages are common and have nothing to do with the vaccine. But when a shockingly large number of women who had healthy pregnancies up until the injection with the vaccine suddenly miscarry right afterwards, it most certainly warrants investigation! And most vaccine-related miscarriages have not been reported yet. Remember, only less than 10% of severe vaccine side effects will ever be reported!

Would you like to become a guinea pig if you are a pregnant mother? If you read the package inserts, you’ll find that NONE of them have ever been tested for safety and effectiveness in pregnant women and nursing mothers, and none of them are recommended for pregnant women “unless clearly needed.” You should also understand that no reproduction studies have been done to determine how these flu vaccines (whether for seasonal- or the H1N1 vaccine) affect future fertility, and whether or how they affect a developing fetus. The vaccine manufacturers and the doctors administering the shots are legally protected if something goes wrong. You cannot sue them for damages.

So it’s really up to you to decide whether to get the vaccine or not. I strongly urge you to do more research and make an educated decision for yourself and your unborn baby!

Organic growers Ella Haley and Richard Tunstall are upset that a contractor is spreading treated sewage sludge on a field near their farm, Heart's Content.

The contractor, Wessuc Inc., says the two farmers are clinging to lingering misconceptions about a product treated and released by municipalities, that is well-regulated by the Ministry of the Environment, and classified as a nutrient biosolid.

“We must sit and watch as the tractor that is injecting this sludge gets closer and closer to our property line,” Haley said Thursday while the product, which comes from Waterloo Region's sewage system was being sprayed and knifed into the ground.

“Truckload after truckload after truckload is being worked into the field. I'm sickened by the sight of it.”

via Farmers ’sickened’ by sewage – Brantford Expositor – Ontario, CA.

Hey Challengers,

I have completed another 30 Days Challenge! It is really amazing when you get started on something and you are motivated how things just keep on working in your favour.

I have been on a fitness challenge!  Some form of exercise every day. It was so easy, I walked everyday. On some days I also did a Zumba class, great high energy burning up the calories class… I have also been riding my bike the last few days to and from work.

So for my next 30 Days Challenge I shall be riding my bike everyday. On top of my walking down the beach or the river, and Zumba. Exercise is a fun part of the week for me I just love it. Even though I am wondering why I have started being such a fitness freak in the soaring summer temps that we have had lately here on the coast.

Here’s to sweating out the toxins and freakin fitness challenges..

What will you be doing for the next 30 Days Challenge?

Woo hoo

donna

There is No Money in Fasting!

By Janet Marsh Demeter, Staff Writer

Fasting is an ancient techanique for healing and detoxification of the body from a variety of ills, and for maintenance of optimum health. Studies show that we are designed to fast and fasting is in part an evolutionary development of times of food scarcity.

As with other areas of the Natural Healing arena, general consciousness of its benefits are not well-known; in fact, people tend to be fearful of fasting. This fear of fasting is really the fear of feeling “hunger”, or what people think is hunger. More often than not, the sensations of withdrawal from irritating substances are confused with hunger and do not come from the absence of real, natural foods. What constitutes “real food” is well researched here with our Liberation Fitness staff and at westonaprice.org, but basically, sudden restriction from anything that is not natural and/or is super-refined with preservatives and other toxins, can create the lightheadedness, headache, cravings, stomach pains, and other symptoms that people mistake for real hunger. Actually, the willingness to “sit through” these feelings of withdrawal can eventually free a person, through fasting, from a bad eating habit, among other things.

Considering again the benefits and very basic physiology of the fast, the first 3 days are the most dramatic whether it’s a 4, 7, 10, 30 day water fast, because during the first 72 hours the body switches feul sources. During the first day, the body generally consumes all of its stores of glycogen in the liver(normal source of glucose), so then it must find another source. It begins to break-up fatty acids(ketosis) as feul, and also (catabolizes)breaks down amino-acids from the muscles to make glucose, about 2-3 oz of muscle on the second day. By the third day, the ketosis or breaking down of fatty acids becomes very efficient so that the body can begin conserving protein, thereafter catabolizing only 1/2-1oz of muscle per day. The conservation of protein was important for the protection of the organs and muscles when no food was available; over 30 days a person will go through 1-2 lbs. of muscle tissue.

Much like sleep, the body during a fast uses its energy to break down and expel toxins, and to heal itself. As the fast continues, the body will use-up everything it can that is not necessary for its functioning, such as microbes, fibroid tumors, wastes, inflammation, and stored fat of course. Generally, the body switches its fuel source in the first 3 days, when the most dramatic effects, if any, are felt. So fear not; the body is actually designed to do this–and can manage very well for quite some time. Some of the diseases and conditions that clinical studies have shown fasting helps either partially, or permanently, are: hypertension, chronic cardiovascular disease, type II diabetes, obesity, epilepsy, acute pancreatitis, osteo- and rhumatoid arthritis, auto-immune diseases including lupus, severe toxic contamination(7-10day fast), poor immune function, psycho-somatic diseases, gout, bronchial athsma, allergies, MS, insomnia, and more.

There have been enough animal studies that suggest life-span enhancement through fasting, and also individual case studies, not to mention common sense. Cancer research is, of course, controversial with fasting(as with most natural approaches), however there is data to suggest it may help prevent cancer. Most people can safely fast, but there are special cases when one should not fast. Always consult your health professional for when considering fasting as to your goals, the length and type of the fast, etc… Starving people obviously should not, pregnant diabetic women, nursing mothers, those with anemia, those with porphyria should not fast. There is also a rare genetic fatty-acid deficiency which prevents the body’s switching to ketosis.

Knowledge of fasting should be available to everyone as a natural and safe (with some exceptions) healing and health maintenance technique. The more you know about health and wellness, what good things with which to fuel your body, the more sense it makes to take advantage of fasting to cleanse and heal. Often the fear of it is no more than a bad habit not wanting to lose his position of authority in the mind. Fast and be healthy; fast and be free, too!

Janet has had over 20 years experience as a distance runner; an exercise enthusiast, she has studied Martial Arts, Pilates, and dance. She has also studied nutrition and nutritional healing, most intensely following a biking incident with a car breaking both legs to ensure a complete and rapid recovery. Also a 17 year survivor of a very serious eating disorder, she has spent much time re-establishing a healthy relationship with food and reconnecting with natural instinct. She is a Wellesley College graduate and dedicated to the demystifying nutrition and the healing powers of Nature, which are available to all. Currently she lives in Kagel Canyon, CA with her husband Barry and daughter Sophie-Marie.

Still think the Swine flu is worrisome?  Watch this video.  It seems as though the sensationalism won’t die down.

If the smell of beets makes you gag but you simply can’t get enough sour crème and chive potato chips, your Mom may be to blame — and not because of what she fed you growing up. Several studies show that food preferences may be set even before you’re born, as early as 13 weeks after gestation. And those preferences derive from what your Mom ate while you were in the womb. 

Read more at Jon Barron’s Natural Health Blog

EPA: Uranium From Polluted British Petroleum Mine Found In Nevada Water Wells

Scott Sonner AP 11/21/09

But she can look through the window from her kitchen table, just past her backyard with its swingset and pet llama, and see an ominous sign on a neighboring fence: “Danger: Uranium Mine.”

For almost a decade, people who make their homes in this rural community in the Mason Valley 65 miles southeast of Reno have blamed that enormous abandoned mine for the high levels of uranium in their water wells.

They say they have been met by a stone wall from state regulators, local politicians and the huge oil company that inherited the toxic site – BP PLC. Those interests have insisted uranium naturally occurs in the region’s soil and there’s no way to prove that a half-century of processing metals at the former Anaconda pit mine is responsible for the contamination.

That has changed. A new wave of testing by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has found that 79 percent of the wells tested north of the World War II-era copper mine have dangerous levels of uranium or arsenic or both that make the water unsafe to drink.

And, more importantly to the neighbors, that the source of the pollution is a groundwater plume that has slowly migrated from the 6-square-mile mine site.

The new samples likely never would have been taken if not for a whistleblower, a preacher’s wife, a tribal consultant and some stubborn government scientists who finally helped crack the toxic mystery that has plagued this rural mining and farming community for decades.

“They have completely ruined the groundwater out here,” said Pauly, the wife of a local pastor and mother of two girls who organized a community action group five years to seek the truth about the pollution….

*Related: Colorado River May Face Fight of its Life

Increased toxins likely as energy companies seek oil, gas, uranium

By Abrahm Lustgarten and David Hasemyer (propublica.org) Dec. 21, 2008

Now the life vein of the Southwest faces another threat: Energy companies are sucking up the Colorado’s water to support increased development of oil, natural gas and uranium deposits along the river’s basin. The mining and drilling will likely send more toxins into the waterway, which provides drinking water for one out of 12 Americans and nourishes 15 percent of the nation’s crops along its journey from Wyoming and Colorado to Mexico….

http://www3.signonsandiego.com/stories/2008/dec/21/1n21colorado211057-colorado-river-may-face-fight-i/

Tammy, you must be a label-reader!  You were aware enough of ingredients that you guessed correctly!  It was a Coffeemate creamer, Amaretto to be specific. That is fantastic.  We all need to be as label-savvy as you.  :)

Here are those ingredients again -

Water, Sugar, Partially Hydrogenated Soybean and/or Cottonseed oil, and less than 2% sodium caseinate (a milk derivative), natural and artificial flavors, dipotassium phosphate, disodium phosphate, mono- and diglycerides, cellulose gel, cellulose gum, color added, carrageenan.

Let’s see, we have water, not bad, then sugar, not good, but not as bad as number three–the big, bad hydrogenated oil we talked about last month!  Given the choice between good old-fashioned cream and this pseudo-cream substitute, I’ll take the cream please.

But what about the fat?!?  Cream contains a high-percentage of butterfat (around 40%).  This fat actually contains vitamins A, D, E and K; antioxidants, selenium, CLA (conjugated linoleic acid–an anti-cancer nutrient), and lauric acid (an antimicrobial fat–a germ killer), and more.

But soybean and/or cottonseed oil can’t be that bad?!?  This pseudo-cream substitute contains a man-made hydrogenated oil (read trans fat) that causes cancer, type II diabetes, heart disease, infertility, obesity, hinders the immune system and a lactating mother’s milk.  In a pregnant woman, trans fat can cross the placenta and hinder brain development of the child.  In a nursing mother, trans fats will be present in breast milk and can interfere with the child’s neurological and visual development.

So you can see why I choose cream.  I’ll take vitamins and a strong immune system any day over cancer, diabetes, heart disease, and infertility!  We don’t even have to go into the details of the rest of the ingredients, that third one is so bad.

Remember, if God created it, it is healthy; if man has messed with it, it is not!

Read more here:

All About Trans Fat – a very informative brochure.

Butter Is Better – another short brochure, both are must-reads.

Ten tips on how to eat well and live healthy:

1.   Do not eat until you are genuinely hungry.  When you are hungry our stomach will tell us that it needs food.  This means the stomach is empty from the previous meal and is ready to digest a new meal.  If you eat when you are not hungry or continually eat and mix semi digested foods with new ones, it will cause the mixture to stay in the stomach pouch for a longer time.  This causes purification and fermentation of foods leading to health problems.

2.   Do not over eat.  The stomach has a limited capacity for food and needs some space for mixing and digestion.  If it is completely full, it cannot function properly.  The stomach is located beneath heart, and when the stomach is full it expands and applies pressure on the heart.  The process leaves very little space for the heart to beat at its proper pace.  Too much pressure can cause the heart to palpitate or to beat at irregular intervals.  Always stop eating before you feel full.  It takes approximately 20 minutes for the stomach to let your brains know you are in fact full and that it is best at that time to stop eating.

3.   Take liquids before solids.  Foods that are less difficult to digest and require less time should be eaten first.  After the easier swallow food has been consumed, start with harder to chew foods that need more time for digestion.  The food, which is more solid and has the lower water content, should be taken after the food, which has highest water content.  Soup and vegetables should be taken before the main meal.

4.   Do not drink while you are eating.  Water, juices or carbonated drinks should not be taken with a meal as they dilute the stomach juices and enzymes and interrupt digestion process.  This causes gas, bloating, pain, constipation and toxicity of the whole body.  Undigested food goes into the intestines and then into the colon where it putrefies and ferments to create more gas and acid, which is then re-absorbed, into the bloodstream.  Water and all kinds of drinks can be taken half an hour before and about two hours after the meal.

5.   It is best to chew each bite of food 20-30 times.  Chewing food is a very important process in proper digestion.  Dieticians recommended chewing solid food to the extent.  This ensures for proper breakdown and causes the food to change to the more liquid for before making for a more simple digestion process.  Many problems and diseases are caused by not chewing food adequately.

6.   Do not mix different food groups together and try to eat a single food group at one time.  There are different groups of food in nature, for instance fats, proteins, and carbohydrates.  Most of the food we consume is complex, but in order to have better digestion it is best not mix proteins with carbohydrates or fats with proteins.  For example, the traditional North American dish of steak   and potatoes in not a good mixture for healthy digestion and nutrients absorption.  If a potato, which is carbohydrate, gets served with vegetables it makes an ideal food combination.   Carbohydrates and vegetables also make a good combination.  A proper combination of the right foods makes for over all healthy digestion.

7.   Do not eat any processed or manufactured foods.  Any food that has been altered by the process using heat or the adding of chemicals to preserve or add flavor or is vitamin enriched is not healthy to eat.  For example, white bread does not have any food value left in it nor do cold cuts which are full of chemicals and coloring.  All added chemicals are hazardous to your health.

8.   Add lots of fiber to your meals.  The human digestive system is a long tube which should be filled with a large amount of fibrous foods.  Fiber absorbs water and cleans the digestive track.  A lack of fibers in your diet causes many kinds of disorders and diseases; from constipation to cancer.

9.   Drink at least eight glasses of water a day.  Our body is made up of 65% to 70% of water.  Without an adequate amount of water, the body does not function optimally and there is a general lack of energy and concentration.  All nutrients and vitamins must be dissolved in water in order to be absorbed into the bloodstream.  The amount of water to be drink is based on the body weight of the individual; for each kilogram of weight, one ounce of water is needed.  Note that too much water is also not recommended as it flushes the nutrients out of your body. 

10.   Exercise.  Exercising makes the muscles strong and keeps the bones dense.  It stimulates the lymphatic system keeping the fluids moving so it works better at keeping us healthy.  Our lymphatic system is responsible for waste collection and immunity protection.  It does not have a pumping system like our bloodstream has to the heart; therefore, the speed of fluid movement is very low.  Regular exercise keeps the continual appellation of toxins through the lymphatic system removing them from the body.

Until next time… Stay healthy

Katarzyna

Some facts about Codex Alimentarius and the implementations of its directives. (remove the 3 dots found at the end of some web addresses)

Codex Alimentarius will go into global implementation by December 31, 2009, unless We, the People, avert it.
http://www.healthfreedomusa.org/

CODEX ALIMENTARIUS
http://www.codexalimentarius.net/web/…

Codex Alimentarius Commission – DNRC (Division Of Nutrition Research Coordination).
Detailing minutes of the latest meetings.
http://dnrc.nih.gov/ncc/index.shtml…

DIET, NUTRITION AND THE PREVENTION OF CHRONIC DISEASES (FTP)..
http://whqlibdoc.who.int/trs/…

The Food Standards Agency represents the UK at Codex
http://www.food.gov.uk/foodindustry/r…

The WTO and the FAO/WHO Codex Alimentarius
http://www.wto.org/english/thewto_e/c…