The Secrets that the Healthiest People Know

Everyone desires to be in good health. No one wants to suffer from sickness and disease and yet some people constantly suffer from illnesses while others enjoy good health. The healthiest people know the secrets of maintaining good health. What are those secrets?

They eat organic fruits and vegetables. The healthiest people eat lots of fresh, organic, and raw fruits and vegetables every day. Try eating four pieces of fresh, organic fruit and two big organic salads a day. Just doing these two things can help improve many medical conditions.

They juice. As most people know, our food supply is not packed with vital vitamins and minerals anymore. While organic fruits and vegetables don't have all the necessary nutrients, they do have up to ten times the needed vitamins and minerals when compared to non-organic foods. Therefore, when organic fruits and vegetables are juiced, needed vitamins, minerals, and enzymes are consumed. Drinking three to four glasses a day is best.

They get plenty of sunlight. Sunlight has enormous health benefits for the body. Obviously, lying on a lounge chair and baking in the sun for hours is not a healthy thing to do. However, getting 30 minutes of sun every day by doing activities outside such as walking the dog, working in the yard, or playing a sport, provides your body with a life-giving dose of Vitamin D.

They use natural Vitamin E. It is important not to use synthetic vitamin E products, but instead the all natural, full spectrum brands. Everyone is nutritionally deficit. Taking vitamin E can prevent heart disease and alleviate depression. They also are many other benefits as well.

They use whole food supplements. Whole food supplements supply our bodies with nutrients we do not get from our diet, all the vitamins, minerals, trace minerals, and phytonutrients that foods possess in a way that nature intended, in a whole food form.

They are active. The healthiest people get exercise every day in some form or another; by playing a sport, walking, jogging, biking, skating, or any one of a hundred other ways that incorporate movement into their daily routine.

They keep stress at a minimum. Stress is the precursor for an incredible number of illnesses, diseases and conditions. The healthiest people know how to keep their stress levels low by relaxing their minds and bodies. Try meditating, reading, listening to music, taking a walk, getting a massage or taking a long, warm bath.

Try to implement at least some of these secrets and you, too, can be on your way to becoming one of the healthiest people in the world!

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How to Stay Young

1. Choose To Be Happy. No one but you has the power to make you happy. Happiness is not dependent upon external circumstances; whether you are married to the person of your dreams, how much money you have, what kind of house you live in, or whether you are having a “good” or “bad” day. It is a choice that you make. Period. Choose wisely.

2. Surround Yourself with What You Love. Whether it’s your family, your pets, your hobbies, your music or your books. Your home is your refuge no matter where it is or how big or small it is. If it is where you live, fill it with what makes you happy.

3. Laugh. It’s such a simple thing yet so difficult for so many. It doesn’t matter what your life is about, how dull, boring or challenging. Turn the corners of your mouth up. Open your mouth and let out a big ole’ guffaw. Laugh until you gasp for breath. There is no better medicine for sadness or worry.

4. Keep Learning. Never let your mind become idle. Learn how to crochet, how to use new computer software, how to play an instrument or how to dance. Keeping your mind active and challenged keeps it healthy and greatly reduces your risk for any type of dementia. Plus, learning new things is always fun!

5. Surround Yourself with Cheerful Friends. Being with people who are grouchy pulls you down to their level of dissatisfaction. Spend time with those who share your love of life.

6. Take a Walk Every Day.  Walking is the best medicine for feeling down or out of sorts. When we exercise and our heart rate increases, our bodies produce a feel good hormone called serotonin that improves your mood and feelings of well-being. Walking reduces the effects of stress in our bodies, contributing to the relaxing and therapeutic effects. It is also a good way to remove yourself from any of the things that make you feel stressed, tired or angry, replacing those feelings with calm and tranquility. Plus your body is getting a great workout, a win-win-win situation!

7. Cherish Your Health. If your health is good, keep it that way. Eat healthy, exercise and reduce your stress levels. If your health is not good, take the necessary steps to improve it. You will be amazed at how much better you will feel when you follow a healthy lifestyle. If you have problems that are beyond any changes you can make, get help.

8. Don’t Survive Life, Live It! Sh*t happens. Deal with it and move on. Life is short and the only person who is with you the entire time is yourself. Only you have the power to choose. Choose happiness!

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Help Children with Asthma Stay Healthy

Childhood breathing problems can be stressful and frightening for parents. Unfortunately, breathing problems--usually related to asthma and allergies--are becoming more and more common in Western countries. Experts are still exploring why this is so.

So what is a parent to do? Just give up and accept that your child will never be "normal"? Of course not! The good news is, there are quite a few positive actions you can take that will go a long way towards helping your child live a happy, active life.

Here are three main steps you can take to help keep your child with asthma be healthy:

Step 1: First, you need to understand asthma.

Knowledge is power, and knowing what actions to take start with understanding what's going on in your child's body. Asthma is a chronic breathing problem that interferes with your child's ability to get air in and out of his or her lungs.

When your child has asthma, the airways often become red, swollen and irritated. This means the passages become narrower, which makes it harder for the air to flow in and out. The airways overreact by producing large amounts of mucus, which can clog the airways further. This causes symptoms such as coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath. 

Step 2: Get a handle on your child's asthma triggers.

It's a well-known fact that asthma symptoms are set off--or triggered--by certain environmental substances. For unknown reasons, your child's body "sees" these triggers as threats, even though most people are not bothered by them. The lungs then overreact by triggering an asthma attack.

The most common asthma triggers in children are pollen, dust, molds, food allergies, pet dander, and even colds. Scents and cigarette smoke can also set off an asthma attack. As a parent, you will be able to notice the things that trigger your child's asthma symptoms. Make note of the patterns, and then do your best to help your child avoid those triggers as much as possible.

Step 3: Play an active role in your child's health care.

Children who have asthma do need medical care. It's important to consult with your pediatrician or an asthma specialist and get your child on a treatment program that will help control or prevent his or her symptoms.

The doctor may prescribe the treatment, but it will be up to you to carry it out. It is essential to follow the plan laid out for your child to the letter. Skipping doses of medicine or nebulizer treatments--even on good days--will lead to health problems sooner or later... probably sooner.

Talk with your doctor. Ask questions until you are sure you understand exactly what is going on and what to do for your child. Fill out an "Asthma Action Plan" that guides you when to take emergency action during asthma attacks or when an attack is building.

Lastly, keep your child's doctor informed about what is working or not working. Report when your child's symptoms change. The doctor will not know when to update the plan of treatment unless you keep him or her informed.

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Air Purifiers and Your Health

Whether you are healthy, sick, young, or old, everyone can benefit from an air purifier. Allergies, asthma, respiratory problems, and the spread of viruses and illnesses can all be related to indoor pollution. Investing in a good quality air purifier can protect you and your family by greatly reducing your risk of sickness related to indoor pollution.

Every home contains these environmental toxins, even ones that are often cleaned thoroughly. It is proven that the air inside our homes can be more harmful than the air outside because air in the home recirculates and never has the opportunity to be filtered.

Allergens inside the home like pollen, mold, and pet dander can be very irritating to people who are prone to allergies. Asthma, an inflammatory disease of the lungs, can cause symptoms like coughing, runny nose, red eye, digestive problems, fatigue, dizziness, and congestion.

Air purifiers can provide a huge relief for these symptoms, by greatly reducing the amount of the allergens in the air. This also can cut down the cost of expensive medications that are often used to treat these illnesses.

Air purifiers can also reduce the spread of illnesses and viruses like the common cold or the flu. They are very beneficial to people with low immune systems, like the elderly, and families with children because they lower the spread of illness. By filtering the air, air purifiers stop these illnesses from spreading throughout the house reducing the risk of contamination to other people in the home.

Air Ionizers and Hepa Filters are the most commonly used air purifiers. Air Ionizers distribute negative ions throughout the air causing the toxins to bond and fall out of the air. HEPA filters draw the air in using a fan, where it filters the air, and redistributes it back throughout the house.

In our society today there is more pollution now than there ever was before, especially in the home. Owning an air purifier is one of the best ways for you to protect yourself and your family from such toxins. Air purifiers greatly reduce the amount of pollution in your home lowering your chance of developing sickness due to indoor toxins.

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How to Stay Healthy This Holiday Season

As this holiday season approaches, many of us are preparing for big celebrations and parties. This is the time of year when most of us overindulge. However, if you are health-conscious, read on for some tips that will help you stay healthy while everyone around you gains 5 pounds!

1. Stay Away from the Snack/Dessert Table – Let’s face it, snacks and high calorie foods are abundant during the holidays season. If you take a seat within an arm's reach of the snack table, you're going to have a tough time keeping yourself from grabbing handfuls and picking at them all day. By sitting on the other side of the room, getting to the snacks involves a conscious effort into getting up and walking over to get them.

2. Drink Lots of Water! – Water helps your body stay fit. Drink a glass of water before each meal, as well as during and between them. The liquid in your stomach will help trick your mind into not feeling as hungry, which reduces the tendency to gorge yourself on potentially fattening foods.

3. Fill Up on Healthy Foods - Take an extra scoop of vegetables and fruit when filling your plate, and by the time you finish, you won't have room for the foods that are higher in calories and more likely to cause you to gain weight. Also, avoid those fatty and fried foods (they taste good, but you know they aren’t healthy!)

4. Eat In Smaller Portions – Instead of eating platefuls of food, try eating smaller portions throughout the day. No doubt, everything at the table looks good, and it's all you can do to keep from filling your plate 2-3 times so that you can sample everything. An easy way to combat this urge is to simply take a smaller portion than you normally would of those dishes you're most interested in, especially belt-bursting desserts. Split a piece of pie or cake with your spouse, child, or another family member who may be watching his or her waistline.

5. Exercise, Exercise, Exercise! – There is no better thing to do during this festive season than to exercise! If the weather permits it, go out and take a quick walk around the house or block. If your celebration is taking place in a colder climate, you'll be more inspired to quicken your pace and burn a few extra calories in the process. If the weather is bad, do 10-20 squats, stretches, or other brief exercise each time you go to the restroom. You only want to do just enough to elevate your heart rate, but not break out into a sweat. Chances are, no one will know what you're doing, and you won't have to feel self-conscious about trying to maintain your figure.

 Keeping healthy during this holiday season is simply making sure you follow healthy habits just like anytime of the year. However, don’t fret it if you end up gaining a few pounds during the holidays. After all, the holiday season is only one of the few times of the year where you can truly enjoy yourself!

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Healthy Food Shopping

If you are trying to follow a healthier eating plan, you know how difficult it can be when you are shopping for food.  Is there a secret to healthy food shopping? There are so many choices, how do you know what is healthy and what is not? Keep reading to learn how to shop right and eat healthier.

Before you actually make a trip to the grocery store, there are several things you need to do that will best prepare you for the trip. The first and most important rule is to NEVER go grocery shopping when you are hungry. Why? You will end up buying food that you don’t need, don’t want, and probably shouldn’t be eating in the first place. This is how a cart full of junk food ends up in your kitchen.

The second rule, almost as important as the first, is to make a list and STICK WITH IT. This way you will not be so tempted to buy unhealthy foods or foods that are on sale. Even if you can buy 5 bags of potato chips for five dollars, walk on by (unless potato chips are on your list, but of course they are not, right?). Only purchase sale items that are already on your list.

The same rule applies to coupons. If you use coupons, clip only the ones for foods that you would normally purchase. Never clip a coupon simply because you can purchase three packages of your favorite cookies for a dollar off. When you get home, you have three packages of cookies that are calling to you. How long do you think they will last?

When you walk in the door of the supermarket, stick to the following guidelines and tips. They will make your grocery shopping easier and healthier.

• ALWAYS Shop the Perimeter First. The outer area of most grocery stores is laid out in the same way. This is where you will find fresh fruits and vegetables, dairy, eggs, bakery, meat, fish and poultry.    
• Fruits and Vegetables. When shopping for produce, choose brightly colored fruits and vegetables. The brighter the color, the higher the level of antioxidants and nutrients. Choose organic, if possible. Organically grown fruits and vegetables are a healthier option as they are pesticide free.
• Dairy. Buy fat-free milk, nonfat or lowfat yogurt and cottage cheese. Choose organic eggs if available.
• Bakery. Always choose breads, wraps, tortillas and muffins made with whole grains. Whole grains, high in fiber, are an essential part of a healthy eating plan.
• Meat, Fish & Poultry. If you eat red meat and pork, make sure you choose the leanest cuts. For poultry, choose skinless. A healthy choice is skinless, boneless chicken breasts. However, the healthiest option by far is fish. Salmon, sardines, and tuna have the highest levels of heart healthy omega-3 fatty acids.
• Frozen Section.  If your grocery does not offer much in the produce section, go to the freezer section. Frozen fruits and vegetables retain as many nutrients as their fresh counterparts. Avoid the junk food and pre-packaged frozen meals. Depending on the type, they contain an array of preservatives, fat and sodium. ALWAYS read the nutrition facts on the package carefully. If buying frozen meals, choose the ones that have the shortest ingredient list.
• Canned Vegetables.  Avoid canned vegetables, if possible. They provide the least amount of nutrition compared to fresh and frozen and contain salt. The only exception to this rule is canned tomatoes. Cooking tomatoes actually enhances their nutritional value. When choosing pasta sauce, make sure you choose low-sodium and low-sugar varieties.
• Canned Beans. Canned beans are a great staple to have on hand but make sure you choose the low-sodium beans. Dried beans are the better choice.
• Canned Soups. The same is true for canned soup. Canned soup is loaded with sodium so make sure you choose the low-sodium type.
• Canned Fruits. Canned fruit is not as nutritious as fresh or frozen but is acceptable as long as you choose fruit canned in juice, NOT in syrup.
• Cereals. When choosing cereals, read the ingredients label. Make sure the first ingredient listed is a whole grain (whole wheat, whole oats, brown rice, etc.) and check to see how many grams of sugar are in a serving. A serving of cereal should never have more than 8 grams of sugar.
• Cooking Oils. The healthiest oils for cooking are olive oil and canola oil. Never buy margarine. It contains trans fats. Use reduced-fat, trans fat-free spreads.
• Pasta. As in cereals, choose only whole grains. The ingredients list should start with the word ‘whole’ except brown rice flours which are already whole grain.
• Snacks. Choose snacks that have some nutritional value. For example, nuts have protein, and popcorn and whole grain crackers have fiber.
• White Foods. Avoid white foods or the words ‘refined grains’ listed on the ingredients label. What are white foods? Anything made with white flour, sugary cereals, sugar, white rice or white pasta. These foods contain no nutrients and can boost your heart attack and diabetes risk significantly.
• Packaged Foods.  If you are buying packaged foods, ALWAYS read the ingredients and/or nutrition label. If it has any of the following harmful ingredients listed, avoid if possible; hydrogenated, partially hydrogenated, partially hydrogenated oil (these words mean it contains trans fats), high-fructose corn syrup, words that end in ‘ose,’ MSG, artificial flavorings, artificial colors, and salt.

Healthy food shopping requires a bit more preparation, a bit more guidelines, and a bit more knowledge, but the end result will be a healthier, happier you and a healthier, happier family.

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Life Choices

It's New Year's Day. If you are like most people, you have done some thinking about the life you have experienced thus far and what might be waiting for you. Maybe you would like to make some changes or maybe you would like to just see what happens.

Life is like a road. There are long and short roads; smooth and rocky roads; crooked and straight roads. We travel many roads as we journey through life. There are roads to happiness as there are roads to sadness, roads towards victory and jubilation, and roads leading to defeat and disappointment.

Just like any road, there are corners, detours, and crossroads in life. Perhaps the most perplexing road that you would encounter is a crossroad. With four roads to choose from and with limited knowledge on where they would go, which road will you take? What is the guarantee that we would choose the right one along the way? Would you take any road, or just stay where you are: in front of a crossroad?

THERE ARE NO GUARANTEES.

You do not really know where a road will lead you until you take it. There are no guarantees. This is one of the most important things you need to realize about life. Nobody said that choosing to do the right thing all the time would always lead you to happiness.

Loving someone with all your heart does not guarantee that it would be returned. Gaining fame and fortune does not guarantee happiness. There are too many possible outcomes that you really cannot control. The only thing you have power over is the decisions that you will make, and how you act and react to different situations.

WRONG DECISIONS ARE ALWAYS HINDSIGHT.

Had you known that you were making a wrong decision, would you have gone along with it? Probably not. Why would you choose a certain path knowing it would get you lost? Why make a decision if you knew from the very beginning that it is not the right one.

It is only after you have made a decision and reflected on it that you realize its soundness. If the consequences or outcomes are good for you, then you have decided correctly. Otherwise, your decision was wrong.

TAKE THE RISK: DECIDE.

Since life offers no guarantee and you would never know that your decision would be wrong until you have made it, you might as well take the risk and decide. It is definitely better than keeping yourself in limbo.

Although it is true that one wrong turn could get you lost, it could also be true that such a turn could be an opportunity for an adventure and open more roads. It is all a matter of perspective. You have the choice between being a lost traveler or an accidental tourist of life. Take caution that you do not make decisions haphazardly. Taking risks is not about being careless and stupid. 

Here are some pointers that could help you choose the best option in the face of life’s crossroads:

Get as much information as you can. You cannot find the confidence to decide when you know so little about what you are faced with. Ask the 5 W’s: what, who, when, where, and why. What is the situation? Who are the people involved? When did this happen? Where is this leading? Why are you in this situation?

Identify and create options. What options do the situation give you? Sometimes the options are few, sometimes they are numerous. What do you do when you think that the situation offers no options? This is the time that you create your own.

Make your creative mind work. From the most simplistic to the most complicated, entertain all ideas. Do not shoot anything down when an idea comes to your head. Sometimes the most outrageous idea could prove to be the right one in the end.

Weigh the pros and cons of every option. Assess each option by looking at the advantages and disadvantages it offers you. In this way, you get more insights about the consequences of such an option.

Trust yourself and make the decision. Now that you have assessed your options, it is time to trust yourself. Remember, there are no guarantees and wrong decisions are always at hindsight.  Choose… decide… believe that you are choosing the best option at this point in time.

Now that you have made a decision, be ready to face its consequences, good or bad. It may take you to a place of promise or to a land of problems. The important thing is that you have chosen to live your life instead of remaining a bystander or a passive audience to your own life.

Whether it is the right decision or not, only time can tell. Do not regret the decision, whatever the outcome. Instead, learn from it and remember that you always have the chance to make better decisions in the future.

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Family Activities

The alarming increase in obesity affects children as much as it affects adults. This is why we need to find ways to keep ourselves and our children fit and healthy, now more than ever. Trying to lose weight is difficult but making it a family affair can make it a lot easier and more fun.

Making exercise a family priority not only helps each family member to lose weight, it is a good way for families to spend more quality time together, strengthening family relationships. There are many advantages to making exercise an important part of your family time together.

*It is far easier to lose weight when you are doing it together.

*Children learn healthy habits and develop good physical skills and self-confidence early in life.

*Weight loss success will be much more likely and the whole family will be happier and healthier.

The hardest part of making exercise a family activity is getting started. Use some of the tips listed below:

*BE AVAILABLE. When your children want to play outside, go with them. Play tag, play sports, go swimming or bike riding with them or any other activity that they enjoy and you can share with them.

*NEVER REFER TO IT AS EXERCISE. Whatever activities you pursue together, never refer to it as exercise. Refer to it as playing or fun time.

*NEVER MAKE IT A CHORE. Keep it light and enjoyable.
 

*VARY YOUR ACTIVITIES. Give everyone a chance to pick what they want to do. Make sure you include activities that at least one person likes to do.

*GIVE GIFTS THAT PROMOTE PHYSICAL ACTIVITY. Give your children toys, games, and accessories that encourage activity such as bikes, skates, balls, and good tennis shoes.

*COMBINE EXERCISE WITH LEARNING. Plan walking or biking trips to the park, zoo, or museum. Keep your child's mind active by counting cars, trucks, fences, etc., on your trips.

*USE YOUR TIME WISELY. Use the time you have together to do more than just exercise. Get caught up on your child's life, friends, concerns, etc.

There are many opportunities and choices for families who want to participate in physical activities together. Whether your family unit is made up of young children, older children, one parent or two, there are plenty of fun and healthy things to do.

  Below are just a few of the family activities that you can participate in. 

*Ice, inline or roller-skating

*Swimming

*Riding bikes

*Walking or hiking (trails, inside track, to the park, etc.)

*Sports (basketball, soccer, tennis, golf, football, badminton, volleyball, etc.)

*Family aerobics

*Hop-scotch, hide-and-seek, or skipping rope

*Martial arts

*Kite flying

A family that exercises together is happier, healthier, and more inclined to continue the practice. Making exercise a family priority improves not only the physical health and well-being of everyone, but it is good for the spirit and enhances family bonding.

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Healthy Thanksgiving

Having a healthy Thanksgiving meal doesn’t mean you have to eat carrot sticks or stay away from the Thanksgiving table. The key is to eat in moderation. Believe it or not you can still enjoy the turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, and pumpkin pie without the guilt.

Most of us consider Thanksgiving to be an all-you-can-eat buffet. If you go to the table with that attitude, you are doomed before you even start eating!

TRY NEW RECIPES. There are some great sites online that have wonderful, tasty, healthy recipes for the Holidays. Try some of them. You will have the fun of trying something new and you may even find a new “favorite” recipe!

WATCH YOUR PORTIONS. When you see a table loaded with all kinds of wonderful food, your first impulse is to load up your plate with as much of it as possible. Select the nutrient-rich foods first, salads, vegetables and fruit. You will feel full faster and have less room for the “richer” fare.

EAT SLOWLY.  By eating thoughtfully and slowly you will savor your food more, allow your body some time to digest, and be more aware of when you are full. Once your hunger is satisfied, wait 20 minutes before you go for seconds.

DRINK WATER. Always drink lots of water. It helps fill up your stomach, keeps you hydrated, and moves the toxins through your body. Alcoholic beverages and coffee can dehydrate your body. It is easy to mistake dehydration for hunger.

IF YOU OVER INDULGE. If you do splurge and eat too much, it doesn’t mean you can now eat whatever you want through the Holidays. It’s just one day of overeating. Forgive yourself and move on. Be careful what you eat for the next few days and try to get some exercise like taking a walk.

MOVE! If your family is all together for the holidays, spend time having fun and being active together. Go outside and play a sport, take a walk, go bike riding, check out the roller-staking rink. Staying active will burn more calories and boost your metabolism.

Remember, moderation is the key.

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Concerned About Flu Season?

No one needs to panic. Our body has its own defenses against viruses or bacteria.
Here are some common sense suggestions that my family and other families have used successfully for years to protect and defend our body fortress and avoid getting colds and flu. Living defensively is the KEY to staying well.

1. Adequate sleep. 8-9 hours for adults is best. The body regenerates and heals during sleep. A good old-fashioned nap is good for everyone. Sleep before 10PM is a deeper, more restful sleep for most individuals. Children’’s bedtime should be no later than 8-9PM. They do their growing during sleep and need more sleep than adults.

2. Routine. Don’’t underestimate the value of routine. Constant change and disruption creates stress, and stress weakens our immune system. Regular times for meals, bedtimes, bath time, etc., create structure that helps create a peaceful home. Children thrive on the security that healthy, loving routines provide.

3. Plenty of healthy foods, especially fresh fruits and veggies. Cut up fruits and veggies for snacks. During the flu season especially, make pots of homemade vegetable or chicken soup with plenty of garlic (nature’s antibiotic), and organic chicken/beef stock if possible.

4. Plenty of pure water. It’’s easy to become dehydrated in the winter time. Water keeps the toxins flushed out of our systems. We need ½ ounce for every pound of body weight. If you weigh 150 pounds, you need A MINIMUM of 75 oz of water a day (9½ 8 oz glasses). More is better. Children need more water and less juice. The #1 cause of daytime fatigue and fuzzy thinking is dehydration. Our immune systems require us to be well-hydrated. Tap water is not clean and tastes bad, but bottled water is expensive and can leach chemicals into water. Find a water purifier that does at good job for 18-32 cents a gallon. Shaklee Get Clean purifier does clean delicious water.

5. Fresh air. The EPA says the air in our homes is worse than the air outside. Look for a purifier that decreases significantly all the known pollutants, and does it in a way that is economical (figure cost per sq. foot, and upkeep costs).

6. Regular Exercise is important, but don’’t overdo it if you’’re feeling under the weather. Too much exercise can sometimes cause stress on the body and further deplete the immune system. To recover, eat adequate protein and quality food and get rest.

7. Regular Hand Washing is important to minimize transferring germs. Keep hands away from the eyes. Wash hands before putting ANYTHING in the mouth and after blowing the nose. We use Shaklee Germ Off Disinfecting Wipes to disinfect the bathrooms, doorknobs, phones, computer keyboards, etc. When you clean with Shaklee Disinfecting Wipes, germs aren’’t going to regrow for about 72 hours. Germ regrowth with bleach is about one hour, not to mention Bleach is very dangerous.

8. Supplement with Pure Whole Food Concentrates. Even the best of diets has gaps. Says Janet Witte, RN: “In my experience, as previous owner of two health food stores, there is nothing like Shaklee nutritional science to help boost the immune system. It wasn’t until I found Shaklee products that we were able to truly build our immune systems. For the past 14 years, I can say, we are almost never sick; and we used to take handfuls of ‘‘regular’’ vitamins from our health food store and were sick A LOT!” My own family’s daily Shaklee choices consist of Shaklee Vitalizer, Energizing Soy Protein and Cinch, Vitamin C, and Nutriferon to keep the immune system strong. Our Shaklee Herbal Medicine cabinet contains Defend & Resist (Echinacea and more), Garlic, Herb-lax, Alfalfa, and Optiflora (Acidophilus/Bifidus) to sustain the immune system during attack. “Take MORE Shaklee concentrated food” is the best advice; it beats getting sick and missing days or weeks of school or work.

9. Replace lost electrolytes in a quick drink to boost the immune system. Whenever you start to feel crummy, prepare Shaklee Performance in a cup (2-3 tablespoons of powder) and 2 Defend & Resist. Add boiling water, stir and sip. You’ll start to feel better right away. Keep drinking this till you are better. Performance replaces vital electrolytes and DR soothes the respiratory system as it strengthens the immune system.

10. Keep your bloodstream more alkaline. Disease thrives in an acid blood stream, and many foods raise the acid level. Learn what they are and watch this. Alfalfa helps make the blood stream more alkaline, has detoxifying properties, and fights many illnesses this way.

11. De-stress your lifestyle. It’’s OK to accomplish less!!! Prioritize. What’s really important? Do you think your family is doing way too much??? It’s really OK to say NO! It also helps our health to avoid violence--on TV, in video games, etc. Even the “nightly news” is often too much of an assault on a healthy spirit. Do we really need to know every bad thing that happened today? Regular supplements like extra Vita C, B Complex, and Stress Relief Complex are great natural supports if you’re under a lot of stress.

12. Take more time for beauty, for quiet, and for music. Simplify your life. Get and give a massage at home or find a professional--there are relaxation points on the bottoms of the feet and the palms of your hands. Meditate/pray, take a nice long bath, go for a relaxing walk, do nothing/putter, do your hobby, etc. Literally count your blessings.

13. Surround yourself and your family with people you love. Do some kindness every day.
You may have some ideas that I haven’t mentioned, and I’d love to hear them. There is SO much that we can do to protect our family during this “flu season” and all year long.

To Your Health,
Cara
To find more about the supplements I mentioned, visit this website.

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Is Your Water Safe?

For the past several months, my husband and I have been working to become foster parents. (Not to mention, I am due with our second child in December) I know, I know, having a new baby is just not enough. :-)

Anyways, one of the steps we had to take was to get our water tested. I didn't think too much of it, and I assumed it would come back safe. So you can imagine how shocked and scared I was when our water test came back with 3x the legal limit of nitrates and high levels of chlorine and many other icky chemicals. Being pregnant and already having a two year old, I was incredibly scared for our health. Even though I thought I was doing everything else right for our health, I was missing a key part of it - the water we drink and bathe in.

It opened my eyes to another whole realm of the scary things we need to protect our health's from. Let me share some of the research I have done with you:

Chemicals that can be harmful to your health can actually turn up in the water your family drinks. Heavy metals, industrial pollutants, pesticides—these harmful contaminants can enter our water supplies and have the potential to create long-term health challenges.

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the water we drink is responsible for up to 20% of lead exposure in humans. And an EPA report demonstrates that at least 13% of the nation’s water treatment systems have violated the Safe Drinking Water Act in each of the past five years.The water from your tap may look clean, but exactly how safe is it?

Not only is tap water contamination a big concern, but people are now realizing that even bottled water isn't as safe and pure as it's perceived to be.

Contamination has been directly linked with the increase in cancer rates over the past 100 years.

In particular, chlorine, chlorinated by-products and over 2,100 synthetic chemicals have been shown to be carcinogenic. It's said that people who drink chlorinated water have a 93% HIGHER chance of developing some sort of CANCER throughout their lifetime than those who don't consume it. And when synthetic chemicals react with chlorine, toxic by-products are made that are showing up in virtually all the breast tissue of women with breast cancer. Home filtration of tap water can prevent these toxic substances from being consumed.

I really recommend everyone have their water tested, just so you know what to fight against. Water makes up so much of our bodies, and we don't want it to be contaminated. It isn't that hard to make some positive changes in this area either. After learning all of this, I was so excited to see that my fav company for all my health needs - Shaklee has just come out with a NEW Get Clean Water System.

I have learned that the Get Clean Water is a super easy change to make in your house, inexpensive and really gives a peace of mind to this water issue. Oh, and I love how eco-friendly it is. Check this out:

-Get Clean Water is certified to reduce up to 99% lead (Brita and PUR are not)

-BPA-free

-Each Get Clean Water filter is certified to handle 80 gallons—twice as much as leading brands

-FIRST EVER pitcher with refillable carbon- block filter system, which means there’s less plastic to throw away

-Each filter is made with a sustainable coconut shell carbon made with a zero-emissions process, which is better for the environment than traditional carbon production

-Each filter is capable of handling the equivalent amount of watercontained in 600 16.9 fl. oz. bottles of water, meaning that Get Clean Water can save you money while eliminating waste

-Costs only pennies a gallon for cleaner, healthier water

-ONLY automatic filter life meter that shows how many gallons have been filtered—no more guessing!

-outperforms other leading brands in many areas. Again, Brita and PUR water pitchers are not certified to reduce many harmful contaminants that can turn up in your water
(if you want more info, let me know)

You can learn more about this exciting new water system here! You will love it!

So, go get your water tested, look into the Get Clean Water, and wipe another worry off your mind as you drink up a glass of clean, safe water!

Have a great week!
Cara
www.yourworldnatural.blogspot.com
www.caranitz.myshaklee.com

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Allergy Treatment

Are you allergic to dust or mold? The most effective, least expensive, and healthiest allergy treatment is always avoidance, yet many people will choose medications and vaccinations, despite their dangers and drawbacks. There are many methods you can use to help reduce your allergy symptoms.

If you think you must strip your house down to bare floors, bare walls, and plastic covers on your furniture, you are wrong. For instance, if you have asthma or allergic reactions to molds or dust mites, there are some simple measures you can take.

How old is your vacuum cleaner? The vacuum cleaner bag acts as the filter in most vacuum cleaning systems. Replacing the standard bag with a high-filtration bag and an exhaust filter are economical ways to update an older vacuum cleaner and helps prevent the dust mites from escaping and becoming airborne during the vacuuming process.

Now, there are more expensive vacuums available with built-in HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) filters and a removable canister that can be washed. This system eliminates the problem with vacuum bags.


DUST CLEANING TIPS

*Keep your home at a consistent cool temperature between 68 and 72 degrees and keep humidity at a minimum. Always make certain there is good ventilation.

*Purchase a good air purifier. Air purifiers literally purify the air and are very beneficial for allergy sufferers and asthmatics.

*Remove carpeting and install wood, tile, or linoleum flooring. Hard surfaces can eliminate ninety percent of dust mites. If you must use carpeting (wood, tile and linoleum floors are best), then it needs to be cleaned thoroughly and frequently.

*Minimize throw rugs; they are dust-catchers. If you must have them, they need to be washed in hot water once a week.

*Since people spend one-third of their lives in their bedroom, it is a good idea to place the most emphasis on decreasing the possibility of dust in the bedroom. The best way to do this is to wash your bedding weekly in water that is at least 130 degrees to completely kill the dust mites found there. Dust mites can become airborne during bedding changes. Allergic persons should not be present.

*Use washable cotton or synthetic blankets. Use easily laundered cotton bedspreads or coverlets. Avoid materials that have nooks and crannies where dust mites can collect.

*Avoid open bookshelves; they are great dust-catchers.

*Keep all clothes in closed drawers or closets.

*Remove clutter. Place hard-to-clean items in closed drawers or cabinets.

*Install central air conditioning or window units. Keep windows closed, especially during periods of high pollen counts and windy conditions.

*Your upholstered furniture is a prime allergen trapper. If you cannot purchase wood or vinyl furniture, put washable slipcovers on your furniture and wash once a week in hot water.

*Install window shades made from cotton or synthetics and use washable cotton curtains. Avoid mini-blinds and heavy draperies, both are very heavy dust-catchers.

*Do not use pillows made from feathers or foam rubber; moisture can become trapped, promoting mold.


MOLD CLEANING TIPS

*Wash shower curtains at least once a month in hot water and bleach.

*Keep the humidity level at a minimum inside your home.

*Always make sure there is proper ventilation.

*Never carpet the bathroom.

*Keep your refrigerator clean. Remove spoiled food promptly.

*Dry your shoes and boots before putting in closet.

If you or any member of your family suffers from dust and/or mold allergies, follow the guidelines listed above to help keep your home as allergen-free as possible. If you are still suffering from allergy symptoms, see your doctor. He/she may have additional suggestions for allergy-proofing your home.

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