Benefits of Apple Cider Vinegar

Psalm 69:30
I will praise God’s name in song and glorify him with thanksgiving!

Another Thanksgiving has come and gone! I have so much to be thankful for this time of year - I'm especially thankful to all the wonderful supplements that we can take to help our tummies during this time that all we seem to be doing is EATING!

One of those is Bragg's Organic Apple Cider Vinegar - this stuff is amazing! The bottle says it contains the "Mother" and that means that it contains lots of enzymes and it helps break down food. Right after my thanksgiving meal, I took a capful of the vinegar in about 6 oz of water and I had no bloating or belching and my blood sugar remained constant. I was happy! :)

I have also used it as a throat gargle for my daughter when her throat gets irritated. Works like a charm!

Here's some of the internal benefits of the vinegar:

• Rich in enzymes & potassium
• Support a healthy immune system
• Helps control weight
• Promotes digestion & pH Balance
• Helps soothe dry throats
• Helps remove body sludge toxins

Have a blessed day! I'll be writing some more about other supplements to help us get through the busy month of December! Adios! =D

Yummm, with the holiday season right around the corner, these Pumpkin Muffins are just what the dr ordered :) I admit I have a sweet tooth and that's why I'm always on the look out for healthy recipes to satisfy my cravings. Being on the vegan Kickstart diet really helped me get a perspective on how much sweet stuff or just junk that Americans really eat. Although there are vegan muffin recipes, this recipe isn't vegan but it is a healthier alternative to other holiday pastries.

Gather the little ones (or teens in my case), bake and enjoy! =D

Herbal Legacy Recipes

PUMPKIN MUFFINS

INGREDIENTS:

• 2/3 C. honey

• 3 C. whole wheat flour

• 1 1/2 tsp. cinnamon

• 1/2 tsp. ginger

• 2 tsp. baking powder

• 1 1/2 tsp. baking soda

• 1/4 tsp. nutmeg

• 1/4 tsp. cloves

• 1 1/4 C. water

• 2/3 C. vegetable oil (can use olive)

• 2 T. soy milk

• 2 C. pumpkin

• 1 C. carob chips

DIRECTIONS:

1. Mix all ingredients together except carob chips.

2. When all ingredients are mixed well, fold in carob chips.

3. Bake at 400 degrees for 18-20 minutes

Yields 24 muffins

Vegan Kickstart!

Vegan? Me? Not really - I love leather shoes as well as leather purses! But, as far as food, I started my family on a vegan diet and we've been doing it now for the past week. I must say eating a vegan diet is HARD! haha! I've heard people doing vegan but never really explored the concept until now. Vegan consists of no meat products AND no dairy products whatsoever!

I received an email from the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine letting me know about the 21 day vegan kickstart and I thought "Hmm, maybe we should this". I signed up and downloaded (with my son's help) the 21 day vegan app on my iPhone and we were set!

They have been sending me daily emails with encouragement, celebrity tips and daily recipes. The website even has a daily nutrition quiz which I love!

You may be wondering, well what are you eating if you can't eat meat, ice cream, milk, chicken, sausage....burgers?

We've actually been eating really tasty stuff! Couscous, Boca burgers, brown rice pudding, raising oatmeal.....I made lentils the other day but I grew up with lentils so that was easy for me. I made a 15 bean soup which cleaned everybody out haha! That's awesome! Last night we ate stir fry with seared tofu - yummmm. My daughter Hannah made it - Kudos Hannah! She did a great job!

We went to Chipotle the other day and we ate vegetable bowl - I totally forgot I wasn't allowed dairy and forgot to tell them to hold the sour cream or cheese! oops!

Tonight I'm making polenta with a recipe called Hoppin' John Salad which has brown rice, black eyed peas, veggies, etc. It looks pretty good.

I encourage you to eat healthier too. Even if you don't eat vegan but at least try vegetarian and lay off the red meat for a few days (weeks if possible). Your blood pressure and cholesterol levels will thank you. Not only that, but your bowels as they take a break from the taxing sludge and get cleaned out! =D

Here's the website so check it out!

http://pcrm.org/kickstartHome/

Have a blessed day!

Brainpower boost for the classroom!

Back to school is around the corner and I saw this article about excelling in the classroom with vitamins. I know many kids don't get a chance to eat breakfast before school and a fast power-packed breakfast can be found in Shaklee's Protein Meal Shakes & Soy Protein Shakes. They are really good - my teens love the taste and smooth flavor!

Shaklee also has INCREDIVITES which is a kids chewable multivitamin sweetened with xylitol so your kids won't get cavities and it's gluten free so no hurting tummies! This is good news considering many vitamins for kids contain tons of sugar and dyes =(

You can find more info here: http://healthyfoundation.myshaklee.com/us/en/

VITAMINS HELP CHILDREN EXCEL IN THE CLASSROOM!

Tuesday, August 16th, 2011

(WCVB TV – Boston) Looking to give your child an extra edge in the classroom this year? Check their dinner plate. Many foods contain vitamins and minerals that have been linked to improved academic performance.

Kristin Kirkpatrick is a registered dietitian at Cleveland Clinic. She said folic acid is a good place to start. “So, folate has been shown in several studies to boost academic performance. And you can find folate it lentils, prepared cereals, any kind of bean product and the nice thing with the beans is that it also provides fiber,” she said.

Folate is the general term for the various forms of the B vitamin. A recent Swedish study found a correlation between folate intake and academic achievement. Broccoli, spinach and kidney beans are also good sources.

Kirkpatrick said iron has been linked to improved academic performance, too. She said you can get it from eggs and leafy green vegetables – not just red meat. Another way to give your brain a boost is to a little more zinc into your diet.

Kirkpatrick said a pediatric multivitamin is also something to consider for your child. This will help ensure they have all of the vitamins and minerals they need for maximum classroom performance.

Summer's Wonderful Fruits!

It's a scorching 103 degrees in Houston today! This weather has been unbearable and I can't wait for the nice fall breezes to start blowing in.

As I was pondering the blazing summer weather, my thoughts turned to the fruits that the Lord created specifically for summer and their nutritional benefits. God is infinite and even His creation of fruits has a specific purpose for our bodies, which are fearfully and wonderfully made. It's amazing! Just look at the benefits listed below!

Enjoy the rest of your summer and stay cool and hydrated! =D

Watermelons – Due to their high levels of carotenoid anti-oxidants beta-carotene and lycopene, they help protect the skin from the sun’s harmful ultra violet rays. Watermelons contain high water content (92%) and relatively low sugar content (6%), which helps balance the body’s fluids by preventing water retention and promoting well hydrated skin.

Strawberries – Their high fiber content makes them very effective at removing toxins from the body. They also contain phyto-estrogens, foods that balance the female hormones by binding excess estrogens to a blood protein.

Cucumbers – Contain high levels of vitamin C and caffeic acid which helps rid the body of excess fluids. A hydrating food which reduces inflammation prevents dryness and wrinkling of the skin and removes toxins. Also contains high levels of the trace mineral silica, needed for a healthy complexion.

Peaches – Abundant in carotenoid and anti-oxidant rich nutrients which help protect fatty areas of the body such as the liver, heart, skin and other organs. Peaches also act as a mild laxative and promote regularity, which aids in the removal of aging toxins in the body. Be sure to wash thoroughly just before consumption.

Purple Grapes – Rich in resveratrol a bioflavonoid also found in red wine, purple grapes are even more beneficial to health as their skin contains fiber which aids in removing toxins from the body. They also contain malic acid which helps produce energy to revitalize cells and repair damage to keep skin healthy.

Cherries – Are rich in vitamin A (beta-carotene), a known collagen booster which also helps to soften fine lines. They are the richest source of anthocyanins, a photochemical which is responsible for their dark purple color and helps protect the skin against premature aging.

Raspberries – Contain vitamin C and proanthocyanidins; they help support circulation and together with vitamin C contribute to the overall health of our veins, skin and hair. Their high fiber content also helps remove toxins from the body. Seek the darkest colored ones, as they are the most nutrient dense and provide the most health benefits.

Source ~ Les Nouvelles Esthetiques & Spa

PHARMAGEDDON: PRESCRIPTION DRUGS ARE KILLING AMERICA’S YOUTH

tHIS IS AN EXCELLENT ARTICLE WORTH REPOSTING!

Tuesday, July 19th, 2011

(NaturalNews) No parent wants to lose a child, but when one dies from something that should be very preventable, the heartbreak and tragedy is compounded. Such is increasingly the case with prescription drugs – they’re killing our youth.

Sarah Shay and Savannah Kissick, of Morehead, Ky., best friends since high school, were both victims of what experts and the White House are describing as an epidemic of prescription drug deaths. Sarah died in 2006 at the tender age of 19; Savannah just three years later, at 22.

Since the medications they were using were prescribed by physicians, some experts believe they carry some sort of legitimacy. But the fact is they are being abused by young people just the same as drugs that are illegal – more so even, in some cases.

“I don’t think the kids have any idea how addicting the substance is,” Karen Shays told the BBC in an interview. “Before they know it, bam! They’re addicted.”

Drugs like Xanax, Oxycodone, Klonopin and Hydrocodone are routinely being abused more and more in Kentucky in particular, but in other parts of the nation too, by teenagers and young adults. So bad is the problem that the state has set up rehabilitation centers, where a huge number of addicts – more all the time – are being treated.

So bad is the addiction that some kids have even turned to crime to feed it.

Some of the kids say they could have likely found other drugs to feed their habit, but prescription drugs were not only legal but much easier to get.

All in all, it’s sort of like Armageddon, but with prescription drugs – a sort of “Pharmageddon,” if you will, as evidenced by Kentucky’s overflowing jails, say state officials.

“A number of national studies and published reports indicate that the intentional abuse of prescription drugs, such as pain relievers, tranquilizers, stimulants and sedatives, to get high is a growing concern — particularly among teens — in the United States. In fact, among young people ages 12-17, prescription drugs have become the second most abused illegal drug, behind marijuana,” said the study, called, “Teens and Prescription Drugs.”

“Though overall teen drug use is down nationwide and the percentage of teens abusing prescription drugs is still relatively low compared to marijuana use, there are troubling signs that teens view abusing prescription drugs as safer than illegal drugs and parents are unaware of the problem,” it said.

Created for His glory!

I'm just so in awe of how God operates. I'm not only in awe but just totally humbled that He would love us so much to use us. The word of God says our righteousness is filthy rags - I mean, who are we you know?

I'm so excited about a new ministry opportunity that the Lord is opening up for me. I talked to Dr. Martin Lance this morning and he's starting a ministry for unwed mothers here in Houston. He's not only going to be bringing spiritual hope to them but he's also going to bring medical health as in ultrasounds, nutrition classes, exercise, etc. He said he would love to have me work with the girls in sharing what I know as a Family Herbalist. I'm so excited! :) That's just right up my alley.

He also needs other volunteers and my husband will be helping with construction because the building still needs to be finished. He also mentioned some guy that wants to help with worship and my kids can help with that as they are very musical!

Tickled pink! haha!
If you want to volunteer or just want to look at his website: www.drmartinlance.com

To God be the Glory great things He has done!

Thyroid Health - Eating to support your thyroid

Greetings!

So many people are suffering with thyroid issues these days! My niece has been battling hypothyroidism for a while, although she is seeing some improvements with natural bioidentical progesterone, B-complex and iodine supplements. My friend also is struggling with thyroid related weight gain. Here is a list of whole foods vitamins & minerals that will support a healthy thyroid. Treat your thyroid to a good meal! :)

Whole foods to support your thyroid:

Iodine - Primary sources: sea vegetables (kelp, dulse, hijiki, nori, arame, wakame, kombu) and seafood (clams, shrimp, haddock, oysters, salmon, sardines), as well as iodized sea salt.
Secondary sources: eggs, asparagus, lima beans, mushrooms, spinach, sesame seeds, summer squash, Swiss chard, garlic

Selenium - Brazil nuts, tuna, organ meats, mushrooms, halibut, beef, soybeans, sunflower seeds (Note: selenium content of land-based foods is contingent on soil substrate selenium levels.)

Zinc - Fresh oysters, sardines, beef, lamb, turkey, soybeans, split peas, whole grains, sunflower seeds, pecans, Brazil nuts, almonds, walnuts, ginger root, maple syrup

Copper - Beef, oysters, lobster, shiitake mushrooms, dark chocolate, crabmeat, tomato paste, pearled barley, nuts, beans (soybeans, white beans, chickpeas), sunflower seeds

Iron - Clams, oysters, organ meats, soybeans, pumpkin seeds, white beans, blackstrap molasses, lentils, spinach

Vitamin A
(beta-carotene form)Kale, sweet potatoes, carrots, winter squash/pumpkin, spinach, cantaloupe, broccoli, asparagus, liver, lettuce

Vitamin C - Guava, peppers (chili, Bell, sweet), kiwifruit, citrus, strawberries, broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, papaya, parsley, greens (kale, turnip, collard, mustard)

Vitamin E - Whole grains, almonds, soybeans and other beans, sunflower seeds, peanuts, liver, leafy green vegetables, asparagus

Vitamin B2
(riboflavin)Brewer’s yeast, organ meats, almonds, wheat germ, wild rice, mushrooms, egg yolks

Vitamin B3
(niacin)Brewer’s yeast, rice bran, wheat bran, peanuts (with skin), liver, poultry white meat

Vitamin B6
(pyroxidine)Brewer’s yeast, sunflower seeds, wheat germ, fish (tuna, salmon, trout), liver, beans (soybeans, lentils, lima beans, navy beans, garbanzos, pinto beans), walnuts, brown rice, bananas

Diet Mistakes that Age You & Superfoods that Help

Good morning!

I will be having a birthday in a couple of months and like all of us, the thought of getting old is not something we want to think about. Unfortunately, there is no fountain of youth to draw water from but there are some things we can do in the natural to grow old wisely & slowly :)

Listed below are some tips to age gracefully and I also want to note the value of antioxidants and the role they play in our bodies. Having enough antioxidants are helpful not only for warding off diseases that accompany "older" age but they are also excellent for cell integrity. Here is a small list of powerful antioxidant supplements and superfoods that contain these nutrients:

Beta-carotene and other carotenoids: Apricots, asparagus, beets, broccoli, cantaloupe, carrots, corn, green peppers, kale, mangoes, turnip and collard greens, nectarines, peaches, pink grapefruit, pumpkin, squash, spinach, sweet potato, tangerines, tomatoes, and watermelon.

Vitamin C: Berries, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cantaloupe, cauliflower, grapefruit, honeydew, kale, kiwi, mangoes, nectarines, orange, papaya, red, green or yellow peppers, snow peas, sweet potato, strawberries, and tomatoes.

Vitamin E: Broccoli, carrots, chard, mustard and turnip greens, mangoes, nuts, papaya, pumpkin, red peppers, spinach, and sunflower seeds.

I also want to mention a powerful resveratol, antioxidant created by Shaklee. Vivix is Shaklee's powerful resveratrol with a plethora of health benefits. Laboratory studies have shown that Vivix positively impacts all four mechanisms of cellular aging as well as contributing to several specific health benefits:

• Helps protect and repair cellular DNA
• Positively impacts genetic regulators which help fight cellular aging
• Promotes mitochondrial biogenesis, which helps increase power production within the cells
• Reduces the formation of AGE proteins that can clog up your cells
• Supports heart health and cardiovascular function
• Supports brain health
• Enhances immune system functionality
• Promotes cellular longevity
• Supplies antioxidants to fight free radicals

I started taking it and noticed that my brown spots on my arms starting fading! It also helps with vein integrity as the veins on my legs don't throb and swell while I'm taking this. That's really good new for me!

Also, Yahoo Shine notes that eating the wrong foods -- or not eating the right foods -- can result in symptoms that most people tend to assume are due to aging. Here are four tips they've assembled to steer you in the right direction:

Mistake #1: You avoid all animal protein

Vitamin B12, which is essential for energy, is found only in foods that are derived from animals. This nutrient helps regulate your metabolism, and it is an important part of maintaining a healthy brain and nervous system. Fatigue is a classic sign of B12 deficiency

Mistake #2: You're not getting enough manganese and copper

Manganese and copper prevent joint pain, and are both essential for maintaining joint cartilage and flexibility. In many cases, getting enough of these nutrients reverses joint deterioration and eliminates joint pain.

Mistake #3: You avoid healthy fats

Omega-3 fats are part of your brain's building blocks. If you're not getting enough in your diet, the architecture of your brain becomes weak, and brain function, including memory, deteriorates.

Mistake #4: You favor packaged foods over whole

Most processed foods do not have enough potassium, which can result in high blood pressure. Eating better can correct the problem.

Enjoy your summer and all the superfoods God created to help you age gracefully! :0

P.S. If you want to order any of the supplements listed above or need to take a Wellness Assessment to see where you're at, please call me! I'm here to help you.

What constitutes a healthy lifestyle?

Good morning Houston!

Have you heard the expression home is where the heart is? I have come to think about this phrase and how it relates to a healthy lifestyle.

My blog is named WHOLE health because I believe health is not just about popping a vitamin and all of a sudden you're gonna feel great. To me, health is all encompassing - body, mind, spirit.

One of the ways for us to have a healthy lifestyle has to do with our home - where our heart is. Your home, whether young or old, is your place of refuge. The place where you hang your heart so to speak and relax. It's the place that people get a glimpse into your life based on your decorations, ambiance, etc.

With that mind, I believe that as a born-again Christian, our homes should reflect Christ. Having a messy home while being involved in ministries outside of the home is not, in my opinion, giving a great impression of Christ to your family or the people who visit your home. I understand everyone has "off" days but we should strive to be good stewards of what God has entrusted to us. I don't believe God calls us to minister to others and leave our own home to fall by the wayside.

Whether your are single, married, divorced, widowed God has called us to live a life worthy of Him and having a clean or semi-clean home is not only part of what constitutes a healthy lifestyle but it's also a great way to reflect Christ and be hospitable. God has called us all to hospitality.

So yes, home is where the heart is.....now where is that heart? Under that pile of clothes in the living room? Go find it and enjoy a healthy lifestyle with your family & friends!

BTW, here's a recipe for you and enjoy!

Nut Mayonnaise

A simple, healthy spread for wraps or sandwiches.

"Delicious on tomato sandwiches"

Ingredients:

1 cup cashews, macadamia nuts or pine nuts, or a combination.

½ to ¾ cup distilled water

½ teaspoon sea salt

Directions:

Blend all ingredients until smooth and spreadable. Add more water if needed. Store in a glass jar in the fridge, will keep 4-5 days.

Chronic Inflammation

Happy Easter! He is risen! What a joyous day!

We spent the day at church celebrating and then we went to spend time with family @ Grandma's house (my mom). Our tradition is to hide Easter eggs filled with confetti and then we crack them on each other's head. It's hilarious and so much fun!

Lately I've been reading more and more on inflammation. Chronic inflammation has been linked to many diseases such as osteoporosis, Alzheimer's disease, type 2 diabetes, arthritis, fibromyalgia and heart disease among many others. It's the culprit behind a litany of health issues and it's also the key to the aging process.

Of course we're all going to get "older" but it may be inflammation that causes us to "age" and deteriorate as well in health & vitality until we die.

Inflammation, according to the Cleveland Clinic, "is a process by which the body’s white blood cells and chemicals protect us from infection and foreign substances such as bacteria and viruses. In some diseases, however, the body’s defense system (immune system) inappropriately triggers an inflammatory response when there are no foreign substances to fight off. In these diseases, called autoimmune diseases, the body’s normally protective immune system causes damage to its own tissues. The body responds as if normal tissues are affected or somehow abnormal."

Well, there is hope!

We can rely on inflammation-fighting essential nutrients. What are they?
Pure Water
Enzymes
Fiber
Vitamins and Minerals
Amino Acids
Essential Fatty Acids
Anti-oxidants
Probiotics

Exercise is also an important mortal enemy of inflammation. It helps ward off diseases and ailments. Anything from walking, dancing, bike riding - you name it. Get the body moving and exercising!

Your diet also plays a huge role in fighting off inflammation. Definitely limit your intake of junk food and definitely man made sweeteners. (see my blog on aspartame) Excess sugar and simple carbohydrates trigger inflammation in the body.

Some inflammation fighting herbs are turmeric, ginger, cat's claw and boswellia.

Of course, the best thing to do is to have a regular intake of the essential nutrients mentioned above, eat the right foods to ward off the inflammation, exercise and not get stressed out by having daily meditation (I call it quite time with the Lord). For those days that you do have chronic pain & inflammation, Shaklee's Pain Relief Complex and Joint Health Complex are available to alleviate the pain.

Hope this is helpful and if you have questions please let me know.

Blessings! :)

Dietary Supplements

I just came across this article on supplements. I've been taking supplements for a long time - for about eight years or so. Well, maybe that's not too long but longer than a lot of people. Taking supplements is important but also equally as important is the brand of supplements that you take.

The first time I took Shaklee supplements, which was a strip of vitamins/minerals, I felt a HUGE difference! I had two preschoolers and my hands full with homeschooling among other things. I was drained and running out of energy and the daily strip of supplements really helped me get through each day with more energy. Well, that is, along with prayer and faith in the Lord. He always gives me peace and strength that I could not manage on my own.

If you're looking for quality supplements, try Shaklee - it's the #1 natural nutrition company in the US. Products are always safe and always work. Here's my website: www.healtyfoundation.myshaklee.com

Have a blessed day! :)

Here's the article on supplements:

Do you take a vitamin or herbal supplement? If not, chances are someone next to you does.

Data just out from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show that more than half of Americans take some sort of supplement. To be precise, it's something about 53 percent of Americans do, according to a survey conducted between 2003 and 2006. The proportion is up from 40 percent during a previous study period from 1988 to 1994.

More women than men take supplements. And women 60 and over take the most of all. The most commonly consumed supplement is a multivitamin, which include at least three different substances, in case you were wondering.

One of the biggest changes over the years is older women's increased use of calcium and vitamin D supplements. Antacids containing calcium or tablets rich in calcium are often recommended to help strengthen bones. Same goes for vitamin D.

In the late '80s and early '90s the proportion of women 60 and older taking calcium supplements was about 28 percent. The latest data show it has climbed to 61 percent. But there's quite a bit of variation by racial and ethnic group.

A similar increase occurred with vitamin D. In the most recent period, about 56 percent of women 60 and older took some form of vitamin D compared with 30 percent in the period from 1998-1994.

Bitter Truth on NutraSweet/aspartame

Good Morning Houston!

My sister just visited us from Florida and it was such a blessing having her in town. She is so much fun to be with and she loves to cook. I love that she loves to cook because she cooks awesome! On top of the fact that she loves to cook is that she loves to drink diet sodas. I keep telling her to stop that bad habit because diet sodas contain aspartame.

Do you know aspartame is and what this artificial sugar does to your body? I am including a very simple overview of aspartame and side effects of aspartame below. You can always do a little more research on this topic. Dr. Mercola has an excellent book on this and also go do a youtube search for "Sugar: The Bitter Truth".

It looks like sugar, tastes like sugar (so I'm told), even feels like sugar. But it has virtually no calories, doesn't rot your teeth, and, unlike saccharin, has not been proven to cause cancer. The advertisements say it's as natural as a glass of milk and a banana. I always say if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

NutraSweet(TM), the trade name for the sweetener aspartame, was developed by the B.D. Searle pharmaceutical company and is now consumed by more than 100 million persons in the United States several times daily. Searle's 100 million per year advertising campaign, the largest ever for an ingredient, is clearly paying for itself and a whole lot more. During 1986, aspartame grossed-more than 750 million for the pharmaceutical company.

Food manufacturers have switched from sugar to aspartame in unprecedented -numbers. This food additive, marketed as a food, is now found in over 1200 products, including everything from baked goods and breakfast cereals, to children's vitamins, laxatives and drugs. In fact, it's hard to find a packaged product that doesn't contain aspartame. But nowhere is the artificial sweetener more visible than in cans of diet soft drinks.

With the introduction of NutraSweet(Tm), consumers began drinking as much as six times more diet drinks. In 1985, 800 million pounds of aspartame soft drinks were consumed. That translates into 5.8 pounds per person, a figure which has probably doubled by now. Sales of diet sodas grew five times faster in 1988 than those of regular sodas, with two million American households.

Why are so many people drinking so many aspartane-sweetened drinks? Partly because tap water is unhealthy, but mainly because sugars are addictive and because aspartame creates an increased thirst.

NutraSweet(Tm) is a synthetic chemical additive. It is not a natural product derived from banana plants or cows as implied by TV commercials. Rather, it is-a man-made substance composed of three ingredients which are natural, but never found together in nature in such a combination. It is composed of two amino acids, phenylaianine and aspartic acid, as well as methyl alcohol, also known as methanol.

NutraSweet (TM) Side Effects:
Complaints from 551 reactors

Headaches	249
Dizziness, unsteadiness or both	217
Confusion, memory loss or both	157
Decreased vision and/or other eye problems	140
Severe depression	39
Severe anxiety attacks	105
Severe drowsiness and sleepiness	93
Marked personality change	88
Palpitations, tachycardia (rapid heart action or both)	88
Paresthesia (tingling) or numbness of the limbs	82
Convulsions (grarid nial epileptic attacks)	80
Nausea	79
Recent severe insomnia	76
Tinnitus (ringing or buzzing in the ears)	73
Diarrhea	70
Frequency of voiding, buming or urination, or both	69
Excessive thirst	65
Severe slurring of speech	64
Precipitation or aggravation of diabetes	60
Severe joint pains	58

Have a blessed aspartame-free day! :)

For nutrition supplements go to: www.healthyfoundation.myshaklee.com

Garlic: A Mom's Medicinal Must-have

It's a beautiful, sunny Sunday afternoon and it's officially the first day of Spring today! I love spring! It's not too cold and not too hot - it's just right :)

I want to share an article from a newsletter I receive from The School of Natural Healing where I received my certification. It's about garlic and rather than trying to put it in my own words, I just posted the whole article here.

Enjoy and here's to an illness-free Spring!

Garlic: A Mom's Medicinal Must-have

By Noell Larsen M.S./M.H.

I have heard it said that the Chinese refer to the alliums - garlic, onions, leeks, shallots, scallions, and chives - as the "Jewels among vegetables"... and I must agree. If there is one thing I have prized from my studies in the School of Natural Healing, it is the many ways in which I can use garlic to help the body's immune system. I began my studies it feels only a short while ago, and since then I truly cannot begin to count the many times I have used garlic to help the body fight off all sorts of infection, for my son, husband, myself, extended family, friends, friend's children, and more.

One night during my Master Herbalist Seminar, a good friend of mine called me in a panic explaining that her son was suffering from chills and a fever that was just not predictable and was not going away. Being that her son's health history made him especially sensitive to febrile seizures, she was exhausted from everything she had done to keep the fever down (showers, baths, sponging, etc.) over the last 36 hours and did not know what else she could do. When I arrived at her door she was amazed that it was not 20 minutes later and her son was sound asleep in bed. I had given her a few children's herbal tinctures (in glycerin) that we gave to him that night and for her to repeat every couple hours during the day, along with some raspberry leaf tea popsicles I had in my freezer and among a few other things, I showed her how to press fresh garlic, mix it in Vaseline and cover the bottoms of her son's feet with the paste for the night. The next day she called me with deep gratitude for the sleep she and her son had gotten, said that her son had not had a fever all day and seemed to feel much better.

This worked well for my friend's son who was the age of three at the time, but if you are in a rush or have a young infant, from experience I have found that prepared garlic-oil on the bottoms of the feet instead works really well - make sure to cover the feet with socks of course. Garlic-oil in the ear has shortened and abated many ear infections in our home as well as coughs or congestion by the oil or paste being applied to the chest.

To compliment the age-old use of garlic medicinally, modern medical science supports garlic's ability to aid the body in fighting off illness. As well, M.D. Anderson's Cancer Center has confirmed that epidemiological studies have shown that people who eat garlic and onions have lower risk of cancers of the GI tract, such as stomach and colon cancer. Modern medical science also states that garlic may also protect against heart disease and stroke by interfering with the formation of blood clots and by reducing cholesterol.

Using garlic has made a noticeable difference in warding off or the duration of sickness in my home and I know has contributed in many ways to improving the overall health of my family. There are so many ways in which to use garlic and I have only been able to mention a few. Know there is much more to this stinky bulb than meets the eye, just ask the Chinese, MD Anderson Cancer Center or/and especially... any Master Herbalist graduate of Dr. Christopher's School of Natural Healing, we would be happy to tell you more.

Happy New Year!!! It's been a whole month into our new year now and so many of us make new year resolutions to start eating healthy. Here's some superfoods that will help your body fight cancer.

Kale

It's loaded with vitamin C, vitamin B, and calcium, and costs just over a dollar a bunch.

Broccoli and Cabbage

These low-cost cruciferous vegetables neutralize toxins in your liver.

Winter Squash

It's just a few dollars a pound, it's a good source of vitamin B6 and folate.

Sweet Potatoes

They're full of fiber, protein, vitamin A, and vitamin C.

Adzuki Beans

Adzuki beans contain some of the highest levels of protein of any variety of beans, and they also contain high levels of potassium, fiber, B vitamins, iron, zinc, and manganese.

Black Beans

These are a good source of folate, dietary fiber, manganese, protein, magnesium, vitamin B1 (thiamin), phosphorus, and iron.

Sunflower Seeds

Raw sunflower seeds contain 76 percent of the RDA for vitamin E.

Almonds

Almonds are good for heart health and loaded with vitamin E.