Category Archives: News

Are Organic Foods Really Worth It?

Category : Allergies , Diseases , News , Nitrites , Sulfites

When buying healthy foods, are the organic foods really important for your health? What makes organic foods so-called superior? Under USDA guidelines, organic means the food has not been contaminated with any man-made chemicals. The organic farmers are also conservative in their growing methods, thus diligent in their watering and conserving the soil for future generations.

The organic farmers also avoid ionizing radiation—the process of applying radiation to raw meat, poultry and produce. Conventional farming uses radiation in meats to kill pathogenic bacteria and other microorganisms. In produce, it is used to kill spoilage-causing bacteria, thus giving it a longer shelf-life. The organic farmers abstain from the radiation usage, instead following very strict sanitation and hygiene practices as well as climate control, which is also providing refrigeration.

What is the difference between organic and non-organic you may ask? There are many; flavor, taste, nutrients and even the way the produce looks and smells. We do know it is pricier and that is due to the fact of expensive farming practices and is more labor intensive.

So, what are the advantages? The biggest; in my opinion, are the health benefits. The chemicals and pesticides used on non-organic are to boost production; but have been proven to cause a number of diseases and create greater health risks. Pesticides and herbicides are hormone disruptors as well as toxic to the nervous and immune systems. Consuming naturally grown organics, boosts your immune system and prevents premature aging.

The nutrients, organics are a grade higher than conventional foods. The organics has more vitamins, minerals, enzymes, and micronutrients because of the sustainable farming practice. For example: 21% more iron, 27% more Vitamin C, 29% more magnesium, 13% more phosphorus than conventional vegetables. Also there is an important factor, organic foods, on the average contain 25% less mercury and 29% less lead than conventional foods—both of these metals are toxic to the nervous and immune systems.

The taste as well as the smell of the organic produce is far superior, because they have a more concentrated retained flavor. which explodes in your mouth wonderful flavors which enhance the taste buds. Test it out yourself, buy one of each …Experiment!
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I am concerned about children who consume pesticides and other toxins in food. So, feeding them healthy chemical-free food is best for them and all future generations. While organic cost more, your body’s health is worth the expense.

Pamper your health,
Marie


The Perfect Gift…A Hug!

Category : Diseases , News , Sleep

​Why are hugs so powerful?  Hugs release the hormone ‘Oxytocin’. This can be called the “love hormone”, it is released when you bond, hug or cuddle. This hormone surges when you really connect with those we love; partners, close friends and children. It is the reason being hugged feels so good!  So, when you are feeling down give someone you love a hug and you will feel your mood lift.The hug is called reassuring, comforting, and calming. Believe it or not, there have been many legitimate studies conducted about the incredible powers of hugging.
First, hugs ward off illness. Frequent hugs, studies have shown actually protect people from increased stress which lowers one’s immunity in combating infections within the body. Participants in the study exhibited fewer symptoms when sick when they were hugged more often.

Secondly, hugs just make you feel like everything is going to be okay. You instinctively reach out to hug those who are struggling and hurting. When you receive a hug from someone that you care about or who really makes you happy, it can generally give you that feeling of safety and reassurance.

Thirdly, hugs cut down on stress. Cortisol, which is called the stress hormone, is actually reduced and vanquished when oxytocin from hugs enters the picture. Hmmm! The science behind the studies can sound complicated, but fundamentally hugs do lower cortisol levels and counteract the physiological consequences which contribute to diseases induced by stress.

You may often hesitate to touch or reach out to another, especially in these times. You may back down because of fear, possibly overstepping personal boundaries, or making someone feel uncomfortable; but sometimes it’s worth the risk to hug it out!  It’s okay to ask to hug if you are uncertain whether a hug would be accepted or not. Sometimes a hug can change someone’s day and it only takes seconds. Hug your loved ones and friends more often.  Show them you care and you’ll also reap the benefits. You are not being weird for needing hugs; everybody needs them  they are so good for you!

mariexray@webtv.net 
Marie


The Freedom of Forgiveness

When you are hurt by someone you care about, do you hold on to anger, bitterness, resentments or even thoughts of revenge–or do you embrace forgiveness and move forward?

Everyone has been hurt by another’s actions or words at one time or another. After all we are all infallible human beings, but we also will have to plead guilty to the pain we may have caused to others. Some of us carry deep wounds from our past that get triggered and infected by present circumstances. These wounds can open up and one may bleed emotionally. The expectations we had for someone have failed, we are then stumped and look at the present with eyes of the past. So, it may be a time to embrace the situation, look at it, reevaluate it as it is now, as well as what it was. It’s time to learn from this, healing your heart and soul with forgiveness for yourself as well as the person who failed you. If you don’t practice…I say that again PRACTICE forgiveness or your wounds may never heal, and you may be the one who pays dearly for it. By embracing forgiveness, you can also embrace joy, peace, love, hope, and gratitude. Forgiveness can lead you down an enriching path of physical, emotional and spiritual well-being.

Holding onto a grudge allows you to be swallowed up in the negativity and crowding out any of the positive feelings, thus you can’t enjoy the present moments. Depression and anger results, life loses its meaning or purpose, and you become at odds with your connection with others and your spiritual beliefs.

Forgiveness is a commitment to an individualized process of change. To move from suffering to forgiveness you might recognize the value of forgiving, its freedom, and how it may improve your life. Identify what needs healing and who needs to be forgiven and for what. Choose to forgive the person who has offended you. Move from the role of victim to overcomer. It is all a process, sometimes short, other times not. But keep on practicing forgiveness it will set you free!
https://tourpikecounty.com/hatfields-and-mccoys-a-story-of-forgiveness/
Compassionately,
Marie


Relationships Are Sacred

Category : News

Relationships are learned and nurtured at the beginning of life…from the womb to the cradle. As we grow, we begin to make our own decisions about how to form relationships based from our life’s patterns and learned behaviors. We all have unloaded issues that were filtered through our childish thinking and emotions. We all carry this baggage from generations past into our present ones. This “baggage” interferes with the emotional communication and deep connection of some of our relationships.

Relationships are a dance, do we “catch” the rhythm or not? We cannot choose some of our relationships, but those we can; choose wisely. Since we all live in a broken world, we are taking our brokenness into our relationships. We need to become brave enough to share that brokenness and heal the emotional distance that sometimes develops.

The greatest gift you can ever give is your honest self. not to hurt others, but to help heal with our love. You bring all you ever were and are to any relationship you have today. Oftentimes we expect others to heal our brokenness and make us happy. How can they? When one doesn’t work, we move on to the next…we keep looking in the wrong places. We need to take responsibility for our own part in all relationships. We must give up blaming others for our unhappiness and look within and to our God to heal our heart and soul. What are the obstacles that interfere with the closeness? Our “stinking “thinking and faulty emotions may facilitate our problems.

We all have personal differences, that is what makes us human. Stop comparing! We then need to learn from these differences to enhance the connection. Let us develop the attitude of curiosity instead of judging others for their faults, and deal with the “walls” that have to be broken down, in order to connect to develop trust, truth, and emotional change that enhances growth.

It’s time to face the reality of who we are, bottom line “GUT LEVEL HONESTY”; first with our God, ourself, and then with others with LOVE. Listen with our heart, step into the other person’s shoes, that is caring, And think before speaking, especially if you are angry. What is your part in the emotion impact as you attempt to tear someone else down? It’s not what happens to us that matters, it’s how we deal with it…Rise above it.

The relationships we have are our gifts from God and all of them make us who we are. Think about that. We can learn something about ourselves from all of them.

With love from a caring heart,
Marie


The Big, Bad and The Ugly…Killer Fats!

Category : Allergies , Arthritis , Diseases , News , Sleep

Hydrogenation is a process that turns polyunsaturates, which are normally liquid oils at room temperature, into fats that are solid or semi-solid at room temperature. This is a chemical process; the oils are altered under pressure with a metal catalyst for about six to eight hours. This process will break the double bond which is naturally occurring in the oil by adding hydrogen to make it into solid or semi-solid product. The really big problem here is that through this processing the chemical and metal catalysts remain in the oil, when the processed foods are eaten these toxins enter into our body will therefore contaminate us. These metal catalysts are nickel, aluminum, platinum, or cobalt. If the unsaturated fat chain is fully saturated by this chemical process, it becomes hard and stable, but completely dead. What that means it becomes pure fat, without its health benefits. The difference between partially hydrogenated and fully hydrogenated fats is that the partially hydrogenated fat creates trans-fat, because the fully hydrogenated returns to “zero-trans-fat” level.

So, you ask, what makes them killer fats? These laboratory altered fats are considered an inflammatory ingredient that get stuck inside the body; there isn’t any way for the body to metabolize them or excrete them out. Since your body can’t metabolize them, they sit in the fat tissues of the body hindering its ability to efficiently break down and use other proteins or fats which can keep the body in a healthy state. The blood becomes sticky and hard and can create cardio vascular issues. Triglycerides increase, LDL cholesterol (bad) also increases, while the HDL cholesterol (good) decreases. There is an increased risk of obesity, diabetes, stroke, disruption of hormones function, also interfering with the enzyme structure which the body needs to eliminate certain toxins. Also, these toxins create massive amounts of inflammation within the body, thus hindering the body’s healing process.

So, it is so important to not just look at the front label but to investigate and read the INGREDIENT label instead. Toxic fats are hydrogenated and trans fats. Margarine, shortening, and other man-made oils are particularly harmful. Some of these toxic fats are canola, corn, vegetable, soybean, cottonseed, safflower, grapeseed and peanut oil. These oils are highly processed and oxidize easily. Beware of these!

Very concerned,
Marie


Our Kitchens Hold The Power Of Healing!

Category : Allergies , Arthritis , Diseases , News

Do you know how much healing power we hold in the kitchen spice cabinet? Let’s look to this for our gems of healing. Throughout history many cultures turned to the herbs and spices alone for their medicinal purposes. People were actually healthier, healed quicker and less likely to even develop chronic diseases which runs so rampant today. When you grill or fry with spices it does decrease its antioxidants…but stewing or simmering heightens them.
Let’s check out a few:

In fact, did you know that there are some herbs that combat sugar cravings?
One herb is: Fenugreek seeds. Tasting like maple syrup, they makes a great sugar replacement; and are loaded with antioxidants and trace minerals. Cinnamon is another; lending a sweet taste to food without adding sugar… provides healthy heart benefits, offers reduction of high blood cholestrol and triglyceride levels… not to be used as a replacement for your medications, but is a helpful addition to a healthy lifestyle.

Turmeric reduces inflammation which is a common cause of discomfort and illness. Turmeric’s component called cucumin, researchers has shown may reduce brain inflammation which has been linked to Alzheimer’s disease and depression…also reduces pain of arthritis.

Ginger reduces stomach upset and travel sickness; even helps with chemotherapy nausea and vomiting when taken along with anti-nausea medication. (check with your doctor first, as some drugs may be conflicting.)

Garlic…Researchers have linked garlic intake with keeping blood vessels flexible, also reducing cholestrol and triglycerides.

Cayenne helps to ease pain. It contains the substance, capsaicin, which makes it spicey. It reduces the number of pain signals sent to your brain, so you don’t register as much discomfort. Also works on pain caused by arthritis and diabetes-nerve damage. Helps with reducing the ulcer-causing bacteria (H-pylori), reducing stomach acid and increasing blood flow.

Rosemary works for blood circuation, digestion and asthma, promotes alertness.

Sage may help with memory enhancement and functioning of the brain, possibly aiding those with Alzheimer’s disease.
Sage tea eases sore throats and stomach discomfort as well.

Oregano…you will get the same amount of powerful antioxidants from three cups of spinach comparing to one teaspoon of oregano. It is a great deliverer of Vitamin K, the nutrient for strong bones.

Keeping you informed,
Marie


Not All Fats Are Created Equal

Fat digestion begins mechanically in the mouth, but only a small amount actually breaks down there. On the way down the digestive tract the stomach grabs about 10%, with the help of the enzymes and stomach acids. Most of the metablism of fats though comes during the digestion in the small intestine.

An important and interesting fact is how fat reacts in the body with excess sugars. The body will turn these sugars into sticky and degenerative fats. Excess glucose, not used by the body for enegy will be stored as glycogen in the muscles and liver. The excess amounts of glycogen not used by the liver are then released as triglicerides and dumped into the blood system and stored as fat. Fat is a carrier of toxins, the body stores them. So it is very important to choose your fats wisely.

Healthy fats feed the brain (the brain is made of 60% fat) and the body’s cells, The roles fatty acids accomplish are; promoting energy, carrying nutrients throughout the body, helping the body to maintain its temperatures, and helping in the many roles of metabolism. Fatty acids are one of the outstanding ways the body achieves its cell integrity and permeability. What that means is fats have a premier role in your body’y abilities to absorb and use the good foods that you eat, right down to the cellular level. Wow!

Fats taste good, I won’t deny that. God made those taste buds for a good reason; enhancing the taste buds on the tongue to allow the flavors to spread around the palate so we can fully savor our foods. He wants us to enjoy our foods and stay healthy at the same time.

Good healthy fats are: saturated fats, monosaturated fats, and polyunsaturated fats. This category consists of healing fats; and also hydrogenated fats and trans fats, the latter two are the killer fats. And believe it or not cholestrol is an important ingredient that our body needs to maintain optimal health. Actually cholestrol is refered to as a fat but a alcohol molecule that behaves like a fat. But it is needed by the body for its metabolic processes.

Most people think that saturated fats are “bad” and unsaturated are “good” fats. Saturated fats usually come from animal products, but coconut is actually a saturated fat. Unsaturated fats comes from plant sources, which doesn’t always mean that it is good for your health. Certian types of plant seeds such as corn, peanut, safflower and sunflower are highly inflammatory oils because of their processing. These are best avoided for health reasons.

Listing of good fats: butter, ghee, tallow, coconut milk and coconut oil, avocados and avocado oil, olive oil, fish oil and MCT oil (medium chain triglyerides), Omega 3 fatty acids.

Listing of bad fats: canola oil, soybean oil, sunflower oil, corn oil, safflower oil, grapeseed oil, margarine, cottonseed oil, and peanut oil. Most of these are considered as trans fats due to their processing practices. (I will do a future article just on hydrogenated and trans fats, their processing, what makes them killer fats and what they do to the body).
Stay tuned!


Sometimes Doing Nothing Often Leads To The Very Best Something!!

Category : Diseases , News , References

Sometimes we learn our lessons by peeling back the layers of our life. Sometimes we keep repeating the same lessons like the ‘Ground Hog Day’ which the character kept experiencing the same day over and over. Sometimes we don’t want to look because it hurts too much or we just don’t want to deal with the emotions, it’s easier to just think than to feel. People fear the unknown, because we don’t know what we will find when we do look at it. As human beings we will deal with stress in our lives; with our outward busy lives and living with unconscious trigger patterns, our body’s stress levels get stuck and don’t shut down.

When we become adults we tend to lose our sense of self, our connection of who we really are. Instead we are taught the worldly work ethic; how to be efficient and productive, but this does not include fulfillment. We are  constantly comparing ourselves with others to be driven to succeed in everything we do; yet never finding satisfaction. Even when we continually check our phone messages and social media, our brain sees our phone as work, our brain is overstimulated, it also needs a time out.

Overworking ourselves eliminates leisure, playtime and most needed relaxation. We feel like we are drowning and will never get caught up. We become members of the cult of efficiency. What is that you may ask? It is a group of people who’s members all believe fervently in the virtue  of constant activity, finding the most efficient way to accomplish about anything and everything. They think that they are saving time and making the world a better place. They are wrong! Efficiency is a myth. Those who follow this lie, are all losing ground and actually becoming less productive. The more speed, the more errors there are and actually the slower we become. We are stressed and exhausted.  Our families and relationships suffer because we have nothing to give to them when we are spent. Our brain and bodies need light-heartedness to heal from the demands life has placed on it. We have to see the reality of all this. It isn’t the idea that everything should be slower, but that everything needs not to be so fast. We have to consciously choose a slower path or your body will be stuck in the stress mode and unable to heal itself.

Awareness is the first way to interrupt unconscious trigger patterns, living with our eyes wide open. We go to our mind to escape our emotions, instead we need to consciously become aware of what is happening in our system for us to be ready to change our mindset. It is going take action and will be a process but the price you pay will be far worth it. In the long run your brain, body and the people in your life will love the new you. Instaed of excessive working, let’s learn to give in to playing, smiling, laughing, bonding, relaxing, and reconnecting with ourselves and our loved ones. It is good to find our lost self and bring ourself home again. We can gain some wisdom from Christopher Robin and Winnie the Pooh, “Sometimes doing nothing often leads to the very best something.” Learn to sit and do nothing for 15 minutes a day, to reduce stress levels.  Learn to love ourself and life thus embracing all the blessings in it!

Caringly,
Marie


Do Solar Panels and Smart Meters Emit EMF Radiation?

Category : Allergies , Arthritis , Diseases , News , Sleep

Many people are now having solar panels installed on their homes and buisnesses.
The concern is now; do these panels create EMF radiation and harm our
health? Yes, solar panels do emit very small amounts of EMF radiation, but the
panels themselves are not the risk. The panels are nowhere near your body, and
even if they were to emit more EMF radiation, their distance will most likely
protect you entirely. The real issue is that the solar panel system or photovoltaic
system creates”dirty electricity” that ultimately radiates EMF radiation into the
home. The other concern comes from “smart meters” installed to monitor how
much solar energy is produced by the home.

Smart meters are simply the utility meters that track usage and transmit data wirelessly. The BIG problem with these meters; they emit large volumes  of RF (Radio Frequency) Radiation, thus exposing people that are near it. Many of these meters are on the outside wall opposite a bedroom and pose a real risk. Smart meters are extremely dangerous and the WHO…World Health Organization has classified them as a possible carcinogen.

What is “dirty electricity” you may ask? It is useable electricity that gets trapped
in your electrical wiring; that is what creates the EMF’s into the home. It is
erratic spikes and surges of elecrical energy traveling along power lines and
building wiring where only AC electricity should be.

Dirty electricity can interfere with the proper functioning of appliances and
electrical equipment and more important with the natural electrical processes
within the human body; which left unchecked can cause a wide variety of health
problems. To reduce the EMF radiation in the home; it is wise to purchase
“dirty electricity filters” which grounds/reduces and shorts out the exposure
of these spikes/surges. I personally purchased mine from Greenwavefilters.com,
a very reliable company and product. I also have invested in a Smart meter shield
to protect from the excess amounts of radiation emitted every few seconds.
From Smart Meter Covers.
Check out link for EMF information:
http://frombirthuntilsunset.com/2019/12/is-your-cellphone-emitting-radiation-intoyour-body/

Very concerned about our environment,
Marie


Stressful Body Equals Bad Pooping

To all my family of readers…Here is important news,

When you are under any type of stress–physical, emotional or mental…the digestive faculties are inhibited and digestion is ALWAYS suspended. What this means is that if you eat while suffering from stress, indigestion will always result. Eating while under stress is actually the worst thing you can do. The digestive system shuts down, food is suspended and held up in the stomach and intestinal tract. Constipation can occur…what that is, what happens is the large intestine becomes impacted with the undigested food particles and that substance lines the tract. Food putrifies and creates digestive distress. You begin taking more or fewer trips to the bathroom. Your poop doesn’t have the normal consistancy and perhaps you may have more symptoms of depression and anxiety. Don’t strain to eliminate…BAD BAD BAD! Diseases may be  connected to this stessful gut situation…Diverticulitis, IBS, Crohn’s, Cancer, and believe it or not your mental health is also affected. Mental health issues can be traced back to the gut. It isn’t just what goes in, but what can be absorbed and definitely what is excreted and eliminated.

It’s a good habit to check your stools before flushng to check for any irregulariteis or dyfunctions…color changes and texture changes indicates stress, diseases… to prepare and prevent any future disease issues. Here’s a visual chart to help you to see, reference, and compare your poop to know what is going on.
BRISTOL POOP CHART

The gut and the brain are connected in more ways than I can define in this short space. Stress changes the way your mind thinks and makes decisions. It means you may still end up making poor choices when it comes to food…emotional eating which is based on stressful eating. If you get time to read through in more detail of and it includes tips on reducing stress:
How Does Stress Impact Your Digestion?  

Try and recall a stressful event in your life; death of a loved one, change of job, illness, etc. Perhaps you failed to notice your bathroom habits also changed when these stressful events occured. Then you started to experience different digestive symptoms, including headaches, brain fog, difficult stools, chronic pain issues in other ares of your body, etc. Food allergies or sensitivites, leaky gut, stress are some causes.

Now it’s important to consider what you may be holding on to…or not releasing!! Negative thinking, foul moods are paralleled with the disease process. Slow down, work relaxation into your life BEFORE stress develops and tension sets in…is a great preventative treatment for stress. Chewing Well: A New Concept to Wellness
Keep a Food, Mood, and Poop Journal to keeping a log of what works for you and what doesn’t. History is always to learn from.
(Questions feel free:  jmdimercurio@webtv.net…I will answer all.)

Our body is the only one we get through life,
let’s take good care of it!
Marie