Category Archives: Allergies

Make Life Very Sweet…Have a Honey of a Day!

Category : Allergies , Diseases , News , Sleep

We do know that Winnie the Pooh loves to eat honey, in fact, that’s all he eats. Who doesn’t like honey? It feeds the palate with a mild delicious sweetness. Sure, it’s sweet, but there is much more to honey than we realize. Honey has so many astounding health benefits. Everything from brain heath, to wound healing, to promoting gut health and it also has antibacterial effects. Now of course I am speaking of “RAW” honey. Many of these benefits I will cover in this article.

RAW honey helps with those pesky seasonal allergies as well as dust mites. There is a natural protectant against specific allergies because it’s a ‘vaccine’ itself that contains trace amounts of pollen. It has various anti-inflammatory characteristics that fight allergy symptoms. Purchase raw, local, and organic for best results.

RAW honey aids in intellectual development. Do you seem to forget basic things? Maybe trying to form clear thoughts? Honey might help by providing your brain with more energy to think and process thoughts. It has an ability to improve memory by helping your brain to recover faster. The antioxidant properties of honey help the brain cells to thrive and stay in shape.

RAW honey is used for dressing burns and wounds. In a randomized trial of burn victims. honey dressing worked better than silver sulfadiazine dressing. After one to two weeks the skin grew back faster, inflammation reduced quicker and there was better control of infection with the honey dressing.

RAW honey reduces the presence of infection causing bacteria in the gut, such as Escherichia coli, Salmonella enterocolitis, and others which are known to cause diarrhea; while acting to stimulate the growth of beneficial species of healthy gut bacteria.

RAW honey acts as a sleep aid. It can naturally induce sleep as well as improved sleep quality. Its rich content helps raise insulin levels which in turn release serotonin. This chemical converts to melatonin which is a critical component for creating sleep.

RAW honey creates healthy skin. Using it as a face mask, honey has binding capabilities to help reduce to signs of aging; also reduces blemishes, and fights acne and other bacterial issues.

For the best of nature’s health benefits choose the right RAW honey. First option, go to your local farmers market for your purchase. You want RAW, unpasteurized, (organic, if possible), read labels carefully…no added any ingredients. No markets? Options are health food stores and organic grocery stores that sell RAW honey. As a child I got to experience RAW honey directly from the hive; I was in heaven. So you will notice the difference.

Honey doesn’t replace fruit and vegetables in your diet, but can replace refined sugars as an alternative sweetener. Also be warned, those who have sugar issues, check with your doctor.

Have a sweet day,
Marie


The Anatomy of a Headache

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Category : Allergies , Diseases , News , Sleep

According to Oxford’s Dictionary a migraine headache is a “severe headache, often accompanied by nausea and blurred vision.” Mosby’s Medical Dictionary states, “Allergic reactions, excess carbohydrates, iodine-rich foods, alcohol, bright lights or loud noises may trigger attacks, which often occur during a period of relaxation after physical or psychic stress.” A headache is the body’s chief warning signal of the body toxicity. The toxic load in the body has increased so fast that poisons are circulating in the bloodstream and cause irritation to the brain and nerves.

Swelling of the intracranial blood vessels around the scalp causes most headaches. During an onset of a headache, especially a migraine; the blood vessels in the brain continue to restrict because of stress, chemicals, sugars, and improper diet, which also disrupt hormone levels within the brain and body. The toxic flow throughout the body continues to build. Sedentary lifestyles, lack of sleep, stress, and pain medications only compound the situation.

Pain halts the digestive and elimination processes; so, most people will seek treatments to ‘cure’ their pain, but this systematic approach does not make the headaches go away and stay away. Instead, the headaches always return more frequently and may become more intense because the root cause has not been eliminated. Mild headaches can develop into migraine headaches and more drugs are sought…it’s a squirrel cage effect.

Proteinosis, which is poisoning from excessive protein, can cause headaches and a general achy feeling. Experts claim that a high protein diet will eventually destroy the entire glandular system. It places too much burden on the liver, kidneys, and adrenal glands.

Allergy is defined as an abnormal sensitivity to substances that may be harmless to most people. Migraine headaches are also classified as an allergic phenomenon. Certain food additives and preservatives, as well as chemicals in colognes, cosmetics, perfumes and household cleaners affect headaches.

In fact, when your body is detoxifying of toxins, a headache may result; hard as it is to do I suggest to ride it out, or you will stop the detoxification pathways.

There are other avenues that the body will do when it is challenged with anatomical issues as it is trying to maintain homeostasis. When in doubt it can be the best suggestion is to seek medical advice to perform a scanning procedure to find the root cause and solution.

Keep a diary of your headaches…and start the process of elimination, you will be amazed with the results.  It’s a good thing the body is working as it should be.

To the body’s freedom,
Marie


Are Your Household Products Safe To Use?

Category : Allergies , Diseases , News

​We assume that the household products we purchase in the store are safe for our use, after all the stores wouldn’t sell anything harmful. Or would they? The air fresheners, multipurpose cleansers, detergents, bug sprays, and even beauty products have been created with toxic chemicals that can be detrimental to our wellbeing. According to Natural health experts, many of these products can cause birth defects, reproductive harm and certain cancers. The Environmental Protection Agency’s Office of Research and Development has reported that levels of common organic pollutants are two to five times higher inside the homes than outside. The easiest way to be safe is by taking preventative steps. The following common household products need to be avoided for you and your family’s safety.

Air Fresheners: These fragrances used to clean and scent the living space air have unfortunate side effects. According to the Natural Defense Council, air fresheners contain hazardous chemicals called phthalates, which can cause respiratory distress, reproductive issues, birth defects, and hormonal abnormalities. Use an open window policy as much as possible to allow fresh air into your home.

Cleaning Solutions: Your common window, kitchen and other all-purpose cleaners, don’t just eliminate dirt and soot; but will also jeopardize your liver, kidneys and lung function. Many of these cleaners according to experts are made with 2-butoxyethanol, a key ingredient that gives these products their fragrance. Inhaling these products can cause a sore throat, narcosis, pulmonary edema as well as liver and kidney damage. Even the smallest amount inhaled in a confined space can be extremely harmful. My own experience shows a detrimental challenge to my lungs. While doing laundry, I unintentionally inhaled a spray cleaner De Solv It, I thought I had enough ventilation, but I was using too much spray on a badly stained tablecloth and the cleaner seriously compromised my lungs. “We do need to learn from the mistakes of others, as we do not want to make them all ourselves”. Bug sprays contain pyrethrin, DDT, and other toxic chemicals which can produce severe breathing problems if inhaled. “If it can kill the bugs what will it do to you.”

Cosmetics: The chemicals in our health and beauty products (hair sprays, perfumes, and deodorants) are high in phthalates which are used to bind the color and the fragrance. Also, aluminum is found in some deodorants as well as lead in some lipsticks. The chemicals are quickly absorbed through the skin into your system and lead to the same issues as stated above.
The Solution: Use Natural Products.

To reduce your exposures and regain your health, do a thorough elimination of the products containing hazardous ingredients. Investigate on-line…go to your local health store and replace with non-toxic organic solutions free of abrasive volatile organic solvents. Create your own cleaners with natural ingredients. such as: vinegar, Borax, baking soda, and essential oils. Laundry cleaners, many that have plant-derived ingredients. I use LOC from Amway for most of my cleaning products and even for ant and fly spray (kills the insects dead instantly) one quart water with 3-4 Tbls. LOC. Dr Bonner’s in the bath and even toothpaste.Crystal stick deodorant is non allergic and aluminum free.  Check for more resources:
http://frombirthuntilsunset.com/about/

mariexray@webtv.net
Marie


WHAT! Give Up Meat? But Why?

There is truth in the saying “You are what you eat”. In the development of disease, many factors are involved. What you consume can be for your health and healing or for your suffering and early death.

The greatest threat to your health is the overconsumption and intake of animal products.  Basically, animal products include not only meat, but chicken, fish, eggs, and dairy as well. Overconsuming of these foods is the leading cause of excess weight, pain, ill health, disease, suffering, and death.

Now I am not saying everyone should become a vegetarian or vegan; that’s a personal choice. There is something that everyone can do, especially to take advantage of the intense research on this subject. Cut back! The overconsumption of animal products is killing us!

Fact: Animal foods including chicken and fish contains cholesterol, saturated fats and excess protein. Cooking these foods alters the protein composition which the body cannot break down for absorption. The saturated fats burden the circulatory and lymph systems, which will damage the vessels and will cause clog the arteries thus creating heart damage and atherosclerosis.

Fact: Heart disease has been the number one killer for over 100 years…it even outnumbers cancer.

Fact: When animal proteins are eaten daily; people are more likely to die of disease of cancers, diabetes, breast, prostate, and large bowel (colon and rectal cancers).

Fact: Osteoporosis is caused by an acid overload in the body; caused from excess dietary protein. In order for the kidneys to excrete this acid from the body it will pull calcium from the bones to complete this transfer. Of course, bones become very weak and brittle. Now this transfer of calcium to the soft tissues (arteries, skin, joints, internal organs and eyes) results in bone fractures, wrinkling of the skin, the formation of stones, cataracts, high blood pressure, degeneration of internal organs, loss of hearing, senility, and cancer. Meat also causes an increase in the urinary excretion of calcium.

Always caring,
Marie


Proper Breathing Posture and Techniques

Category : Allergies , Arthritis , Diseases , News , Sleep

 

Breathing Postures

*Sedentary Lifestyle and  Shallow Breathing— Although breathing shallowly  can be caused by a sedentary lifestyle, it also has other reasons. Poor posture may also attribute to shallow breathing. In proper posture, the rib cage sits directly over the hips and forms one column. This closes the rib cage and compresses the lungs. The above diagram can  offer the proper and improper illustrations.

*Breathing Exercises — Most people do not understand how to breathe properly. You can help yourself by doing breathing exercises designed to stimulate proper breathing technique and thus increase your blood oxygen levels.
One of these exercises is as followed: Sit upright on the edge of a hard chair. Do not allow your arms or back to slump against anything. Place one hand on your upper abdomen and one hand on your lower abdomen. Begin slowly breathing in and focus on filling up with air from the bottom up. Your lower hand should start expanding first, followed by your upper hand then; you should feel the middle of your chest open and finally the top. Your shoulder should not move at all. Breathe in slowly and smoothly. Hold for a couple of seconds and breath out slowly. This releases tension  and promotes healthy lung tissue. Repeat this exercise three times. Every day, add one more repetition. In time, you may do this a few times a day as your lungs handle the increased oxygen load to the cells. Eventually, as your lungs are able to handle this; adding an ‘mechanical aid’ to help slowly increase your oxygen intake to your lungs, using a ‘spirometer’, Healthy lungs will become a beacon of health to your body.

To Your Healthy Lungs,
Marie


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 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!


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