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BARF- Bone and Raw Food Diet Video

2010-08-31T12:49:00.004+01:00

Tail Waggers TV Episode 5: Feeding BARF Diet
This is a 3 part episode where I explain the benefits of feeding raw food to your pets, show you the new brands of raw foods I carry, and demonstrate how to make your own raw foods at home using Prize Choice meats. Any comments or questions are greatly appreciated. Let us know what you think and give us a testimonial of how your dog reacted to eating raw food vs. dry nuts.

Tail Waggers TV: Keeping White Dogs Clean with Tropiclean

2009-11-23T00:09:00.002Z

This is the newest video I've posted on my Tail Waggers website. It's a response to a question from my Facebook page "Tail Waggers Holistic Grooming and Supplies". If you like this video subscribe to my Youtube channel. Oh and rate me 5 stars!!!

Tail Waggers TV Episodes 1-4

2009-10-21T21:42:00.004+01:00

I've started my own channel on Youtube!! The videos I've done so far are about Holistic Pet Health and Grooming. From flea and tick spray to how to cut a dog's nails. If you have any questions or ideas on what you would like to see me talk about/show you, please feel free to contact me via email and I'd be more than happy to help.

So without further ado, here they are....

And yes I look goofy in every one of these still shots....oh well...

I DID IT!!!

2009-10-04T21:43:00.008+01:00

Yup, that's right. I said I would do it and I did. I opened my very own Pet Wellness Center here in Ireland. It would take too long to describe the coolness of my new shop so here are a few pics and the link to my website. Plus, as a bonus to you, a link to the video I did on Making Holistic Cat Food From Dog Food. Watch it, Rate it, Love it....Comments??

Pics First...

Shop Front

Spooooky Halloween Decorations haha!!

Inside-I've got way more retail now and getting more as we speak!

My desk and more retail.

Can you tell I love Halloween!!

And now for the video link...

(and yes the link makes me look goofy)

Hope you enjoy it and feel free to comment either here or on Youtube or email me directly at jessi@tailwaggers.ie.........Have a great day! And remember..Groomed is Loved <3

Coming Soon! My Pet Wellness Center

2009-04-09T14:34:00.005+01:00

I've noticed a growing trend in many countries towards "organic" and "natural" pet products ie. foods, treats, and even accessories like hemp collars and leashes. In the States, where some people choose pets over children, you will see upscale boutiques and pet wellness centers popping up everywhere. I, in fact, had one of those shops. I owned a Pet Wellness Center where I groomed animals and sold holistic dog treats, foods, and even all natural shampoos, conditioners, and cleaning products. I miss those days and I want to have my Pet Wellness Center here, in Ireland.

What I need are Irish based companies that make those fantastic products. I promoted "made in the USA" when I lived there and now I want to do that here. I know of a couple treat companies that sell amazing products. I just need to find shampoos, conditioners, cleaning products, collars, leashes, and any other "natural" pet product the Irish can muster up to go along with them.

If anyone knows of anyone who makes these amazing products and needs a person to sell them, call me, email, send a skywriter, do whatever it takes to let me know about these people. I have a big mouth and I'm not afraid to use it when it comes to promoting excellent quality products "Made in Ireland".

I spoke to one Irish company who has a fantastic product line. They still have to work their day jobs full time to pay their bills because they "don't have the American way of selling things". Which I can only assume means being a big mouth like me and getting out there to give out free samples and talking people up. I LOVE giving freebies away. It's a total icebreaker. So give them to ME and I will sell the hell out of you. Then, once my shop is up and running and your products are flying off my shelves, we both end up happy. See, win win.

To contact me call 086 732 1841 or email at jessi8074@yahoo.com. I look forward to chatting with you.

Lactose Intolerant? Try Homemade Oat Milk

2009-03-10T16:57:00.004Z

For those of you out there that can't tolerate cow or goat milk because of a lactose intolerance, you often end up seeking out alternatives and come across things like overpriced oat or rice milk. Well here's a cheap and easy way to get a better quality, better tasting, version of what's in stores, without all those pesky preservatives.

It really is the easiest thing to make. All of the ingredients are most likely already in your kitchen.

All you need is:

1 cup Porridge Oats (not instant oats)
1 tbsp Demerara Sugar, Honey or Agave Nectar (sweeten to taste)
1 tsp Olive or Sunflower Oil
6 cups warm water

Once you've got all the ingredients just add them in any order and blend for about 10 seconds. The mixture should turn white (like in the picture). If it's still clear your water isn't warm enough. Then strain into a pitcher and you're done. Use in hot and cold cereals or drink it straight.

For a stronger flavor and thicker oat milk let it set for about 30 minutes. You can also make your own rice or almond milk too. Just follow the same instructions as above only add 2 cups cooked brown rice or 500g ground almonds instead. Let the almonds set longer than the rice or oats to get the full flavor.

Oh No!!

2009-03-04T20:13:00.004Z

This is what I woke up to this morning, snow. I marveled at the sight for about 2 seconds until I remembered I just transplanted everything yesterday. I jumped out of bed and rushed outside to drag all of my pots in.

I just told someone the other day that we rarely get snow too. Should have kept my mouth shut. Luckily it was only a dusting. Then an hour later this happened.

I was tempted to bring the pots back outside but decided to wait a while. With such unpredictable weather I didn't want to risk it. I was right to wait too because a few hours later we got even more snow.

And to top it all off, my cat decided to dance in the pots and crush my beet root seedlings, break a few broccoli stems, and even snap a borlotto bean plant in half. Oh and he even managed to dump an entire tray of seedlings killing most of them. He's still alive but I came very close to giving him the boot out into the cold. Bad kitty!!

It's Time

2009-03-03T18:02:00.005Z

The beer box seed tray held up long enough for me to transplant my seedlings and boy were they huge. Now to chuck the box into the compost bin. The bottom is already well rotted. And my beans are so big I've already had to stake them in the pots.

Top right to left: beets then broccoli
Middle: Corn
Front 3: Climbing beans

The beets and broccoli will be staying in their pots. Oh and I have to mention I got those large pots today at the discount store for 4 euro each!! Such a deal. The corn will be transplanted into the garden when the weather warms up. I put some in there already, as an experiment, so we'll see what happens. And the pots are where the beans are going to stay. I'm just going to put them up against the fence and string them up.

As you can see from this pic my back garden is going to be mostly containers. I wish I could dig up those slabs and redo the whole area but the landlord would frown upon that. Oh well, containers are just as good.

So that should do it for a while. Not going to be able to transplant or sow any more seeds for a while. I've run out of pots and room in the house so we'll give it a break and concentrate on what I've got.

What I did...

2009-03-02T19:45:00.005Z

...to get my seedlings to look this amazing.

Here are a couple cheap ways to get the heat going in your seed trays.

Under the beer box is a hot water bottle and you can see the milk jug. I crushed it so it would be flat and cover a large space. Strangely enough the milk jug stays warm longer than the hot water bottle. And I know the jug works because as soon as I put a covered seed tray on it condensation instantly appeared.

Another thing I did, and I'm thinking it helped, was to sprinkle kelp powder on the plants as soon as they popped up. Seaweed is an excellent fertilizer. You can buy a small packet of it from the health food store for 1.99. And a little goes a long way.

Next step is to find a way to get my beans out of there without disturbing anything else. The box is just about ready to decompose, which is just what I was hoping for, but I still need it to hold out for a few more days. Just until I can get more pots and the weather to warm a bit.

"Case O' Beer Seed Tray" Update!

2009-02-28T20:09:00.005Z

Tah Da!! Look what I did??? Not bad for a novice eh?

It's been exactly 7 days since I started my beer box seeds tray. For the first few days absolutely nothing happened. I couldn't understand what was going wrong. Then I read a website about starting seedlings and the penny finally dropped. It has to be warmer inside the house than outside for the seedlings to think its spring. Duh! To save money we've been keeping the heat just above cryogenic and well, my little seeds just weren't having it. So how did I get around this little dilemma? Warmed those babies up they way I was warming myself. A hot water bottle.

I must have refilled it 5 times a day for 4 days and placed it under the box. I noticed the broccoli and beets popped up to about an inch over night and nothing was happening with the beans and corn. So I moved the bottle over and kept the plastic wrap over those to keep the moisture and heat in. Worked a charm. Am I clever or what?

You're supposed to use a "warming pad" under them but I just can't swing the cost right now so I improvised. The pro of using a water bottle is the cost, the con is always having to refill it. I left it alone at night and the seedlings didn't seem to mind. They need to get used to cold nights anyway. Now that they're all up I've removed the heat to see how they do. If they stay stagnant for too long I'll put the heat back.

Here are some close ups of their progress.

Gorgeous borlotto beans...

...see the corn and beets too?

Isn't broccoli pretty?

It's still too soon for the box to be that impressive so I'll wait a little while longer (just before repotting) and take a pic again.

Cajun Chicken Salad

2009-02-27T19:59:00.005Z

Even though I'm the most creative (ahem) chef in my household, I still need inspiration from time to time. I had such great luck with Kylemore Acre's "Awesome" beef stew mix that I thought I'd give this cajun chicken rub a try.

These, and a couple breasts of chicken, are all you need to make it. Just mix the packet and oil in a bowl and saute on medium heat. It's not a spicy mix so you can add chili flakes or Tabasco sauce to the mix.

For a dressing I only had balsamic vinaigrette but a ranch or blue cheese would have been better. The vinaigrette made it low calorie and better for people watching their fat intake.

Salad Ingredients

Romaine Lettuce
1/4 Avacado
3 Cherry Tomatoes
4 Broccoli pieces
4 Mushroom
1 Carrot

Add or replace any ingredients you like. Make sure they are all fresh and washed thoroughly if they aren't organic.

Case O' Beer Seed Tray

2009-02-21T17:59:00.012Z

Ever since I was a kid I tried finding fun uses for things we would normally just throw away. Most of the time I just made a mess and it ended up in the bin anyway. But sometimes I’d actually make something work. I’m hoping this is one of them. It’s my case o' beer seed tray and this is how I made it.

Take an empty case of beer and cut it down to the divider inside. Take the pieces you cut off and put them, glazed side inwards, inside the box to secure the divider in place. Also place one on the bottom to prevent soil from falling through the opening and the box from getting saturated and falling apart.

Then fill with potting compost and a gritty seed sowing compost for proper drainage. I chose an all-purpose potting compost for the bottom 2/3 and the grit for the top to help the seeds germinate.

After sowing all the seeds in my new beer box seed tray I watered them with tepid water and covered it with plastic wrap for a greenhouse effect. Just remember to take the plastic off as soon as you see them start to germinate. Otherwise you’ll get stringy stems that aren’t strong and will most likely succumb to cold weather. (Learned that one the hard way)

The tray is roughly 4 ½ inches (11cm) deep. I’m going to use it for beets, corn, borlotto beans, and broccoli.

Once I've repotted the seedlings from this tray I'm going to throw it into the compost bin. By that time the box should be pretty broken down and ready to rot. Just hope it holds out until they're ready to replant. If not I've got plastic pots on standby.

I’ll keep you posted on if this beer box seed tray works out and how I’ll get the seedlings out of there once they’re ready to be replanted. That should be interesting.Wish me luck!

Repotting Annuals

2009-02-20T14:43:00.006Z

I had no idea repotting seedlings was so delicate. I looked at the full seed tray and thought "Now how do I get those tiny things into these bigger pots without killing them?" So I made a decision, cut the trays. I don't know if that's what you're supposed to do. Since I've never actually witnessed someone repotting seedlings I just did what I thought was right. If I'm right, yeah me! If not, please tell me what you're supposed to do.

Like I've said before I'm very new at this. Thankfully most of my seedlings are growing, rapidly, and surviving being outside most nights. I'm trying to toughen them up, and learn what they can tolerate at the same time. So far, no casualties.

I repotted my carrots in a wide deep pot usually used for bulb planting. My allotment is too shallow for really deep rooted vegetables so the pot is the perfect depth and width. If I haven't killed the seedlings during transplanting, I should have quite a few carrots to harvest. I'm going to plant them in succession to try and get continual harvesting. If the seedlings don't make it I'll just sow seeds directly in the pot to avoid root disturbance.

March is going to be a busy month for me. I have a tray full of seeds just waiting to be started. I'm going by what the packages say. I'm still too inexperienced to be that adventurous. I'll keep you posted.

Roses Are Red...

2009-02-18T16:13:00.005Z

This Valentine's Day my husband surprised me with a few gifts and one of them was this gorgeous red rose. I had to wait a few days to take a picture because it hadn't bloomed yet. Although the bud was beautiful, I wanted to wait for the full monty. I have no idea what kind of rose this is (if you do please tell me) but I'm hoping to be able to find one to grow in my back garden. I also need a trailing kind to grow up the fencing and block out the ugly driveway on the other side.

Eventually my ugly barren back garden will be exploding with colors and life. My tulips are coming up and should be making their debut in a couple weeks. For a while I thought I planted them too deep but I guess I didn't because they look strong and healthy so far. I planted some shallots in the new bed but they aren't doing anything yet (stubborn). Still too cold and not enough sunlight. But my garlic is beginning to show signs of life in seedling pots. Fearing rot I took them out of the greenhouse because it was too cold and wet. My courgettes (zucchini) are doing amazing. I have 4 seedlings going and have already repotted one into its adult pot. It looks so tiny and alone but in no time it will be huge and trailing out of the pot (fingers crossed).

My tomato seedlings are popping up finally as well. I had all but given up hope of growing those little suckers. And I know enough to plant them as deep as the first set of leaves to ensure further rooting and a stronger stem. Saw that on tv.

So if you're a novice (like me) or a seasoned gardener share some of your tips of the trade. What are you doing this time of the year?

Homemade Plant Tags

2009-02-17T13:07:00.007Z

If you know me at all you know how frugal I am. In fact, I devoted an entire blog to it. So it should come as no surprise that, whenever possible, I will make something myself instead of buying it.

This is a prime example. Clothes peg plant markers. I bought 40 clothes pegs for under 2 euro and 2 permanent markers for 2.65 (they only came as a set). And, as luck would have it, there was a can of paint under my kitchen sink from when they built my house. Bonus!

I do have to mention that I did attempt to buy tags at the garden center but they hadn't gotten them in yet. But knowing how expensive things are in Ireland I'm going to harbor a guess that I did save some money making them myself. Plus it was a fun little craft project.

Clothes Peg Plant Markers in 3 Easy Steps:

1. Either keep pegs in tact or break them apart into 2 pieces.

2. Paint the pegs with any paint you have lying around the house. Try not to paint the part that goes into the soil to avoid contamination.

3. When dry, use a permanent marker to write the name of the plant on them. My penmanship is atrocious but I'm sure yours is a lot better.

And that's it you're done. Just keep in mind it may take overnight for the paint to dry. You can clip them to the side of the pot or put them in the soil like I did here. I like clipping them because they don't get as dirty and they're easier to read. But if you're using trays like I am you'll need to make both. Have fun!

Mixed Berry Crumble Pie

2009-02-13T21:08:00.004Z

My finest creation yet. Tomorrow being Valentine's Day and all, I got inspired to make this mixed berry crumble pie. I wanted something red but not loaded with food coloring or fondit. I was going to attempt a spelt chocolate cake, but chickened out at the last minute, and it's not red. Plus I've gotten really good with making pie crusts. So I bought loads of fruit and voila!

Mixed Berry Crumble Pie Recipe

Crust
2 cups spelt flour (1 white, 1 whole grain)
1 cup butter
1/2 cup water
pinch of salt

Combine all ingredients and knead into a ball. Flour counter top and roll out dough with rolling pin. Place into pie pan and shape. This will make a thicker crust. Half the ingredients for a thinner crust.

Filling
2 punnets strawberries
2 cups cherries
1 punnet red raspberries

Chop cherries and strawberries. Cook all berries in a skillet on medium heat. Cover to allow juices to cook out of the berries causing a sweet syrup in pan, about 3 minutes. Pour into pie crust.

Crumble
1/3 cup butter
3/4 cup spelt flour
3/4 cup demerara sugar

Combine all ingredients and mix well. Sprinkle on top of berries and bake at 200 degrees Celsius (roughly 400 Fahrenheit) and cook for 20-30 minutes. Keep an eye on it. Once the crumble has darkened it's done.

To finish off this perfect pie I also made a whipped cream topping. In a food processor combine 400 ml whipping cream with 2-3 tbsp demerara sugar and whip. You could also have vanilla ice cream, but it's still a bit cold for that. Enjoy!

Spelt Soda Bread

2009-02-10T16:18:00.003Z

Went to the grocery store today to pick the spelt soda bread I've gotten addicted to. Decided to check the price this time and saw that the tiny loaf I've been buying costs 3.50. In times like these, becoming the baker I've never been has become more of a necessity. Here is the result of my latest attempt at baking.

Here's where I found the recipe and cooking instructions. Instead of putting sesame seeds (which I was out of and didn't realize it) I added about 1/3 cup each of pumpkin, sunflower, and flax seeds and a 1/3 cup of sweetened oats. All giving it an amazing taste, more protein, and a small amount of essential fatty acids. The recipe called for molasses but I put treacle instead (all I had). It gave the bread a cinnamon taste that my husband noticed right away. A perfect complement to my favorite spread, peanut butter. And the last change I made was to put buttermilk instead of regular milk.

You can go by the recipe verbatum or use it as a guideline and get a little creative like I did. Sometimes I can read a recipe and get a taste of the results before even baking it. If I think I won't enjoy it, I'll tweak the ingredients to my liking.

Update on my seedlings. Went and checked on them and noticed I'm getting really long thin stems. I don't think I'm over watering them and the second I saw them start I removed the greenhouse top to avoid this very thing. I just hope they get stronger before I plant them outside. If not, I'll just plant them deeper to support the stems. Sound like a good idea? Would anyone do anything differently?

I Did A LOT Today!

2009-02-07T17:18:00.006Z

As you can see most of my back garden is either concrete slabs or rocky nutrient lacking soil. So what I did was section out the largest area without slabs, which is roughly 3ft X 7ft, and put 2 layers of compost followed by 1 layer of manure then another layer of compost again. It really needs to be built up a little higher with maybe another layer or two of compost. I want it to go up high enough to be flush with the back wood barrier.

There's a dripping pipe along the far fence so I put that 2X12 behind it to block it off. Plus I put loads of rocks for proper drainage so it doesn't leak into my garden. And now it's just about ready to plant seeds and my seedlings next month.

I've had great luck with my brussel sprout seedlings as most of them are shooting up. Plus a few courgettes are starting to poke their heads out.

This is the ambitious plan I have for my garden. Luckily the side area that's pretty dead can be used for my pots of peppers, tomatoes, and whatever else I come up with that pots well. Something tells me this isn't the last version of my plan either.

Two other quick things I did today was make an "Awesome" beef stew and blackberry pie. They came out amazing! I was so happy with myself. Here is the seasoning packet for the stew I found at the grocery store yesterday. What a tasty combination of herbs and seasonings. Plus the entire recipe is on the back of the packet. Makes cooking that much easier.

February Fun and Frittatas

2009-02-05T12:55:00.012Z

After this mornings frittata triumph I went for a walk around my back garden. I wandered onto the neighbors' property only to find this little gem. A rustic cottage with smoke puffing out the chimney. The scatters of clouds in the crystal blue sky made for an amazing backdrop. I love living the countryside.

Unfortunately, it's way too cold to plant anything new. I checked on my seedlings and I think I see a courgette starting to sprout. If I could get the cat to stop stepping on my seed trays things might progress a little quicker. Decided to move the seed trays to the spare room upstairs under the skylight. It's much warmer up there and away from kitty paws. That should make the little buggers happy. Realized I should have done a little more research before I planted my seeds.

Found out:

Small seeds (ie. strawberries) shouldn't be covered by compost, only set on top and watered.
Even adorable greenhouses you just bought still aren't warm enough for seedlings if it's unheated and only 4 degrees Celsius.
Water with warm water not cold until you see sprouts.
Take 8 seeds from each packet and put them on a wet paper towel for a few days to see how many sprout. If 1/2 do, that means the packet should contain at least 1/2 sprouting seeds.
You should draw up a calendar or journal for the seeds you have to organize when you sow them either indoors or outdoors and in pots or directly into your garden soil. Keeping in mind that even though the packet says what month to do what, your own climate might not meet the criteria.

Of course I learned this all after I was too impatient to wait and most likely ruined loads of seeds in the process. But at least you can learn from my mistakes.

Frittata Recipe

4 Free Range Eggs

1/2c Leeks sliced

1 Small Tomato diced

4 Button Mushrooms diced

1/2c Shredded Mature Cheddar

1tsp Black Pepper

*2tbsp Flavored Butter

In a frying pan add flavored butter, mushrooms, and leeks. Fry up for a few minutes over medium heat until they are tender. Scramble eggs in a bowl and add shredded cheese and black pepper. Stir. Once the veggies are ready, pour the egg mix into pan at medium heat. Drop tomatoes on top to preserve moisture. Turn oven on to Broil. When the bottom of the eggs are cooked, place on top rack in the oven and cook until eggs puff up. Cut and serve. No salt was added to this recipe. It wasn't needed.

*Flavored Butter- Red pepper, white onion, and parsley into a food processor until diced. Add twice as much butter and processes until blended. Add or change any ingredients you desire.

A New Direction

2009-02-04T14:53:00.009Z

So I've decided to give my blog a less invasive atmosphere. From now on you'll see my gardening, cooking, and healthful recipes instead of showing you nasty brain worms.

It's all starts with the new house we moved into at the end of October 2008. I'm fortunate enough to live in a house with a private garden. Although the garden is small, I can still raise the bed, and pot up some flowers, fruits, and veg to grow to supplement us throughout the year (hopefully).

This is my first attempt at something like this so be patient with me. I've already made mistakes and I just started. Like I started seedlings in the house and nothing happened except the cat stepped on every pot. And I buried my strawberry seeds and should have kept them on the surface. At 4.29 for 15 seeds I wont be making that mistake again. Might just go buy strawberry seedlings and get over my foolish pride.

Here are some pics of what I've done so far and my brand spankin' new greenhouse. Ain't she pretty? I can't believe how warm it gets in there.

Parasite Tumor?

2009-01-29T18:38:00.002Z

Don't believe me that pork causes parasites? Watch this video as PROOF!

Warning!! Graphic Images of an actual operation.

http://media2.foxnews.com/112008/worm_tumor_700.wmv

Is Obesity Contageous?

2009-01-27T15:02:00.005Z

According to a website on obesity "a new analysis from James Fowler at the University of California in San Diego and Nicholas Christakis at the Harvard Medical School in Boston, Massachusetts...suggests that the spread of social norms rather than just behavioral changes might explain the rise in obesity." Basically saying if you hang out with an obese person, you're doomed to spread. While eating habits are a learned behavior passed down from parent to child, it may also be true of friend to friend. Does that mean if you start eating really healthy that your friends will too? I can tell you from experience that that just doesn't happen.

Being a Natural Health Consultant and Nutritionist people watch what I eat. Probably more than I do. But that doesn't mean they eat like I do. In fact I've been called pretty names like "buzz kill" and "downer" because I've frowned upon the mass quantities of fast foods my friends eat. Junk foods like pizza, chips, soda, and kababs are all considered 'comfort foods' and people are drawn to them for how they make them feel emotionally. They don't realize the harm it's doing to them physically and will gladly disregard the pounds of weight they put on or the constant illnesses they have to fight off because of how that food makes them feel. Even when told that there is a correlation and it can easily be remedied by avoiding unhealthy foods, they still don't change.

Another website states "Obesity can be "caught" as easily as a common cold from other people's coughs, sneezes and dirty hands.." and "The condition has been linked to a highly-infectious virus which causes sniffles and sore throats..." Sniffles, sore throats, then weight gain? This has to be on Fox News. Oh wait, it is!! Yup that's right folks, you can get fat from being next to a person with the fat virus. Even though 11% of the people tested were thin and had the virus. Why weren't they gaining weight?

I'm going to give you a little lesson on the human body. When we eat something that is bad for us, ie we're allergic to it, we develop this condition called inflammation. Inflammation causes the immune system to go into overdrive attacking our own body. When that happens we can develop autoimmune diseases but more importantly, we can't fight off offending bugs like viruses and bacteria. Another symptom of food allergy inflammation is weight gain. We eat what our body can't process, we get fat. So how on God's green earth do they get that the virus itself causes weight gain, much less obesity?

Face it people, there is no excuse for gaining weight other than a stagnant lifestyle, poor eating habits and an unhealthy body. If you're body is unhealthy, change it. Read my post about the A,B,C, and D's of Health and start from the beginning. Losing weight should be a by-product of a healthy lifestyle, not the main focus.

Beating Depression-A Healthy Start to 2009!

2009-01-15T22:24:00.006Z

Hello everyone. Hope you all had a fabulous holiday season. Now that we're all back to the daily grind and trying to stick to those New Year's resolutions. Losing weight is usually the most popular on the list, so why not schedule a consultation with me at my new location. If you're in Ireland, anywhere near Co. Galway, I'm running my practice out of The Elmtree Clinic in Oranmore.

My resolution was to get fit (again). To do this I've cut out the junk foods I indulged in over the holidays and went back to healthy eating. Plus I've incorporated 60 minutes of Yoga into my daily routine. In just a couple days I've already noticed a difference. My 'baggy jeans' are baggy again and I feel toned and strong. You know what they say "muscle has memory". Well mine are thrilled that I've stopped neglecting them for the couch and TV. My mood has elevated and so has my energy level. I had no idea how much my lack physical activity and healthy diet were effecting me. I was fit for so long that I just took it for granted. Taking the last year off of the intense workouts I'd been doing for years really took its toll. So I'm happy to say I'm bouncing back nicely and plan to keep up this pace forever.

Letting your physical fitness slip away is doing yourself a tremendous disservice. Your body and mind will suffer for it. Depression is a commonly misdiagnosed problem. Doctors say it's a chemical imbalance that's permanent so you need to take anti-depressants the rest of your life. Well I'm here to tell you that's FALSE! Depression usually stems from an unhealthy digestive tract. Your gut talks to your brain 2/3 of the time. What is your gut saying?

Steps to Take to Beat Depression

Make sure you're taking in enough water and fiber to keep your bowels moving
Take Probiotics to digest and uptake your B-Vitamins essential for the central nervous system
Eat lots of dark green leafy vegetables (Source of B-Vitamins)
Exercise DAILY at least 30 minutes-Yoga highly recommended
Remove all fast foods from your diet-pizza is allowed on your cheat day
Increase intake of Omega fatty acids through fish or seed oils-fats feed the brain
Eat a combo of fats, protein, and carbs in every meal or snack. They work together.

For more great tips contact me. There are several options you can take other than popping prescription drugs. They do more harm than good and quickly damage your liver.

B.A.R.F. Bone And Raw Food Diet for your Pets

2008-12-28T22:10:00.006Z

There is a lot of controversy around the BARF diet for pets. I can now say from experience that it is by far the best diet. I have seen such an improvement in my kitten from incorporating raw food into his diet. And think about it. What did they get in the wild? Byproducts, preservatives, additives, and artificial ingredients? I think not. They got raw, nutrient packed food right from the source.

When I first got my little guy, Liam, he was extremely sick as were two of his siblings. Unfortunately we lost the other two boys from what I can only assume was some kind of viral infection. It caused them to stop eating and drinking, have watery diarrhea, and eventually succumb to their illness within 24 hours of us getting them. Luckily Liam fought for his life. He ate every time I fed him. I mainly fed him raw fish and chicken, and some hard boiled egg. I also supplemented infant probiotics and a baby multivitamin/mineral liquid supplement. I gave him Colloidal Silver to kill the infection as well as Oregon Grape Root to boost his immune system.

I didn't give him loads of supplements as it can clog the kidneys. I gave them sparingly and always with food to make sure they were digested and absorbed properly. But I do have to say with the raw food diet his coat is shiny and doesn't shed much and his eyes have changed from a dull brown to a bright yellowish green. And he's as healthy as an ox and I couldn't be more pleased with the results.

I did start him on a very high quality kibble <name withheld> that I used to sell in the States. Unfortunately, through process of elimination, I found out he had a horrible reaction to it because he kept breaking out in sores on his neck. With cats, skin sores, biting or pulling out hair, or even just jumping up as if being bitten by something are all indicators of a food allergy. Always check for fleas first, but 9 times out of 10 it's the food. The kibble I sold in the States is different from the one out here. It has the same name but the two brothers that own the companies apparently don't use the same ingredients.

Once I buy my own food grinder I will be making all of his food myself. I still use a good quality kibble, that he has no reaction to, but supplement it with raw fish or chicken at every meal. In Ireland they don't sell organ meats, other than liver, at the butcher's or the supermarkets. So what I will have to do is source it from a butcher and find out what day they get their shipment and pick it up THAT day. It's illegal for them to hold it for me so I have to time it right.

Just a quick note about liver. It's extremely high in Vitamin A and giving too much can cause liver stones. So to avoid that but make sure they still get their Vitamin A, give them a small portion twice a week. This will give them enough in the meat source but don't forget you can give them the vegetable source, Beta Carotene, from carrots as well. It will also add a little sweetness to the food. My little guy ate some crushed carrots and broccoli when I drizzled some olive oil on top. They aren't herbivores and what little vegetation they do get is from the partially digested contents in their prey's stomach and intestines. Yum!

Visit one of these great websites for raw cat food recipes. If you don't want to make your own pet food there are several raw food manufacturers currently in the US. Do some research and see if there is a retailer nearby. One fabulous company I found was Primal Pet Foods. They have really high quality foods and treats. Instructions on how to feed are also on the package. You can even order online from one of their "Online Stores".

Good luck and give me testimonials on your success.

Beat the Holiday Bulge

2008-12-19T15:52:00.006Z

A few quick and easy tips to stay lean at the most stressful, and sweet tooth tempting, time of year.

I don't expect anyone not to have their favorite breads, sweets, and drinks during the holiday season. This is a time to eat, drink, and be merry. But this isn't the time to over indulge and make yourself unhealthy or gain weight.

So my solution to this problem is, eat anything that you fancy, just way less than you have in the past. Think of your entire day as one dinner sized plate. Whatever you can fit on that plate, you eat. Now I don't mean fill the plate up two feet in the air. Be reasonable. And I'm also not including the big meal of the day. That's a different plate and I'll explain what I mean.

Plate #1-The Sweets Plate-Considering most cakes, pies, egg nog, dried fruit, and alcoholic beverages are loaded with sugar and calories, you can understand why I'm minimizing your servings. This plate should have 1-2 bites of everything you like. You can easily work off 1 plate of sweets for the entire day. Try to have your plate have more of the "healthier" junk foods like dried fruits, nuts, pretzels, and carob covered nuts or raisins. The more you fill your plate with these little munchies, that fill you faster, the less you'll have room for cakes, biscuits, and pie. Keep track of this plate and have it near you throughout the day. That way you wont be tempted to over snack.

Plate #2-The Dinner Plate-This plate should be broken up like a pie chart. 20% meat 20% starch and 60% vegetables. Since meats and starches are so filling, and compete for stomach acids to break down, it's best to limit them so you don't fill up so fast. Vegetables are the fiber and enzymes you need to break down the other foods so they should be eaten in the highest portion. That way you won't have that bloated gassy heavy feeling in your stomach and you might not even have to undo that top button on your trousers.

Make sure you keep moving throughout the day. If you live in nicer climates, go for a walk with your family and friends, or play a sport in the back yard. Even a friendly game of horseshoes will burn off some of those pesky calories. Laugh A LOT! It burns calories! For the people in colder snowier climates, a rowdy game of Charades or Twister will definitely get your heart pumping.

Have a Safe and Happy Holiday Season. And remember, drink responsibly.

Interview with President and Founder of TheHolisticOption.com

2008-11-15T15:15:00.013Z

Recently I had the pleasure of interviewing Kelly L. Campbell, President and Founder of TheHolisticOption.com, a new informative online directory for holistic practitioners in the U.S.

Jessi: First let me start off by saying I love the layout of the site. It's clean and easy to navigate around. It's also loaded with information. Now onto the questions.
How long has the site been up and running?

Kelly: We officially launched on April 30, 2008, so we are just about 7 months young!

Jessi: How many practitioners do you have listed in your directory?

Kelly: At present, we have about 50 practitioners, including integrative medical doctors and licensed professionals across 25 different modalities. Each practitioner has been individually screened by our volunteer Advisory Board to ensure proper credentialing, licenses (if applicable) and professionalism of the applicant. We haven't marketed directly to practitioners yet, so once we do, the directory will begin to grow larger and larger.

Jessi: It's just for use in the States right now. Any plans to expand to Europe or Canada?

Kelly: There is potential to expand into Canada, but we feel strongly that Americans need the most education about natural therapies, whole food nutrition and getting back to basics. There is really so much work to do in educating people about how what they're eating and how they're living effects both their health (and the health of their families) and the environment. That's also the reason why there is no cost to become a Community Member on the site. Visitors can click the 'User Signup' button to view all of the features and benefits of FREE membership on TheHolisticOption.com.

Jessi: What is your background? Are you/were you a practitioner of any kind?

Kelly: My background is actually in graphic and website design. I've never been a holistic practitioner, nor do I have any medical training. I usually just describe myself as 'an overly-educated consumer.' I've always had a passion for natural health, alternative medicine and whole food nutrition, so creating this site was a great bridge of my professional expertise and personal passions.

Jessi: Was there a specific instance that prompted you to create the site?

Kelly: The site was born out of my frustration in trying to find reliable information on natural remedies. The inspiration came as a result of trying to find a remedy for a sore throat one evening. I realized that there was a need for a social platform that essentially serves as the 'WebMD of holistic medicine".

Jessi: I know how you feel. For the expecting mothers out there will you ever feature Midwives on your website?

Kelly: Absolutely! We launched the site with only 25 modalities because we needed to define an approachable goal to launch when we did. We will not only be adding midwifery, but more than 25 additional modalities to the site. The application for each modality must be designed with an expert in that field, so we still have a lot of work to do to eventually cover the 50+ therapies that comprise 'holistic medicine'. What's great is that the cost for Member Practitioners to join is an annual $100, which makes it extremely cost effective. For a list of the modalities we plan to cover and offer applications for, see: http://www.theholisticoption.com/Pages/More_Modalities_84_2-82.aspx

Jessi: Is there anything else you would like my readers to know about your website?

Kelly: One of the most popular multimedia pieces we're producing is our bi-monthly podcast, Holistic Health & Wellness. We average nearly 100 new subscribers every day. The thousands of subscribers who listen to the show really love the approachable nature of the show. It serves to introduce those interested in natural health to experts in the various fields, as well as the founders of natural products that are new to the market. You find the show on our website, in the iTunes store under Alternative Health, and in all popular podcast directories.

Jessi: Thank you for taking the time to answer these questions for me and my readers. It's refreshing to find a website that covers so many aspects of healing and natural health. I wish you all the success in the world and keep up the good work.

If anyone has any questions about the website, or to sign up as a holistic practitioner, feel free to contact Kelly and her staff via the site.

The A,B,C, and D of Health

2008-11-05T18:01:00.007Z

There are four basic steps to wellness. These are broken down in a way that's easy to remember.

A-Activate

B-Build

C-Cleanse

D-Direct Aid

Activating basically consists of quitting bad habits (smoking, drinking in excess, no exercise etc.) and incorporating more meditation, exercise, and healthy hobbies to keep the mind and body active. It could be something as simple as taking a class at the gym or learning how to do pottery. I think you see where I'm going with this. Get up and move.

Building means eating more fresh fruits and veggies. The RDA is 10 servings a day. I think you can do better then that. My motto is "A salad a day keeps Jessi away". Not that I want to be away from everyone, but I'd rather see you healthy and happy then sick and needing me to fix you. I always prefer building with healthy foods rather then shoving pills down your throat. It just seems to work better. Possibly because foods are more bio available than pills. And you never know if the supplements you're getting are from a quality source. I've gotten violently sick from a multivitamin I bought at a gym. Now if you are severely deficient then you will have to take a supplement or two. Probiotics have to be supplemented because they are killed off from the sugar in yogurt. And high doses of Vitamin C helps relieve mucous and fights cancer. And for those with central nervous system disorders, adrenal exhaustion, mental fatigue, and stress, a B complex vitamin is highly recommended. Be sure when buying any supplements you get the advice from a qualified practitioner.

Cleansing should only be performed when Activating and Building have been done for at least 3 months. I never recommend doing a cleanse when you are sick or not built up enough. You will suffer a healing crisis* and you will not be happy.

With that being said, cleansing can be performed many ways. You can use teas or supplements to cleanse your liver, spleen, digestive tract, urinary tract, and blood. There are also detox foot patches. They draw toxins through the more than 2000 pores in your feet. I've used them and trust me they work. Cleanses should be done twice a year. Think spring and fall cleanings. We are exposed to so many toxins on a daily basis that the build up is too much for cleansing just once a year.

Direct Aids are used when all else fails. You've improved your mental health, built yourself up with nutrients, and cleaned out all the toxins but you still feel lousy. Chances are the years of buildup took their toll and you either have an autoimmune disease (rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, fibromyalgia) or something a bit more serious. There are countless herbal and homeopathic remedies available for bodies greatly out of balance.

I also like to recommend Reiki and reflexology to a direct aid protocol. They relax you and open meridians to get energy flowing properly.

*Healing crisis means your symptoms get worse before they get better possibly resulting in a debilitating condition that can last weeks. Stopping all cleanses is recommended if symptoms get too much to handle. Repeat the A,B, and C steps and try cleansing again slowly.

Barcamp or Healthcamp?

2008-11-02T13:24:00.006Z

My husband and I attended Barcamp Cork yesterday. For those of you know don't know what a barcamp is, it's normally a techie meet up where people come to teach others things such as; how to blog properly or how to build your own website.

I watched one particular presentation on "how to barcamp". In that presentation I learned that you don't just have to be a techie to have your own discussion group. I found that many of the people attending barcamp also found value with my knowledge and skills as a practitioner of natural health and nutrition. I had several people come to me and say that I should have a discussion group, or full on presentation, to share what I knew. So I did just that.

The group I had were fantastic. They conveyed to me how much they enjoyed my discussion topics (digestion, elimination, and type II diabetes to name a few) and hadn't realized how important good digestion was. I'm sure they also found it a reprieve from all the techie talk ;-) I loved sharing my knowledge and expertise in my field and will gladly do it again at the next barcamp.

I was also asked to host a Healthcamp to continue to educate those interested in natural health. Healthcamp would consist of presentations by me along with practitioners of healing modalities such as reiki, reflexology, massage, and chiropractics. And anyone else that has information to share on what they've learned in the natural health field. Not sure of the scale or diversity yet, but it's a project in motion.

If you have any suggestions on topics you would like to hear, please feel free to comment or contact me directly. I have years of knowledge and experience so I can go on for days. You've got to help me narrow it down.

Now barcamps aren't a way of selling a product or charging for services so don't worry about spending a dime. You just come, share, eat, learn, and enjoy yourself.

Inflammation : The Omega Remedy

2008-10-17T13:20:00.015+01:00

An inflammatory response is caused by many things including an invading virus, bacteria, or yeast/fungal infection as well as injury to joints, muscles, or tendons. Less well known causes are food allergy and/or deficiency. I'll be explaining that cause more in depth in this post. When inflammation occurs we should take notice of the symptoms and act immediately as inflammation starts off as a helpful indicator, but can also become a chronic deteriorating condition.

A quote taken from another website about inflammation states: "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 infected or somehow abnormal."

Only one problem with that statement, "no foreign substances.." Allopathic doctors have yet to figure out that a foreign substance doesn't have to be a virus or bacteria, it could simply be food. Food that your body is allergic to as a result of inflammatory response from a lack of essential fatty acids like Omega 3,6, and 9. These essential, meaning absolutely necessary and not synthesized by the human body, fats are necessary for proper brain and nerve sheath development, as well as immune function on a cellular level. Let's examine a few facts about fats and their uses.

Brain Development- The brain is 60% fat and needs a balanced amount of EPA/DHA for proper development and function. Studies have shown that children with less of these essential fats, found in breast milk, suffered lower test scores and more ADD/ADHD symptoms that those with more. DHA has been linked in the making of neurotransmitters and the nerve sheath.

There have also been cases where skin blemishes because of hormonal imbalances have cleared up as a result of supplementing Omega 6, or GLA (Gamma Linoleic Acid).

Immune function- Omega fatty acids are vital for the healthy permeability of cellular membranes. Without these fats to maintain healthy cells an inflammatory response will result as homeostasis is interrupted. Homeostasis is the maintenance of static, or constant, conditions in the internal environment of the cell and, on a larger scale, the human body as a whole. In other words, with a disturbance in cellular membrane structure or function, virtually all cellular processes are disrupted. In the article on homeostasis it also discusses how too much permeability has a negative effect. Over-permeability will result in toxins easily penetrating the cell membrane because they don't have filters to keep them out.

To sum up this means if there is no penetration to nourish our cells, or too much penetration allowing toxins to freely enter our cells, they will die.

We get mainly Omega 6 fatty acids in our diet, but it's in dangerously high amounts. They are mainly derived from processed grains that have altered Omega 6 from it's healthful state. This causes an imbalance of Omega 6:3 which should be about 4:1. Most diets cause it to go up to as high as twenty, thiry, or even fifty to one.

Even with the imbalance, or the over consumption, of Omega 6 vs 3, I still find that when I give my clients an excellent source of GLA their hot flashes, PMS/PMT, and other immunodeficient symptoms ease or cease altogether. Thus proving that it's not only the amount but the source that is to blame. Know your sources of Omega fatty acids before you ingest them. For those of you who have an allergy to fish or seafood, flax oil is a excellent source of Omega 3. Women with hormonal imbalances can use starflower(borage) oil or evening primrose oil to deliver their hormones to where they need to be.

Some dry, but interesting articles on the topic of fats and blood aggregation, hormones, and cancers are here.

Anemia Reversing Foods and Supplements

2008-04-02T21:26:00.007+01:00

Recently I had a client come to me with a very low blood iron count. Also known as anemia. Here were a few foods and supplements I recommended to increase her iron count.

Foods:
Highest levels of iron foods are kidney beans, pinto beans, molasses, rice bran, raw beet greens, mustard greens, lentils, dried peaches, and prune juice. Apples, Apricots, asparagus, bananas, broccoli, egg yolks, kelp, leafy greens (except spinach-it has oxalic acid that prevents iron uptake), parsley, peas, plums, prunes, purple grapes, raisins, rice bran, squash, turnip greens, and yams. Lean meats like lamb, turkey, and veal (I don't recommend veal for personal reasons) are moderately high as well as dried apricots, cooked beet greens, dates, lima beans, chili, cooked spinach, and dry and fresh peas. Also eat foods high in Vitamin C for iron absorption.

Blackstrap molasses is also high in iron. Add to herbal tea or take straight.

Foods high in oxalic acid that interfere with iron absorption are: almonds,cashews, chocolate, cocoa, kale, rhubarb, soda, sorrel, spinach (raw), swiss chard, and most nuts. This doesn't mean you can't eat them forever, it's just until you get the anemia sorted. Also avoid dairy and ice cream until levels are stable for a few months. Tea and coffee also interfere with uptake.

Herbal supplements
Alfalfa, bilberry, cherry, dandelion, grape skins, hawthorn berry, mullein, nettle, oregon grape root, pau d'arco, red raspberry, and yellow dock.

If you are pregnant avoid Oregon Grape Root. Best for pregnancy would be Red Raspberry as it tonifies reproductive organs.

But Why?

2008-03-19T20:25:00.008Z

During a consultation this morning I was advising my client to avoiding wheat. It tested as being a toxin for her so I gave her some alternatives. Then her son added that a local bakery makes spelt bread. Delighted in the news I told her it would be best to start buying that instead. That's until I actually went to the bakery to investigate this wonderful new discovery.

Being sensitive to wheat myself I had to check it out. Upon entering I noticed they were all sold out, but I did see the sign for it listing some of the ingredients. It stated, "New wheat free spelt bread made with no additives or preservatives. Made with Spelt and Soya Milk." What? Soya milk? But why? And why can't I seem to get away from this dreaded bean?

I asked the woman behind the counter if they could make it with just cow's milk (which I dislike as well but it's better than soy) or another alternative to a milk product. She just shrugged and said they get in what the main location makes. See, there are 3 bakeries in this small town and all of them are the same company. Don't ask. And of course I had to go into the one that isn't the 'main' location. So now I have to write a letter to the bakery and ask if they will change the ingredient for 'soy sensitive' people like myself. You don't even want to know me when I'm eating soy. I'm like a bear with a toothache.

The woman at the bakery suggested I make my own bread. Does she know who she's talking to? I haven't the foggiest idea how to make bread. Something about yeast rising? This is so frustrating. I just want to go to a bakery and buy a bread that wont deplete me of minerals or make me fat. Wheat makes me load on the pounds.

Since moving to Ireland I've had to get acquainted with a few fun facts. 1. I'll never get a decent salad in a restaurant again, 2. soya flour is quickly becoming a staple ingredient in all breads, and 3. if I want to survive I'm just going to have to make all of my own meals, forever.

I guess it's true what they say; if you want something done right, you just have to do it yourself.

Cholesterol Myths Exposed!

2008-03-18T17:16:00.005Z

How many of you are on Lipitor or another cholesterol lowering drug? Now how many of you feel like crap? Just what I thought.

Here is an excerpt from the website Second Opinions ...

"Cholesterol is an essential component in the body. It is found in all the cells of the body, particularly in the brain and nerve cells. Body cells are continually dying and new ones being made. Cholesterol is a major building block from which cell walls are made. Cholesterol is also used to make a number of other important substances: hormones (including the sex hormones), bile acids and, in conjunction with sunlight on the skin, vitamin D 3 . The body uses large quantities of cholesterol every day and the substance is so important that, with the exception of brain cells, every body cell has the ability to make it."

Visit this website to get a more thorough explanation of cholesterol and the facts about fats and coronary heart disease.

Most people think that you get cholesterol from the diet. In a way it's true. Foods that have cholesterol in them can get into the bloodstream, several studies have proven that. But for the most part your liver produces it. In fact, your liver produces more cholesterol when you don't get it from your diet. Hmmm does that mean that maybe it's necessary for proper function of all vital organs and body systems?

Cholesterol is produced by the liver to save your life. It binds to toxins that you take in on a daily basis and passes them safely out of your body. If you produce too little cholesterol and smoke, eat preservatives and food additives, inhale other airborne pollutants, and/or eat too much sugar, you most likely suffer from coronary heart disease or an array of other illnesses because you couldn't protect yourself.

Another important use for cholesterol is hormone delivery. I've known menopausal women who had cholesterol in the 300's (American reading) and suffered no hot flashes or symptoms of any kind. They owed it all to their HDL or High Density Lipoproteins. One way to remember HD is to refer to it as "Hormone Delivery".

For more information on what your cholesterol levels are, check with your doctor. For more information on what that test actually means, check with me.

Allergy Testing and Blood Type Diet Myth

2008-03-05T15:36:00.004Z

Lately I have been doing so many allergy tests for foods that I've reformatted my consultations. Now when you come to see me the first thing I do is go over everything you eat for breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks. Then, through kinesiology, I test your body systems and all other whole foods that are found in your area. I will never test for Super Macs, Chinese food or the like because I already know the answer and it's an insult to every one's intelligence, including my own.

I used to strictly follow the Blood Type Diet by Dr. Peter D'Adamo with great success. Now since moving to Ireland I've noticed that no two people are the same even if their blood types match. There are several reasons why certain foods do well with one person and not with another.

Reasons Include, but are not limited to:

Heredity-We have to date back your specific bloodline, not your blood type, to accurately test for allergies. No one in Ireland can eat wheat and not have some sort of reaction to it. I will discuss types of allergy symptoms below.
HCI and enzyme count present in the stomach, liver, gall bladder, pancreas, etc. Too little means food doesn't get broken down. When that happens, whole particles go through your digestive tract and can cause food sensitivities and digestive disorders. (Leaky Gut Syndrome).
Blood Type can play a roll in what you are sensitive to. Even if you have all enzymes and HCI present, you can still not process healthy foods correctly and that leads to weight gain, weight loss, digestive disorders, and even undigested proteins in your bloodstream. That is never a good thing. Proteins in the blood can lead to agglutination (sticky cells) and cause tumors that may or may not become malignant. Never go by blood type alone as a rule.
Weak immune system response.

Here is an excerpt I found in the book 'Food Allergy Relief' by James Braly, M.D.

"A food allergy develops when your immune system, by means of an odd mixture of immune cells, antibodies, and chemical mediators, reacts in an attempt to reject a food in your diet. Food allergy can result in death-from intestinal lymphomas, osteoporotic hip fractures, and asthma-or can create a living hell with years of unending pain and misery."

This is scary considering most people have no clue as to why they are sick or where the sickness stems from. Well guess what? 80% of your immune system stems from your gut. That's right. What you put in is what you get out. People use the phrase "You are what you eat". I like to go one step further and say "You are what you eat, digest, assimilate, and don't eliminate". If you have foods that you can't digest or cause allergies sitting in your colon, what do you think it's doing to the friendly flora that's supposed to be present? Or the nutrients that aren't being absorbed into your bloodstream because you're colon is toxic or inflammed? It's killing you.

There are 4 types of immune reactions in food allergy. Types 1, 2, 3, and 4. I will discuss Types 1 and 3 as they are the most common. More than one type of allergy can occur at the same time.

Type 1: Immediate-Onset Food Allergies

Occurs in less than 5% of the population and mostly in children.
Symptoms are stomach cramping, vomiting, nausea, diarrhea, dull aching, bloating, heartburn, indigestion, constipation, gas, skin rashes, hives, eczema, swelling, wheezing, asthma, the sneezing stuff nose of a patient with allergic rhinitis, or the most dreaded, anaphylaxis.
Other symptoms/diseases that are caused by food allergies are Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, epilepsy, and psoriasis.
Happens from a few minutes to two hours after consumption.

Type 3-Delayed-Onset Food Allergy

More common than Type 1
Occurs from 2 hours to several days after consumption of allergenic foods (migraines occur within 48 hours)
Reactions emanate from organs or tissue provoking more than 100 allergenic symptoms and well over 100 medical diseases.

A partial list includes:

Allergic Rhinitis, nonseasonal
Ankyslosing Spondylitis
Anxiety, panic attacks
Asthma
ADHD
Autism (due to milk and gluten in cereals)
Bed-Wetting
Depression
Diabetes, insulin-dependent (Type 1)
Eczema
Epilepsy
Fatigue, chronic
Fibromyalgia
Headaches (migraines, cluster)
Inflammatory Bowel Disease (Chrone's, ulcerative colitis, and Celiac Disease)
Iron deficiency anemia
Irritable bowel syndrome
Middle ear disease
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Sleep disorders

So before you rush you or your child to the doctor for a mental or physical ailment or disease, consider changing your diet first. A holistic nutritionist may be just what you need to feel better both physically and mentally. Supplements can be taken so flush your body of toxins, repopulate friendly flora, reverse allergies to certain foods, and help prevent or reverse poor nutrient status in patients with mal-absorption.

Helpful supplements are Quercetin Bioflavonoid, Probiotics, MSM, Glutamine, Omega Fatty Acids, and Vitamins and Minerals. Keeping a balance of healthy nutrients found in fruits and vegetables is the best line of defense. Rotation diets are highly recommended to relieve the gut of allergens. Slow reincorporation of allergenic foods, except dairy and glutens, is also recommended with certain supplements to build the body's immune response. Thus allowing you a larger menu to choose from.

Consult your doctor or Natural Health Consultant.

Wheat,Weight Gain, and Mucoid Plaque

2008-02-25T20:53:00.005Z

If you're like the hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of people out there with wheat afflictions you might not know this. Even though symptoms don't show up while you're eating wheat, it could be the silent allergen. Here's a quick test to find out if you are allergic. First get a reading of your resting heart rate of beats per 15 seconds before you eat. Then have a slice of bread or some wheat crackers. Wait one hour and test your heart rate again. If your rate is up at least 2 beats every 15 seconds, you have a wheat allergy. You can test this with all foods, but it is time consuming and can't really be done with all foods as you may grow too hungry to wait. Just the main food allergies like wheat, onions/garlic, beef, corn, soy, and dairy products should be tested this way. Others can be tested through blood or by a kinesiologist.

Obvious food allergies are bloating, gassy, cramps, pains in joints, back, neck or head, and skin rashes. Most people don't realize what foods actually do to the human body. Just because it's a fruit, vegetable, grain, or nut, doesn't meant it's the right thing for you to be eating. Allergies and sensitivities are no laughing matter. Simple upset stomachs can lead to more serious symptoms like Chrone's Disease or Celiac's or even asthma (anaphylaxis).

Another huge problem with wheat, if you are allergic or sensitive to it, is it's a leading cause of weight gain. Wheat will slowly, but surely, make you very overweight, if not obese, if consumed when it should be avoided. Some people can process wheat products and suffer no ill effects, while others just look at wheat and gain 5 pounds.

If you are on a healthy weight loss diet full of fruits, veggies, nuts, beans, legumes, and grains and you're still not losing or even gaining weight, consider your grain source. Most people benefit from spelt pastas and breads and suffer no increase in weight. It's a healthy alternative and it's just delicious. Also consider kamut or rye breads instead. You'll have to visit a health food store to get these breads as they aren't sold in most grocery stores in Ireland as of yet.

Sprouted breads are the best alternative. In an earlier post I've linked a recipe for sprouted bread. All grains should be eaten just after they are sprouted. Oats, barley, and even wheat should all be soaked in water and consumed after sprouting. That way they are in their live form and give us the most nourishment with the least toxic response.

There is one last thing I will say about why we shouldn't consume grains in their refined or processed form. Two words: mucoid plaque. This link has pictures that are not for the squeamish. Click on the link for acid/alkalizing foods, and mucoid forming foods . You'll be shocked by the amount of mucous producing foods are in your everyday diet. Foods that seemed harmless, until now.

I highly recommend everyone to slowly change their diets away from the acid over to the alkaline and then do a cleanse. Only cleanse if you are healthy enough to do it. If you are at all sick DO NOT attempt a cleanse. It will make symptoms worse. You can also try to supplement vitamins and minerals before a cleanse to make sure you don't deplete all the good with the bad.

Contact me for more information.

P.S. Most breads on the market contains soya flour. Avoid these breads as well. Soya is a know mucous producer and depletes minerals. Also known to rapidly advance puberty in girls and slow it in boys.

Shocking News About Garlic

2008-02-20T16:00:00.005Z

Garlic, Allium sativum L, is in the onion family Alliaceae. It's used for cooking and medicinal purposes. Up until recently I thought there were no side effects other than upset stomach from a sulphur sensitivity. This is just not so.

I had a consultation with a 4 year old femle client the other day and through kinesiology found that she has a virus present. Well, being 4 and unable to swallow pills (without testing her) I suggested rubbing fresh garlic on the soles of her feet just before bed. It's an excellent anitbacteria and viral as well as having many other healing/cleansing properties. So her Mother did what I suggested and in less than a minute her daugher was screaming in pain and pleading with her to remove it. Thinking her daughter was just being dramatic as kids can be, I know I've witnessed it loads of times, she removed it and put her to bed.

In the morning she went to her daughters beside and looked at her foot again to see if there really was a problem. Unbelievably she had what appeared to be a red burn mark on her skin the size of the clove of garlic. By the end of the day her cheeks were flushed as well.

Ruling out that she's a vampire, I went and searched for other known cases of garlic sensitivity. Apparently it's a known fact that the allicin (sulphur compound) present in crushed garlic can cause symptoms of 'skin irritation, reddening and even blistering. Low level intolerance or excessive intake can result in heartburn or flatulence.'

I'd recommended it to clients before and even heard of other people doing it for their kids with no ill effects. Garlic is still the number one thing I recommend to small children and infants to relieve colds, flus, fevers, and any bacterial/viral infections because of it's fast healing benefits. Plus it doesn't need to be ingested. Just be careful and heed a word of warning.

If you are going to apply garlic to the feet, please do a patch test if a kinesiologist is not available. If you notice any signs of sensitivity, wash the area immediately and apply aloe. This should counteract any blistering.

Another way we found there was a sulfer allergy was her reaction to her inhaler for asthma. It too contains a sulphite that when ingested causes her to become angry and tempermental. She was described as "being a totally different person" when on the inhaler. I asked the mother to consult her doctor to see if a change could be made. She then told me the doctors told her there were no other alternatives.

Now I don't for one single second believe there is only 1 asthma inhaler drug for acute symptoms on the market. I don't mess with emergency situations as natural health is slow healing over a period of time, so I told her to call other doctors here and even in other countries for their advice on the matter. Remember this: Doctor's are glorified sales people. They will never speak of a drug they are not promoting because they have no knowledge of it. That doesn't mean the drugs don't exist, it simply means they aren't aware of it and don't get a kickback from recommending it. Please go to several sources for information, hit the web, and get yourself educated on matters of health for you and your children. Never hand over full responsibility for the health and welfare of yourself and others to anyone. If something sounds odd or untrue, do the research. Information is there for the taking and no one has more access to information than you.

Chromium and the Quorn Debate

2008-02-18T22:34:00.004Z

So I'm sitting here next to my box of Cadbury chocolate the boy gave me for Valentine's Day. The box, that held two layers of chocolates, is almost gone. I endulge myself occasionally and gorge a few chocs, nothing wrong with that. Luckily I have the willpower not to go overboard with it.

I will admit that around menstrual time I do get the intense craving for all things chocolate. So yes I feel I owe it to myself to allow a treat or two. But again never OVER endulge. I usually can't eat more than one or two anyway, it's just too sweet.

Where am I going with this you ask? Chromium. Chromium is a trace mineral in your body that when not present causes a sweet craving from an imbalance of blood sugar levels. Of course eating sugar isn't the correct response, yea I know that but I don't listen to myself, so taking a quick supplement or eating a food high in chromium is a better protocol.

The debate continues between me and twitterland about the health benefits of Quorn brand non-meat subsititues. If you go to Quorns website they profess that it's made from mycoprotein (a mushroom). They give a breezy description of how they manufacture this delicious treat, but what they don't tell you is alarming. The fact is, it comes from a fungus called Fusarium venenatum strain PTA-2684. And is grown in vats, not in nature like you would assume.

As stated on wired.com "...Quorn is a kind of fungus, and it's not at all a kind of mushroom."

Read the entire wired.com post on Quorn and tell me if you'll be eating it again. I've never had a reaction to it, like 550 have (550 out of millions I might add). But the idea of eating a fungus turns my stomach a little. Plus one thats grown in a vat in England. Mmmm tasty!

More Soy Myths Exposed

2008-02-17T01:02:00.002Z

Another article giving explicit details about the Deadly Soybeans Lie Promotes Bad Food Roun The World. Had quite the debate on twitter tonight about it. Hard to believe people want to defend all soy products. The research has been done and science has proven the ill affects of soy. It's in black and white people. Ignorance I can understand, get educated. But arrogant ignorance is just uncessary and does more harm than good.

P.S. And to answer your question, NO the FDA is not there to protect or help us. They are there to promote money making schemes and products and rub elbows with pharmaceutical companies. Don't trust them EVER!!!

What the Doctor's Couldn't Fix, I Could

2008-02-12T15:29:00.001Z

After finishing up with my client this afternoon, my fiance and I went to lunch at a nearby cafe. When I went inside to pay I saw one of my coworkers from the health food shop I work at sitting at a table. I got her attention and said my hellos. She called me over and told me of a customer I had helped the other day. She went on to tell me that it was the woman who was complaining of a pain in her lower left side (descending colon area). I remembered vividly the conversation I had with her in reference to the pain. A pain that was so bad it kept her awake at night.

I asked the customer what other symptoms she had and what her bowel movements looked like. And yes I do have to know that as gross as it sounds. She informed me that at certain times it was more yellow in color. That told me liver or possibly gall bladder immediately. Other symptoms were puffy eyes and malaise.

Just standing there talking to her I could sense that the problem was more liver. I muscle tested her and found it to be so. I recommeded dandelion root for its tonifying and cleansing effects. She had little funds so she couldn't afford the probiotics I recommended as well. I decided dandelion was the better of the two for that particular situation. It would cleanse her liver, gall bladder, kidneys,stomach, pancreas, blood, and intestines. It soothes the digestive tract and absorbs toxins, and is rich in minerals to balance the body and promote healing. Dandelion also acts as a mild diuretic for abnormal water weight gain due to taxed kidneys or lack of minerals.

Probiotics taken as a supplement or in foods like yogurt repopulate the friendly flora (bacteria) in the intestinal tract to allow for nutrient digestion and assimilation. It can provide relief from certain food sensitivities, bacterial or fungal/yeast infections, and boost the immune system.

Well, come to find out the pain ceased within 36 hours of starting the dandelion and hasn't returned. All other symptoms have reverse as well.

This customer had previously gone to the doctor to rule out cancer, cysts or any other major problem. All tests came out normal but the pain persisted. The doctors were perplexed and since all tests came back negative, there was nothing they could do. Thankfully she cared enough about her health not to take pain killers, and sought out natural remedies instead.

Fatal and Vital Foods - Popular Nutrition Myths Exposed

2008-02-11T20:53:00.000Z

This is an amazing article sent to me by a friend.

Fatal and Vital Foods - Popular Nutrition Myths Exposed

Read the entire website for great information about topics such as vaccines, preventing Parkinson's disease, and many other great articles focused on keeping you healthy.

Genetics Vs. Learned Behaviour Part Two

2008-02-08T16:13:00.000Z

Just something I found on Digg that was peaked my interest. Tell me what you think about "Mississippi Law: No Fat People Allowed"

Personally I don't agree with taking a majority of the blame for obesity out of the hands of the obese. If healthy foods are available to them but they choose to eat unhealthy, then it's their own fault for being fat. Not having willpower to eat right is not something I take lightly. You know what you're doing but don't stop yourself from pigging out and I'm supposed to feel bad for you? I don't think so.

I understand that a large number of people need help when choosing the right foods. There are so many conflicting articles about what is and isn't healthy. Like soy for instance. But if you aren't knowledgable about this topic ASK SOMEONE WHO IS!! Buy a book, take a class, go to a heath food store and ask some questions. There are millions of ways to get information on eating right. Go to a gym and ask someone there, surf the internet for blogs (ahem *points to self*). But the one thing you should never ever ever do, is believe what you see on TV. Unless it's a natural health program.

If it's mainstream media, it's bollox!! It's genetically modified information broadcast to you to get money. If a company that's said to have health products advertises on any medium besides word of mouth or pamphlets at a health food store, they've spent too much money on getting the word out and not on the product itself. I sell a pet food in my shop in the States and the day I see it advertised on TV, it's gettting pulled off my shelf. No products I recommend ever hit the airwaves.

Genetics Vs. Learned Behaviour

2008-02-07T10:46:00.001Z

Science shows genetics may play a part in obesity. Some people are more prone to gain weight than others. Slower metabolism from a depressed thyroid can cause a number of symptoms as well. One of course being weight gain. Putting that aside, could the problem acually be a learned behaviour? How much are we allowing science to mask the real problem?

Looking back on my friends in primary (elementary) school, I'd estimate that 90% of my class were at their ideal weight. In fact, obesity was so rare that the heavier kids were picked on as it wasn't the norm of the times. I went to a friends house, who was on the heavier side, and met her family. Not suprisingly all of her family members were obese. I was invited to stay for dinner. I graciously agreed because upon arriving I was treated to cookies and milk, so I figured dinner would be a treat as well.

I observed her mother making dinner and noticed a few things that, realizing now, shouldn't have been on the menu. Frozen chips (french fries) cooked in a deep fat frier, pork chops loaded with grease, white bread and butter, and frozen peas warmed on the stove with butter. I loved all of it and had seconds for the first time in my life.

Her mother cooked mostly whole foods, but how she cooked them and what she put on them afterwards was the problem. Fats, hard fats that don't metabolise well if at all. Plus she was a caterer so an array of fatty foods were available at all times. Cookies, cakes, crisps (chips), and an array of sweets all in the pantry for our consumption. My friend didn't run around as much as I did or play sports of any kind to burn off these extra calories so she gained weight. I didn't like what I was fed at home because it was either canned, processed, or cooked to a crisp and good fats were never added. So that had a tendency to keep my weight in check.

What people don't seem to understand is what you put in is what you get out. Just because some people have a faster metabolism and can eat whatever they want to keep the weight off doesn't mean they are healthier for it. Foods are medicinal and not eating the right ones will show in an obvious symtom, fat.

My view about genetics vs learned behaviour all boils down to this. Instead of it being written in one's genetic code that one will be fat, maybe it's more of an inherited deficiency dis-ease that's been passed down from the mother because of poor prenatal care. Then perpetuated by what the children are being fed and thusly taught to feed themselves later in life. This could have started several generations ago or become a newer problem with the latest pregnancy. What this means is; if your ancestors never got proper nutrition, like iodine to nourish the thyroid, then maybe that deficiency of low iodine was passed to you through your bloodlines and continued with the foods you're being fed. When breastfeeding, you cannot get nutritients from a person that just doesn't possess them.

So maybe genetics does play a part, just not in the way you would think.

Foods have changed over the years, but how to prepare them in your kichen hasn't. Think about this. Do you have recipes from your grandmother on how to prepare her trade family secrets? How did you learn how to cook? Do you prepare the same things "like mom used to make?"

I grew up in a household where canned vegetables, processed meats, packaged microwavable dinners, and fizzy soda were drinks served daily. I wasn't obese because I never over endulged in these foods and I played sports to burn off the extra calories. The only side effects I noticed looking back were concentration difficulties and depression from a lack of essential nutrients. But my father, on the other hand, was overweight. He ate twice the amount everyone in the family did at dinnertime and loaded his food with black pepper (very acidic, not recommended). This lead to a 'pot belly' or 'beer gut' effect even though he never drank.

Long story short, it was because the foods he ate gave him an enzyme and HCI deficiency that lead to improper digestion. The processed foods he ate were not bioavailable or digestable so they stayed in his intestines causing the look of obesity when in fact it was an impacted bowel. Yes, that's just what it sounds like. He was full of s***.

Over the years the problem became worse, leading to two hernia operations as his intestines broke throug his abdominal muscles. The end result of a lifetime of improper diet causing poor digestion was pancreatic cancer that took his life in September 2003. He was only 61 years old.

Seeing this pattern unfold in front of me lead me to do several things. The biggest one, of course, being reevaluate my entire diet. I replaced all harmful processed foods with whole foods and no ingredients I couldn't pronounce and I'm all the better for it. I take supplement my body needs to thrive and have slowed the aging process by eating healthy, medicinal foods and keeping up on my physical activity.

Obesity will never be a problem for me because I know what causes it, how to prevent it, and even how to reverse it once it's begun. I'm just sorry it took losing my father to teach me that lesson.

Chlorella-The Complete Food Supplement

2008-02-06T19:50:00.001Z

I started a new job at a health food store and came across a supplement that I'd heard about so many times, but just couldn't remember what it was for. It's called Chlorella and the effects it has on your body is just amazing.

Usually when recommending a supplement program for someone just starting out I always try to build them up (vitamins, minerals, etc..) first. Then I allow for a cleanse. If you don't do it in this order you will most certainly suffer a healing crisis. In other words, you'll feel worse before you feel better.

So when I saw this herb, or should I say algae, I was intrigued because it has building and cleansing capabilities. The cleansing doesn't begin until 3-4 months after being on the supplement, so there's no need to worry about a healing crisis.

I recommend all vegetarians to take this supplement. It's a complete protein with all 8 amino acids, and is more bioavailable than proteins in meat. They are already broken down into separate amino acids allowing for immediate digestion and uptake.

Read the link on Chlorella and learn about all the wonderful benefits of this complete food supplement. You'll wonder how you survived without it.

Work Stress, Hack Your Metabolism, Ashwagandha

2008-02-04T21:26:00.002Z

Let's attack the work atmosphere. The biggest problem in most work environments is stress.

Stress comes in many forms. A few examples are:

Deadlines-too much to do in too little time.

Office 'Soap Operas"-crabby backstabbing coworkers who will do anything to get to the top a.k.a. 'yes man' or 'brown-noser'. Both equally annoying and almost impossible to ignore.

Office Romance-a no no in my book, but where else are you going to meet someone you can get to know on a daily basis? A pub? No thanks. Just make sure if it gets hot and heavy that you have an exit plan to avoid the uncomfortable atmosphere you're going to create.

Micromanagers-managers that watch and comment on every little thing you do. Can't go to the bathroom without being questioned. This needs to be adressed to the manager causing the offense or possibly upper management who might not be aware that it is going on. Be tacticle though. No one like a whiner.

So where am I going with all this? Relaxation exercises that you can do before, during, or after work.

I recently came across Zenhabits, a blogsite devoted to zenning out. Check out the 17 Unbeatable Ways to Create a Peaceful, Relaxed Workday

Learn how to Hack Your Metabolism with lifehacker.com Their recent post states..."Personal trainer and blogger Lauren proposes that you can bolster your metabolism by eating enough (not too little, like most people who diet), eating more frequently (5-6 small meals a day), and adding more protein and fiber to your diet. Exercise should also be added to your daily regimen. Weight-training, building muscles, and doing more high-intensity cardiovascular exercise are critical."

Herb of the Day-Ashwagandha-A personal favorite of mine

Ashwagandha root is a herb of the ages. It is the 'ginseng' of Ayurvedic medicine, the traditional medicine of India and is considered an 'adaptogen', a term used to describe herbs that improve physical energy and athletic ability, increase immunity to colds and infections and increase sexual capacity and fertility.

One reason for ashwagandha's reputation as a general energy-promoting, disease-preventing tonic may be its effect on the immune system. A number of studies have shown significant increases in white blood cell counts and other measures of strengthened immunity in rodents given ashwagandha or certain chemicals extracted from the herb.

Ashwagandha may also have a mild sedative effect on the central nervous system and in animal studies it has been shown to be a muscle relaxant. It is commonly used to increase vitality, particularly when recovering from chronic illnesses and pain management for arthritic conditions. Ashwagandha may also help regulate blood sugar which aids in suppressing sugar cravings.

Research shows ashwagandha may be a promising alternative for cancer treatment and prevention. Ashwagandha seems to show positive effects on the endocrine, cardio, and central nervous systems. It is one herb that could help your body produce it's own thyroid hormones. Ashwagandha is used to restore male libido, cure impotence and increase male fertility. It is widely used in southern Asia as a male sexuality tonic.

Latin Names: Withania somnifera, Physalis flexuosa Common Names: Ashwagandha, Winter Cherry, Ashgandh, Achuvagandi, Amikkira-gadday, Amkulang-kalang, Amukkira-kilzhangu, Amukran-kizhangu, Asagandha, Asana, Asgandh, Asundha, Asvagandhi, Fatarfoda, Hirimaddina-gadday, Hirre-gadday, Penneroo-gadda, Pevette, Sogade-beru

Suggested Properties: Strengthens immune system, antioxidant, rejuventaing. abortifacient, adaptogen, antibiotic, aphrodisiac, astringent, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-anxiety, anti-tumor, immuno-modulating, diuretic; narcotic, sedative, tonic.

Uses: Increase immunity to colds & infections, vitality, male fertility and libido. Combats impotence and helps regulate blood sugar.

Indicated for: Insomnia, Slows tumor growth,Anxiety,Reduces Cholesterol

Preliminary studies indicate that the herb helps to reduce the negative effects of stress, slow tumour growth, treat anxiety and insomnia, and reduce cholesterol in addition to increasing sexual performance. Ashwaghanda is generally safe at the doses recommended on the packaging. In high doses it may have steroidal activity similar to Creatine.

Research on ashwagandha has concluded that extracts of the plant has a direct spermatogenic influence on the seminiferous tubules of immature rats presumably by exerting a testosterone-like effect1. It is could also a potential source of hypoglycemic, diuretic and hypocholesterolemic agents2. Because ashwagandha has traditionally been used to treat various diseases associated with nerve tissue damage related to the destructive molecules known as free radicals, some researchers have speculated that the herb may have antioxidant properties. Free-radical damage plays a role in normal ageing and in such neurological conditions as epilepsy, Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease.

50 Ways To Lose Weight, HPV, Arnica

2008-02-02T21:45:00.001Z

Reader's Digest has just posted '50 Easy Ways to Lose Weight.." Lot's of ideas I completely agree with, except the pedometer. Those things never work right.

HPV increasingly causes oral cancer in men. They're cure? Vaccines. Read the article and decide for yourself what you think is best.

Herb of the Day-Arnica

Arnica grows in mountain woods and pastures of central Europe and Russia, the Pyrenees and in Northern America and Canada. The dried flower heads and rhizome are used herbally and was first used by Swiss mountaineers to help prevent sore and aching limbs. It has seldom been used internally, because of its irritant effect on the stomach. Its action is stimulant and diuretic, and it is chiefly used in low fevers and paralytic affections. As a homoeopathic tincture, Arnica has been used successfully in the treatment of epilepsy and for seasickness. Used on unbroken skin to alleviate sprains, muscle pains and dislocations, it is also said to be helpful when painted on unbroken chilblains. Applied promptly, it helps prevent the formation of bruises by stopping the capillaries from bleeding. It works by stimulating the activity of white blood cells which process congested blood, and by dispersing trapped fluids from joints and muscles and bumped and bruised tissue.
Latin Name: Arnica montana Common Names: Arnica, Leopard's Bane, Mountain Daisy, Mountain Tobacco, Wolf's Bane, Sneezewort Properties: Anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, discutient, stimulant and diuretic Indicated for: Muscle aches and pains, bruises, dislocations, sprains, chilblains, swelling, soothes tender feet, stimulates hair-growth
It also has anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial qualities and it is these that help to reduce pain and swelling as well as improving wound healing. Recent trials involving a team of rugby players and a group of mothers with young children compared the efficacy of different bruising treatments. A variety of bruising treatments were used including anti-oxidant injections, sports compresses, painkillers and vitamin K, which is thought to speed up healing, as well as Arnica cream and pillules. In virtually all cases, Arnica was the favoured option: while the cream was effective in treating bruises and swelling, the pillules also treat shock and can provide relief faster as there is no need for it to be absorbed through the skin. Other herbs to use to prevent the formation of bruising include calendula that is an all round skin herb. Taking vitamin C with bioflavonoids boosts the capillaries to withstand knocks. Adding 15ml of the tincture to a hot water footbath is said to provide relief for tender feet. Applied to the scalp it is said to stimulate hair growth. Although Arnica may be an historical remedy, modern science has showed that the role it plays doesn't stop at bruises. Increasing evidence suggests that it also may help the body recover from surgery, from toothache to childbirth. Research on dental patients showed that arnica helped to control pain and bleeding after treatment.
Note:
External use only. It has been used internally but is not recommended as some people are particularly sensitive to the plant and many severe cases of poisoning have resulted from its use. Likewise, repeated use externally may cause inflammations or other reactions; at the first signs of anything like this, stop taking it and consult a medical professional. Arnica must never be used on broken or lacerated skin or where blood is seeping.

The links between vaccines and autism is real

2008-01-31T22:33:00.001Z

The links between vaccines and autism is real-Check out this link. It covers topics like this one and others such as:

Why the AAP has no credibility
How vaccines harm children -- even when they work
Vaccine-pushing pediatricians are a threat to the health of children
The arrest and prosecution of vaccine pushers

And many more. A shocking read but one your children can't live without.

Herb of the Day-Aloe

2008-01-31T17:08:00.001Z

Aloe vera is one of the only known natural vegetarian sources of Vitamin B12, and it contains many minerals vital to the growth process and healthy function of all the body's systems. Numerous studies worldwide indicate that aloe vera is a general tonic for the immune system, helping it to fight illness of all kinds. Various research studies are underway to explore the potential of aloe vera components to boost immunity and combat the HIV virus, and to treat certain types of cancer (particularly leukemia). It may even have a role to play in managing diabetes.

Over 200 worldwide scientific research papers have been published on the effects of Aloe vera. The three main categories of research include anti-inflammatory, anti- bacterial, and anti-viral actions of Aloe vera. The juice is said to soothe digestive tract irritations such as colitis, ulcers and irritable bowel syndrome. Aloe's ability to encourage the release of pepsin (a gastric juice enzyme necessary for digestion) when the stomach is full is a possible reason for its ulcer-healing effects (Journal of the American Osteopathic Society, 1963, vol.62). In one study, oral use of Aloe for six months helped mitigate asthma symptoms in almost half of the participants. Eleven of twenty-seven patients studied who drank Aloe reported feeling better at the end of the study. Researchers think that results might be due to stimulation of the immune system, as well as naturally occurring anti-inflammatory agents in Aloe vera.

In 1994, the US Food and Drug Administration approved Aloe vera for the treatment of HIV. On-going studies worldwide show that Aloe taken in highly concentrated doses can stimulate the production of white blood cells that may help fight viruses and also tumours.
Latin Name: L. Aloe vera, Aloe barbadensis var miller, Aloe vera var. chinensis, Aloe vulgaris, Aloe vera var. lanzae, Aloe indica, Aloe barbadensis var. chinensis, Aloe vera var. wratislaviensis, Aloe elongata, Aloe vera var. littoralis, Aloe perfoliata var. vera, Aloe perfoliata var. barbadensis, Aloe flava, Aloe chinensis, Aloe barbadensis, Aloe lanzae. Common Names: Aloe vera, True Aloe Suggested Properties: Anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, anti-viral and energy tonic Indicated for: Digestive tract irritations such as colitis, ulcers and irritable bowel syndrome, cleansing stomach, liver, kidneys, spleen, bladder and colon, arthritis, asthma, bladder and kidney infections, cancer, constipation, diverticular disorders, haemorrhoids, heartburn, heart disease, HIV, immune stimulation, indigestion, insomnia, kidney disease, leg cramps, leukemia, skin health, stomach distress, tumours, vaginitis, vaginal douche, viruses, white blood cell production and general health tonic.

Aloe vera contains protein, calcium, magnesium, zinc, vitamins A, B12 and E, essential fatty acids and is naturally rich in: Vitamin C which helps maintain tone of blood vessels and promotes good circulation and is essential to the health of the adrenal gland which supports our body in times of stress. Amino acids which are chains of atoms constructing protein in our body. Enzymes, which are the life-principle in every live, organic atom and molecule of natural raw food, rejuvenate aged tissues and promote healthy skin.

Germanium which is a mineral that some health authorities claim therapeutic benefits for: immunodeficiency, pain, cardiac disorders, circulatory disturbances and eye problems. Aloe vera juice is said to be one of the finest body cleansers, cleaning morbid matter from the stomach, liver, kidneys, spleen, bladder, and is considered the finest, known colon cleanser. Studies have shown that it is healing and soothing in the relief of indigestion, stomach distress and ulcers. People claim relief from arthritis, bladder and kidney infections; leg cramps, constipation, hemorrhoids, insomnia, and for vaginitis, it is said to be an excellent vaginal douche. An excellent internal tonic for energy and well being.

Aloe juice may add greatly to the strength of the food fed, digestive tract, skin, and overall good health and happiness. It is also used to ease heartburn, ulcers, diverticular disorders, and other types of digestive upset. It is used as an anti-inflammatory and may be taken internally as a remedy for certain digestive complaints. European folk medicine calls for using Aloe vera juice to relieve heartburn and ulcers. Preliminary research has shown promising results. Clinical trials in Japan indicate that certain compounds in Aloe vera reduce the secretion of stomach juices and the formation of lesions.

Animal studies and anecdotal reports claim that drinking Aloe vera juice or taking it as a tablet or capsule can reduce swelling and inflammation in arthritic joints. Drinking Aloe vera juice may also help those asthmatic patients who are not dependent on cortico-steroids. In 1997, University of San Antonio researcher Jeremiah Herlihy, Ph.D., conducted a study to observe any negative effects of drinking Aloe daily. Rather than exhibiting negative effects, however, test animals receiving daily Aloe showed a remarkable reduction in leukemia, heart disease, and kidney disease. Dr. Herlihy concluded, "We found no indication of harm done to the rats even at high levels." In fact, the Aloe-drinking animals actually lived 25 percent longer than those in the control group (IASC Conference, Texas, 1997). There is no single ingredient that makes Aloe vera potent and healthful. Researcher Robert Davis, Ph.D., an endocrinologist-biologist, explains that fifteen different compound groups of nutrients work together to make the plant effective.

This means that Aloe vera's effects cannot be synthesized easily in a laboratory. On the upside, this makes the plant useful across a wide spectrum of circumstances. And because the various elements that make Aloe effective are nutrients rather than drugs, Aloe juice may complement medical treatments. In fact some cancer patients state that Aloe vera seems to reduce nausea, increase energy, and may help to minimize low blood counts caused by chemotherapy or radiation. Aloe vera may help adults, children, and even pets receive more value from daily foods and supplements.

Notes: If you are using oral corticosteroids, such as beclomethasone, methylprednisolone, or prednisone, it is important not to overuse or misuse Aloe vera juice. A potassium deficiency can develop, and you may experience toxic effects from the medication. Although it is removed, in practice Aloe vera juice may sometimes still contain tiny quantities of the laxative compound found in aloe latex. Should you begin to have cramps or diarrhea do not ingest any more of the juice. Allergies to aloe vera are very rare. Yet any food can be a potential allergen. Test a small amount on the inner arm to see if any reaction takes place. If no irritation on the skin is observed then it is generally tolerated. If ingestion causes diarrhea, then reduce the amount you ingest, increasing use slowly over several days until the desired amount is tolerated.

Tips and Tricks and Herb of the Day

2008-01-30T18:13:00.001Z

In a recent guest blog post on The Humble Housewife, I gave a few tips and tricks on how to get kids to eat healthy. One idea stated:

"It’s all about the packaging. Kids are wowed by brightly colored containers, so play into that. Get some creative packaging and put healthy foods in it. For instance, YOP yogurt drinks come in a plastic bottle with a twist cap and a fancy kid friendly logo. Buy that yogurt once and then refill it with this mixture:

Fresh plain unsweetened organic goat’s milk or cow’s milk yogurt (prefer goat’s milk)
Fresh strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, etc.
Honey

Mix all of the ingredients together and taste it. If it’s sweet and tasty they’ll love it. It’s in the right packaging. You may need to cook the fruit slightly to get it syrupy and soften the fruit. This is easily done on medium heat with the honey and a little water. "

And the Herb of the Day is Agnus Castus, a.k.a. Chaste Tree

Agnus Castus has been used since ancient times as a female remedy. One of its properties was to reduce sexual desire and it is recorded that Roman wives whose husbands were abroad with the legions spread the aromatic leaves on their couches for this purpose. It became known as the chasteberry tree. During the Middle Ages, Chasteberry's supposed effect on sexual desire led to it becoming a food spice at monasteries, where it was called "Monk's pepper" or "Cloister pepper." Traditionally, it has been an important European remedy for controlling and regulating the female reproductive system. Long used to regularise monthly periods and treat amenorrhea and dysmenorrhea, it was used to help ease menopausal problems and aid the birth process. Hippocrates, Dioscorides, and Theophrastus mention the use of Agnus Castus for a wide variety of conditions, including hemorrhage following childbirth, and also to assist with the 'passing of afterbirth'. Decoctions of the fruit and plant were also used in sitz baths for diseases of the uterus.

Because of the intact herbal culture in Germany and other parts of Europe, agnus-castus has not lost its popularity. In fact it remains probably the most commonly used herb for regulating hormones and relieving menstrual difficulties and is considered to be the best herb for ailments such as fibroid cysts of the uterus and endometriosis. Agnus Castus has not been significantly investigated for its therapeutic effects. However, preliminary investigations do indeed show the presence of compounds which are able to adjust the production of female hormones. Studies have shown that extracts of Agnus castus can stimulate the release of Leutenizing Hormone (LH) and inhibit the release of Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH). This suggests that the volatile oil has a progesterone-like effect. Its benefits stem from its actions upon the pituitary gland specifically on the production of luteinizing hormone. This increases progesterone production and helps regulate a woman's cycle. Agnus Castus may also regulate prolactin secretion. The ability to decrease excessive prolactin levels may benefit infertile women. A study conducted in London (double blind study) showed a 60% group reduction or elimination of PMS symptoms such as anxiety, nervous tension, insomnia, or mood changes, from subjects who were taking dried agnus castus capsules. Employing an aqueous extract from the fruit, a 1979 study reported good results on premenstrual water retention. Women were able to sustain a good level of milk production for breast feeding while taking this herb. While it took some time for the drug to take effect, the women were able to continue the use of the drug for months without harmful side effects.

Web Headlines, An Herb A Day...5HTP

2008-01-29T10:44:00.001Z

Hidden salt in food a health risk to children Shocking!!!

Top Ten Reasons People Use to Get Pain Meds Early

This is excellent. I'm so proud of these people. 165,000 heed ban and quit smoking

An Herb A Day....Alphabetically listing herbs and their uses.

Today 5HTP

Widely used for obesity, PMS, migraines, depression, anxiety, insomnia and addictive behaviour. 30 vegetarian tablets containing 100mg 5-HTP, 25mg Vit B-6, 15mg Vit B-3 as well as Zinc and Magnesium.If you are taking MAO inhibitors, anti-depressants or being treated for Parkinson's Disease consult your GP first. Dieting with 5-HTP Serotonin levels in the nervous system are essential for so many aspects of our daily lives. Serotonin is responsible for feelings of well being, satisfaction and for normal sleep patterns.

Obesity, PMS, migrains, depression, anxiety, insomnia and addictive behavior have all been associated with low levels of serotonin. And drugs that raise serotonin levels are prescribed for all of these problems. Many people believe that 5-HTP is the natural way to accomplish the same thing. 5-HTP or "hydroxy L-tryptophane" is the natural pre-cursor to serotonin in the body. And clinical studies have shown that supplementing with 5-HTP produced positive results in weight loss, anxiety and depression. It improved sleep patterns and reduced carbohydrate cravings in those on low carbohydrate diets.

Anyone using a weight loss program similar to the Atkins Diet could experience a reduction in serotonin levels due to the fact that carbohydrates provide the body with the building blocks of serotonin. Adding 5-HTP could aid in preventing this problem. 30 vegetarian tablets containing 100mg 5-HTP, 25mg Vit B-6, 15mg Vit B-3 as well as Zinc and Magnesium, to aid in absorption and production of serotonin. A typical dose would be one to two capsules per day.

Homocysteine and Coronary Heart Disease

2008-01-25T20:19:00.001Z

Homocysteine is a type of protein, produced by the body and found in the blood, which ideally should be present in very low quantities. However, if you are not properly nourished, homocysteine can accumulate in the blood, increasing the risk for over fifty diseases, including heart attacks, strokes, certain cancers, diabetes, depression, and Alzheimer’s disease. The good news is that this new and important risk can be reversed in weeks. (Holford p137)

Homocysteine is produced from the amino acid methionine, which is in normal dietary protein. Your body naturally turns homocysteine into one of two beneficial substances; glutathione (the body’s most important antioxidant) and SAMe ( a very important “intelligent”nutrient for both brain and body).(Holford p 137)

The problem is if you don’t have sufficient B vitamins in your diet, the enzymes that turn homocysteine into these beneficial substances don’t work well enough.(Holford p 137)

Increasing dietary and supplemental levels of vitamins B6 and B12 and folic acid can normalize homocysteine levels. B vitamins are also lacking in the SAD (Standard American Diet). It’s estimated that taking a multivitamin with B-complex vitamins could prevent 10 percent of dealth from heart disease. (Lipski pp 4-5)

“What we are about to unfold is a story that has been years in the making, and until now, has missed the limelight of most important medical discoveries. An elevated blood homocysteine level is a powerful risk factor for coronary heart disease (CHD), and the majority of physicians in the United States do not know this. For this reason, there has been no attempt to control it . . . until now. Prominent researchers now believe that plasma homocysteine elevations may be just as important, if not more so, than cholesterol elevations in the genesis of atherosclerosis and CHD” . This is an excerpt from a rough draft of “Homocysteine Can Kill You” by Glenn Tisman, M.D. and Melanie Tisman. It’s a controversial report posted online in July of 1997. They go on to state that “your chances of learning about homocysteine from your physician are remote. Not because physicians are consciously withholding this information, but because it is likely your physician was never taught about homocysteine's unique relationship to atherosclerosis.”
The ability of the body to maintain chemical balance hinges upon its ability to add or subtract molecules called methyl groups. This is how it’s done.
First you receive methionine, protein, from your diet.That is converted into homocysteine-this goes one or two ways depending on which B-vitamin you consume.

• If you consume folate, B12, B2, and zinc, homocysteine converts to methyltransferase.

• Methyltransferase converts to MTHFR with TMG and B12 which then become SAMe.

• If you consume B6, B2, and zinc homocysteine becomes cystathionine lyase.
• Cystathionine lyase becomes cystathionine beta-synthase with the same nutrients. Thus resulting in glutathione.

Dietary recommendations for lowering your homocysteine levels are as follows

1. Eat less fatty meat and more fish and vegetable protein

• No more then four servings of lean meat a week. Eat fish, but not fried, at least three times a week. You may also have soy-based food, such as tofu, tempeh, or soy sausages; or beans, such as kidney beans, chickpea hummus, or baked beans, at least 5 times a week.

2. Eat your greens

• Have at least five servings of fruit or vegetables a day

3. Have a clove of garlic a day
• Either eat a clove of garlic a day or take a garlic supplement every day. You can take garlic oil capsules or powdered garlic supplements

4. Don’t add salt to your food

5. Cut back on tea and coffee
• Don’t drink more the one cup of caffeinated or noncaffeinated coffee, or two cups of tea, in a day. Instead, choose from a variety of herbal teas and grain coffees available.

6. Limit your alcohol

7. Reduce your stress

8. Stop smoking

9. Correct estrogen deficiency
• If you are postmenpausal, or have menopausal symptoms or other menstrual irregularities, check your estrogen and progesterone levels with a hormone saliva test. You can correct deficiencies with a natural progesterone in the form of transdermal skin cream.

10. Supplement a high-strength multivitamin every day
• Take one providing at least 25 mg of the main B vitamins, 200 mcg of folate, and 10mcg each of vitamins B12 and B6, plus A, D, and E, and the minerals magnesium, selenium, chromium, and zinc. Also supplement 1 g of vitamin C for general health.

11. Take Homocysteine Supplements
• The most powerful and quickest way to restore a normal H score, below 6 units, is to supplement specific homocysteine-lowering nutrients. These include vitamins B2, B6, B12, folic acid, trimethyl glycine (TMG), and zinc.

Be sure to get enough of these nutrients on a daily basis. If you are at risk or know you have high homocysteine levels, you need to take mega doses of these essential nutrients. Very high risk patients, above 15 units, need to take 2000 mcg of folic acid, 1500 mcg of B12, 100 mg of B6, 50 mg of B2, 20 mg of zinc, and 3-6 g of TMG. This is a very serious condition and if left unattended it can result in cancers, heart disease, Alzheimer’s and even death.

One way you can ensure that you’re getting enough of the proper nutrients and not too many anti-nutrients is to write it all down on a chart. On a spreadsheet list all the nutrients you need to consume in a day in the left hand column. On the bottom of the chart should be a list of the anti-nutrients you shouldn’t consume daily as a reminder not to eat these foods. Everyday, until you have completely changed your eating habits and committed them to memory, check off the foods and supplements you have taken in. All boxes should be marked at the end of the day. This will guarantee maximum health benefits.

Another approach is to get a pill box and place a weeks worth of supplements in every box. This is a simple, and portable, reminder of the supplements you need to take. You can also laminate and index card of the important foods you should be consuming so you can take that with you everywhere. Use it when ordering at a restaurant or grocery shopping.

Resources ofr the information obtained for this include:

The New Optimum Nutrition Bible, by Patrick Holford

Digestive Wellness, by Elizabeth Lipski, Ph.D, CCN

http://www.homocysteine.com/mfheart.html

I highly recommend reading all three of these sources for a more in depth education on the subject matter.

A Salad of Topics

2008-01-23T18:04:00.001Z

The 'serious' side of Scientology. Spellbinding, miraculous, fantangulous?

Whole Foods finally catch up to Irish standard practices

Clayton College of Natural Health. A distance learning college in America that I graduated from with Highest Honors (4.0 GPA)

A Threat To Medicines...

2008-01-21T21:50:00.001Z

Need a Free Hug? A truly holistic lifestyle.

More reasons to stay healthy. There is a threat to medicines from plant extinctions. Not only prescription drugs but natural remedies as well. All prescription drugs come from a natural source. In labs they take these herbs and change their molecular structure or add a synthetic molecule or two and then viola! Synthetic drugs your body can't recognize and will do anything to save you from.

It's all about preventative maintenance people. Do what you can to prevent any illnesses or dis-eases by treating your body like a temple. Reduce stress, eat right, and get some exercise. You don't have to be a body builder or pro athelete to stay healthy. Just exercise for 30-60 minutes out of a 24 hour day and that will reduce your chances of illness by 50%.

For more ideas gimme a shout.

What Is Canola Oil?

2008-01-19T19:20:00.002Z

Canola oil, a.k.a. rapeseed oil, safe or toxic? OK you have to read this entire link as well as the 'additional infomation' and draw your own conclusion.

WOW! Personally, The Truth link on the bottom of the urban legend page sealed the deal for me. If this person could be any more full of sh*t I would be amazed. Hydrogenated fats aren't unhealthy? WTF?? And no I don't believe for a second that the FDA does what's best for Americans. It does what's best for their almighty pocketbook. Where did they get this bozo?

Wikipedia clears a few things up that "The Truth" idiot rants about. For example, there is no such thing as a canola plant. It's a rapeseed plant renamed canola (Canadian Oil, low, acid) because of the negative connotations the word rape has with North Americans. For flips' sake it's still called rapeseed oil in Europe.

Bottom line is, if you want an oil from a plant that's genetically modified to resist herbacides with just as many negative connotations as positive, by all means consume. For me, I'll err on the side of caution and stick to my good ole olive and grapeseed oils. Yummmm!

Sprouted Wheat Instead Of Processed Grains

2008-01-17T16:49:00.001Z

Sprouted wheat breads are a healthy alternative to the processed grain breads sold in all supermarkets. The help with blood sugar levels, gluten allergies, and mucoid plaque.

Sprout People have a recipe website for all types of sprouted grains and vegetables.

Now I'm hungry.

If anyone tries any of these recipes please leave a comment and tell us which ones and how yummy it turned out.

In The News...

2008-01-17T15:34:00.001Z

Fun stuff I found while surfing...

The 6 Most Unsettling Medication Side Effects Somewhat gorey. Not for the sensitive.

U.S. gives blessing to food from cloned animals...don't be so quick to run to the store and buy these cloned meats. Even the FDA isn't sure about letting up on the ban to market the offspring of cloned animals.

Man: NY Hospital Forced Rectal Exam. Another example of doctor's think they can do no wrong.

Bottled Water Vs. Tap Water Just amazing. Why are we wasting our money and polluting the environment? My solution, Brita baby! Tap water isn't 100% good for us but it seems to outshine these so called healthy aversions to it. So get your own filter and save your money. It's pretty sad when water costs more than gasoline.

http://thinksimplenow.com/happiness/the-7-spiritual-laws-of-success/ I liked this

The Ploy Against Soy

2008-01-17T12:01:00.001Z

Confused as to whether soy is good for you or not?

Well this website states...
Only Fermented Soy Products Are Safe
To summarize, traditional fermented soy products such as miso, natto and tempeh-which are usually made with organically grown soybeans-have a long history of use that is generally beneficial when combined with other elements of the Oriental diet including rice, sea foods, fish broth, organ meats and fermented vegetables. The value of precipitated soybean products is problematical, especially when they form the major source of protein in the diet. Modern soy products including soy milks and ersatz meat and dairy products made from soy protein isolate and textured vegetable protein are new to the diet and pose a number of serious problems....

More info from another website states....
FERMENTATION OF THE SOY BEAN
The soy bean did not serve as a food until the discovery of fermentation techniques sometime during the Chou Dynasty. Thus, the first soy foods were fermented products like tempeh, natto, miso, and soy sauce. At a later date, possibly in the second century BC, Chinese scientists discovered that a puree of cooked soybeans could be precipitated with calcium sulfate or magnesium sulfate. Calcium sulfate is plaster of Paris, and magnesium sulfate is Epsom salts, and they used these compounds to make a smooth pale curd called tofu. So you might be interested to know that tofu is made with plaster of Paris or Epsom salts....

Please decide for yourself. But when making your decision please look at the source of information. Many times when a source boasts about a products benefits they may have an alterior motive. As we all know huge corporations have deep pockets and can pay to sway the publics view about a product by pretty swanky advertising. Don't be fooled by ignorance. Educate yourself and make your own decision about what's right for you. Trust your inner voice.

Basics Of Nutrition

2008-01-16T22:20:00.001Z

The basics of nutrition are very simple. Eat what your body can benefit from. Processed or refined foods cannot be broken down properly and therefore lead to fermented toxins in the colon and small intestine. These toxins can get into the bloodstream and can lead to an wide spectrum of diseases both in and out of the colon. The liver tries to filter out these toxins but it eventually get too overloaded to function properly and your health begins to decline.

People should stay away from dairy, wheat and processed or refined sugars. Dairy causes mucus in the intestines resulting bacteria growth. Wheat forms a layer of thick black mucus, called mucoid plaque, in the colon that can lead to irritable bowel syndrome, Celiac’s and Chrone’s Disease. Also many people have wheat, or gluten, allergies that can cause bloody diarrhea. And sugar suppresses the immune system because it forms a coating around our red blood cells which locks out insulin. If insulin cannot penetrate the lining and nourish the cells the pancreas pumps out 40 times the normal amount because it thinks it hasn’t produced enough. When cells cannot get nourished with insulin they become weak and our immune system thinks they are foreign matter and tries to fight them off. This compromises our immune system allowing for other potential diseases or viruses to enter our bodies. Our pancreas eventually gets so taxed it cannot produce any more insulin. If we have too much or not enough insulin this can result in the two forms of diabetes commonly referred to as Type I or Type II diabetes.

Coffee is another substance that should be reduced or completely avoided. The coffee itself, with or without caffeine, causes an acid condition that leads to your kidneys robbing your bones of calcium to alkalize your blood. This results in osteoporosis. Caffeine damages the central nervous system and raises blood pressure. Replacements for this beverage can be coffee flavored beverages made with barley and other grains or herbal green, white, red, oolong or black teas. The different types of teas just signify when they are harvested. White tea is the most expensive and most rare because there is only a small 2-3 week opportunity to harvest the leaves. Decaffeinated is preferred but not a must because there is 1/4 the amount of caffeine in tea then coffee

Exercise daily is a must. Heart rates should be elevated for no less then 30 minutes daily. A full 60 minute workout is best when combining cardio, muscle training and stretching. If you don’t have 30 minutes everyday, a full 1-2 hour workout every other day may be more suitable for your lifestyle. Herbal supplements, not synthetic, are also of benefit if your diet is less than adequate. What we can’t get from our foods can be supplemented from a good quality source. Buying organic fruits and vegetables will greatly increase your vitamin and mineral intake thus reducing the need for supplementation. Everyone is different so consult a Kinesiologist (me) or Natural Health Consultant (also me) to test you on which supplements and what quantities fit your specific needs.

Pet Food-What's In It?

2008-01-15T15:45:00.002Z

Ingredients in pet food aren’t as harmless as they look. Let’s examine the words “by-product”. This can range from heads, hooves, contaminated blood, moldy grains, spoiled foods, and even floor sweepings to cancerous meats not fit for human consumption, feathers, beaks, and any part of the animal that is left over after the human grade parts are shipped off to the supermarkets. Of course none of this can be easily digested. In addition, there are preservatives like sodium benzoate, a poison known to kill cats, and artificial colors and flavors. Another preservative, known as ethyoxyquin, was originally developed for rubber production. John Heinerman, Ph. D., suggests that most pet food will satisfy an animal’s hunger, but won’t provide real nourishment. He says they weaken your pet’s immune system and leave him vulnerable to disease. Dyes that have extremely harmful effects are Red No. 40, a possible carcinogen, and Blue No. 2, shown in studies to increase dogs’ sensitivity to fatal viruses.
Some wholesome ingredients can also be allergens so be cautious of wheat, beef and even chicken. Corn can raise glycemic levels causing diabetes in healthy pets. Plus it can’t be digested and is typically used as filler.

Avoid feeding your pets onions. They have been linked to heinz-body hemolytic anemia due to a compound in the onion that contains sulfur. This can happen much faster in cats then dogs, but avoid for both to be safe. Also avoid raisins and grapes. Doctors have not been able to pinpoint exactly what part of the grape they are sensitive to but it causes seizures and even death. Of course all kinds of chocolate, dark, milk, and white, need to be completely avoided as well. The caffeine present can cause heart attacks and blood toxicity.
To sum up, the pet foods I recommend are Burns Brown Rice and Chicken or Brown Rice and Fish. Plus there is a feline formula as well I cannot stress enough the importance of reading labels. I’ve read “Natural” and found by-products and harmful preservatives. If you find a brand other then what I have mentioned that has holistic and human-grade ingredients and no canola oil, by all means buy it. There are many other great brands out there that I haven’t mentioned.

I see a wide range of symptoms in pets. They can be anywhere from an irritating ear infections to hot spots all over the body. Other symptoms include; bad breath, constant eye drainage, dandruff, nervousness, constant chewing or licking on paws, gas, bloating, dull/dry skin and coat, and un-seasonal shedding. One symptom that is less noticeable is impacted/infected anal glands, a sure sign of food sensitivity.
Most, if not all, of these symptoms can be linked to improper diet. If you have your pet on a whole food or holistic diet and you still have these problems, try a different brand. It could be as simple as one ingredient. Otherwise there are holistic supplements for most conditions. The most common is candida albicans, or yeast as it’s more commonly referred. That’s the same bimorphic (can change from yeast to fungus by rooting itself) yeast that humans have. Treatment is identical for pets and humans. Change the diet and take a probiotic to reduce the yeast. Once the yeast is under control you should see the symptoms disappear.

Keeping up with preventative maintanence of your pets health is critical for a long and happy life. Plus it will keep those vet bills down and make owning a pet less expensive and traumatic for both the pet and the owner.

I'm An Idiot...

2008-01-14T21:59:00.001Z

haha Ok so uh the reason you haven't been able to post any comments was because I didn't have the settings done properly. Yea stupid I know. But hey I'm new at this so gimme a break.

Comment away...

A Break From The Norm

2008-01-14T14:31:00.002Z

Because this is my blog and I can do what I want, I decided to post this amazing story of love and loss, then love again. This is the stuff they make movies about.

I've gotten this mad before haha! Take that line ref.

So I don't know how many of you are following the politics of the U.S. but in my lifetime there hasn't been a more interesting list of candidates. I mean there are the obvious losers that wont' even make it into the top 2, and then there are the shining stars that seem to be losing by just the skin of their teeth. How the hell did Obama lose to Clinton in New Hampshire? Considering that is my home State I am dumbfounded as to how this could have happened. I guess that just shows how rigged elections can be. I mean if you resort to crying to win(thanks for making all women look weak) and people buy that shite, then I'm even more comfortable with my moving abroad. I love Bill Clinton for commenting about Obama that "He might win". Way to slap your wife in the face. Legend! While living in Western New York we never heard a peep out of her boney little face so they don't support her at all.

I just pray to the gods that people all over the world realize that Bush is out of office soon so please take his ignorance with a grain of salt. The American people are becoming far more educated on the issues in the middle east and are taking a stand to change the course of action any way they can. They are following the polls more closely and people who've never voted before are lining up at the registry office.

My prediction is any successor that follows in Bush's footprints will be ridiculed and potentially impeached. No one wants to see this war continue and no one wants to "stay the course" any longer. Ron Paul had it right when he said we should never have been in any wars barring WWII because we had to defend what we did in WWI. Follow this mans campaign. If he gets elected into office and actually follows through with what he's proposing we might just see a better America once again.

Since moving to Ireland I've had reserves about telling people I'm from the States. Only problem is the second I talk you can immediately tell where I'm from. Bygones. But the reason I feel this way is because of how embarrassing our leaders are. I love what our forefathers laid down as ground rules for us to abide by. In fact I'm able to own my own business because of the path they carved. But what's going on now would cause them to spin in their graves. If they were alive you'd hear the proverbial "DOH!!" and head slap resembling that of one Homer J. Simpson.

Flouride And The Atomic Bomb

2008-01-12T23:47:00.001Z

Think flouride helps build strong teeth? Well I'm sure you can figure out what I'm going to say about that. Watch this video and tell me if you're going to rush out to the store and buy some more Colgate.

Toothpaste that wont kill you, and tastes great too!!

Short and sweet today.

Obesity Is Now A "Lifestyle" Choice for American...

2008-01-10T20:36:00.001Z

OMG these have got to be the worst excuses for obesity I have ever heard.

"But you can't say if you quit going to the drive-through, exercise more and eat more vegetables, you'll lose weight. There are so many more factors involved."
But it's a pretty damn good start I'd say...

"But the nasty side-effects of obesity aren't as nasty as they used to be," Finkelstein said.
Are you kidding me?

"When you have a first-rate medical system that can cure the diseases that obesity promotes, you no longer need to worry so much about being obese," he told AFP.
OK so you're saying eat like a pig, don't exercise, and the doctors will fix you when you're falling apart? LIKE HELL!!! Look up the word iatrogensis, no better yet I will, you might burn a calorie or two clicking the keys....inadvertent and preventable induction of disease or complications by the medical treatment or procedures of a physician. In laymens terms this means dying as a direct result of doctors care. And while we're on the subject iatrogensis is the #3 killer in the US at over 255,000 people nationwide.

"I have a higher risk of developing diabetes or hypertension if I don't have the surgery," English said
Sweety, darling, darling, sweetie listen to me. YOU DO NOT NEED SURGERY TO LOSE WEIGHT. I just love how doctors haven't copped on to telling people about this wonderful place called a "gym" and how to eat healthier to reach desired weights.

Yea I'm feeling pretty ranty tonight. The patience I have for these ignorant lazy people is really starting to take effect. Your thoughts?

Insight From Facebook Discussion Groups

2008-01-09T16:40:00.002Z

In a recent discussion board on Facebook, someone posted an eye opening essay on PMS and Warning Signs For A High Risk Miscarriage. I was blown away by the insight this person had on the topic. I'd heard about PMS not being normal but until it was put this way I had no idea the severity of it. As someone who will be trying to get pregnant within the next year I found that I have some changes to make.

Don't Drink Your Milk. Another great post on a Facebook group for natural health. Keep in mind this is an American post on milk and many of the practices that are done over there aren't in Ireland or the UK. But do keep your eye open to the hormones and different chemical processes that might be/are happening in your neck of the woods.

Think soy is a harmless and healthy alternative? Uh uh uhhhhh!!! Soy Myths Exposed!!

Yes, Really!

2008-01-07T19:52:00.001Z

Did you hear the one about the drunk dog? Think it's a joke? Not this time. Read the story of the pissed pooch. It's got a twist at the end you weren't expecting.

Some diets aren't even fit for a king. Read about the Most Insane Crash Diets of All Time. Hard to believe people did these things to lose weight. Umm on the other hand, maybe it's not. Considering all the "new age" diets people are boasting about now. Oh and incase you were wondering my views on dieting, what are the first 3 letters of the word. DIE!!! Don't DIEt, eat healthy food all the time and exercise. Trust me on this one.

OK more fun. Read about the 10 Most Insane Medical Practices in History. A word of caution, they get rather graphic. So if you are squeamish or easily offended do not read this.

World life expectancy map. Cool, interactive.

Watch This! Fox News Whistle Blowers

2008-01-05T19:43:00.001Z

FINALLY proof of what the people in the natural health industry have been trying to drill in people's heads about bovine growth hormone (BGH). You've got to watch the video on this.

The people of the United States are tired. Tired of the lies that the government is telling them about everything from the safety of the country to the foods they eat. I will expose the FDA and every other government body and their supporters every chance I get. This is just the beginning of my new goal in life. No one wanted to listen to me when I told them I knew what was in the milk and milk products they were ingesting. They said I was more interested in "conspiracy stories" than the truth. Well HERE is the truth! And if after watching this you aren't convinced that money talks and there are many huge conspiracies in the US, then I feel very sorry for you and your children.

Sorry to be a bit ranty but I had to drive the point home. Comments?

Can't Get The Kids To Eat Their Veggies? Try These Ideas...

2008-01-04T17:00:00.002Z

Getting kids to eat nutrient dense foods is as easy as pulling teeth. With all of the media reports on television and magazine advertizing, it’s no wonder kids don’t know the correct things to eat. They are persuaded by colorful boxes and fun shaped foods. This causes a huge dilemma when it comes to their nutrition. Parents need to take a more educated active approach to feeding their children. Quick fast food meals on the go and sitting in front of the television while eating are two ways this country has had a breakdown in communicating proper nutrition. The educating starts with the parents at birth. Breast feeding will start the child off right with the correct levels of fatty acids, carbohydrates, and protein. When a child is not introduced to improper nutrition it has nothing toxic to crave or become addicted to.

Here are some creative ideas to help parents that didn’t start their child’s nutrition at birth but they want to make a change. For children age 2 to 10 try a blindfold test. Make a game out of it where you blind fold your child and get them to try different foods based on their taste and consistency, not what they look like. Most children won’t try a new food because of how it looks. It might be a strange color or shape or just not look appealing as in the case of guacamole. If you make it a fun game kids will want to play more often and you get to try almost anything on them. Write down what they loved and hated to make sure you incorporate the right ingredients in your meals. This will ensure a clean plate at the end of every meal. Be sure not to try any foods that aren’t nutrient dense. You are trying to get them on whole and raw foods so putting processed foods like cookies or crackers in the mix will only confuse them on what good nutrition is.

Another way to educate children ages 6 through 15 on proper nutrition is to have a parent/child switch night. This means they make dinner for you. Give them a list to go by of many wholesome ingredients and have them find them in the grocery store. Make sure to read all labels with them as well. This will get them to understand what ingredients are nutritious and what are processed. At home the children can put the ingredients together and a parents can assist with things like cutting of ingredients and stove preparation if necessary. The children will take pride in what they have prepared and find cooking to be more fun then necessity. This will also educate them on how to make a proper breakfast and lunch for themselves as well. Have them pick out their own ingredients for the next days breakfast from a list you have prepared. They can also pack their own lunches the night before. That will ensure they are excited about eating their lunch and not want to trade or buy lunch at school. As we are well aware school lunches lack the nutrition necessary for growing minds and bodies. They are simply fillers that don’t satisfy hunger therefore leading to snacking on junk foods like chips and cookies.

A way to expand on the parent/child switch night is having an actual dinner party with many children and parents. The kids can prepare hor d’oeuvres, appetizers, main dishes, and even desserts making sure they stay under a certain calorie count or portion size. When the children see the parents reaction to all of the delicious foods they will feel a sense of pride and want to continue eating healthfully. They may even want to make parent/child switch night happen at least once a week or more.

Parents or teachers can also give kids ages 10 through 18 a processed food to investigate. The internet is an excellent tool to use for this project. Have the child write down the ingredients on a package and individually look up every one. If the ingredient cannot be recognized as being “natural” or “healthy” they should be advised to avoid it altogether. Plus they should have them look up the effects those ingredients have on the human body, such as sugar. Even though we all know exactly what sugar is and where it comes from, we don’t necessarily know what it does to us. Teachers should have several books on hand for children to reference on body systems. When they read what ingredients they are consuming and see the sources of them, they will understand the detrimental effects they can have on their health. They need to be taught that they are made up of organic matter and need to be nourished, or fueled, by things that the body can recognize. Also have them start a chart for the foods they eat and how it makes them feel. After every meal do they feel; full or hungry, tired or energized, or have an upset stomach or easy digestion. Getting children to listen to their bodies is the best way to change their eating habits. When they realize that sugary processed foods have a negative impact on their mental and physical performance, they are less likely to indulge in them.

Some Info From A Class I Taught

2008-01-04T00:02:00.001Z

...Herbal supplements and remedies have been around for thousands of years. In the early 1900’s, modern, or Western, medicine began to replace natural remedies. Colleges became more medically focused leaving herbs to only be a single part of a synthetically altered chemical called a “medicine”. These medicines simply masked the symptom of a dis-ease not truly curing it as holistic medicine did. Cancers started being treated with chemicals and radiation that would normally make a healthy man sick. Why would anyone do this? Because allopathic (Western) doctors hoped that it would eliminate the cancer before eliminating you. That isn’t always the case. In fact more people die from the treatment of cancer then cancer itself.
Viruses cannot be treated allopathically either because the treatment would kill you before the virus. So that’s where natural remedies come in. They build your immunity so your body is strong enough to fight off the offending bug itself.

Our bodies were created to heal themselves through proper nutrition. With all the unhealthy things we consume, sometimes we just need a boost or a cleanse. Supplements can do just that. They are mostly in forms that we wouldn’t normally eat like roots, bark, and flowers of plants and trees growing wild in nature. They can have a bitter or astringent taste that’s not very palatable, so they are now dried and placed in tasteless capsules or extracted in alcohol or glycerin bases. Much easier to take then chewing on the bark of a tree.

The epidemic of countless cancer cases didn’t start happening in the country until the introduction of carcinogenic chemicals in our water, food, and air supply. Farmers could be out in the sun from dawn to dusk and never get skin cancer before the use of DDT and other pesticides. Toxins like GMO or genetically modified foods are now plaguing our grocery stores. So when we enter that tanning booth or stay out in the sun too long, toxins we eat are raised from our blood stream to our skin and become cancerous.

Find out more about this and other topics in upcoming blogs. Let me know what you are interested in learning about and I will include it in my next blog....

Junk Food Adverts Banned...

2008-01-02T19:43:00.001Z

To cut down on the rising obesity in the UK, Ofcam has put a ban on junk food adverts for television programs aimed for kids 16 and under. Click here to find out more information on this latest attempt to fix a growing pandemic.

Tell me what you think about this. Is this a good idea or just another way for parents to not have to claim responsibility for their kids upbringing? How many parents blame others for their childs obesity and malnutrician? Post a comment below.

New Year's Healthy Resolutions?

2008-01-02T13:04:00.001Z

Dr. Weil, a well known author on health and nutrition, gives some great ways to combat health related issues for the new year. Ways such as anti-inflammatory foods, smart snacking, and taking time for (green) tea.

New Year's resolutions always include a new diet, exercise goals, and a reduction in weight. But the number of people who run out of steam by February and March is staggering. For this new year try and make your goals smaller then becoming more gradual as the year goes on. Be excited about making your changes and monitor your progress regularly to keep up the momentum. Reward yourself at every goal attained with a gift. Buy that new outfit or gadget you've been eyeing. Celebrate your accomplishments. And pat yourself on the back whenever possible. Maintaining a positive attitude while making lifestyle changes makes it a more pleasurable one and will ensure you don't run out of steam.

Think Sugar is Harmless?

2007-12-31T12:24:00.001Z

Durning the holiday season people can consume about 3 times the amount of sugar than they do throughout the entire year. Some effects this can have on your include:

Massive production of insulin to compensate for the increase in blood sugar levels
Taxation on pancreas from production of too much insulin which can result in borderline diabetes (insulin can run out, you're only given so much in a lifetime)
Lack of exercise with a mega increase in calories means getting that spare tire you didn't ask Santa for
A decrease in your immunity to viruses and bacteria (it's not the winter chill that makes you ill, it's your sugary treats)
Sugar feeds systemic yeast that can result in an array of symptoms from vaginal yeast infections to skin eruptions. Yeast is bimorphic which means it can travel around your bloodstream and root itself as a fungus anywhere it finds a plentiful food supply.

So next year be mindful of what effects overconsumption of delicious treats like chocolate Santa's and candy canes can have on your body. Try planning for healthy alternatives. Surf the web for some simple recipes and plan ahead to make sure you're not scurring last minute to make your holidays tasty ones.

Microwave-To Nuke or Not To Nuke

2007-12-28T02:23:00.001Z

Hi everyone. Sorry I've been away from my post for so long. Holidays y'know? Ok here's more interesting info that I have to put as a link because it's just way too much info to type. Check out how microwaving your food can cause serious problems for your health and wellness.

Be a mad scientist for me. Try this simple science project and tell me your results.

Take 2 plants. Feed one plant distilled water and the other microwaved water. See what you get at the end of 2 weeks and post it here on this blog. If you can, upload pics as well.

I think you'll be amazed at what happens. A nine year old did this for a science fair project but I'm too much of a stinker to tell you the results. You'll just have to do it and find out.

Remember the holidays are almost over, how have you been eating? haha Yea I thought so...me too. shhhh don't tell anyone.

A Little Is Good So A Lot Must Be Great...

2007-12-21T20:23:00.001Z

OK you seriously need to check this out. A little is good so a lot must be great! Right? WRONG!

These are just a few reasons why during this holiday season, and all the time really, you should slow
down while eating.

Driving north for the week but I will have access to the internet so leave messages and I should be posting a thing or two while I'm there.

Happy Holidays

Before You Get That Manicure, Look At This

2007-12-19T21:17:00.001Z

Found something interesting today. A webcast about what fingernails look like and possible related health issues. Sorry about the ad at the beginning but it's only about 15 seconds long.

That's all for today. I'll post another one maybe two before the holidays start. Then I'll be travelling and away from civilization.

Quick Delicious Recipe That's Healthy

2007-12-18T01:42:00.002Z

So I made this fantastic version of Peanut Thai sauce. Here are the ingredients (Note: you can/should use organic whenever possible)

Natural Peanut Butter (should have peanut, salt, and oil)
Olive Oil
Tamari or Soy Sauce
Fresh lemon juice
Red Pepper Flakes
Water

The order of ingrients goes from most to least. The peanut butter is a majority of the sauce so use at least 1/2 the jar for 2-3 servings. All other ingredients use to taste (usually just a teaspoon to a tablespoon each). I like it spicy so I add more pepper flakes than some. Have fun with it. Its delicious and with enough water added it makes a nice thin sauce to sauteed veggies and Chinese noodles. Other options would be adding organic free range beef or chicken, shrimp, or even tofu.

It takes all of 5 minutes to make once it's heated and smooth. Be sure to watch it closely because the sauce can burn easily.

When you make it let me know how it comes out.

Enjoy!

Check these out...

2007-12-15T22:33:00.001Z

This is creepy and I don't like it.

Funny how the FDA approves things that will kill us yet sends us into a panic over things that wont. Read here about how they disapprove of Stevia, one of the safest sweeteners out there.

This one's short and sweet today folks. Stay tuned to next weeks blogs....

You're Blood Says More About You Than You Think

2007-12-14T18:57:00.001Z

While I was obtaining my degree in holistic nutrition I read a book by Dr. Peter D'Adamo called Eat Right For Your Type. So I decided I would try this "fad" diet. Holy shit! In 1 month I went down 2% in body fat. For all you health and gym nuts out there you know what a significant loss like that means. It's not just pounds, stones, kilos, or any other way you weigh yourself. It means that I lost 2% of all the fat I had all over my body. I was 23% to start with then with continuing my normal workout routine (3-5 days a week, 1 1/2hrs each time) and just changing my diet to eat only the foods good for my type, I shed those stubborn last % points. And the great thing about this diet is it's not all portion control and only eating lettuce. It's eating real food just avoiding the things that aggrivate your body and cause you to gain weight. One reason you store fat is because your digestion gets sluggish. For instance, if you're an A blood type and you eat loads of meat, you're in for a world of hurt. You're not made to eat more than 3 ozs of meat twice a week. The list goes on...

Dr. D'Adamo has a few other books on the subject like Live Right For Your Type, Cook Right For Your Type and the new one The GenoType Diet. I guess the Geno Type book gets more in depth for people with stubborn weigh loss problems. But I wont go into the details. Start off with Eat Right because that one explains the history of blood types and where they stem from.

Any questions about this just ask.

Government Decides Whether You Can Eat Fast Food?

2007-12-14T00:03:00.001Z

Councilwoman Jan Perry pushed for the ban in her district, saying: "We have a serious problem in my district with fast-food restaurants and the increasing level of obesity and diabetes."

read more | digg story

"Have it your way" just not in South LA

2007-12-13T23:18:00.002Z

LMFAO!!! I just have to comment on one of the latest digg feeds. It's aptly titled "Should Government Tell You Not to Eat Fast Food?" Well if you're not going to tell yourself someone sure as hell should.

Nevermind the fact that two movies in the past few years have blatantly told you of the horrors of eating too much fast food, not to mention the ingredients. (Supersize me and Fast Food Nation) But now there's a ban in South L.A. on all fast food resturants. How long will it take before the ban is nationwide, then worldwide??? Please say it's soon.

As a nutritionist and a natural health consultant I can only applaud and say "KUDOS!!" to the govenments poorly layed out ploy to cut down the obsiety and diabetes in America, excuse me So. L.A. (Can you sense the sarcasm cause I'm layin it on pretty thick) What the hell are they thinking? Talk about a good idea poorly executed. Yea let's section out minorities and the poor who can just about afford Mc Fats or Belly King and tell them they can't have it anymore. And what inexpensive alternative are they going to replace it with?

So the foods that they have been literally addicted to, because we all know addictive chemicals are added to fast food, is being taken away from them cold turkey. No that wont result in any uproar. Way to go Governator. If you want to set an example try using a more pc group of Americans like Sillicon Valley or maybe even Manhattan. Somewhere riots wont start in the streets for imposing yet another barrier for these people to cross.

I'm completely for shutting down ALL, let me repeat that ALL fast food rest, excuse me establisments. I can't in good faith call it a resturant because well that's giving them too much credit. But for Pete's sake make it a ban for an entire county at least. And you can't for one second convince me that So. L.A. is the only place fat people live. I lived in America for 31 years, I've seen others..sshhhhhh!

A recent stat taken from highbeam.com stated that Americans are just too fat, researchers say, with 54% of all adults heavier than is healthy. If the trend continues, experts say that within a few generations virtually every U.S. adult will be overweight.

This is staggering. Oh and by the way I read on to the article and it said nothing about everyone who was fat was in So. L.A. Have I made my point clear enough yet? Reason #1,482,393 that I moved out of the U.S. The "duhhhh" factor.

When 'I do' becomes 'I don't'

2007-12-13T21:27:00.001Z

Amazing. Simply Amazing. The rate of divorce is so high, now we have blogs on how to make it cheaper and easier. What next? Drive thru divorce? Divorce in an hour?

I got a myspace post from a friend of mine back home and sadly it had an obituary on it. I didn't know the person, God rest his soul, but I did notice something that was just as disturbing as his death. The people who he was survived by. Just an example; his father and his wife, his mother and her husband, half siblings, his paternal grandfather and his wife, paternal grandmother, his maternal grandfather and his wife, etc... Notice a pattern here? Does anyone in this poor guys family stay together? It's another prime example of the direction marriage has gone in the States. Divorce was just made legal less than 20 years ago here in Ireland, but the divorce rate still isn't near as high as it is anywhere else. Luckily I'm in a country that "til death do us part" still means something. Not "til you get the wrong type of bread because you never listen to me so you're outta here". What has this sanctity really come to? Call me old fashioned but I'm 31 and just got engaged in March and I made damn sure I didn't rush to the alter with just anyone.

This all ties into the children. I have no children and always knew from a very young age that having them out of wedlock was something I would never do. I know everyone has their reasons for doing it. "We thought we'd be together forever and marriage was just something that would happen eventually, so we had a kid first." Where does this rationale come from? Who tought these people that thinking and acting this way was ok? Was it their parents? Society? Friends? WHO?

Now we have obits that have a laundry list of so called "family" that has step this and step that all over the place. And who suffers the most? These precious children you just couldn't wait to have and the new spouses that have to figure out how to coparent a child that isn't even theirs. Then comes the "you're not my mother/father so I don't have to listen to you." Or the new spouses view of "I wanted to be the only family you have, not share you with anyone else." But that doesn't mean that the single parent shouldn't find love again right? Of course they should but think of how hard it is on a fresh relationship. 'Will my son/daughter accept my new gf/bf? Then what happens if we want to get married?' Most people just flat out don't want the "baggage" and avoid people with kids at all costs. I know a few people that have children and are divorced or never married and have been single for years because no one wanted to take on a ready made family.

Some kids are great and roll with the flow of things, while others go off the deep end and need 15 years of therapy. I guess the bottom line is, if you decide to go down this path or you already have, talk to your kids about everything they can comprehend. Their little minds absorb more than you think.