Nine secrets for raising healthy children

Every parent worries about their child’s health and future. So what can you do to help them live a good life? Here are 9 secrets to having happy, healthy children: 

#1 – Healthy eating

#2 - Eating on time

#3 – Regular, high quality sleep

#4 – Free play

#5 – Express emotions in healthy ways

#6 – Allowing your child to make decisions

#7 – Listen to them and help them feel like they are heard

#8 – Give them unconditional love

Most importantly, as their parents, it’s your responsibility to lead by example by modeling healthy habits for your child!

8 Sleeping Positions & Their Effects On Health

I ran across this interesting article and had to share:

In what position do you sleep most often? It turns out this is a very important question. Getting enough sleep is the most important thing – but did you know that how you sleep can also impact your health? 

Sleeping on your back with your arms at your side is generally considered to be the best sleeping position for spine health and it's good for your neck too, as long as you don't use too many pillows. 

That said, back sleepers tend to snore more than those in any other position and sleep apnea is strongly associated with sleeping on the back. 

Let's take a look at eight common sleeping positions and what they do to your body.

Credits: Daily Health Post - Memolition

Top twelve things you probably didn't know about food label claims

1) "Kosher" does not mean non-GMO

Genetically engineered ingredients are openly allowed in Kosher-certified foods. The Kosher certification does not involve testing for GMOs, and Kosher certifications are routinely found on foods containing GMOs.

#2) "Organic" does not mean low in heavy metals

The USDA certified organic certification process does not test for heavy metals. Foods that are very high in lead, arsenic, cadmium, mercury and even aluminum are openly allowed to be labeled USDA certified organic.

#3) "Non-GMO" does not mean organic

Just because a food is certified non-GMO doesn't mean it is organic. Even conventionally-raised crops such as corn, soy and canola can be certified non-GMO if they are grown without genetically engineered seeds.

There are several snack chips on the market right now which use non-GMO ingredients grown with chemical pesticides.

#4) "All Natural" doesn't mean anything at all

The phrase "All Natural" is not regulated in any way by the FDA. Any foods, including foods made with artificial colors, chemical sweeteners, chemical preservatives and GMOs, can be labeled "all natural."

"All natural" is the trick used by large food corporations to try to mislead consumers into thinking their junk food products are somehow organic.

#5) "Trans-Fat Free" does not mean free from trans fats

The FDA currently allows foods containing up to 0.5g of trans fats per serving to claim ZERO grams of trans fats per serving.

The FDA, you see, has been completely hijacked by food and drug corporations, and they have convinced the FDA to allow food labels to blatantly lie to consumers about what the food really contains. Everywhere else in the world, 0.5 does not equal zero. Even in high school math class, it's rounded up to one. But at the FDA, 0.5 somehow means zero.

#6) "Non-GMO" does not mean certified non-GMO

There are many foods, superfoods and even nutritional products currently claiming to be "non-GMO" but failing to provide any certification of that status. A company that self-proclaims its products to be "non-GMO" is most likely trying to pull a fast one on you unless it can back up that claim with certification.

Only certified non-GMO means something. The next time you see a label that claims "non-GMO," ask yourself, "Certified by whom?" "Where's the proof?"

#7) "Gluten-free" foods are often GMO

Beware of GMOs in gluten-free foods. Because gluten-free foods are often based on corn, they are usually made with genetically modified corn containing BT toxin, a deadly insecticide.

Avoid gluten-free unless it's also certified non-GMO.

#8) "Organic" foods can still contain a small amount of GMO

GMOs are so widespread that they have now contaminated virtually the entire food supply. Foods that are certified organic can still contain trace levels of GMOs.

How much are they allowed to contain? "there aren't specific tolerance levels in the USDA organic regulations for GMOs," says the USDA. "National Organic Program policy states that trace amounts of GMOs don't automatically mean the farm is in violation of the USDA organic regulations. In these cases, the certifying agent will investigate how the inadvertent presence occurred and recommend how it can be better prevented in the future. For example, they may require a larger buffer zone or more thorough cleaning of a shared grain mill."

Even though certified organic foods can still contain trace levels of GMOs, they are still far healthier for you than conventionally-grown foods, by the way.

#9) "Organic" foods are now being routinely grown in heavily polluted countries such as China

An increasing percentage of "organic" foods, superfoods and raw materials used in nutritional supplements are being imported from China. Natural News has found that these raw materials are consistently higher in heavy metals than competing products grown in North America.

But because they are significantly lower in case, they are being increasingly used in nutritional products or sold at health food stores after being labeled "organic."

Organic certification standards openly allow organic farms in China to grow produce in fields that are heavily polluted with cadmium, lead and mercury. There is no limit on the heavy metals levels in soils used to produce USDA certified organic foods.

#10) The FDA currently has no limit on the amount of heavy metals allowed in foods, either

The FDA does, from time to time, conduct food contaminant tests on imported foods. However, the FDA does not publish or set any official limits on heavy metals in imported foods.

Usually, when the FDA does find metals in foods (such as arsenic in rice), it declares the contaminant "too low to cause short-term health risks" while blatantly ignoring the long-term health risks.

As long as the food is dead and not carrying e.coli or salmonella, there is almost no food too polluted for the FDA.

#11) The use of "organic" ingredients does not automatically make the whole product organic

Some products sold today are being described as "organic" when only a fraction of their ingredients are organic. This does not qualify a product to be called organic.

Unlike the phrase, "all natural," the term "organic" is highly regulated by the federal government and carries a specific meaning. The mere presence of organic ingredients in a product is not sufficient to be able to claim the entire product is organic.

Interestingly, even if ALL the ingredients used in a product are certified organic, the product itself still needs to be separately certified to be accurately called "organic."

By the way, sometimes the cleanest product in a particular category is not the one that's certified organic, as we discovered in our heavy metals tests of chlorella superfoods.

#12) "Low calorie" almost always means it is sweetened with a chemical sweetener

Look on the ingredients labels of "low calorie" foods or beverages, and you'll almost always find sucralose, acesulfame potassium, saccharin, aspartame or other chemical sweeteners. The presence of such chemical sweeteners is almost ubiquitous on foods sporting the "low calorie" label.

And yet "low calorie" does not mean it's healthier for you in any way whatsoever. In fact, low-calorie foods such as diet sodas can still contain extremely damaging ingredients such as phosphoric acid, a potent chemical that can eat away your teeth and bones.

What is the ultimate food, then?

The ultimate commercially-available food would be certified organic, certified non-GMO, grown in your local country, certified Kosher and lab tested to be very low in heavy metals.

But if you just grow it in your own garden, you don't need all those labels and certifications in the first place. You've got real food right from your own yard.

That's why I encourage everyone to grow what you eat and eat what you grow. The answer to pollutants, GMOs, pesticides and heavy metals in foods is found when you get on your knees and put some seeds in the ground.

Everything else in the marketplace -- including quadruple-certified premium food -- is vastly inferior to food you grow yourself.

How do you know you can trust me on this point? Because I sell superfoods and I'm still telling you to grow your own instead. In my vision of a perfect world, the Natural News Store wouldn't even exist because everybody would be growing their own foods and superfoods in their own yards or greenhouses. :-)

Learn more: http://www.naturalnews.com/042045_food_labels_demystified_certified_organic.html#ixzz2jGs8jXuF

Affects of drinking soft drinks/pop/soda on your body

7 Ways to Help Your Immune System Now

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October 21, 2013

Don’t forget nutritional support for your immune system this winter

They say you never truly appreciate the value of a well-functioning machine until it breaks down. So it goes for your immune system. Its complex network of cells, tissues, and organs protect your body on a daily basis from bacteria, microbes, viruses, and toxins. But if compromised, as when under attack by pathogens or lacking supporting nutrients, the system can become overwhelmed and fail to accomplish the tasks to keep you healthy.

During the winter months, your body’s immune system is presented with greater challenges—it’s the annual time when new, unrecognized pathogens quickly spread from person to person. The standard advice from your doctor is to wash your hands regularly, receive your annual vaccines, and avoid unnecessary contact with those who may carry pathogens. These steps are all effective.

Unfortunately, however, a balanced diet and nutritional support is often overlooked for best immune support. While no nutritional product or supplement can ever prevent you from having allergies, catching a cold or flu, or treat those illnesses or symptoms once you get them, like any of the other bodily organs or systems, a continuous supply of specific nutrients is critical for your immune system to function optimally.

A balanced diet should provide you with all the sustenance your body needs. But studies continue to show that most diets lack vitamins and minerals, such as zinc and vitamin C, which play a special role in our bodies’ immune systems. Special ingredients within food and in supplements also can help your body in its fight against foreign invaders while protecting against their harm. The following seven nutrients and bioactives support your immune system through a variety of ways:

1. Zinc, in particular, is a mineral that plays an important role in the function and development of immune cells, specifically, T-cells. Studies have shown that humans and animals deficient in zinc have increased oxidative stress and a compromised immune system (1-7). Even a minor deficiency of zinc has been shown to result in a compromised immune system (1-7). Zinc in the form of gluconate has also been shown to maintain reserves to guard against a compromised immune system.
2. Vitamin D affects nearly all your body’s cells, including those in the immune system. During the winter months, however, levels tend to drop in most people (depending on latitude) because they no longer create it from exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet rays. Vitamin D receptors are expressed on immune cells (B cells and T cells) and growing evidence is finding that the hormone-like vitamin plays a key role in balancing immune response (8).
3. Vitamin C is closely tied to the immune system. Along with guinea pigs and other non-human primates, humans are not able to produce vitamin C. Instead, we rely on the foods we consume such as kiwi, bell peppers, and citrus fruits. Scientists are speaking up about the suboptimal recommended daily allowance (RDA) of vitamin C, saying that it should be increased to 200 milligrams per day to ensure tissue and cell saturation and promote better overall long-term health (9). This is more than double the current recommendation of 75 milligrams per day for women and 90 milligrams per day for men. Researchers argue that the current RDA levels are based on the prevention of vitamin C deficiency or the disease, scurvy. However, the present recommended level may not be adequate for people to reap the powerful antioxidant benefits of vitamin C that can support the body’s immune system.
4. Bovine colostrum is the first form of milk produced by a cow after giving birth. It immediately provides the calf with a host of immune-protecting substances. Research shows that colostrum supplementation in humans may have a similar impact and strengthen immune system defenses (10-12). A good colostrum supplement should have a range of immune-protecting substances within it including immunoglobulins, proline-rich polypeptides, and lactoferrin.
5. Echinacea is a flowering plant from the daisy family. The plant’s roots and leaves have been used for centuries by Native Americans for their medicinal qualities. Randomized controlled studies support Echinacea’s beneficial effect on the immune system (13-15).
6. Reishi Mushroom (pronounced Ray-She) is commonly consumed in Japan as either a tea or powder and reputed to increase youthful vigor and vitality. Multiple studies have also shown that Reishi mushroom supports the function of the immune system and benefits overall health. What’s more, multiple studies suggest the immunomodulatory effects of reishi mushroom and overall health benefits (15-19).
7. A good melatonin supplement can help guard against lack of sleep and poor sleep, helping to keep your immune system functioning nicely. Getting adequate sleep is probably the most important habit to support the immune system. Without proper sleep, the immune system is one of the first things to suffer. In fact, in a study done by Surrey Sleep Research Centre in the UK, researchers evaluated the consequences of one week of insufficient sleep on 26 men in which they found that the men had altered activity of some 700 genes. A number of the genes affected by sleep deprivation included several genes involved in immune system response.

Proactive Measures with Isagenix

When it comes to the immune system, it’s much more effective to be proactive rather than reactive, meaning you should be supporting the immune system every day rather than stepping up care once you are already sick. A healthy diet, along with daily supplementation with Ageless Essentials Daily Pack—containing zinc, and vitamins C and D—can keep your immune system properly nourished daily.Isamune Plus—containing zinc gluconate, colostrum, echinacea, and reishi mushroom—is a convenient spray that can be used daily to bolster defenses. In addition, Isagenix Sleep Support spray provides convenience in a quality melatonin supplement to make getting enough sleep easier nightly. Feel confident that you are protected with the best immune system support with Isagenix this winter.

To order: fatbgone.org

References

1. Hemila H. The Open Respiratory Medicine Journal. 2011 (5):51-58.
2. Prasad AS et al. Am J Clin Nutr 2007 Mar; 85(3):837-44.
3. Prasad. Zinc: Mechanisms of Host Defense. J Nutr 2007, May; 137(5):1345-9.
4. Mossad SB et al. Ann Intern Med 1996;125:81-8.
5. Godfrey  et al. J Int Med Res 1992;20:234-6.
6. Weismann K et al. Dan Med Bull 1990;37:279-81.
7. Eby GA et al. Antimicrob Agents and Chemother 1984;25:20-24.
8. Aranow C. Vitamin D and the Immune System. J Investig Med. 2011 August; 59(6): 881–886. doi:  10.231/JIM.0b013e31821b8755
9. Frei B, Birlouez-Aragon I, Lykkesfeldt J. Authors’ Perspective: What is the Optimum Intake ofVitamin C in Humans? Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr 2012;52:815-29. doi:10.1080/10408398.2011.649149
10. Cesarone  MR et al.. Clinical and Applied Thrombosis/Hemostasis 2007; 13(2): 130-136.
11. Shing CM et al. Effects of bovine colostrum supplementation on immune variables in highly trained cyclists. J Appl Physiol 2007; 102: 1113-1122.
12. Crooks  CV et al. The effect of Bovine Colostrum Supplementation on Salivary IgA in Distance Runners. Inter  J Sport Nutr and Exercise Metabolism 2006; 16: 47-64.
13. Noguchi et al. Randomized clinical trial of an ethanol extract of Ganoderma lucidum in men with lower urinary tract symptoms. Asian J Androl.  2008;10(5):777-785.
14. Noguchi et al.. Asian J Androl.  Jul 2008;10(4):651-658.
15. Wachtel-Galor et al. Ganoderma lucidum (“Lingzhi”), a Chinese medicinal mushroom: biomarker responses in a controlled human supplementation study. Br J Nutr. 2004;91(2):263-269.
16. Gao  et al. Immunol Invest. 2003;32(3):201-215.
17. McGuffin  eds. American Herbal Products Association’s Botanical Safety Handbook. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press, LLC 1997.
18. Hobbs C. Medicinal Mushrooms. 3rd ed. Loveland (OR): Interweave Press; 1996.
19. Tao and Feng. Experimental and clinical studies on inhibitory effect of Ganoderma lucidum on platelet aggregation. J Tongji Med Univ 1990;10:240-3.
20. Möller-Levet CS, Archer1 SN, Bucca G, Laing EE, Slak A, Kabiljo R, Lo JCY, Santhi N, von Schantz M, Smith CP, Dijk D. Effects of insufficient sleep on circadian rhythmicity and expression amplitude of the human blood transcriptome. PNAS 2013 Feb 25 doi:10.1073/pnas.1217154110.

The Magic of Epsom salts

Now winter is upon us in the NW USA, there is nothing like a nice warm bath to relieve those achy joints and also detoxify all the seasonal food.

Here is an article I found on Epsom salts and how it keeps you healthy during the winter months.
Probably the most simple of all bathing rituals is the combination of pure Epsom salts in warm water. ...AND is very GOOD for you.  It’s easy, by the way to enjoy a non-chemical, scented version if you prefer add your favorite essential oil, although be ready to clean your tub afterward, as some oils can leave a ring around your tub.

What is Epsom Salt?
Well, it’s not actually a ‘salt’ per-se, but a naturally occurring mineral combination of Magnesium & Sulfate. There are posts all over the internet regarding the many possible uses for this special compound ~ gardening, house-cleaning, beauty issues & health too.

For this post, of course, it’s all about HEALTH. Research has shown that both Magnesium & Sulfate are easily absorbed through our skin, which helps us to enjoy fabulous health benefits. You may be surprised at the long list below and be tempted to pick up some Epsom salts today and jump into a warm bath!

HIGHLIGHTS:
Magnesium has the ability to help muscle & nerve function, reduce inflammation, improve circulation + prevent atherosclerosis.
Sulfates stimulate pancreatic enzymes,  help to improve the absorption of nutrients,  can ease migraine headaches, encourage the flushing of toxins.

Here’s a list by researchers from the web site of the Epsom Salt Industry Council:

• Improved heart and circulatory health, reducing irregular heartbeats, preventing hardening of the arteries, reducing blood clots and lowering blood pressure.
• Improved ability for the body to use insulin, reducing the incidence or severity of diabetes.
• Flushed toxins and heavy metals from the cells, easing muscle pain and helping the body to eliminate harmful substances.
• Improved nerve function by electrolyte regulation. Also, calcium is the main conductor for electrical current in the body, and magnesium is necessary to maintain proper calcium levels in the blood.
• Relieved stress. Excess adrenaline and stress are believed to drain magnesium, a natural stress reliever, from the body. Magnesium is necessary for the body to bind adequate amounts of serotonin, a mood-elevating chemical within the brain that creates a feeling of well being and relaxation.
• Reduced inflammation to relieve pain and muscle cramps.
• Improved oxygen use.
• Improved absorption of nutrients.
• Improved formation of joint proteins, brain tissue and mucin proteins.
• Prevention or easing of migraine headaches.

Studies have shown that both magnesium and sulfate are easily absorbed through the skin, which makes Epsom salt baths an optimum bathing choice to encourage healing. Magnesium is the second most abundant element in our body and helps to regulate over 325 enzymes.
Most of North Americans are ‘magnesium-deficient’, having reduced by 50% in the last 100 years due to changes in our diet and in the agricultural system. (i.e. industrial farming and over-use of soil). 

The diet of mainstream North America contains too much salt, sugar, fat and excess protein which can deplete Magnesium from our bodies. Advertisements for Calcium are everywhere and a big focus courtesy of the pharmaceutical industry. We need Calcium ~ don’t misunderstand, but often we have an excess of it. (It is thought that the best ratio is 2:1 –> Calcium:Magnesium. Most North Americans have 5 times more Calcium than Magnesium.  Unfortunately, research shows that Magnesium supplementation is not very effective as Magnesium is not well absorbed through our digestive system. (stomach acid, certain foods, or drugs or body imbalances)

The ANSWER? 
Studies show that we can increase our Magnesium levels by soaking in
EPSOM SALT BATHS!!

 If you can manage the time, experts recommend 3 Epsom salts baths every week for the best results.  I encourage people to have these baths and alternate with “hot & cold shower” hydrotherapy for optimum health.

BASIC BATH:

Add 2 cups of Epsom Salts to a warm tub of water. Enjoy 15-20 minutes, topping up with warm water when necessary.

Soothing Scented Detox BATH

2 cups epsom salts
1/2 cup baking soda (aluminum free if possible)
10 drops lavender essential oil (optional)

As above. Enjoy the added benefits of soothing baking soda and the scent of pure Lavender essential oil