Archive

Archive for the ‘Physical Wellness’ Category

Happy Valentines Day!

February 14th, 2010 angela englund, cmt No comments

heartGreetings and salutations!

the following is a message that I feel is very worthy of sharing with those of us who are seeking wholeness, especially on this day many call “valentines day”. This message was sent out yesterday from the founder and leader of Young Living brand essential oils. if you don’t know who or what i’m talking about then here’s my quick shpeel: Young Living is passionate and serious about producing therapeutic-grade products; Gary has the strictest standards for purity, potency and safety when it comes to the essential oils that Young Living produces, and he is passionate about bringing a higher quality of life to all of the world. if you are new to ‘essential oils’, they can be considered, but are far from limited to the word aromatherapy. they are basically considered the blood of a plant/tree/fruit/flower and this blood contains enormous healing potential, and is imbued with the intelligence of nature.

I am a distributor of these oils-
i use them in a variety of ways daily, on myself, on dogs, and in my massage and healing practice, so i have stories from using the oils myself, as well as from other people over the last year and a half, since I first heard about Young Living.

i hope you have a wonderful valentine’s day! know that i love you, and care for you so very much. You are an invaluable piece of the giant Cosmic Puzzle, I will say. and that is no small thing! I mean, your ability to realize grander dreams and desires for ourselves and others, is important. Your health, happiness, fulfillment and satisfaction in life IS IMPORTANT. i think you came here to this thing we call “Life” to evolve and achieve deeper fulfillment in your own unique and perfect way. And really, right here and now, you are doing that just perfectly. You are perfect, whole and complete. You are lovely. I love you!

if you would like to get to know more about the Young Living essential oils on your own, you can click here or just get in touch with me.

peace!

~angie

Happy Valentine’s Day!
Advice from founder of Young Living brand therapeutic oils, D. Gary Young
“I feel very strongly that the biggest problem we face today is a lack of love. I learned several years ago from patients I saw in my practice that the cause of what we call “dis-ease” is nothing more than a deficiency of self love. When we have self love, we take care of our body–our temple–because we expect it to serve us. When we have self love, we feed it the way it should be fed. When we have self love, we nurture and care for our bodies. We don’t damage and destroy them.

Baking Soda, What a Precious Salt

October 27th, 2009 Ethan Z. No comments

I just wanted to write a quick post and say “Baking Soda, What a Precious Salt!”  Baking soda can be used for so many things, from cooking to deodorizing,  it makes a good tooth paste, has anti fungal effects and can be used to wash hair and quickly eliminate dandruff. What a useful precious salt!

Do you use baking soda for things other than cooking?

Below you will see what wikipedia says about backing soda. Retrieved 10/27/2009 10PM CST.

Sodium bicarbonate or sodium hydrogen carbonate is the chemical compound with the formula NaHCO3. Sodium bicarbonate is a white solid that is crystalline but often appears as a fine powder. It has a slight alkaline taste resembling that of washing soda (sodium carbonate). It is a component of the mineral natron and is found dissolved in many mineral springs. The natural mineral form is known as nahcolite. It is also produced artificially.

Since it has long been known and is widely used, the salt has many related names such as baking soda, bread soda, cooking soda, bicarbonate of soda. Colloquially, its name is shortened to sodium bicarb, bicarb soda, or simply bicarb. The word saleratus, from Latin sal æratus meaning “aerated salt“, was widely used in the 19th century for both sodium bicarbonate and potassium bicarbonate. The term has now fallen out of common usage.

Cooking

Main article: leavening agent

Sodium bicarbonate is primarily used in cooking (baking) where it reacts with other components to release carbon dioxide, that helps dough “rise”. The acidic compounds that induce this reaction include phosphates, cream of tartar, lemon juice, yogurt, buttermilk, cocoa, vinegar, etc. Sodium bicarbonate can be substituted for baking powder provided sufficient acid reagent is also added to the recipe.[3] Many forms of baking powder contain sodium bicarbonate combined with one or more acidic phosphates (especially good) or cream of tartar. Can also be used for softening peas (⅛ tsp. per pint of water and bring to boil for one hour)

Thermal decomposition causes sodium bicarbonate alone to act as a raising agent by releasing carbon dioxide at baking temperatures. The mixture for cakes using this method can be allowed to stand before baking without any premature release of carbon dioxide.

Neutralization of acids and bases

Many laboratories keep a bottle of sodium bicarbonate powder within easy reach, because sodium bicarbonate is amphoteric, reacting with acids and bases. Furthermore, as it is relatively innocuous in most situations, there is no harm in using excess sodium bicarbonate. Lastly, sodium bicarbonate powder may be used to smother a small fire. [4]

A wide variety of applications follows from its neutralization properties, including ameliorating the effects of white phosphorus in incendiary bullets from spreading inside an afflicted soldier’s wounds.[5] Sodium bicarbonate can be added as a simple solution for raising the pH balance of water (increasing total alkalinity) where high levels of chlorine (2-5 ppm) are present as in swimming pools and aquariums.[6] Read more…

Castor Oil, A Forgotten Medicine?

October 25th, 2009 Ethan Z. No comments

I remember hearing my grandmother talk about how castor oil was used in the old days, especially when children got sick, had stomach aches or pretty much any ailment.  I know my aunts and mother hated the taste of this Oil. They would reluctantly drink some, braving the discussing taste. But, the logic was, and remains, that the taste meant this was good for you. They all believe, while the taste was horrible, that Castor oil did have a positive healing outcome.

I never had the pleasure of trying Castor oil. But I was curious, I found some at a local store and I was considering trying some, but the warning on the bottle that mentioned ‘external use only’ deterred me from ingesting it.

Besides the stories I heard from my grandmother, pretty much I did not know anyone else that used this oil as a traditional remedy. I understand how disgusting the taste could be, but I can’t help but wonder if this is oil is does in fact work, and if its effectiveness and usefulness in healing has been forgotten.

Middle easterners used it in the old days to deal with ailments, it is apparently effective on skin and acne and modern day medicines do contain elements extracted from Castor oil.

Have you or anyone you know used Castorl oil for medicinal purposes?

Here’s what Wikipedia says on Castor oil (retrieved 10/25/2009 6PM CST):

Castor oil in food

In the food industry, castor oil (food grade) is used in food additives,[13] flavorings, candy (e.g., chocolate),[14] as a mold inhibitor, and in packaging. Polyoxyethylated castor oil (e.g., Cremophor EL)[15] is also used in the foodstuff industries.[16]

Medicinal use of castor oil

The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has categorized castor oil as “generally recognized as safe and effective” (GRASE) for over-the-counter use as a laxative, with its major site of action the small intestine.[17] However, although it may be used for constipation, it is not a preferred treatment.[18] Undecylenic acid, a castor oil derivative, is also FDA-approved for over-the-counter use on skin disorders or skin problems.[19]

Castor oil penetrates deep into the skin thanks to its molecular weight, which is low enough to penetrate into the stratum corneum. Castor Isostearate Succinate is a polymeric mixture of esters with Isostearic Acid and Succinic Acid used for skin conditioning, such as in shampoo, lipstick and lip balm.[20]

Ricinoleic acid is the main component of castor oil and it exerts anti-inflammatory effects.[21]

One study has found that castor oil decreased pain more than ultrasound gel or Vaseline during extracorporeal shockwave application.[22]

Therapeutically, modern drugs are rarely given in a pure chemical state, so most active ingredients are combined with excipients or additives. Castor oil, or a castor oil derivative such as Cremophor EL (polyethoxylated castor oil, a nonionic surfactant), is added to many modern drugs, including:

Read more…

Eye-Relaxing Breathing Technique

September 25th, 2009 Ethan Z. 1 comment

Title: Breathing
by William H. Bates, M.D.

MANY patients with imperfect sight are benefited by breathing. One of the best methods is to separate the teeth while keeping the lips closed, breathe deeply as though one were yawning. When done properly one can feel the air cold as it passes through the nose and down the throat. This method of breathing secures a great amount of relaxation of the nose, throat, the body generally including the eyes and ears.

A man aged sixty-five, had imperfect sight for distance and was unable to read fine print without the aid of strong glasses. After practicing deep breathing in the manner described he became able at once to, read diamond type quite perfectly, as close as six inches from the eyes. The benefit was temporary but by repetition the improvement became more permanent.

At one time I experimented with a number of patients, first having them hold their breath and test their vision, which was usually lower when they did not breathe. They became able to demonstrate that holding their breath was a strain and caused imperfect sight, double vision, dizziness and fatigue, while the deep breathing at once gave them relief.

There is a wrong way of breathing in which when the air is drawn into the lungs the nostrils contract. This is quite conspicuous among many cases of tuberculosis.

Some teachers of physical culture in their classes while encouraging deep breathing close their nostrils when drawing in a long breath. This is wrong because it produces a strain and imperfect sight. By consciously doing the wrong thing, breathing with a strain one becomes better able to practice the right way and obtain relaxation and better sight.

The habit of practicing frequently deep breathing one obtains a more permanent relaxation of the eyes with more constant good vision.

Reading: Relearning to See, Improve Your Eyesight — Naturally!

September 23rd, 2009 Ethan Z. No comments

9781556433412After quickly reading Improve Your Vision Without Glasses Or Contact Lenses I quickly got a hold of a book called “Relearning to See: Improve Your Eyesight — Naturally!“. I’ve finished 5 chapters already and am very pleased. The book by Thomas Quackenbush is based on the Bates Method of natural vision improvement. This book does NOT have eye exercises what it has are ‘habits’. Apparently myopic individuals (including myself) strain our eyes with bad habits. I can relate to a lot of what I’ve read so far in this book on how I and people like me see the world around us.

Quackenbush did his homework in putting this book together; there is a lot of information on Bates research and how Bates came to his conclusions on restoring vision naturally. I have the Bates book and read some of it (I’m reading both Bates’ and Quackenbush’s books right now). Quackenbush often quotes Bates, from the Better Eyesight Magazine and the Perfect Sight Without Glasses book. Quackenbush then in his own words clarifies and modernizes Bates words.

The habits in this book were totally new to me, just as was the Bates method. Even though I read the 5 chapters today and last night, I can see how these habits do in fact work. My vision today on the commute to and from work was exceptionally sharper and I feel like I live in a 3D world that feels more 3D than it did before. Amazing.

Placebo effect? I will continue to read the book and do my best to follow the habits. If (or when) I see vision improvement I will let you know.

I hung my Snellen eye chart on the wall today. My vision today with my contact lenses on is 20/20 (wearing -6 contacts). Without contacts it is worse than 20/200.

Book Review: Improve Your Vision Without Glasses Or Contact Lenses

September 22nd, 2009 Ethan Z. 1 comment

AVIimprove-visionBook Review:

Recently, I finished reading a book titled “Improve Your Vision Without Glasses Or Contact Lenses” by the American Vision Institute (AVI).  As a newbie to the concept of Vision Therapy and ‘naturally’ improving eye power, I found “Improve Your Vision Without Glasses Or Contact Lenses” a good starting point, but you should not make this book your last to read on the subject. The book is very short and easy to read, making it very practical. The book emphasizes exercising the eye muscles and offers hope to many.

This book may have done more than offer hope, apparently it actually helped people improve their vision! By reading the comments and ratings on amazon.com I found that 42 users gave this book 4 or 5 stars, many of them reporting vision improvement! (I listed some of these comments below).

The 42 positive reviews gave me enough reason to give this book a try. Even if half the 42 positive ratings did not actually have improved vision, even if 21 individuals no improvement, in reality even if only 3 individuals where able to enhance their vision by following some visual exercises, that in itself warrants more investigation and experimentation.

I have been using ‘corrective’ eye glasses and contact lenses ever since I was 11 years old. Back then I barely needed my spectacles, now I cannot even see my wife’s face without them, and I am 30 years old (as of the date of this article).

I caution you from relying on this book as the only source of information on natural vision enhancement because it overlooks the Bates method which has been proven to improve eye sight.  There are so many websites, books and products on this topic. Only a few are worth your time and money.

My next book will be the original Bates Method book to which I will write about later.

Official Product Description:

For the 110 million Americans who suffer some type of vision problem, the American Vision Institute offers a clinically proven program of 20 exercises and maintenance techniques guaranteed to improve vision in as little as 30 days. This complete course in vision therapy helps increase focusing power, decrease eye strain, and prevent further deterioration of vision.

Six users gave the book one star, in other words a negative rating. Most the negative comments where what you would expect in a negative comment for a book that is against the mainstream of thought, basically “if it sounds too good it is probably too good to be true” comments.

One good thing that came out of these negative comments was to introduce me to the Bates Method, and let me know (even before reading the book) how this book followed a different approach to vision enhancement that was NOT the Bates Method.

Read more…

Cure Tooth Decay – Heal and Prevent Cavities with Nutrition

September 11th, 2009 Ethan Z. 1 comment

On 09/09/09 I wrote an article titled Diet and Fish Oil to Prevent Tooth Decay? where I referenced a discussion in the community forum titled ‘Fish Oil to Prevent Tooth Decay?‘.

I’ve just finished researching this book, Cure Tooth Decay: Heal and Prevent Cavities with Nutrition (First Edition). I actually was impressed by the comments that I ordered a copy of this book from Amazon a few hours ago. The user reviews were very encouraging that I decided  the book was worth reading and perhaps trying out some of its tips. I am of the belief that every idea is worth examining, and that usually, the most effective and correct solutions are the simplest ones, this applies to math, physics, engineering as well as it applies to the human body and health, common sense, isn’t it?

I’ve had my share of dental issues as a kid, I remember having many teeth extracted, as an adult these dental issues kept haunting me. It didn’t make sense because I followed the rules, I brushed and ate well and used mouth wash. I look forward to reading this book.

Here’s a link to the book:

Here’s some info about the book, based on the Amazon comments I read. The book follows on a trail-blazing dentist, Weston Price. The book outlines mistakes of the western society when it comes to food, it discusses how primitive cultures in the 1930’s (now largely decimated by modernization) had remained immune to tooth decay.

Besides research done by Dr. Weston Price, Nagel draws on personal experience and his child’s. The book has a substantial section devoted solely to children’s diets and the connection to their healthy teeth.

It makes sense that health at large effects the health of teeth, if you are in poor health your teeth will undoubtedly suffer. The book discusses how dental health may actually be an indicator of overall wellness.

This sounds like simple common sense to me.

Here’s a quote:

“Years ago, when people were afflicted with various types of ailments and diseases, it was common practice to blame evil spirits. People of the world still do this today, except that these evil spirits now have a new name. Sci entists, doctors, dentists, and government officials have decided that these new ‘evil spirits’ are called micro-organisms (viruses, bacteria, etc.)… The current theory of tooth decay is more like a superstition than a scientifically verified truth… The theory that bacteria thrive on sucrose, and then produce acids that eat away our tooth enamel, seems to be convincing. But it defies both science and logic… A daily mouthwash of some anti-bacterial agent would cure all cavities, if the bacterial theory were true. The answer is clear: what you have been told about tooth decay is a pure, sweet, child-like fantasy.”
~ Ramiel Nagel, “Cure Tooth Decay”

Read more…

Diet and Fish Oil to Prevent Tooth Decay?

September 9th, 2009 Ethan Z. No comments

ToothA couple days ago a new discussion was started in the community forum titled ‘Fish Oil to Prevent Tooth Decay?‘.

The topic of holistic dentistry, root canals and the health of teeth was talked about on Seeking Wholeness in the past, a couple articles come to mind, the Holistic Dentistry article and the Dentistry without Mercury article.

This recent discussion in the community forum is an exciting one because it discusses an area that is often overlooked, namely what impact does nutrition (or life style in general) have on the health of your teeth.

I quote from the discussion forum

If brushing, flossing, massive fluoridation campaigns, and dental surgery were effective in preventing tooth decay, it would not get worse over time. It would stay the same, or get better. This is what I refer to as unscientifically sound practices. If we are to examine the effects of our dental care as a society, the statistics clearly show it is a failure, as tooth decay becomes worse and worse over time. Either Nature is fundamentally flawed and has doomed us to a life that includes decaying teeth, or humans are flawed in understanding and utilizing Nature.

Until we change the way we live, and return to more natural and life-building foods, the trend of tooth decay worsening with age, will continue.
What Really Causes Tooth Decay

Here’s the natural diet that was suggested in this discussion that can allegedly make teeth healthy:

1. Raw grass-fed dairy including, milk, cheese, cream and butter.
2. Organs of sea animals including fish organs, fish heads, fish eggs, oysters, clams, mussels, and crab and lobster with the innards.
3. Organs of land animals, including liver, bone marrow, tongue, heart, kidneys, pancreas, adrenal glands, gonads and for the more adventurous, brain, eyes and stomach lining.

Read/Join the discussion here.

Looking Good Starts Inside

August 24th, 2009 Ethan Z. No comments

When it comes to hair, skin and nails, health equals beauty. One of the best ways to look good on the outside is to be good on the inside, in other words, to be healthy.

It’s no surprise that nutrition plays a crucial role towards our the health. Below you will see six tips that will help you give your body the nutrients it needs to keep it healthy on the inside and looking good on the outside:

  • Stay Hydrated:
    Drink 64+ ounces of water every day
  • Make Meals as Healthy as Possible:
    Eat fresh veggies and fruits. Avoid processed foods. Avoid fast foods. Avoid artificial flavors, preservatives, colors etc.
  • Boost Nutrition and Energy:
    Try protein powder in a shake or a smoothie and take organic/all natural multi vitamins (not made in china).
  • Get Good Fats Daily:
    Omega 3 and GLA essential fatty acids help keep your skin looking healthy and elastic. Learn more about fats here Fat the good and bad
  • More Antioxidants:
    Antioxidants help you avoid skin damage from the sun, poor diet and pollution.
  • Reduce Stress:
    Stress can easily lead to breakouts and wrinkles. Try meditation, yoga or other ways to achieve healthy relaxation

Anti Mold McDonald Burgers?

August 21st, 2009 Ethan Z. 1 comment

Burger2008I was fortunate enough to have grown up eating home made wholesome meals that my grandmother cooked. I have, however, had my share of fast food.

I ate burgers from every fast food chain that I can think of, not to mention the french fries, smoothies, hot dogs, fish or chicken sandwiches, tacos, just name a (pre-2007) fast food and I probably have eaten it.

After moving out of my college dorm, I lived on cheap hamburgers and other fast food diets for a couple months. I clearly noticed how my health declined, how I gained weight and had cravings often. I got sick, so I purchased the college meal plan. I didn’t get that plan because I was a smart kid, as I just said I did get sick. I give total credit to my doctor who advised me to eat at the cafeteria for a while until my health improved, so I did. I loved that decision; going to the campus cafeteria was often a relaxing and nutritional daily venture. I kept eating there until I graduated.

Had I seen this picture and had I known what I know now about fast food, I would have likely purchased that meal plan right away, without getting sick, without the doctor having to suggest it.

I am not comparing McDonalds to BurgerKing or DQ or …anything else. I put them all in the same bucket. Well, just imagine a KFC family meal bucket, close your eyes and reach in, grab the first greasy thing you touch, whatever you get, you would have gotten that same from any other fast food joint. I mean, you get bad food. Now that we established that ‘all’ fast food is the same, i.e. ‘bad for you’, you will love this one:

This lady has saved a McDonald’s hamburger from the year 1996. The 1996 McDonald’s hamburger is on the left side of the picture. A 2008 McDonald’s hamburger is on the right side. Do you notice anything strange about the picture? If you said that the 1996 burger looks quite preserved to be 12 years old at the time the picture was taken, then you win — sorry, no-prize!

If you eat home made food, or even restaurant food, you know that if you don’t eat something eventually it goes bad. We are all familiar with mold in all its colors and varieties. Then, how come this burger doesn’t go bad? Isn’t food supposed to go bad?

Had this food been natural, or nutritional, you’d expect to see so much mold, in fact we’d have a bona fide eco-system thriving on that burger.

I teach a workshop titled Healthy Choices for Children. It’s a class for parents seeking solutions to how to improve the way they eat. It’s about the alternative food market, organics, and the top ten food additives to avoid and why, menu planning and more. It’s a 3 session fabulously informative interactive class.

Below is my absolutely favorite prop.

People are always astounded when I share this.

I have used this as show and tell for a very long time.

Read more…

Migraine Glossary

July 2nd, 2009 Ethan Z. No comments

When you research migraines you will be exposed to new words. These terms are used to describe migraine, migraine management, migraine symptoms and suspected culprits behind migraines.

This article is here to serve as a glossary of migraine-related words as defined in the migraine arena. If you know of words that could be listed here please let me know.

Migraine Glossary of Terms:

angiography
an imaging technique that provides a picture, called an angiogram, of blood vessels.

aura
a symptom of classic migraine headache in which the patient sees flashing lights or zigzag lines, or may temporarily lose vision.

basilar artery migraine
migraine, occurring primarily in young women and often associated with the menstrual cycle, that involves a disturbance of a major brain artery. Symptoms include vertigo, double vision, and poor muscular coordination.

benign exertional headache
headache brought on by running, lifting, coughing, sneezing, or bending.

biofeedback
a technique in which patients are trained to gain some voluntary control over certain physiological conditions, such as blood pressure and muscle tension, to promote relaxation. Thermal biofeedback helps patients consciously raise hand temperature, which can sometimes reduce the number and intensity of migraines.

cluster headaches
intensely painful headaches — occurring suddenly and lasting between 30 and 45 minutes — named for their repeated occurrence in groups or clusters. They begin as minor pain around one eye and eventually spread to that side of the face.

computed tomography (CT)
an imaging technique that uses X-rays and computer analysis to provide a picture of body tissues and structures.

dihydroergotamine
a drug that is given by injection to treat cluster headaches. It is a form of the antimigraine drug ergotamine tartrate

electroencephalogram (EEG)
a technique for recording electrical activity in the brain.

electromyography (EMG)
a special recording technique that detects electric activity in muscle. Patients are sometimes offered a type of biofeedback called EMG training, in which they learn to control muscle tension in the face, neck, and shoulders.

endorphins
naturally occurring painkilling chemicals. Some scientists theorize that people who suffer from severe headache have lower levels of endorphins than people who are generally pain free.

ergotamine tartrate
a drug that is used to control the painful dilation stage of migraine.

hemiplegic migraine
a type of migraine causing temporary paralysis on one side of the body (hemiplegia).

Read more…

72 Percent of Americans Support a Government-Sponsored Health Care Plan to Compete with Private Insurers

June 24th, 2009 Ethan Z. No comments

Again, we the people have spoken.

A recent CBS/ New York Times poll found that 72 percent of Americans (50 percent of Republicans and 87 percent of Democrats) support a government-sponsored health care plan to compete with private insurers.

A clear majority of Americans — 72 percent — support a government-sponsored health care plan to compete with private insurers, a new CBS News/New York Times poll finds. Most also think the government would do a better job than private industry at keeping down costs and believe that the government should guarantee health care for all Americans.

Read more: http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/06/19/opinion/polls/main5098517.shtml

About My Migraines

June 23rd, 2009 Ethan Z. No comments

I’ve talked about migraines here before. Here’s a little about my experience with them. I believe I started to have migraines back in 2006. At first I didn’t know they were migraines, I was confused why I kept getting ill and why I had headaches. Then came the auras which made things clear, yes I had migraines, and not so clear because these auras left me almost blind.

By 2007, I was getting one every week. Initially most occurred on the weekend or early in the week.

They were accompanied by the spots of light that usually grew larger, these are the auras, if you don’t know what they’re called. I simply referred to them as bright light spots, or a single bright light spot, that sometimes had other colors mixed in, sometimes had a blank/dark spot as well. The auras often reminded me of staring straight into a flash light.

They would grow and sometimes cover enough of an area in my field of vision that I had to find a place to sit and wait it out because my vision was impaired t a degree that I couldn’t see and operate (walk, meet people or drive) safely.

Naturally other symptoms showed up. Usually after I saw the auras, and even when the auras were long gone, I would deteriorate in terms of weakness and headache intensity until by night time I find myself throwing up and feeling like I am so sick and weak that I could die.

This all became too common, too frequent. I was ‘falling apart’.

As a result of my migraines, I grew to recognize them in their early stages and to catch these early symptoms and listen to my body and start to take action steps to stop the oncoming migraine in its tracks.

After other health issues ocurred, I made a commitment towards my health, and followed through. This lead to less migrains and to my ability to stop them before they get really bad. Sometimes I forget my commitment, and that’s when I get a migraine.

I guess, now, migraines are my body’s way of reminding me to take care of my mental, emotional and physical wellness and health.

Is Distilled Water Bad For Me?

June 11th, 2009 Ethan Z. 4 comments

water3I had a discussion with a coworker about water, he said that distilled water will suck out minerals out of my body.  I find myself  unsure if the idea that “distilled water leeches minerals from the body” is truth or myth.  A friend of mine who had Fibromyalgia said her doctor thought her condition was due to drinking distilled water.

One has to be cautious here because money is involved, companies selling distillers may have a different story than companies that sell you water filters.. In the midst of product-selling and marketing wars the truth becomes elusive to consumers.

Even doctors that talk about the topic seem to have a monetary connection to a product, so I cannot trust their talking points either.

A CALL TO DOCTORS: IF any doctor is reading this article, please let me know what your professional opinion on distilled water leeching minerals from the body is. Thanks

I went online looking for an answer and found conflicting views, some say distilled water is good others say it depletes your body from minerals.

Here are some of the views I found:

Yes. You an drink safely distilled water. It is good for health. You must know that basically water is taken from tube wells, which is treated and distilled and the good and potable water is separated, which is good for drinking.

You actually should drink mineral water or safe Tap water as it contains calcium, magnesium, sodium and other trace minerals including flouride which are beneficial to your health.

Distilled water will not do any harm but you may need to supplement your diet with the minerals you are loosing (these minerals are added to tap water to ensure we get enough). The health risks are not severe in the short term but i should imagine, over a number of years may lead to illness if you never eat or drink anything which contains them.

Distilled water is not good for our health , as all the minerals are missing in ditilled water, it doen’t have anything accept H2O…..
On the Contrary, minreal water is purify and it has the basic minerals, which are neede by our body

distilled water is ” ordinary ” water put through a process of boiling and steam collection ( distillation ) and gets impurities out and some chemical elements.

It is WATER….It will NOT suck minerals out of your system…Water does not need any assistance to hydrate your body.
If anyone tells you that distilled water is bad for you they are Yanking your chain or just plain being mean and lying to you.

2. I heard that distilled water is leeches minerals from the body, is this true?

It is unsure where this myth came from, but it is not based upon any scientific fact and is literally a lie.  It is presumed that it was a rumour started by an individual or company with vested interests (possibly a manufacturer of an alternative filter or purifier).

Read more…

Mystery Ingredient Cleaning Earth’s Atmosphere

June 4th, 2009 Ethan Z. No comments

ozonejpgToday, National Geographic had a very interesting article on a mysterious ingredient that seems to be cleaning the Earth’s atmosphere. Here’s some of that article:

Mother Nature has a previously unknown cleaning agent that scrubs away toxic air pollution, scientists have discovered.

What’s more, the existence of the still mysterious substance has shaken up decades-long assumptions about our atmosphere’s self-cleaning process

Many studies have shown that trace gases and pollutants in the lowest level of our atmosphere break down naturally, thanks to molecules called hydroxyl (OH) radicals.

But the breakdown spews out ozone, itself a toxic pollutant and a greenhouse gas. (Get global warming facts.)

Not so in China’s heavily polluted Pearl River Delta, where experts were stumped to find lots of OH radicals but relatively small amounts of resulting ozone

“It was a complete surprise to us [that], after such a long time of scientific research, such a big gap has been found,” said study co-author Franz Rohrer, of the Institute of Chemistry and Dynamics of the Geosphere in Jülich, Germany.

Global Advantage

Highly reactive OH radicals are continually recycled in the atmosphere through reactions with water vapor and nitric oxide, both naturally present in the air.

Part of nature’s self-cleaning mechanism, the reactions break down trace amounts of pollutants, Rohrer said.

Read the rest: http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2009/06/090604-air-pollution-self-clean.html

Read about Ozone here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ozone

Massive Qigong Gathering: 1000’s Will Breathe as 1

June 1st, 2009 Ethan Z. No comments

On July 11th, you can join a “Massive Qigong Gathering: 1000’s Will Breathe as 1” event. Experts in NATURAL MEDICINE & YOGA ARE RAVING about this event. You can also start a 4-day seminar (training) on Qigong!

Over 10,000 people have attended and taken the Qigong training. With live music & the most powerful techniques you can’t go wrong.

Qigong makes your body strong and builds energy using breath & movement. Learn breathing exercises that deliver a full body vibration in 45 seconds. Also learn qigong exercises that create a highly-tangible healing energy.

PLUS, learn a proven Food-Healing system entitled Conquering Any Disease


Learn How Millions are REVERSING DIsease

This event is about NATURAL HEALING and positive HI-ENERGY living.

Atlanta & Orlando are the sites for the next Qi Revolution events. For $99 its the deal of a lifetime and more FUN then you can imagine.

You can register now and join hundreds of like minded individuals. Click here to find registration info on QiRevolution.com. Looks like it’s worth attending!



World Qigong Day:  Massive Gathering

The Elusive MSG – How To Identify MSG In Food

May 21st, 2009 Ethan Z. 2 comments

MSG is harmful to many; countless people get migraine headaches after consuming MSGs, including  myself. These people are more aware of the ingredients in their food. We read food ingredient labels carefully to make sure our food doesn’t contain MSGs. We also avoid Chinese food, fast food burgers, and Lipton soups, etc..

Did you know that “MSG” is only one term used to refer to Monosodium Glutamate and that other words and numbers are used?

When you read the ingredients, if you are looking for MSGs, you should know all the terms used to identify MSG.

MSG can be referred to as:

  • sodium glutamate (sodium salt of the non-essential amino glutamic acid)
  • HS code 29224220
  • E621
  • Ajinomoto
  • Vetsin,
  • Accent

Are there other words used to indicate the presense of MSG in food that I missed?

On Blood Thinners? Veggies are OK

May 20th, 2009 Ethan Z. No comments

medical alert bracelet

I know from experience that doctors encourage that a patient on blood thinners continues to eat a balanced diet, including green and leafy veggies.  If you like salad and lettuce you wont have to give them up. The only important thing is to be stable in your diet, don’t eat  a ton of lettuce in one week and no lettuce in the other.

Don’t take my word for it. Below you will see captions from a fredericksburg.com article that talk about this issue:

Veggies not off-limits when taking blood thinners

Americans filled about 30 million prescriptions for the drug Coumadin, also called warfarin, in 2004, according to the Warfarin Institute of America. This medicine helps prevent unwanted blood clots called deep vein thromboses and pulmonary embolisms.

Vitamin K, found in foods such as broccoli and spinach, decreases the effects of warfarin, and this makes many people taking the drug think they can’t eat green vegetables at all

But, don’t give up your veggies. In fact, eating more vegetables and fish, and less red and processed meat, is linked with having fewer clots. That’s according to a letter from acting U.S. Surgeon General Steven Galson, published in this month’s Journal of the American Dietetic Association.

It’s true that large amounts of vitamin K, found in leafy green vegetables, can interfere with warfarin and increase the risk of clots. But it’s not necessary to avoid these foods entirely, according to a statement in the American Heart Association’s journal, Circulation.

GREENS VARY

It may also be helpful to know that some green veggies are low in vitamin K. While most vitamin-K-rich foods are green, not all green foods have the same amount of vitamin K.

For example, these green vegetables are relatively low in vitamin K, having less than 100 micrograms per serving: peas, green beans, celery, iceberg lettuce and green peppers.

Vegetables with moderate amount of vitamin K, 100 to 300 micrograms, include asparagus, broccoli, brussels sprouts, green cabbage, endive, green onions, Romaine lettuce, green leaf lettuce and parsley.

Dark green leafy veggies, such as spinach, kale, collard greens and must-ard greens, have the most vitamin K, more than 1,000 micrograms per serving.

Other ways to help prevent clots, according to the acting surgeon general, including staying active, exercising leg muscles during long trips and not smoking. And, keep eating your veggies.

Alcohol and cranberry juice, while not high in vitamin K, can affect clotting. If you take warfarin, don’t drink alcohol–it may cause bleeding.

Read more…

The Bone and Joint Decade Task Force On Neck Pain and Its Associated Disorders

May 14th, 2009 Ethan Z. No comments

The results of the six-year study of the Bone and Joint Decade Task Force on Neck Pain and its Associated Disorders has recently been published online in the peer-reviewed journal Spine.

Below you will see captions from the study findings document.

The Bone and Joint Decade 2000-2010 Task Force on Neck Pain and Its Associated Disorders is composed of a group of international researchers and scientist-clinicians who have spent the past seven years undertaking a comprehensive and structured review of the current research on neck pain.  The Scientific Secretariat of the Task Force is composed of 13 members and has been supported by an international Advisory Committee of 17 members.  The Task Force and Advisory Committee members represent 14 disciplines ranging from neurology and rheumatology to epidemiology, chiropractic and physical therapy from across nine countries.

Read more…

My Artificial Sweetener Nightmare

February 23rd, 2009 Ethan Z. 8 comments
EV Satie

EV Satie Guest Blogger

My Artificial Sweetener Nightmare

By EV Satie, Guest blogger

I was recently reading a great post on Dr. Mercola’s web site about the dangers of Splenda and it got me to thinking about my own personal experience with these harmful sweeteners.

Having had a weight problem my entire life and not being able to tolerate sugar (it made me want to eat and eat!), I did what most people do in my situation- I used artificial sweeteners. On top of that I am quite compulsive, so I used a lot of it. Drinks sweetened with Equal and Splenda were a daily staple, as well as packets and packets of Splenda, which I put in my coffee and on my food. It took me many years to face up to the fact that these so called “safe” sweeteners were really poising my body, and on top of that I had a chronic illness, which was exacerbated by anything chemical and highly processed.

Needless to say, I finally was willing to let all of them go about a year and a half ago, and although it was difficult, it wasn’t the hardest part of my withdrawal from them. About three days into it, I had a severe liver attack which lasted for almost an hour, and I had to lie on my back and deep breathe the entire time so that I didn’t throw up or have to head to the hospital. I had terrible stabbing pains in my side, burning in my intestines, and hot and cold flashes running through my body. Not a pretty experience at all! It has taken me months to heal my liver, and it still gives me trouble now and then.

The reason that I am sharing this with you is because I really want to get the word out about just how toxic these substances are! Splenda may be derived from sugar, but the end result is that it becomes chlorinated artificial sweetener once it has been molecularly altered.

Do you really want something like that in your body?

Please go to the following websites for more information:

Do yourself a huge favor and stop using these poisons as soon as you can!

Written by EV Satie

Of

Read more…

From Medication To Meditation!

February 19th, 2009 Ethan Z. 6 comments

My opinion on the use of drugs to treat mood-related issues has always been less than favorable. I have seen no reasons to alter the state of my mind with any drugs, ever.

I say, if you have anxiety or depression, this means there is a culprit behind it. You need to deal with the cause, and the emotion will become well balanced again. If you cannot deal with your emotions or thoughts alone seek a friend or a counselor.

You should not want to treat (and i use the word treat very loosely here because you are not treating anything with mood drugs) stress or depression and anxiety with mood altering drugs that rob you from your true self and usually get you hooked for life.

If you are experiencing unbalanced emotions or moods, I guarantee you there is a reason for it, whether it is a spiritual, a subconscious, a cognitive or even a physical reason; there is a reason. The reason may be an imbalance in any/or all of the eight dimensions of wellness (read about the eight dimensions of wellness here) All of these dimensions are interconnected so the cause of your lack of balance probably spans over many of these dimensions.

Do you really want to mask the problem, only to re-experience these emotions once the drugs wore off?  If you take mood drugs you are only dealing with a symptom, not the underlying causes. If you go on mood drugs you are likely placing yourself in an endless loop of drug dependency, stuck, dependent on an outside, manufactured, and expensive medications to keep you well. While, what you need is already available for free, inside of you. You need nothing to be well, all you need is yourself (or a person to talk to), certainly not drugs.

Identify the cause, the imbalances and deal with them, if you do this you’ll see your anxiety evaporate into thin air. Further, you will be empowered by your experience, you will gain experience and you will take control of your life. On the other hand, you could seek refuge in drugs and hide from the real problems.

I find meditation to be a great tool to combat emotional and mood issues. I often tell people: “Say no medication and yes to mediation”. Meditation is one weapon you got, for free, that is inside of you. All you have to do is use it.

Make the move now,

“From Medication to Meditation”

Read more…

Is Garlic A Brain Poison?

February 12th, 2009 Ethan Z. 3 comments
Garlic, Good or Bad?

Garlic, Good or Bad?

I came across this today, does anyone out there have more info on this?

From GARLIC – TOXIC SHOCK! Reprinted from Nexus Magazine, Feb/Mar 2001. Source: From a lecture by physicist Dr. Robert C Beck, DSc, given at the Whole Life Expo, Seattle, WA, USA, in March 1996.

The reason garlic is so toxic, the sulphone hydroxyl ion penetrates the blood-brain barrier, just like DMSO [a sulfoxide], and is a specific poison for higher-life forms and brain cells. We discovered this, much to our horror, when I (Bob Beck, DSc) was the world’s largest manufacturer of ethical EEG [electroencephalography] feedback equipment.

We’d have people come back from lunch that looked clinically dead on an encephalograph, which we used to calibrate their progress. “Well, what happened?” “Well, I went to an Italian restaurant and there was some garlic in my salad dressing!” So we had them sign things that they wouldn’t touch garlic before classes or we were wasting their time, their money and my time.

I guess some of you … are pilots or have been in flight tests… I was in flight test engineering in Doc Hallan’s group in the 1950s. The flight surgeon would come around every month and remind all of us: “Don’t you dare touch any garlic 72 hours before you fly one of our airplanes, because it’ll double or triple your reaction time. You’re three times slower than you would be if you’d not had a few drops of garlic.”
Well, we didn’t know why for 20 years later, until I owned the Alpha-Metrics Corporation. We were building biofeedback equipment and found out that garlic usually desynchronises your brain waves.

Read more…

Consciousness, Water & Healing – Radio Interview with Stephan Schwartz

January 31st, 2009 Ethan Z. No comments

Water has the ability to be altered by conscious attention, as evidence seems to indicate. Schwartz reported that Dean Radin had recently replicated Masaru Emoto’s groundbreaking research, demonstrating that the shape of water crystals can be affected by thoughts and music.  Water was tested in an experiment involving 14 healers and patients and showed changes in its hydrogen bonds that were not present in the control group (water not exposed to the healing thoughts), Schwartz detailed. His research indicates that the consciousness of all living things from humans to plants is connected.

If consciousness can alter water, and we are made of more than 70% water, can consciousness and water be used in healing?

Watch 10 you tube videos (coast to coast radio interview with Stephan A. Schwartz) and discuss this topic further here (login not required to join the discussion). The interview is very interesting I recommended listing to the whole thing.

Stephan A. Schwartz is research associate in the cognitive science laboratory and a leading expert on the practical application of remote viewing and aspects of extra ordinary human functioning, he is also a co-author of over 30 papers, and is involved in energy medicine work and a member of the parapsychology association

The ONLY Water You Should Drink

January 28th, 2009 Ethan Z. No comments

I have been researching clean drinking water; after a number of months of research, I am convinced the only water anyone should drink is distilled water. I am looking at building my own water steam distiller, since I rather not buy one for $100 + My distiller will run on ‘any’ heat source, which may come in handy when camping (or when there is no electricity).. I discuss these here:

Checkout this discussion: Is There Any Good Water To Drink Out There??

Find out how to buy or build a distiller and share your ideas here: Water Distillation at Home

I will soon share my design and resutls.

Vatican, Shame On You!

January 26th, 2009 Ethan Z. 1 comment

In the last few hours, with unusual speed, the Vatican has condemned Obama’s Jan. 23 repeal of the ban on U.S. funding for foreign family planning aid groups who support abortion services. This rule was first enforced under Regan, then Clinton repealed it only for Bush to reinstate it, now Obama is repealing this rule again.

This rule basically says that US funds will not be given to any international organization or any non profits that support the full scale of family planning that includes abortion, this rule tells other countries how to handle their own people’s family planning and removes funding from any groups that select to support abortion. As a result most the money goes to groups that are religious or teach abstenance and the money does not go to all the rest of the mainstream and sensible groups that offer a full range of family planning but just happen to support abortions as a womans choice.

It is “the arrogance of someone who believes they are right, in signing a decree which will open the door to abortion and thus to the destruction of human life,” Archbishop Rino Fisichella was quoted as saying by the Corriere della Sera daily.

To you, Vatican and Archbishop I say Shame On You!

Our creed in the US is the constitution. The real arrogance is for the US to think that we have the right to tell other nations how to do their family planning based on our own religious views. We in the US have a separation between church and state. Neither you nor anyone really knows when ‘life’ starts in a human being. Under our constitution we have the right for privacy, women deserve the right to make their choice.

To you Vatican I say, stay out of our union

To those of you who advocate abstinence and are anti abortion I say please stop the hypocrisy. If you want to avoid abortions then teach family planning and improve sex education, do not go after a dream called abstinence because no one is abstinent, face reality, wake up! People who only use abstinence for family planning end up being ignorant, and ignorance leads to unwanted pregnancies. Want to reduce abortions then teach people how to use condoms and support sex education.

Further, how come you say that you care so much about “kill babies” but once these same “babies” are born you don’t care if they get health care or if they live in poverty? Shame on You!!

To Obama I say, Kudos! Thank you for restoring the power to our constitution!

Recent news article

Senior Vatican figures criticise Obama
http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/world/2009/0126/1232923365952.html

The Vatican Slams Obama Over Abortion
http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1873904,00.html

Read more…