HOLISM HEALS Your one-stop shop for all things holistic

MUST READ

The China Study by T. Colin Campbell, PhD and Thomas M. Campbell, II is a must-read book for every health-seeker and health care provider. If you are worried about breast cancer, colon cancer, diabetes, obesity or other health concerns or simply want unbiased nutritional information, this is the book for you.

Two-thirds of Americans are overweight and more than 15 million of us have diabetes. The incidence of heart disease has not changed in 30 years, although the sick-care system is much better at making money off of all the treatments, drugs and procedures.

Why would you hand over your health and wellness, your most precious possession, to a system that is so incredibly flawed and broken? Take back your power and start to improve your health by choosing foods that support your body's natural tendency towards wholeness.

LOSE WEIGHT HOLISTICALLY
Decrease the amount of animal based protein in your diet. Our bodies are programmed to store animal protein as fat for use at a later date. When we eat more of a plant-based diet, we use that food as fuel today. This keeps our metabolic rate just that much higher, which means we burn our calories instead of store them. By the way, we need far less protein than what the government suggests: yes, this is true even for growing children. Did you know that is only takes an extra 50 calories a day to add up to a weight gain of 10 pounds a year?

HOLISTIC BRAIN HEALTH, PART 2

BEST BRAIN NUTRIENTS

            As the Baby Boomer generation ages and more and more folks (young and old alike) are being labeled as having some sort of attention issues, the body of information and research into brain health has grown tremendously. In Part 1, good nutrition, exercise and stress management and how they all relate to staying mentally vital were covered. This article will discuss some of the better known and studied nutrients and how to get enough of them.

            DMAE, also known as dimethylethanolamine is naturally found in fish like sardines and anchovies and is believed to work primarily by supporting healthy neurotransmitter function, particularly the production and action of acetylcholine. Studies indicate that DMAE assists in giving the brain's neurons the optimum supply of choline, and it may cause the direct release of acetylcholine from nerve cells and increase the output of it.

            Huperzine A is a moss extract used for centuries in traditional Chinese medicine. It exhibits properties similar to those of cholinesterase inhibitors, which means that it helps keep the neurotransmitter choline from being broken down. We need choline and its precursor, Acetyl –L-Carnitine (see below) in adequate amounts to keep our brain cells working and communicating with each other. Huperzine A showed enough promise to attract the attention of the National Institute on Aging, which is looking at it as a treatment for mild to moderate Alzheimer’s Disease.

            Acetyl-L-Carnitine (ALCAR) is a form of L-carnitine, a compound that is found in nearly all cells of the body. ALCAR has been shown to protect, maintain and energize the neurons that are critical to concentration, memory, mental energy and overall health.
This form of carnitine is the most bioavailable and energetically useful form for your brain. It supports your brain's optimal synthesis of acetylcholine, the neurotransmitter that is critical for concentration and memory. The references I checked state that to get clinically significant amounts of ALCAR, one needs to take a supplement.

            EGCG or green tea extract has been shown to have anti-oxidant, anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory properties.  Green tea has been used medicinally for 5000 years in China and India. UCLA's Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, an award-winning cancer research center, reported in their 2005 Cancer Discoveries newsletter that several published, peer-reviewed studies indicated that green tea extract “induces death in cancer cells” without affecting healthy cells, and prevents cancer cells from producing the “independent blood supply” required to spread to other parts of the body. This indicates that green tea extract might help to keep cancer contained, making it easier to treat. Our brains are particularly vulnerable to free-radical damage, so EGCG’s anti-oxidant properties are very important for good brain health.

            Rhodiola is a plant that grows in cold regions of the world. It is an adaptogenic herb, meaning that it acts in non-specific ways to increase resistance without disturbing normal biological functions. Pilot studies conducted by Shevtsov and others on human subjects showed that it improves physical and mental performance, and may reduce fatigue. A 2002 review in Herbalgram, the Journal of the American Botanical Council, reported that over the years, numerous studies of rhodiola in humans and animals have shown that it helps prevent fatigue, stress and the damaging effects of oxygen deprivation. Evidence also suggests that it has an antioxidant effect, enhances immune system function and can increase sexual energy.

            Vitamin B12 is a water-soluble vitamin with a key role in the normal functioning of the brain and nervous system. B12 is normally involved in the metabolism of every cell of the body, especially affecting DNA synthesis and regulation, but also fatty acid synthesis and energy production. B12 assists in the manufacture of certain neurotransmitters and in the support of brain metabolism.Good sources of Vitamin B12 include liver, meat, cheese and eggs. Vegetarians, be sure to consume foods that have been fortified with Vitamin B12.

            This group of six nutrients constitute the best of the best when it comes to supporting focus, concentration, memory, mood and mental energy. In addition, they work synergistically with each other to create a healthier, stronger brain and their benefits also extend to the rest of one’s body. To get more information about improving mental performance, please read Dr. Kyl Smith’s book, Brighter Mind or go to www.GetFocusUP.com  OR click on the link on the left side of this blog.

            As always, consult with a trusted health care professional before making changes in your lifestyle. None of the statements made in this article have been evaluated by the FDA and this information is not meant to cure, diagnose, treat or prevent any disease.

 

THINK BEFORE YOU PINK

            Halloween, pumpkins, candy corn, MLB World Series, National Breast Cancer Awareness Month: these are all things that have become part of many Americans’ collective consciousness over the years when we think of October. We take these icons for granted, rarely questioning how they entered our consciousness.

            Take National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, or NBCAM. There is a whole culture of marketing madness that has grown up around this designation – people wearing pink ribbons, buying pink ribbon products, donating money and joining walks, runs and other activities to benefit cancer charities. There are coupons, agencies, paint colors, make up colors, yogurt, even Sports Illustrated and more that “Go Pink” during the month of October to capitalize on the general public’s desire to fight cancer, especially breast cancer. Few people know how this all got started, they just follow the crowd.

            NBCAM’s top corporate sponsor is AstraZeneca (formerly known as Zeneca), a multi-billion dollar international company that makes tamoxifen, a top selling chemotherapy drug. In addition, up until the year 2000, AstraZeneca also manufactured carcinogenic agrochemicals, most notably acetochlor. Before merging with Astra in 1999, Zeneca created Breast Cancer Awareness Month in 1985 and acquired the Salick chain of cancer treatment centers in 1997. In a 1999 Sierra magazine article entitled Cancer, Inc., Dr. Samuel Epstein, a professor of occupational and environmental medicine at the University of Illinois School of Public Health, calls this a “conflict of interest unparalleled in the history of American medicine.” He goes on to say “You’ve got a company that’s a spinoff of one of the world’s biggest manufacturers of carcinogenic chemicals, they’ve got control of breast cancer treatment, they’ve got control of the chemoprevention (studies), and now they have control of cancer treatment in centers which are clearly going to be prescribing the drugs they manufacture.”

            If you examine the marketing materials provided by NBCAM, you will see no mention of carcinogens, prevention measures, or causes of breast cancer. Their focus is on awareness, detection and what to do once you have the disease. While cancer "awareness" is the goal, few women know the truth about cancer and what they can do to prevent it. Only detection awareness is pushed. Are we forgetting that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure? Cancer is BIG business, prevention is not. Huge amounts of money are made when we get sick, while virtually no money is made when we stay healthy.     

            “Pinkwasher” is a company that claims to care about breast cancer by promoting a pink ribboned product, but manufactures products that are linked to the disease. Ask yourself some important questions before you buy a “pink” product or donate to a “pink” charity to be sure that your money is being well-spent. How much money from your purchase actually goes to breast cancer? Does the company promote cancer prevention or is it making money off of cancer treatment? What is the company doing to assure that its products are not actually contributing to the breast cancer epidemic? Does the product contain possible carcinogens, like parabens and other preservatives?

            Here’s more food for thought: “Pink”actually started out as “peach.” In 1992, 68 year old Charlotte Haley, a mother, sister and granddaughter of women who had breast cancer began sending out cards with loops of peach colored ribbon. On the card was written “The National Cancer Institute annual budget is $1.8 billion, only 5% goes for cancer prevention. Help us wake up our legislators and America by wearing this ribbon.” Ms. Haley refused to relinquish her color to Estee Lauder and Self magazine, saying that they were “too commercial,” so the color was changed from peach to pink and the focus went from prevention of cancer to awareness of cancer. Ms Haley and her grass-roots efforts were lost in a sea of pink marketing and big dollar signs.

            It’s been said that we vote with our wallets. As the month of October moves on, please make it a point to “Think before you pink.” Purchase Pink Ribbon products when they support: cancer prevention, cancer treatment for socio-economically deprived families, helping families afford organic food, educating families on carcinogens found in products they use/eat every day, sharing complementary cancer treatments, promoting healthy lifestyle changes and prevention organizations.

 

 

SUPPORT BRAIN HEALTH HOLISTICALLY

 

            I attended Congresswoman Speier’s Town Hall meeting on Sunday in Montara, along with a couple hundred other interested folks. There were the requisite hecklers and the individuals who had their horror stories about the US health care (or sick care) system, the health insurance industry and the pharmaceutical industry. Here’s what I know -- whatever bill Obama and his administration come up with and get passed is not going to change what I am doing to support my own health and wellness. Since the beginning of my career as a Registered Nurse, I have said “In this country, don’t get sick, don’t get old and don’t get poor.” I am doing my best to keep control of my own health and wellness and I encourage each and every one of you to do the same. This is one of the main reasons for writing these articles. 

            A healthy, fit person is a powerful person. It mystifies me why so many folks choose to relinquish that power to others who are not interested in their health, only in keeping a horribly flawed system grinding along. Making the choice to maintain control over your own health and wellness keeps you out of a broken system, a system which is not going to be fixed by the passage of any one bill. I am talking about personal responsibility here. Take back your power by making some lifestyle changes – it’s your choice.

            Your health is your own personal responsibility, not your ancestors’and not your health care providers’. Yes, we have a certain genetic make up and it is largely up to us and the choices we make whether or not or how those genes will express themselves. If you woke up this morning, then you are aging…that is a given. The question is, HOW are you aging? Are you keeping your earthsuit in the best shape possible or are you treating it poorly and then handing over your power to a health care provider and wanting them to fix you?         

            Tending to the health of your brain is part of the whole-body pursuit of fitness. This article will focus on the basics of brain health and simple ways to support a healthy brain. Next month’s article will cover current research and the nutrients that a fit brain needs.

            We now know that the brain, at any age, is able to strengthen, deepen and change existing neural connections as well as develop new neural cells, processes called neuroplasticity and neurogenesis. Focusing on good nutrition, physical fitness and stress management will support these processes, helping your brain stay strong, healthy and resilient at any age.

            Roughly 50 to 60 percent of our brain’s overall weight is pure fat, the rest being a mixture of protein and carbohydrates. And we used to think being called a “Fathead” was a bad thing. Increasing the healthy fats and decreasing or eliminating the unhealthy fats in our diets will help our brains run smoothly. The good fats are Omega-3 fats and are found in walnuts, flaxseeds, flaxseed oil and dark leafy greens. The brain’s favorite fat is DHA or docosahexaenoic acid which is plentiful in salmon, sardines and mackerel. For the vegetarians out there, DHA derived from algae is a good alternative.

            Bad fats include saturated and trans-fats and are plentiful in processed foods, red meat and whole fat dairy products. These fats are not just bad for your brain, they are bad for you whole body. In an April 2007 American Journal of Clinical Nutrition study, researchers monitored the diets of 2,251 people for nearly 10 years and discovered that those who ate the least good fat were most likely to experience a loss of “verbal fluency,” a marker of brain health.

            Because the brain is predominantly fat, it is more susceptible to free-radical damage than any other organ. In addition, the brain’s repair mechanisms do not work as well as other organs’. Fresh, raw fruits and vegetables and alkaline, mineral water are the best natural sources of anti-oxidants.

            Our brains like a steady, natural supply of sugar for energy – the kind we get from fruits and vegetables – not the refined sugars in candy or energy drinks. In a double-blind study done in 2006 at Loughborough University in England, researchers found that caffeine and glucose laden drinks made participants’ reaction times worse and furthermore, did not counteract feelings of sleepiness. In addition, all that refined sugar causes blood sugar levels to spike, which can eventually overwhelm the body’s ability to maintain balance, leading to insulin resistance. This can lead to Type 2 Diabetes and, studies show, higher rates of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. 

            Exercise also contributes to good brain health. According to neuroscientist Arthur Kramer, PhD “exercise increases brain function, memory retention and other key areas of cognition up to 20%.” Although our brains account for only 2% of our body’s overall weight, it guzzles 15% of its blood flow. Increasing the blood flow to our noggins keeps the blood vessels open, flexible and unclogged. Research done by Kramer points to the conclusion that adequate exercise may actually encourage the brain to make new connections between neurons and to build new vascular structures.

            There is also evidence that exercise causes biochemicals to be released in the blood and when these flow to the brain, it produces another biochemical that fuels learning. And exercise is a great way to cope with the stresses of daily living. It gives us a chance to work our large muscle groups, it supports a healthy cardio-vascular system and it keeps our bones healthy.

            My mom always says ‘It’s not what happens to you, it’s how you deal with it.”  How we choose to deal with the ever-increasing levels of stress in our lives is more important than the actual or perceived levels of stress. Turns out, chronic stress takes a heavy toll on our brains. Stress hormones contribute to a general environment of inflammation and attack the hippocampus, the brain’s memory center. This explains why we forget a lot of stuff when we are stressed out. It’s amazing how just stopping to take some deep breaths and refocus can help to decrease stress and restore memory – try this the next time you can’t find your keys!

            Meditation is also a good way to relieve stress and can be done anywhere, anytime. Many folks think they have to be sitting in a lotus position, with groovy music playing, candles lit and absolutely no distractions in order to meditate. Meditating can be as simple as focusing on your breath and concentrating on breathing in peace and breathing out stress. This can be done while sitting in traffic, at work, cleaning the house, walking the dog, etc. Be creative – find ways to fit deep, conscious breathing into your everyday tasks and see how the relaxation helps in all areas of your life. Shallow, rapid breathing increases stress hormones (our lizard mind thinks we are in danger) and deep, slow breathing decreases stress hormones and contributes to our overall sense of well-being.

            Many, if not all, degenerative diseases are due to chronic inflammation, and this includes diseases of the brain and nervous system. Supporting a healthy pH balance, making better dietary choices, getting enough exercise, being well-hydrated at the cellular level and engaging in healthy stress reduction techniques can make huge differences in one’s health. Make the choice – you can spend your time sitting in doctor’s offices and at the pharmacy waiting for your prescriptions to be filled or you can make these lifestyle changes and take back the control over your health. You don’t have to wait for congress to pass a health care reform bill. These are things you can start today.

 

NON-TOXIC HEAD LICE, FLEA/TICK, MOSQUITO PRODUCT

 

            Some months ago, I decided to investigate holistic ways to deal with what are known as “non-beneficial” insects – head lice, bed bugs, fleas, ticks, mosquitoes and the like.  I had decided to stop using the one-spot flea and tick products on my dog and cat because I figured if I wouldn’t put it on me, why would I put it on my beloved pets?  If you have furry animals, you know what I mean.  Read the product insert for those products – they all say to avoid contact with your human skin, but somehow, it is supposed to be OK to put them on your animal’s skin.  Of course, once you put them on your pet, then you need to avoid contact with your pet, which is just not an option for me.  If you have little kids, then how do you keep them from petting your just-treated pet?  If your child has asthma, some of the ingredients in those one-spot products can trigger a severe allergy attack, which in some instances, has proved fatal.

            I also have been asked by many friends about holistic, non-toxic, effective ways to deal with head lice infestations.  Any parent who has had to deal with head lice knows what a pain in the butt it is to do all that laundry and put some nasty product on your kid’s head only to get the call from school saying that there’s still nits or eggs left on your kid.  And then the calls to friends – “Hey, my kid has head lice.  Better check your kids.”  No parent likes to have to make that call.  We want a non-toxic and very effective product because we want those little buggers gone pronto.  If you have to make the dreaded call, wouldn’t it be great to say “…and I know a 100% effective, non-toxic way to get rid of them.” 

            While doing my research, I found some pretty scary stuff when I started to look deeper into the ingredients in the flea and tick treatments that the vast majority of vets recommend and the head lice products that are currently being marketed.  It is bad enough that the active ingredients are known carcinogens and very toxic to the humans and animals, even the inactive ingredients are neuro-toxins (bad for the gray matter).  Much of the research has shown that the one-spot products decrease your pet’s life span by a whopping 25%!  Read the disclaimer on the head lice product – boy, are they afraid of being sued.  And most parents find that these products are not even effective.  So there you are, spending the money, exposing your kid to this awful toxic crap and the lice are setting up housekeeping and enjoying a nice healthy diet of blood. 

            If you’ve followed this column, you know I believe in therapeutic grade essential oils for a long list of issues.  I checked into Tea Tree oil as a remedy for head lice and found that younger kids (the age group most likely to get head lice) tend to experience skin reactions when this is used, and it is not always effective, either.  Tea Tree oil can also trigger allergic reactions.

            Did you know there are actual salons dedicated to the eradication of head lice?  I think there’s a column for Ian Butler in there somewhere, so I’ll leave that one to him.

            The good news is that now there is an alternative to those toxic, ineffective product called Nature’s Defender and it is organic, all natural, non-toxic and safe.  Nature’s Defender is a solution of Texas Red Cedar Oil which is sustainably harvested.  It is 100% effective against all non-beneficial insects, whether they are on your body, your pets, your carpet and furnishings or even in your yard.  I have used Nature’s Defender on my pets and on myself when I go hiking up in the hills and want to come home tick-free.  Nature’s Defender makes my pet’s coats soft and shiny and has even helped resolve a nasty hot spot on my dog’s butt.  It saved me a bundle of money by not having to go to the vet and get topical and oral steroids.  Homer loved it because he did not have to withstand the embarrassment of having a shaved butt.  Nature’s Defender is also effective in the treatment of ear mites and mange.  It is safe to be used on all ages of animals, so your sweet little puppy or kitten can be protected, too.

            Fortunately, I have not had to use Nature’s Defender for head lice, but this product comes with a 100% money back guarantee, something not found on other head lice products.  Nature’s Defender can also be applied to your skin or clothing when you want to keep mosquitoes, no-see-ums, ticks and other biting insects away from you.  It does not sweat off like DEET-containing products and (have I said this enough?), it is non-toxic.

If you are like most parents and pet owners out there, you have used the products most readily available to you, in spite of the fact that many of you knew on some level that they were not the best thing to be putting on your family or pets.  Hey, you’re just following doctor’s orders, right?  Well, now you know something better to use, recommended and guaranteed by your very own Holistic Nurse.  Until the local pet stores and vets start carrying Nature’s Defender, for more information, click on the "Nature's Defender" icon on this site or call me at 650-888-8011 to find out where it can be purchased directly.  This is a product you want to have on hand, so contact me now before your kid shows up itchy, your dog gets a hot spot or your house and yard are totally infested.

ENERGY PRIMER

            ENERGY – we all want more of it and observe those who seem to possess a lot of it and wonder how we can be more like them.  We know when we are with others whose energy is uplifting and for the most part, these are the folks with whom we want to spend our time.  We also know when someone drains us of our energy and hopefully, we choose to limit the time we spend with those individuals or groups.  We intuitively sense the energy of a place and express it by saying “I feel so good here!” or “This place gives me the creeps!”  As people are adding complementary care modalities to their health and wellness regimens, it helps to gain a greater understanding about how energy works and how to be responsible for our own energy.

            The first thing to know is that everything is energy and everything possesses its own energy field.  Whether you can sense the energy field of something or not does not change the fact that the field exists.  We are energetic beings that appear to be separate, when in actuality, we are swimming in a sea of energy and are inextricably connected, even over vast distances.  All of us have had the experience of thinking of someone in one moment and having them call or show up in person in the next moment.  On some level, we sensed that person’s energy field rubbing up against ours.  It is a choice whether we discount these kinds of experiences or acknowledge them as a demonstration of our intuitive skills.  Watch how more of these kinds of experiences happen when your awareness of them increases.

            As with all things in life, we can only be responsible for our own energy field and what we allow into it.  Our immune system is active on a physical level as well as an energetic level and, when healthy, recognizes when something that does not belong to us enters our energy field.  In our fast paced world, it is imperative that we take time on a regular basis to slow down and be mindful so that we can keep our systems clear of energy that does not serve our highest good.  Holistic practitioners help clients clear their energy fields and then teach them how to avoid picking up other energies that are detrimental to their health.  A holistic practitioner also teaches a client ways to liberate unhealthy energies that are inadvertently taken on, as in the case of being in a large crowd. It is in this way that a holistic practitioner empowers their clients with knowledge and skills to take care of themselves.  In contrast, western medicine encourages clients to be dependent on a practitioner, on medications or on therapies that either have no end in sight or leave a client exhausted and overwhelmed.

            Energy works more effectively with intention, as this helps to focus the energy.  A good practice to adopt is setting an intention at the beginning and ending of every day.  It can be as simple as “I am going to have the best day/night possible and ask for guidance and protection as I move through my day/night.”  Putting an intention into writing seems to increase its power and serves as a good reminder if the going gets tough. Another example is “I intend that all of my words, deeds and thoughts serve the highest and best good of the universe, myself and everybody everywhere.”  Make it a habit of setting an intention every day for a month and then observe what shifts in your outlook on life in general.

            Energy itself is neutral.  It is how we respond to it that gives it a positive or negative charge.  When we are grounded in our own strength and health, we are much less likely to be affected by fluctuations in others’ energy fields.  It also allows us to be present for others when they need to vent and helps us to keep from taking on energy that was not ours in the first place.  Communication is key.  Asking the question “What do you need from me in this moment?” is a great way to honor the needs of the other and helps keep us out of the “fix it” mode.  Grounding can be accomplished easily by taking a few deep breaths and visualizing our feet in contact with the earth.   

When we ground, we are also helping our energy centers be aligned.  This facilitates the easy flow of energy through us and helps us to remain healthy.  When we are out of alignment, energy gets stuck and dis-ease can take root.  A helpful visualization may be to see a strong, tree with many branches and a root system reaching deep into the earth or a swiftly flowing stream as energy flows through us from head to toe. 

Many people today are so used to being out of alignment that they believe that this is a normal way to feel.  Being out of alignment becomes so familiar that when true alignment is allowed, it feels strange and may take time to integrate.  As with any new skill, it will take some work in the beginning and gets easier as we practice alignment on a daily basis.  Family members and friends may notice a shift in your energy and will typically push buttons in order to get you out of alignment and back to “your old self.”  It is at these times that taking a deep breath and practicing your grounding technique will be most helpful.  These folks are helping you with your practice by reminding you that you are doing something new.  In this way, you will be modeling good self-care and then others may choose to follow your example, setting up a ripple effect.

In closing, remember to be gentle with yourself and others.  Gaining clarity about your energetic boundaries, remaining centered and grounded as much as possible and allowing others the opportunity to learn new behaviors are all part of our emotional growth.  The only thing we truly have control over is our own behavior and healing begins when we take responsibility for our behavior.

WEIGHT LOSS WATER

Are you ready to drink water that will support your alkalinity, help your system run more efficiently, support your overall health and well being AND lose FAT?  Call me at 650-888-8011 or click on www.xoomaworldwide.com/wonderfuljudy/order.asp? to order now.  Read on for more information. 

Everyone is looking for an easy, no-brainer way to lose weight.  We all know that we need to eat more fruits and veggies, stay away from simple carbs and eat the right kinds of fats in the right proportions.  We also know that we need to be exercising most every day, even if it is just a walk around the block.

  It also helps to know why we gain weight in the first place.  Sure, our metabolism slows down as we get older and most of us do not maintain the same level of physical activity as the candles on our birthday cakes increase in number.  We also store fat as a protective measure against the acidity in our bodies.  Turns out that fat is a buffer in more ways than cushioning our tushes and tummies, as it also protects us from bathing our cells in acid.  What makes us acidic?  Oh, just about everything we do and a lot of what we eat (especially processed foods) pushes us to the acidic side of the pH scale.  STRESS is the biggest acidifier of all -- do you know any one living in a stress-free environment?  Well alrighty, then. Acidity is also one of the reasons why so many diet-soda drinking people are overweight -- sodas are extremely acidic and send the message to the body to store more protective fat.

When you consistently support your body's alkalinity, then there is not a need to hang onto that acid buffering system known as fat.  Fat is metabolized, you use your glucose stores eighteen times more efficiently (the Krebs' cycle for you Microbiology geeks), your immune system works better and your body is able to return to the more balanced state in which it is designed to thrive.  Other benefits of being more alkaline include faster healing times and better oxygenated tissues. 

What is the easiest way to support your alkalinity?  Drink lots of Xtreme X2O and watch the fat disappear and your gas mileage go up.  To find out the amount of X2O to drink every day, divide your body weight in pounds in half and that is the number of ounces of mineralized, alkaline water your body needs every day to be adequately hydrated at the cellular level.  I know that this is a lot of water and many of you are not used to drinking that much water, so work up to this amount over a week or two.  Make the commitment to your health and wellness to replace some of the unhealthy beverages you are drinking with alkaline water and see how much better you feel.  Most people find they sleep better at night, need much less caffeine throughout the day and decrease their cravings for simple carbs. 

                       Where can you find Xtreme X2O?  I'm glad you asked.  Click on www.xoomaworldwide.com/wonderfuljudy/order.asp? to order this patented product and have it delivered to your   door.  Please feel free to call me with any questions at 650-888-8011 or email me at wonderfuljudy@sbcglobal.net and I will be happy to help you with the ordering process.  Xtreme X2O is making a huge difference in thousands of people's health and wellness around the globe...come and join the fun and lose weight the easy, healthy way!!

TEN SYNTHETIC COSMETIC INGREDIENTS TO AVOID

    Did you know that many synthetic cosmetic ingredients that are common in America have been outlawed in Europe?  What is becoming more commonly understood is that many of these ingredients have been linked to allergic and toxic reactions as well as cancer.  One of the reasons Europeans have stopped using these chemicals is because the government pays for health care and it is in their best interest to keep their populations as healthy as possible.  In America, health care is paid for by the individual, and the so-called health care system wants to keep as many people in the funnel as possible.  It is not a very big leap to make to say that manufacturers are allowed to continue to put these "ten most wanted" chemicals in cosmetics, hair care products, lotions, etc. because there needs to be plenty of sick people to keep the "health care system" (as we know it) up and running.  But that's a topic for another day.  Stay tuned, OK?
    Take this list with you to your bathroom and compare it to the list of ingredients in your toothpaste, shampoo, conditioner, deodorant, lotions and other products.  If you can not bear to ditch the biggest offenders right away, at least make different choices next time you buy products. 
    1.  IMIDAZOLIDINYL UREA and DIAZOLIDINYL UREA -- the most commonly used preservatives after the parabens, are well established by the American Academy of Dermatology as a primary cause of contact dermatitis
    2.  METHYL, PROPYL, BUTYL and ETHYL PARABEN -- preservatives that are widely used even though they are known to be toxic
    3.  PETROLATUM or MINERAL OIL -- used because it is incredibly cheap; maybe that's also why it is used on car batteries to stop corrosion; although it does provide temporary relief of dryness, petroleum products tend to clog your pores and interfere with your skin's own natural moisturizing mechanism
    4.  PROPYLENE GLYCOL -- OK if it is vegetable glycerin mixed with grain alcohol, but is usually a synthetic petrochemical mix which has been known to cause allergic and toxic reactions
    5.  PVP/VA COPOLYMER -- a petroleum-derived chemical used in hairsprays, wavesets and other cosmetics; can be considered toxic since particles may contribute to foreign bodies in the lungs of sensitive persons
    6.  SODIUM LAURYL SULFATE -- used as a foaming agent, look for this in toothpaste and shampoos; it causes allergic reactions, skin rashes, hair loss and other problems and is frequently disguised in pseudo-natural cosmetics by saying that it "comes from coconut"
    7.  STEARALKONIUM CHLORIDE -- found in hair conditioners and creams, causes allergic reactions, used because it is cheaper than proteins or herbals
    8.  SYNTHETIC COLORS -- believed to be cause cancer, will be labeled as FD&C or D&C followed by a color and a number
    9.  SYNTHETIC FRAGRANCES -- may have as many as 200 ingredients and there is no way to know what the chemicals are as the label will just say "Fragrance;" can cause headaches, dizziness, hyperpigmentation, skin irritations and many other effects;
   10.  TRIETHANOLAMINE -- "TEA" could be toxic if absorbed into the body over a long period of time, causes allergic reactions and dryness of hair and skin

    If this does not convince you, then check out www.cosmeticsdatabase.com for more information.  Fortunately, it is getting easier to find high quality personal care products as more people are wanting to avoid putting these chemicals on their bodies.  Remember, what we put ON our bodies should be as healthy and chemical-free as what we put IN our bodies.  One of the companies I have found that is dedicated to using only the best ingredients in all of their products is Waiora.  For the best in natural skin care products for you and your entire family, click on www.mywaiora.com/946632 and check out the Skincents product line.  Try their unscented Moisturizing Body Lotion which bonds to your skin and behaves like a shield, allowing your skin to use its nourishing ingredients to help heal itself and reduce the loss of natural oils.  The entire line of Skincents products will delight your senses as they make your skin more radiant and soft.  My teenagers and I can attest to the quality and effectiveness of these unsurpassed skin care products!!  C'mon and give them a try!

Top Ten Reasons You Should Own a Home Based Business

    1.  Save $$ on your taxes.  The US tax code is set up for entrepreneurs, not for those that punch a clock.  Some of the tax write-offs include: automotive expense (can you say $4/gallon?), phone and other utilities, travel, meals, etc. 
    2.  Earn residual income.  Get paid several times for doing one thing instead of getting paid once for doing one thing over and over.
    3.  A home based business (HBB) can be "both/and" instead or "either/or."  You can start your business and work it part time while you keep your primary job.  You get to decide how many hours to work and when to work.
    4.  HBB's level the playing field.  What matters is that you are motivated and passionate, not what school you went to or how many degrees you have.
    5.  Grow and be challenged.  Being your own boss means you will grow in amazing ways.  Are you ready to be responsible for your dreams?
    6.  CHOICE: You have the power to choose those with whom you will work, instead of being forced to work with or for unhappy people.  You have a chance to collaborate with others who are passionate about their business AND their lives.
    7.  Have the world as your customer.  Your home/internet based business can be open 24/7, while you sleep, play, spend time with loved ones or work.
    8.   It is simple: find a company with a system that is duplicatable, find others willing to do the same thing as you are doing and then help them to find others, etc, etc, etc.  Notice I did not say it was easy, I said it is simple. 
    9.    It's GREEN!!  No more commute, the company of your choosing ships your products, you can work in your sweat-shop-free-sweats and marketing can be done via the internet.   
   10.   Make a difference in others' lives.  By modeling self-sufficiency while being part of a team, you set a great example for others who want to change their own WHealth status.  Remember: Together Everyone Achieves More!!

ARE YOU READY TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR YOUR OWN WHEALTH?  DO YOU WANT TO KEEP MORE OF YOUR HARD EARNED DOLLARS AND STOP HANDING OVER SO MUCH TO THE GOVERNMENT?  ARE YOU READY TO CHALLENGE YOURSELF?  DO YOU WANT MORE TIME TO DO WHAT YOU WANT TO DO?   E-MAIL ME AT WONDERFULJUDY@SBCGLOBAL.NET OR CLICK ON WWW.X2OBUILDER.COM/WONDERFULJUDY FOR MORE INFORMATION AND LET'S HAVE FUN WHILE WE PURSUE OUR DREAMS, FINANCIAL GOALS AND FREEDOM.