tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20241112699637340862024-03-13T13:57:31.778-04:00Detox Our WorldDetox our world by eliminating toxins in our environment with simple remedies and strategies to reduce allergy and asthma and provide health benefits using essential oils, super foods, and electronic devices.Linda Machttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02459479060543678005noreply@blogger.comBlogger32125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2024111269963734086.post-50923037134310805112014-04-30T23:59:00.001-04:002014-04-30T23:59:12.359-04:00Benefits of Green Tea for Detox<h3>
<span style="font-size: 16px;">Green tea, (Camellia Sinensis), is one of those wonderful drinks that can be enjoyed hot or cold. There's nothing like the warm, grassy smell wafting through the air from a steaming cup of hot green tea on a cold, rainy day. It is equally delicious poured over ice on a hot, summer day with a squeeze of lemon or lime to add a little zing. And the really good news is all the wonderful health benefits of green tea you receive in return. Why is green tea good for you? It's loaded with antioxidant flavonoids which fight cell-damaging free radicals. Green tea has also been shown to lower heart disease risk by lowering bad cholesterol, boosting metabolism rates, strengthening the immune system, and may even help to prevent some types of cancer. So why not drink a cup or two of green tea per day. It certainly can't hurt, and may help to protect your long term overall health with its amazing nutrients.</span></h3>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-size: 14px;">Green tea has been recognized in other countries for centuries as a powerful medicinal aid. It is known as the magical elixir. Green tea is a wonderful detox for cleansing the body from impurities and toxic substances. Most of its benefits come from water-soluble polyphenols, also known as catechins, extracted from the green tea leaves by steeping in hot water for approximately five minutes. When steeped too long, tannins are released and sometimes produce a bitter tasting tea. As shown below, it is beneficial to nearly every organ system in the body.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #134f5c; font-size: large;">Cardioprotective</span></div>
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<span style="color: #134f5c; font-size: large;">Neuroprotective</span></div>
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<span style="color: #134f5c; font-size: large;">Anti-obesity</span></div>
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<span style="color: #134f5c; font-size: large;">Anti-carcinogenic</span></div>
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<span style="color: #134f5c; font-size: large;">Anti-diabetic</span></div>
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<span style="color: #134f5c; font-size: large;">Anti-artherogenic</span></div>
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<span style="color: #134f5c; font-size: large;">Liver protective</span></div>
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<span style="color: #134f5c; font-size: large;">Blood vessel cleanser</span><br />
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<span style="color: #134f5c; font-size: large;">Stress relieving</span><br />
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<span style="color: #134f5c; font-size: large;">Detoxing</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14px;"> <span style="color: #666666;">Green tea contains less caffeine than coffee, but yet enough to have an effect without giving you a bad case of the jitters. Some people find it to be a more stable energy than with the highs and lows you sometimes get with coffee.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-size: 14px;"> The amino acid, L-theanine, in green tea helps to reduce stress. Who can't use a little stress reduction in today's fast-paced world.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666; font-size: 14px;"> The most powerful antioxidant in green tea is Epigallocatechin Gallate (EGCG). Although there are other antioxidants in green tea, EGCG is attributed to being the main reason for green tea's powerful medicinal qualities.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-size: 14px;"> Green tea is known for boosting the metabolic rate. Higher metabolism increases fat burning and assists with weight loss. Anything that can help with weight loss is definite plus.</span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-size: 14px;"> Green tea helps to prevent heart disease and stroke by reducing bad cholesterol levels and cleaning the blood vessels.</span></span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-size: 14px;"> Many studies have been done on the effects of green tea and the successful prevention of various types of cancer. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;">So go ahead and help yourself to a delicious cup of green tea</span></div>
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54492/57/A89DFA025DF99CB2D9EED806B10DD0C9.png" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px !important;" /></a>Linda Machttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02459479060543678005noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2024111269963734086.post-59580717722423104202014-03-31T23:58:00.001-04:002014-03-31T23:58:03.587-04:00Black Clove of Garlic vs. White Clove of Garlic<h3>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV17da53VWQMMAhcIG-OgNdt0QXkAA0mWTEkCuPlUZhg-v8_a9MjYKZCuDxO0FyAr1JQrWDmmYqy2XEXNWRvhHuK9y-Fjm1DxmKO_AaYsNapsvwJW7bj2fm7yiWwX69TKvUgIWAwaUXx8/s1600/Black+and+white+garlic.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="A black clove of garlic has all of the health benefits from the sulfur allicin compound like a white clove of garlic but is sweet without the strong odor and garlic breath and has even more antioxidants per garlic clove." border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV17da53VWQMMAhcIG-OgNdt0QXkAA0mWTEkCuPlUZhg-v8_a9MjYKZCuDxO0FyAr1JQrWDmmYqy2XEXNWRvhHuK9y-Fjm1DxmKO_AaYsNapsvwJW7bj2fm7yiWwX69TKvUgIWAwaUXx8/s1600/Black+and+white+garlic.JPG" height="400" title="Black and white garlic comparison" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">White and black garlic</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: 16px;"> Nowadays, most everyone knows of the many health benefits of garlic. A black clove of garlic is completely different from a white clove of garlic; although, they both start out from the same garlic clove. Read on if you want to reap all of the health benefits while eliminating the pungent odor of garlic breath. Garlic, Allium sativum, is a member of the onion family: Alliaceae. Just some of the nutrients found in garlic are calcium, phosphorus, selenium, vitamin C, vitamin B6, and manganese. Brimming with sulfur compounds and allicin which provide precious health benefits, fresh raw garlic is the best way to preserve them. Unfortunately, a raw clove of garlic is not one of the most palatable foods to consume. Not to mention, you may still be experiencing a very unpleasant aftertaste yet the morning after. People that normally flock to you, suddenly run in the other direction. In steps Japanese black garlic to the rescue. With its soft, almost gelatinous texture; and, caramelized, smoky sweetness, you could eat it by the jarful. The best news is that no one will ever know that you just ate six bulbs of garlic.</span></h3>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">Black garlic is much milder and sweeter in taste than regular garlic. It is made from the same white garlic we are all familiar with, but it has been fermented; or technically, dried and aged under controlled conditions. No additives or preservatives are necessary or used. This aging process softens the cloves of garlic while also greatly reducing the pungent odor and flavor normally associated with garlic. It also converts the alliin into s-allylcysteine, a water soluble compound which makes the beneficial allicin more easily absorbed in our system. This process also greatly increases the antioxidants found in black garlic. Black garlic is claimed to have as much as two to ten times the amount of antioxidants found in regular garlic. Imagine garlic that is so good for you and no garlic breath! So why should we eat more garlic? Let's start with:</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"> </span><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">Boosting our </span><span style="color: red;">immune</span><span style="color: #0b5394;"> system</span></span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></b> <b><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;"> Reducing our </span><span style="color: red; font-size: large;">cholesterol</span><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;"> levels</span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></b> <b><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;"> Preventing </span><span style="color: red; font-size: large;">heart disease</span><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;"> and </span><span style="color: red; font-size: large;">stroke</span></b><br />
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</span></b> <b><span style="color: red; font-size: large;"> </span><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;">Relieving</span><span style="color: red; font-size: large;"> respiratory </span><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;">distress</span></b><br />
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</span></b> <b><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;"> Combating </span><span style="color: red; font-size: large;">colds</span><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;"> and </span><span style="color: red; font-size: large;">flu</span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></b> <b><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;"> Preventing </span><span style="color: red; font-size: large;">headaches</span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></b> <b><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;"> Reducing </span><span style="color: red; font-size: large;">blood pressure</span></b><br />
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</span></b> <b><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;"> Increasing </span><span style="color: red; font-size: large;">metabolism</span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></b> <b><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;"> Detoxing </span><span style="color: red; font-size: large;">heavy metals</span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></b> <b><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;"> Preventing </span><span style="color: red; font-size: large;">cancer</span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></b> <b><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;"> Protecting </span><span style="color: red; font-size: large;">liver</span><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;"> and </span><span style="color: red; font-size: large;">kidney</span><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;"> health</span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></b> <b><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;"> Promoting </span><span style="color: red; font-size: large;">colon</span><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;"> health</span></b><br />
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</span></b> <b><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;"> Natural </span><span style="color: red; font-size: large;">antibiotic</span></b><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUS_E6BEOvPi_3uPRDCONZ0Zouh1DJcjxfabuE7YZEE4E-00WZOmzrGAC9AFVD_1xm-P8ygmWDALMQzjAAahGfq9aO5VPxPs-LWKGMxFxj5yKf3gua0ww6Tw6RojgSsSVRCbyzTgEzJoc/s1600/Minced+garlic.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="A clove of garlic needs to be minced, chopped, or crushed to break down the cell walls and release the sulfur allicin compound from within the cells to maintain the health benefits when cooking or roasting garlic." border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUS_E6BEOvPi_3uPRDCONZ0Zouh1DJcjxfabuE7YZEE4E-00WZOmzrGAC9AFVD_1xm-P8ygmWDALMQzjAAahGfq9aO5VPxPs-LWKGMxFxj5yKf3gua0ww6Tw6RojgSsSVRCbyzTgEzJoc/s1600/Minced+garlic.JPG" height="213" title="Garlic minced with chef's knife" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Garlic minced with chef's knife</span></td></tr>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">Black garlic can be consumed by simply peeling and eating or adding to your favorite recipe. White garlic can be cooked and still retain most of the health benefits when prepared properly. If you enjoy the pungent flavor of regular garlic in your recipes, then please learn the proper way to prepare it while still reaping all of its benefits. Heat and improperly prepared garlic destroys nearly all of the health benefits, so pay close attention. It's really very simple. Just what is a garlic clove? The solid white cluster is called a bulb of garlic. When you break it open the individual pieces are called the cloves. Start by breaking the cloves away from the bulb. Peel each individual clove. Now break down the garlic cloves by: chopping, mincing, slicing, grinding, grating, pounding, stomping, crushing, mashing, smashing or jumping on top of it. Or all of the above. The point is to break it up and allow it to 'rest' for 10-15 minutes before throwing it into a hot frying pan. Crushing the garlic ruptures the cell walls. During this short time period, naturally occurring enzymes mingle to create the desired sulfur compound allicin. The garlic is now minimally effected by heat, and most of the wonderful health benefits are retained. For further protection and maximum flavor, it is </span><span style="font-size: 14px;">recommended that garlic be exposed to heat for as little time as possible at the lowest temperature possible. Overcooking or scorching garlic tends to make the flavor bitter.</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #fce5cd;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-size: large;">Chicken with 40 Cloves of Garlic</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"> The ever popular recipe, chicken with 40 cloves of garlic, can be made much healthier. Simply pierce or crush the cloves. and allow them to rest, before placing them into the cavity of the chicken. Optionally, add some sliced onions in with the garlic along with some fresh herbs. Rosemary, thyme, or sage go well with chicken. Rub down the breast and legs of the chicken with some olive oil, garlic and sprinkle with herbs. Add salt and pepper if desired. Sprinkle with some paprika for the finishing touch. Roast in the oven at 350 degrees for 1-1 1/2 hours or until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees. If you have a crock pot, slow cooking is even better. More of the juices are retained in the meat of the chicken, and the lower temperature is more favorable for the garlic benefits. Once again, just be sure the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165 degrees.</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #fce5cd; color: #b45f06; font-size: large;">Roasted Garlic</span></div>
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</span></span> <span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"> The same rules apply for roasting garlic. Removing any loose skin and cut away the top of each bulb. Then either pierce the individual cloves, or roll and press the whole bulb against a cutting board to release the allicin. Allow it to rest, then drizzle with olive oil. Place in foil or garlic roaster in a 400 degree </span><span style="font-size: 14px;">oven for approximately 40 minutes.</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #fce5cd;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-size: large;">Garlic Storage</span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAKiszrnx6AOH8mDSpX86XRufIuWp4zN9ro7_B4M4Bbikzxv41lfZbd0u7jqUUa71AnVMjfVn1LeK1zFUFPB3Unb3s7y4Mn-d5dM_SsEOIwCaUriX8u2uA8a8MzliuK0w-zgh5q5_h2CE/s1600/Garlic+storage+container.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="An unglazed clay garlic keeper works best for garlic storage because the moisture from the bulb of garlic is absorbed into the clay." border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAKiszrnx6AOH8mDSpX86XRufIuWp4zN9ro7_B4M4Bbikzxv41lfZbd0u7jqUUa71AnVMjfVn1LeK1zFUFPB3Unb3s7y4Mn-d5dM_SsEOIwCaUriX8u2uA8a8MzliuK0w-zgh5q5_h2CE/s1600/Garlic+storage+container.jpg" height="320" title="Garlic Keeper" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Unglazed Clay Garlic Keeper</span></td></tr>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"> </span></span><span style="color: #666666; font-size: 14px;">When purchasing garlic, choose bulbs that are white, firm and not sprouting. Properly</span><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"> stored, unbroken garlic bulbs, can last up to eight weeks. Individual cloves will last 8-10 days. After that they begin so soften and deteriorate and should be discarded.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"> Good air circulation is the key to storing garlic. Wire baskets, paper bags, or hung in netting work well. The very best thing for storing garlic is a garlic keeper made out of <i>unglazed </i>clay<i>. </i>These types of garlic keepers work so well because any moisture in the bulb of garlic is absorbed into the clay. </span></span><br />
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</span></span> <span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"> Store fresh garlic at a cool room temperature of around 60 degrees. Garlic should not be refrigerated as it can cause mold growth.</span></span><br />
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</span></span> <span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"> To avoid sprouting, store garlic away from sunlight in a dark place: a cupboard, cellar, or shady area of kitchen.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><br />
</span></span> <span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"> Freezing fresh garlic is not recommended as it changes the texture and flavor of the garlic. Roasted garlic has already softened and does retain more of the flavor when frozen. </span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkpD6SMlluaiILWLDQir3fYhvLYc17ygREYi_OynArZD8dsw74wj960UhJ6P6OrhtabyAJv2tVZy3U2nie2x1MukvltRy-iTdzDzvAIkWN1SDyztSQiVEQKXSU5iF7DFdpbR9S8vnUi7o/s1600/Fresh+garlic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Organic white garlic bulbs should be purchased when firm, white, and not sprouting," border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkpD6SMlluaiILWLDQir3fYhvLYc17ygREYi_OynArZD8dsw74wj960UhJ6P6OrhtabyAJv2tVZy3U2nie2x1MukvltRy-iTdzDzvAIkWN1SDyztSQiVEQKXSU5iF7DFdpbR9S8vnUi7o/s1600/Fresh+garlic.jpg" height="213" title="Organic white garlic" width="320" /></a></div>
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Linda Machttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02459479060543678005noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2024111269963734086.post-35985310571198340642014-02-28T23:58:00.004-05:002014-03-01T00:52:07.929-05:00Chia Seed Nutritional Powerhouse Detox Food<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Chia seeds are a great way to detox your body. Full of vitamins and antioxidants, these amazing seeds deliver nutrients directly to the cells. Their gelling properties allow them to hold water aiding hydration. Chia seeds swell to nine times their original size when added to liquid. And yes, chia was the seed used to grow chia pets. Unfortunately, no one knew the potency of the seeds or they would have been eating them instead of growing them for the novelty. The Aztecs carried a pouch of chia seeds when running as their sole nutritional support. They provided them with stamina and endurance to travel for many miles. There's so many great things to say about chia, where does one begin? Antioxidants, vitamins, strength, fiber, energy, detox, etc., and the list goes on:</h3>
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<span style="color: #6aa84f; font-size: large;">Essential fatty acids reduce high blood pressure for cardiovascular health.</span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-size: large;">Stabilize blood sugar levels for diabetics.</span></span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-size: large;">Anti-inflammatory properties reduce pain caused by inflammation for arthritics.</span></span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-size: large;">Boost metabolism and promote lean muscle mass.</span></span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-size: large;">Essential fatty acids improve brain function through efficient nerve transmission.</span></span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-size: large;">Regular consumption improves stamina and endurance.</span></span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-size: large;">Rid the digestive tract of toxins by collecting them and carrying them away.</span></span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-size: large;">Enhance hydration and retain electrolytes present in body fluids.</span></span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-size: large;">High protein for healthy hair, skin, and nails.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666; font-size: 14px;"> There's nothing magical about chia seeds when it comes to weight loss. Quite simply, the bulk of this very low calorie food gives you a feeling of fullness, while also helping to regulate blood sugar levels avoiding food cravings caused by sugar spikes highs and lows. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666; font-size: 14px;"> Since they're really quite tasteless, chia seeds can be added to just about anything you eat. Smoothies, cereals, salsas, yogurt, salads, soups, and dips. Add them to muffins, pancakes, breads and cakes for extra nutrition. They can even replace oils or butter in baked goods. Just mix one tablespoon of chia with 9 tablespoons of water. Stir to prevent clumping and wait 15 minutes for it to gel. Measure the same amount you would normally have used of butter or oil and substitute the chia gel in your recipe. </span><br />
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</span> <span style="color: #666666; font-size: large;">--Chia Seed Facts:</span><br />
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</span> <span style="color: #666666; font-size: 14px;"> </span><span style="color: #666666;"> </span><span style="color: #a64d79;"> <span style="font-size: large;">2.5 times more protein than kidney beans </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-size: large;"> 3 times the antioxidant strength of blueberries</span><br />
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-size: large;"> 3 times more iron than spinach</span><br />
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-size: large;"> 6 times more calcium than milk</span><br />
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-size: large;"> 7 times more vitamin C than oranges</span><br />
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-size: large;"> 8 times more omega-3 than salmon</span><br />
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-size: large;"> 10 times more fiber than rice</span><br />
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-size: large;"> 15 times more magnesium than broccoli</span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666; font-size: 14px;"> And in case you're still more interested in watching chia seed grow rather that eating it:</span><br />
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Linda Machttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02459479060543678005noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2024111269963734086.post-26382800451197757322014-01-31T23:59:00.001-05:002014-02-14T16:14:32.994-05:00Goji Berry Nutritional Powerhouse<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Goji berries (Lycium barbarum) are one of the most nutritionally dense fruits known on the planet and exhibit amazing properties. Also known as wolfberries, they are native to the Himalayan mountains of Tibet and Mongolia, but now grown in many other countries as well. Used for both medicinal purposes as well as a popular culinary ingredient, Goji berries have been consumed for thousands of years in Tibet and China. They are wonderful way to flush toxins from the body and improve your overall health without a lot of effort. With a score of over 25,000 on the <span style="color: #666666;">ORAC</span> scale and heavy duty anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and anti-fungal properties, just a small amount of goji berries pack a powerful punch of health benefits. Gojis are unique among other fruits because not only do they have the highest concentration of protein of any fruit, they also contain all of the essential amino acids. They are packed with vitamin C, contain more carotenoids than any other food, have 21 trace minerals, and are very high in fiber and iron. It's no wonder they are considered a nutritional powerhouse:</h3>
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<b><span style="color: #660000; font-size: 14px;"> High in </span><span style="color: #274e13; font-size: large;">antioxidants</span><span style="color: #660000; font-size: 14px;"> to remove cancer causing free radicals in the blood.</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #660000; font-size: 14px;"> Lowers bad </span><span style="color: #274e13; font-size: large;">cholesterol</span><span style="color: #660000; font-size: 14px;"> levels and protects the heart from disease.</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #660000; font-size: 14px;"> Protects </span><span style="color: #274e13; font-size: large;">eyesight</span><span style="color: #660000; font-size: 14px;"> with vitamin A, zeaxanthin, and beta-carotene.</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #660000; font-size: 14px;"> Reduces </span><span style="color: #274e13; font-size: large;">insomnia</span><span style="color: #660000; font-size: 14px;"> and improves sleep patterns.</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #660000; font-size: 14px;"> Relieves </span><span style="color: #274e13; font-size: large;">stress</span><span style="color: #660000; font-size: 14px;"> and promotes a sense of calm and well-being.</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #660000; font-size: 14px;"> Consuming foods high in antioxidants can slow the </span><span style="color: #274e13; font-size: large;">aging</span><span style="color: #660000; font-size: 14px;"> process.</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #660000; font-size: 14px;"> Raises </span><span style="color: #274e13; font-size: large;">energy</span><span style="color: #660000; font-size: 14px;"> levels with B complex vitamins which convert food into energy.</span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4mcOHrIJP6l8Mbkk7w94Xlg7uXhffb5B2MCrxCGByBDu61CTfjfpbow5J1qJrYGbOfhNZUVh5VVVLqxm0dc2o3iEkPSoRBeQva8SRcGb3RL6lFOXDYJ3r_kpVnDMUNBgXJmHXQz5zPg8/s1600/Goji+berries.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="Goji berries are high on the OREC scale and high in antioxidants, vitamins, polysaccharides, amino acids, carotenoids, trace minerals, fiber and iron for immune support and detoxification of the human body." border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4mcOHrIJP6l8Mbkk7w94Xlg7uXhffb5B2MCrxCGByBDu61CTfjfpbow5J1qJrYGbOfhNZUVh5VVVLqxm0dc2o3iEkPSoRBeQva8SRcGb3RL6lFOXDYJ3r_kpVnDMUNBgXJmHXQz5zPg8/s1600/Goji+berries.jpg" height="213" title="Goji Berries" width="320" /></a></div>
<b><span style="color: #660000; font-size: 14px;"> Strengthens the </span><span style="color: #274e13; font-size: large;">immune</span><span style="color: #660000; font-size: 14px;"> system.</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #660000; font-size: 14px;"> </span><span style="color: #274e13; font-size: large;">Detoxes</span><span style="color: #660000; font-size: 14px;"> liver and kidneys.</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #660000; font-size: 14px;"> Normalizes blood </span><span style="color: #274e13; font-size: large;">pressure</span><span style="color: #660000; font-size: 14px;">.</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #660000; font-size: 14px;"> Regulates </span><span style="color: #274e13; font-size: large;">blood sugar</span><span style="color: #660000; font-size: 14px;"> levels.</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #660000; font-size: 14px;"> Slows </span><span style="color: #274e13; font-size: large;">hair</span><span style="color: #660000; font-size: 14px;"> loss and graying.</span></b><br />
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</span> <span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"> Goji berries contain unique Lycium barbarum polysaccharides which assist immune cells in communicating and functioning. They provide a good fuel source for supporting healthy intestinal bacteria. These polysaccharides also act as a detoxification aid in the removal of metabolic waste products such as lactic acid accumulated during muscle exertion. The Goji berry is used medicinally in Asia for inflammatory disorders such as asthma, allergies, chronic pain and cancer.</span></span><br />
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</span></span> <span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"> With a score of 25,300 on the ORAC scale per 100 grams, you can see that it would only take 20 grams or about a heaping tablespoon of goji berries to reach the suggested consumption of 5000 units per day for maximum benefit. On the other hand, you would have to eat 22 apples to reach the same daily dose of 5000 units. It is still important to eat a wide variety of fruits and vegetables daily because they all supply different benefits.</span></span><br />
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</span> <span style="color: #666666; font-size: 14px;"> In Western countries goji berries are most commonly available in dried or powder form or juice. The whole dried goji berry can be soaked for a couple of hours and added to smoothies and the liquid can be consumed as a delicious juice. The dried or soaked whole berries can be added to trail mix, cereal, oatmeal, salads, and baked goods. The powder can be added to smoothies, sprinkled over cooked or cold cereals, salads or even added to soups. Goji powder is also delicious in tea. The whole dried berries are also a great snack right out of the bag. It is very important when purchasing goji berries to look for the </span><i style="color: #666666; font-size: 14px;">organic </i><span style="color: #666666; font-size: 14px;">label as some imports in the past have been found to have high concentrations of pesticides.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-size: 14px;"> Goji berries are a member of the Solanaceae (nightshade) family of plants. Any reactions such as nausea or rash are usually attributed to detoxing. If you have sensitivities to nightshade plants such as tomatoes, potatoes, peppers, or eggplants or have allergies to pollen you may want to discuss with your allergist whether or not to try goji berries.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-size: 14px;">Note: Those taking medications for diabetes, blood pressure, or blood thinners such as warfarin (Coumadin) should avoid goji berries or consult with their physician before consuming them as they may interact with some medications. They should also not be used by pregnant or lactating mothers as they can be a uterine stimulant.</span><br />
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Linda Machttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02459479060543678005noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2024111269963734086.post-58525655502405273642013-12-31T19:41:00.002-05:002014-01-24T16:23:17.028-05:00Coconut Oil Natural Detox<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Coconut oil is an amazing way to detox your body inside and out. At one time thought of as the villain, it's now known to be beneficial in many ways for the human body. Internally, it collects toxins and wastes and expels them from the body. Externally it softens and moisturizes hair and skin. It is largely comprised of medium-chain fatty acids, including the healthy fats, lauric acid, caprylic acid, and capric acid. So even though it is considered a saturated fat, it is the fats with long-chain fatty acids that present many health problems when ingested. Who would have thought one food could do so many good things? It's important to know the different ways coconut oils are processed when selecting one for your own use. Not all types of coconut oils are good for you. </h3>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: 14px;">The best coconut oil is certified organic virgin that is cold-pressed. Certified organic virgin expeller pressed is nearly the same, but slightly more heat is produced from the pressure and friction during extraction. One process commonly used for expeller pressed coconut oil is similar to that of a masticating juicer. The coconut oil is pressed out of fresh raw coconuts by a spinning auger that separates the oil from the coconut meat. Another way of producing expeller pressed oil is with the use of a centrifuge which generates varying amounts of heat but uses no external heat. Cold-pressed coconut oil processing uses a pressing unit similar to a vice to squeeze the coconut oil out of the coconut meat. All are considered high quality coconut oils and retain much of their nutrient value. Don't be fooled by companies claiming to sell extra virgin coconut oil. That term only applies to oils such as olive which go through two pressings, the first being the extra virgin and the second being virgin. Extra virgin does not apply to coconut oil as it does not go through the same type of dual processing.</span><br />
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</span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: 14px;"> Refined coconut oil has lost many of its health benefits. This type of oil is produced from copra, coconut meat dried by smoke, sun, or kiln drying. Sometimes the drying process takes place under unsanitary conditions unfit for human consumption and the coconut meat must then be purified. It must go through a filtering process to remove impurities and particles. It is common during this filtration process to add bleaching agents or other solvents such as hexane which produce a tasteless, colorless, and odorless product. Unfortunately, traces of these chemicals are left behind in the final product. Food coloring such as yellow is then often added for more appeal to give it the look of butter. It then is sometimes subjected to high heat temperatures to hydrogenate or partially hydrogenate the final product for longer shelf life and higher cooking temperatures thus creating trans fatty acids.</span><br />
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</span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: 14px;"> The high quality virgin coconut oils have a slight coconut taste to them because they still retain most the original properties of a fresh raw coconut. If you can't tolerate the taste of coconut, refined coconut oil is available, but you sacrifice the positive health benefits for negative ones. Unrefined quality coconut oil has a smoke point of 350 degrees. Refined coconut oil is sometimes used for higher temperature cooking such as deep frying.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;">HEALTH BENEFITS</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"> OF HIGH QUALITY COCONUT OIL</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: 14px;">Heart-cleanses the cardiovascular system</span><br />
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</span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: 14px;">Cholesterol-raises cholesterol, but only the good (HDL) and stabilizes the bad (LDL)</span><br />
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</span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: 14px;">Liver-medium-chain fatty acids (MCFAs) sent directly to the liver for efficient burning of energy</span><br />
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</span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: 14px;">Metabolism-boosts metabolic rates for weight loss and targets body fat, especially abdomen</span><br />
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</span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: 14px;">Blood sugar-helps to stabilize blood sugar levels</span><br />
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</span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: 14px;">Immune system-helps to resist bacteria and viruses and produces antioxidants to battle free radicals </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: 14px;">Digestion-helps to maintain proper gut flora by killing bad bacteria, viruses, fungi and even parasites</span><br />
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</span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: 14px;">Thyroid-helps to maintain proper thyroid function which helps to maintain lower cholesterol levels</span><br />
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</span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px;">Cellulite-MCFAs help in the breakdown of cellulite</span></span><br />
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</span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: 14px;">Hair-outperforms many salon conditioners when used as a hair conditioner</span><br />
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</span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: 14px;">Skin-Moisturizes and nourishes the skin and helps prevent stretch marks by improving elasticity</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: 14px;">Candida-fights against yeast, fungus and candida infections</span><br />
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</span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: 14px;">Shaving lotion-gives a close shave and moisturizes at the same time</span><br />
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</span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: 14px;">Bath-put a small amount in warm bath water for an all over moisturizer</span><br />
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</span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: 14px;">Scrub-add some sea salt or sugar for an invigorating scrub </span><br />
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</span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: 14px;"> So pop up some organic popcorn and pour some melted coconut oil over it with a sprinkle of sea salt. (Heat it slowly on the stove or place the container in hot water. Never microwave it or you will lose the healthful nutrients.) It is so delicious! Did you know that theaters used it on their popcorn years ago until the saturated fats scare came about. It was thought for many years that all saturated fats were the same. Try dipping some fish in egg whites and panko bead crumbs and fry it in coconut oil. This works well with chicken for healthy homemade chicken nuggets. Stir some in your oatmeal for a creamier oatmeal with a slightly coconut taste. Use it in baked goods and as a spread on anything you would normally use butter for. Some people enjoy it plain right out of the jar. Enjoy! It's good for you!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: 14px;"> As little as one to two tablespoons daily can provide many of the health benefits described above. Like everything else we ingest coconut oil should be consumed in moderation. Three tablespoons daily is an acceptable amount, but you may want to discuss it with your medical practitioner before you begin, especially if you are taking prescription drugs or have health issues. Those who go on strictly coconut oil diets, fasts, cleanses, and detoxes, and consume large amounts of coconut oil do so at their own risk.</span></div>
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Linda Machttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02459479060543678005noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2024111269963734086.post-46719584504111273722013-11-30T20:16:00.001-05:002014-01-24T13:38:07.232-05:00Simple Sea Salt Detox<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold;"> Salt, that nasty thing we're supposed to stay away from, can be one of the best ways to detox both internally and externally. Not all salts are bad for you as we've been lead to believe. Salt exists in many different forms, just as it is mined and processed in many different ways. Sea salt, epsom salt, kosher salt, rock salt, and of course table salt are the basic forms of salt available. All of these salts range in variety from color, flavor and additives, to mineral content and crystalline structure and size. When choosing a salt for detoxification, it's just as important to select the right type of salt as it is when choosing the proper medication for the type of malady being targeted.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: 14px;"> Salt is actually one of nature's many gifts to our health and well-being for without it life wouldn't exist. Although extracted from bodies of water the world over, most salts primarily consist of sodium chloride. However, in its natural state, salt also contains the many 80+ trace minerals our bodies need to survive. Just as we require oxygen and water for survival, salt produces the electrical impulses in our cells that make our bodies function properly and is an absolutely essential nutrient. It helps to balance our metabolism and strengthen our immune system. The conflict comes in when choosing among the multitude of varying qualities of salt. Let's have a look:</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6aa84f; font-size: large;">SEA SALT</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: 14px;"> As the name implies, sea salt comes from the many oceans and lakes around the world Technically, all salt is sea salt. All salt once touched water, either presently in lakes and oceans, or millions of years ago. Much of the sea salt on the market today is still collected by hand from the water and placed on screens to evaporate and dry in the sun. Mechanical evaporation processing of sea salt still remains at a minimum. Other types of sea salt were already evaporated millions of years ago from previous bodies of water. Their salts remain behind and are now mined at the surface of dried up lakes or in underground caverns. Their varying colors are derived from natural elements found in the surrounding environment. Sea salts contain many valuable trace minerals and have a coarse, crunchy texture and a somewhat stronger flavor. Due to this texture and flavor, less is required for the same salty taste. Sea salt with its lack of refinement and mineral content intact is the best salt for salt soaking baths.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6aa84f; font-size: large;">EPSOM SALT</span></div>
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</span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: 14px;"> This one is a little trickier. Although referred to as salt, it actually contains no sodium chloride. It is primarily made up of magnesium sulfate. It has a larger crystal structure similar to sea salt. It is used in cooking, farming, manufacturing, as well as for medicinal purposes. The sulfates flush toxins out of the body. Two cups dissolved in bathwater act as a detoxifying agent and quickly relieve minor aches and pains. The high content of magnesium is absorbed into the body and is a much needed nutrient. Most people today are found to have very low levels of magnesium.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6aa84f; font-size: large;">KOSHER SALT</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: 14px;"> This salt was developed in accordance with Jewish dietary laws for the preparation of kosher meats. It is unrefined and has no additives. During the evaporation process it is continuously raked to form multi block-like crystalline structures. This gives the salt more body and texture. This larger surface area allows kosher salt to cling to food longer. When curing meats, it is more efficient at drawing out the blood. Because of its larger surface area it is less dense and more flakey. Chefs prefer this coarser grain for pinching and sprinkling with ease and accuracy. Kosher salt weighs less by volume so the amount must be increased when substituting for table salt. It takes nearly one tablespoon of kosher salt to equal one teaspoon of table salt. Since it is a lighter salt, there is less of an aftertaste with it. Though not normally used as a soaking salt, kosher salt is good for cooking with as it is unadulterated.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6aa84f; font-size: large;">ROCK SALT</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: 14px;"> Rock salt, also known as halite, is another form of sodium chloride. Minimally refined, these larger crystals are used for deicing roads, driveways and sidewalks in winter months. Culinary use includes mechanical ice cream makers, and as a bed for shellfish presentation. These salt crystals are naturally colorless, white or may sometimes have a grayish hue. Being less refined it still retains the mineral content that is removed from table salt. Rock salt is not normally used for soaking due to its large crystalline structure.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6aa84f; font-size: large;">TABLE SALT</span><br />
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</span></span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: 14px;"> Table salt on the other hand is highly refined and processed rock salt. This is the salt that gives salt a bad rap. It is ground finer and heated during processing and stripped of its mineral content. It gets its pure white appearance through bleaching. Additives such as aluminum hydroxide, magnesium carbonate, or sodium of prussia are then used to prevent the salt from clumping and allow it to freely flow through the tiny holes in the salt shaker, Some of these additives have questionable effects on our health. Synthetic iodine is added to some table salts to prevent goiter or swelling of the thyroid gland which was much more prevalent before the addition of iodine to table salt. Table salt should never be used as a bath salt due to its questionable qualities and refinements. The point of taking a salt bath is to remove toxins, not add more. Personally, you wouldn't find it on my table either. </span><br />
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</span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: 14px;"> So now you can see that the best salts for soaking are sea salts and epsom salts. Lactic acid builds up in muscle tissue during exercise and strenuous activities causing soreness and stiffness. The skin being the largest organ of our body, salt is absorbed into the bloodstream where it gathers up lactic acid and other toxins which are then pushed out through the pores. Salt soaking baths are therapeutic in many ways. They help to:</span><br />
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</span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: 14px;"> 1. Relieve stress</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: 14px;"> 2. Improve skin disorders</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: 14px;"> 3. Reduce muscle pain and inflammation</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: 14px;"> 4. Relieve insomnia</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: 14px;"> 5. Improve circulation</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: 14px;"> 6. Expel toxins from the body</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: 14px;"> 7. Reduce joint pain due to arthritis</span><br />
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</span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: 14px;"> Salt baths can be made up of sea salt, epsom salt or a combination of the two. Sea salt is alkaline and helps to lower the acidity of the body. If you are lacking in magnesium, it is best to include some epsom salts. Try a cup of each dissolved in a warm bathtub of water and soak for 20 to 30 minutes. For extra relaxation add a few drops of pure lavender essential oil diluted in a teaspoon of carrier oil such as the ones listed below. Even olive oil works. You'll feel invigorated and refreshed.</span><br />
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</span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: 14px;"> You can also make an exfoliating salt scrub with one cup of sea salt, 1/2 cup of one of the following oils, and a few drops of essential oils. Massage it into your skin before showering or bathing to rejuvenate your skin. This will make enough for a few applications so store it tightly covered.</span><br />
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</span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: 14px;"> *** </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6aa84f; font-size: 14px;">Jojoba oil</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: 14px;"> ***</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6aa84f;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px;">Coconut oil</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: 14px;"> *** </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6aa84f;">Sweet almond oil</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: 14px;"> *** </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6aa84f;">Grape Seed oil</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: 14px;"> *** </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6aa84f;">Avocado oil </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: 14px;">*** </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6aa84f;">Olive oil</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: 14px;"> ***</span><br />
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</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: 14px;">Note: Instructions for internal salt water cleanses and flushes can be found on the internet but should never be attempted without professional medical supervision due to possible side effects.</span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: 14px;"><br />
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Linda Machttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02459479060543678005noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2024111269963734086.post-60496851085133835632013-10-26T19:06:00.000-04:002014-01-24T13:40:48.670-05:00Heal Your Mind and Body with Pure Fresh Water<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiURWXuOa9wyfXXtBGkkWmq-EzIndxwiuJPYFaFKyrlecXzsuFjg8jU7FoqqrM8qFtfX6ufEnR2RfFTpPyLdnCK5tac3FDw0Mz7ZK9x95dmZVMmKbqizD-1MUkPuuJgoa-Wr8Bd8mUQKpA/s1600/Water+drop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Heal your mind and body by avoiding dehydration and flushing toxins with pure water and electrolytes to avoid diseases like heart disease, dementia, diabetes, allergies and asthma, and depression." border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiURWXuOa9wyfXXtBGkkWmq-EzIndxwiuJPYFaFKyrlecXzsuFjg8jU7FoqqrM8qFtfX6ufEnR2RfFTpPyLdnCK5tac3FDw0Mz7ZK9x95dmZVMmKbqizD-1MUkPuuJgoa-Wr8Bd8mUQKpA/s640/Water+drop.jpg" height="426" title="Water droplet" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
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One of the best things you can do for healing and detoxing your body is to drink plenty of water. Dehydration can lead to many diseases that could easily have been prevented. Our bodies are made up of approximately 70% water which needs replenishing every day. Not only will you feel better when your body is hydrated, but your skin will reflect a clear and healthy glow. Also, you will find yourself thinking more clearly. That's because our brains are made up of over 90% water. Think about it. A dried up, shriveling brain won't do you much good in the middle of an exam or when you are trying to remember where you left your keys.</h3>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: 14px;">An estimated 75% of the U.S. population suffers daily in varying states of dehydration. Often the symptoms go unnoticed until the mouth becomes dry signaling a need for water. Unfortunately, by the time the tissues in the mouth become dry, the person is already 2-3 glasses of water below what their body requires to sustain and heal itself. Dry mouth is one of the <i>last </i>symptoms. Taking a few sips of water relieves the dryness in the mouth, but accomplishes nothing in alleviating the damage being done to the cells in the body. When trying to figure out how much pure water your body requires to stay hydrated the following formula works for most people. Just drink a little more when exercising or perspiring excessively, or when drinking dehydrating liquids like coffee, tea or alcohol.</span><br />
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</span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6aa84f;">Your body weight divided by 2 =</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6aa84f; font-size: 14px;"> the number of ounces of pure water </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6aa84f; font-size: 14px;"> you should drink every day in addition</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6aa84f;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px;"> to other beverages.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px;"> </span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: orange;">Example: </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f1c232;">200</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: orange;">lbs. divided by</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f1c232;">2</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: orange;"> =</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f1c232;">100</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #ffd966;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: orange;">oz.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3d85c6;">water</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: orange;">per day</span></span><br />
<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6aa84f;">Metric:</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6aa84f;">33 ml. per kg. of body weight</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: orange;"> Example: </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f1c232;">90</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: orange;"> kg. x </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f1c232;">33</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: orange;"> ml. = </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f1c232;">2970</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: orange;"> ml. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3d85c6;">water</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: orange;"> per day</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: 14px;"> Choosing more flavorful drinks over water only aggravates the problem. Coffee, tea, sugar-laden sodas, and alcohol all serve as diuretics and lead to further dehydration. Some medications are diuretics and can cause dehydration. Though the brain takes priority over other parts of the body when it comes to water, that minor nagging headache may turn into a migraine as the brain starts to dehydrate from further lack of water. Fatigue increases along with anxiety and lightheadedness. Dehydration is not only fluid loss, but valuable salt and nutrient loss as well. Pure water contains the minerals we need to fire up electrical impulses required by the cells in our bodies to survive. </span><br />
<img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=detyouwor-20&l=as2&o=1&a=1401908772" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /><br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0446690740/ref=as_li_tf_il?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0446690740&linkCode=as2&tag=detyouwor-20" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=0446690740&Format=_SL160_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=detyouwor-20" height="200" width="130" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: 14px;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"> These electrolyte minerals are necessary because cells (especially nerve, heart and muscle cells) use them to maintain electrical charges across their cell membranes and to carry electrical impulses (nerve impulses, muscle contractions, etc.) across themselves and to other cells. Cell membranes surround each cell, enclosing their contents. Water delivers nutrients and carries wastes away from these cell membranes. When dehydration occurs, toxins build up inside the membrane. Excessive toxins are suspended in a sludge-like state waiting to be carried away. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;">Blood begins to thicken and cannot flow freely.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"><br />
</span></span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"> Progressive dehydration can trigger the onset of a host of other diseases which left unchecked can lead to irreversible damage to the cells and body as a whole. When the body runs out of emergency water storages it goes into repair mode in an attempt to undo the damage caused by dehydration. This can lead to an over production of cholesterol which the body uses to repair cells. Suddenly the immune system goes into a state of alert causing a rise in the production of histamines. The brain is no longer able to produce hormones efficiently and they become unbalanced. Lower heart rate proceeds to higher heart rate in a desperate attempt to pump the thicker blood throughout the body. Insulin levels begin to rapidly fluctuate creating low blood sugar which further progresses to high blood sugar levels as dehydration continues to assault the entire system. So now we've managed to trigger the start of high cholesterol, angina, heart disease, asthma and allergies, diabetes and hormonal imbalance. If allowed to continue long enough, it will eventually affect the brain, causing possible dementia, worsening Alzheimer's, as well as other memory disorders and depression. In extreme cases kidney failure, seizures, coma and even death can occur.</span></span><br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1401908772/ref=as_li_tf_il?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1401908772&linkCode=as2&tag=detyouwor-20" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=1401908772&Format=_SL160_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=detyouwor-20" height="200" width="135" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"><br />
</span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"> All of this trauma to the brain and body because that glass of water seemed just too boring sitting next to that cup of coffee or soda pop. Well guess what? That glass of water doesn't have to be <i><b>boring</b>.</i></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><br />
</span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: 14px;"> There's lots of things you can do to jazz up your water. Instead of buying artificially flavored soda pop laden with sugars and artificial sweeteners, why not squeeze your own real fruit into a glass of cool, fresh water. Just be sure you are using water from a trusted source or filter your own. Add a couple slices of lemons, limes, or oranges or mix it up. Even though they are acidic, citrus fruits actually help to maintain an alkaline body. Cucumbers sliced in the water are <i>so</i> refreshing. Add a sprig of fresh mint for even more flavor. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><br />
</span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: 14px;"> Better yet, buy yourself an inexpensive water infuser and cut up the fruit of your choice, a different flavor every day. Mango, papaya, grapefruit, or watermelon on a hot summer day etc. When you drink the water it is drawn through the fruit in the infuser and gives the water a naturally enhanced fruit flavor that refreshes so much more than heavy, sugary sweet drinks. Infusers and recipe books available online are shown at the end of this article.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzpQlpqkQC_JSPd4zZdUEULabtXy9dU6nemHWbbZcqDStudY4c5p0tmrbdQgBhKS4h9NaWpITRzm4X8qsvqGxKkhDx_EhDQBao0eigmIbQp9-604NKLQFYhk1Ka2Nh843gOzTO9OAbJvE/s1600/Water+infuser.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><img alt="Add fruits like lemon, lime, orange, grapefruit, papaya, watermelon, and mango to a water bottle with an infuser to make water tastier and healthier to prevent diseases, and strengthen the immune system to relieve asthma and allergy symptoms." border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzpQlpqkQC_JSPd4zZdUEULabtXy9dU6nemHWbbZcqDStudY4c5p0tmrbdQgBhKS4h9NaWpITRzm4X8qsvqGxKkhDx_EhDQBao0eigmIbQp9-604NKLQFYhk1Ka2Nh843gOzTO9OAbJvE/s320/Water+infuser.jpg" height="320" title="Water infuser" width="213" /></span></a></div>
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</span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"> </span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"> </span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: 14px;"> So you're feeling the urge for that cup of coffee, tea, or soda, or even a glass of wine in the evening to relax. There's nothing wrong with indulging in your favorite beverages. Just do your mind and body a favor and drink down an extra glass of water before or in between that next cup of coffee or glass of wine. And don't skip your daily water requirement. Remember to drink half your body weight in ounces of water. Your body will love you for it and will reward you with better health and vitality. Not to mention, next time you'll know exactly where you left those keys, and you might just be on time or score an 'A' on that exam.</span></div>
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Linda Machttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02459479060543678005noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2024111269963734086.post-11125002277640093042013-09-28T15:45:00.000-04:002014-01-24T13:42:15.799-05:00Drugs in Our Tap Water<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<h3 style="font-size: 16px; text-align: left;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU_EbVTEMOuwIbnH9bkQGMlOpvW_yWL0-zUE17Pu9QXQ5RsIcGcZFATVlZv_OPfy4Zc5D0VavaL9526dB6h_z642QoMa4tgGkNtWY9DqMEQ8RuWjzLsV21BFRpTAno3i3Em6joHL4HAhk/s1600/Tap+water+faucet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Pharmaceutical drugs and over-the-counter medicines are being discovered in our drinking water supplies." border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU_EbVTEMOuwIbnH9bkQGMlOpvW_yWL0-zUE17Pu9QXQ5RsIcGcZFATVlZv_OPfy4Zc5D0VavaL9526dB6h_z642QoMa4tgGkNtWY9DqMEQ8RuWjzLsV21BFRpTAno3i3Em6joHL4HAhk/s400/Tap+water+faucet.jpg" height="400" title="Tap Water Faucet" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
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Drugs have become a major source of toxic pollution to our drinking water resources. It's no wonder as we've become a pill-popping society. It seems there's a pill or drug available for every ailment out there. New and debatable drugs come to market every day. Whether or not they assist in treating the majority of our maladies is questionable. Nonetheless, we continuously seek new pharmaceuticals in the hope of being miraculously cured. If there was a drug to prevent a hangnail, you can be sure someone out there would take it.</h3>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfteugxB_lz5nnttTJoljfD5udWw03JApxtrj1LahMDshkGRUmFShDQm5oP-PuXnR3XBzsXKnagcsgDqk3kr8hoG_Gri8QMzVrvQYXHHbCshDGmu8mfzJy3W8jRuHIm0pAGB78fafHpbE/s1600/Pharmaceutical+drugs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Pharmaceutical drugs and over-the-counter medicines are leeching into our drinking water, lakes, streams and rivers and causing mutations in mammals, fish and other wildlife." border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfteugxB_lz5nnttTJoljfD5udWw03JApxtrj1LahMDshkGRUmFShDQm5oP-PuXnR3XBzsXKnagcsgDqk3kr8hoG_Gri8QMzVrvQYXHHbCshDGmu8mfzJy3W8jRuHIm0pAGB78fafHpbE/s320/Pharmaceutical+drugs.jpg" height="213" title="Pharmaceutical drugs and over-the-counter medicines" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-size: 14px;">We all make choices. People are free to ingest whatever their physician might prescribe or even more freely to take over-the-counter drugs at will. Pharmaceutical companies are making sure we have plenty of choices to make. Analgesics, antibiotics, statins, steroids, antidepressants, anticoagulants, contraceptive pills and the list goes on. The problem is that maybe the guy down the street isn't worried about hangnails and you aren't seeking antibiotics to fight infections you don't have or antidepressants for depression you're not suffering from. Worried about your cholesterol levels? Maybe you should drink more tap water.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-size: 14px;"> The problem is that more and more drugs are turning up in our drinking water because most water municipalities don't have the capabilities of filtering them out of our water. Could they be filtered out? Most certainly. But being cost prohibitive, it isn't likely to happen anytime soon. Once again, we're forced to take matters into our own hands. Residential water filtration for pharmaceutical drugs comes at a high cost. Bottled water is an option, but only if you can be certain of the safety of the source.</span><br />
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</span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-size: 14px;"> The most highly recommended method of filtering tap water is reverse osmosis in combination with activated charcoal. This will filter out just about anything that might be lurking in your water. The problem lies in the expense. The initial installation of a reverse osmosis filteration system is simply not affordable for everyone, and the need to replace charcoal filters fairly frequently further adds to the cost. However, those purchasing bottled water by the case every week would quickly recoup their cost. This would also prevent a lot of empty water bottles landing in our lakes and landfills creating their own set of problems and pollution. There is one other <i>major </i>drawback to some reverse osmosis water filteration systems. Many older and less expensive RO systems waste incredible amounts of water to attain adequate purity levels. As much as three gallons of water are wasted to achieve one purified gallon of water. Newer RO systems have recently come to the market that promise zero waste. Something to look into if you are paying a water bill, not to mention the fact that potable water is swiftly becoming a precious commodity. We don't need to be unnecessarily wasting it. There are a couple examples of zero waste RO systems shown at the bottom of the page as well as one that can be retrofitted to older systems to conserve water.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-size: 14px;"> Unused drugs should <i>never </i>be flushed down the toilet. Proper disposal of unused drugs would go a long way to prevent some of the contamination of our water supply. Simply return any unused over-the-counter or prescription medications to a participating collection pharmacy. They are then sorted for proper disposal or redistribution to third world countries in need of them.</span><br />
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</span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-size: 14px;"> Drugs for pain, infections, high cholesterol, seizures, allergies, asthma, heart ailments, birth control are all showing up in our lakes, rivers and streams and finding their way into our drinking water supply. More and more drugs are being prescribed not only for humans, but for farm animals and pets as well. From snails to whales, hormonal drugs and other chemicals that mimic estrogen are affecting egg and sperm production in fish and other aquatic life. In many areas around the world male fish are becoming feminized and producing eggs instead of sperm. These gender-bender hormonal drugs and chemicals are affecting other wildlife as well. Increasingly, many species of mammals are being found with both male and female sex organs or hermaphroditic traits.</span><br />
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</span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"> A wide variety of pharmaceuticals are being discovered in the drinking water supplies of major metropolitan areas. The </span><a href="http://water.epa.gov/lawsregs/rulesregs/sdwa/index.cfm"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6aa84f;">Safe Drinking Water Act</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"> was passed in 1974, requiring cities to report contaminants in drinking water to their citizens. Pharmaceutical drugs are not covered by this act as they are not yet on the EPA's list of hazards. Private wells serving 25 or fewer individuals are not regulated. It is up to the individuals to have them tested. Some of the larger cities tests results can be researched online. Many cities don't test for pharmaceutical drugs or don't release results for fear of causing panic that may or may not be justified. Risks are as of yet unknown for low levels of pharmaceutical drugs ingested over lengthy time periods or possibly even several decades. Many prescribed drugs are intended for short time periods. Some scientists believe they are harmless while others believe the possible risks justify further research.</span></span><br />
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Linda Machttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02459479060543678005noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2024111269963734086.post-61839606009984061232013-08-16T19:55:00.000-04:002014-01-24T16:29:31.398-05:00Clouds, Contrails, and Chemtrails in Our Sky<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e06666; font-size: 16px;">Is it a cloud? Is it a contrail from a jet airliner? Is it a chemtrail? Or perhaps you didn't even notice. It's a known fact that the vast majority of people generally don't look up unless there's a reason to do so. The average person pays no attention to the sky unless they're going on an outdoor excursion and the sky grows dark. And it's no wonder. In today's busy world of multi-tasking we never seem to run out of eye level tasks whether it be the computer, the children or preparing meals. So the next time you're outside take a quick look at the sky. You might just catch a glimpse of those 'clouds' streaking or crisscrossing the sky like a tic-tac-toe board. They've been seen all over the world since the early 1990's. Cloud, contrail, chemtrail. Contrails aren't something that can be turned on and off as shown in this </span><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=K2z2ZzXFeKo"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6aa84f;">video</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e06666;">.</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e06666; font-size: 16px;"> Read on and decide for yourself if you really want to be outside when this is occurring.</span></h3>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: 14px;">Those in authority would have us believe these streaks in the sky are nothing more than normal contrails from airplane engine exhaust. Unless there's a scheduled air show in your area, it's not likely. If it were an air show you would see their trails dissipate rapidly, not hang in the air and spread over the course of several hours turning the sky into a murky haze. Pilots in air shows normally fly straight in unison to avoid crashing. Seems logical to me. So why are these streaks all over the place going in every direction? Well anyways, that's their side of the story. Next theory please.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: 14px;"> Now on the chemtrail side we have many suggestions. We'll start with weather modification. Nowadays they like to call it 'Stratospheric Aerosol Geoengineering' or 'persistent contrails'. Many countries are now admittedly involved in weather modification. Unfortunately, it's mostly used for their own dire purposes rather than the benefit of mankind as indicated by the chemicals dispersed. Metals such as silver and aluminum oxide, chemicals such as barium, sulfur dioxide, and calcium chloride, as well as polymers, fungi and bacteria are found in these dispersals. Chemtrails are identified by their high degree of persistence and slow spreading. Some people have even witnessed them containing a rainbow when sunlit. Perhaps the most well known incidence of weather modification through seed clouding is the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, China. Seed clouding was accomplished from the ground by the firing of rockets packed with silver iodide crystals into rain clouds which created downpours in the surrounding suburbs.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: 14px;"> As you can imagine this type of weather modification can have detrimental effects on one's health. For those already afflicted with asthma, outdoor activities during heavy spraying can further aggravate their condition. Furthermore, some medical professionals have drawn the conclusion that inhaling these varying particles may be contributing to the upsurge in the number of asthmatics by those who never previously experienced symptoms of respiratory distress.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: 14px;"> Lawsuits are popping up everywhere by those who believe their rain is being 'stolen' by weather modification and seed clouding especially by those in the farming industry. After all, there is only so much precipitation available. If you make it rain heavily in one area it is bound to be dry in the surrounding areas. There is even much speculation that those in charge of modifying weather patterns are either purposely or inadvertently causing the extreme weather conditions around the world. This would include everything from droughts and flooding to tornadoes, hurricanes and hailstorms. Perhaps even the record snowfalls being recorded as well as earthquakes.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: 14px;"> Another theory is the need to slow down or halt the escalating temperature of our planet known as global warming. Studies are currently underway, termed</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6aa84f;"> <a href="http://www.slate.com/articles/technology/future_tense/2013/07/cia_funds_nas_study_into_geoengineering_and_climate_change.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6aa84f;">'solar radiation management'</span></a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6aa84f;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: 14px;">(SRM), where particles of sulphate are pumped into the stratosphere in an effort to reflect incoming sunlight away from our planet. Ongoing studies are also investigating ways of carbon dioxide removal (CDR) from the atmosphere. Sulfate aerosol spraying could have negative effects on all living organisms as it is a known environmental hazard. Those with sulfur allergies are especially at risk and it can be an eye and skin irritant to anyone. Although it has been in use for decades, further studies are needed to investigate the global impact as well as the actual influence on the temperature of our planet overall. Other particulates being used to reflect sunlight include aluminum oxide, barium and strontium. Aluminum toxicity is being investigated as a possible cause of autism, ADHD, and Alzheimer's. Barium and strontium are toxic to life as well.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRWT1gCVkZhMOMKhnSj0DymT-2fLJ5mrw9NKQ_59WHSJYkzvCfsbXZY0xorCIR28tkocCivMGIMWmlemO7W2LunNsKU-KlM5bhfnp3-Xj2GDqUN9WZsYZr2lKGj-639T2_sVsfORfF4ks/s1600/Traffic+chemtrails.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRWT1gCVkZhMOMKhnSj0DymT-2fLJ5mrw9NKQ_59WHSJYkzvCfsbXZY0xorCIR28tkocCivMGIMWmlemO7W2LunNsKU-KlM5bhfnp3-Xj2GDqUN9WZsYZr2lKGj-639T2_sVsfORfF4ks/s200/Traffic+chemtrails.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></span></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9sIeWE_8Z3mqCeui6ang0kd2aGZRxFF6ZT3pOfjhp3qRfCg40Y70gRqXlL6Wvcv3mKyl-Nb2gY-Lx51ocBtEkUFKwb4vUCIJ2e8t7_cKdA1saXKRn9mIeJRIArIp4quUEToMhDTOtQdI/s1600/Street+chemtrails.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9sIeWE_8Z3mqCeui6ang0kd2aGZRxFF6ZT3pOfjhp3qRfCg40Y70gRqXlL6Wvcv3mKyl-Nb2gY-Lx51ocBtEkUFKwb4vUCIJ2e8t7_cKdA1saXKRn9mIeJRIArIp4quUEToMhDTOtQdI/s200/Street+chemtrails.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: 14px;"> Just changing our beautiful blue sky into an overcast murky gray can have serious consequences. Depending upon the quantity dispersed, filtering sunlight can also effect plant growth negatively. Plant life depends on photosynthesis. Soil composition is being radically modified. Water is being poisoned. People who suffer with Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), will experience further depression. What can we do about it?</span> </div>
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Linda Machttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02459479060543678005noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2024111269963734086.post-74168125711513271252013-07-27T08:00:00.000-04:002014-01-24T16:30:18.155-05:00Swimming Pool Sanitation Techniques & Health Issues<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyMeOAd-azmTTiEcCXGKHCDXzNgVL8TqInQd35Z9ktgR0eE_E7UOiK4PKW5kUF1pHas-JeqdHQL9jzfKoEQyKApmyA2aEjdJRD8FNXm1kSipZ07K7CI8a0hZRdM8BO7ytlJJsx90BWfUQ/s1600/Swimming+pool.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Indoor swimming pools are more likely to trap noxious gases and chloramines in the surrounding environment which can lead to negative health consequences such as eye irritations, dermatitis, asthma, and even miscarriages, birth defects, and cancer. " border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyMeOAd-azmTTiEcCXGKHCDXzNgVL8TqInQd35Z9ktgR0eE_E7UOiK4PKW5kUF1pHas-JeqdHQL9jzfKoEQyKApmyA2aEjdJRD8FNXm1kSipZ07K7CI8a0hZRdM8BO7ytlJJsx90BWfUQ/s640/Swimming+pool.jpg" height="425" title="Indoor swimming pool" width="640" /></a></div>
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There's nothing quite like a dip in the pool on a hot summer day to cool you off. Temperature's high. Humidity's high. And, according to the weatherman's prediction, no relief in sight for the next several days. Especially after a grueling day of yard work that could no longer be put off. Or perhaps you just finished a round of golf or a baseball game. Maybe even just sunbathing got your internal temperature soaring. Not to worry. A dip in the pool is just what the doctor ordered. Or is it?</h3>
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<b> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: 14px;">Chlorine is a popular sanitizer for pool water because it kills bacteria and germs. It also oxidizes organic debris and helps to keep algae in check. Unfortunately, chlorine is rapidly absorbed through the skin. You can test this for yourself if you have a pool test kit. Fill a small glass with chlorinated tap water or chlorinated pool water and test the chlorine content. Now swish your finger in it for 15-20 seconds and retest. Virtually no chlorine remains. Children's skin is even more vulnerable as it absorbs toxins more quickly.</span></b><br />
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</span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: 14px;"> Chlorine and its byproducts negative health effects are determined by multiple variables. Overly chlorinated pools will of course cause more negative chlorine effects than a pool that is properly balanced. Absorption of chlorine occurs from breathing pool water vapors, swallowing pool water or skin contact with pool water. One of the main variables would be time spent in the pool. Although an occasional dip in the backyard pool is most likely harmless in a well balanced pool; those who spend more time in commercial pools, especially swimming athletes, are more susceptible to health issues. Anything from red eyes and skin irritations to miscarriages, birth defects and cancer are being blamed on chlorine these days. But chlorine itself isn't the only culprit.</span></b></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: 14px;"><b> An under chlorinated pool is releasing toxic gases into the air. That overwhelming smell of chlorine isn't what you think it is. When a pool smells strongly of chlorine it's a reaction of the chlorine with bacteria, urine, sweat, and fecal contaminants, which creates chloramines and releases other noxious gases at the surface of the water. Leaves and other organic materials that fall into an outdoor pool over burden the sanitation system as well. It actually means the pool is exceptionally dirty and needs to be rebalanced. This is achieved through mega dosing of chlorine, shocking, ionizers, and repeated testing. A perfectly balanced pool is odorless. Toxic gases are released when a pool is out of balance and can cause eye and respiratory irritations, dermatitis, and even eventually asthma after repeated exposure. Not to mention Giardia, E. Coli, and Cryptosporodium are just some of the parasites that spread rapidly in pools with low pH levels and insufficient chlorine to sanitize the water. Symptoms of these illnesses include diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, dehydration and stomach cramps. </b></span><br />
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</span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: 14px;"> Another factor to consider is the number of people in the pool. An over crowded pool is is a heavy burden on the amount of chlorine or other sanitizing methods employed. The more organic and inorganic debris brought into the pool, the quicker the sanitizing set up becomes over burdened. So if you see a pool that seems overcrowded, you should probably avoid it. A commercial pool that doesn't require showering before entry is bringing in unnecessary contaminants such as lotions, hair spray, perfumes, deodorants, and additional sweat. Of course, an outdoor pool on a sunny day can expect a heavy load of suntan lotions. </span></b><br />
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</span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: 14px;"> So the level of chlorine dosing is important, but another huge variable is whether or not the pool is located indoors or outdoors. When a pool is located indoors, even those who never enter the pool are being exposed to these toxic gases. Trapped indoors without adequate ventilation and low ceilings, pool attendants are at risk as well as those lounging around the pool. High peaked ceilings are preferable to low ceilings which trap gases closer to the surface of the water. Adequate ventilation systems should be employed at all times. Children under the age of six become even more vulnerable when placed in the shallow areas of pools which are often times even hotter and more heavily polluted than larger ones. The warmer the water, the more quickly the chlorine dissipates. Also, children's areas are usually smaller; therefore, more likely to be overcrowded. So an outdoor pool is an obvious choice for avoiding heavier concentrations of chloramines.</span></b><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: 14px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh52NaudGelvyZyiMPeJemCgITnHtaa7mYDaJbT_KsnIdIAjRewcx8o8SQNwVDxPIwZNy4XAblsVBukdLdRAZvXpP7YtEwJ582JAeeQdNs5oF1IaH-piWaM9KGb1GqTrZsfEmXg8QgF1mc/s1600/Indoor+pool+doors.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><b><img alt="Indoor pools should provide adequate ventilation systems and keep doors and windows open to allow noxious gases and chloramines to escape from the pool areas." border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh52NaudGelvyZyiMPeJemCgITnHtaa7mYDaJbT_KsnIdIAjRewcx8o8SQNwVDxPIwZNy4XAblsVBukdLdRAZvXpP7YtEwJ582JAeeQdNs5oF1IaH-piWaM9KGb1GqTrZsfEmXg8QgF1mc/s320/Indoor+pool+doors.jpg" height="213" title="Indoor pool ventilation" width="320" /></b></a></span></div>
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</span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: 14px;"> Bromine is another chemical sanitizer for pools. Though similar to chlorine for sanitizing pool water, it is considerably more expensive than chlorine for obtaining the same results. Nowadays, it is mostly used in spas because it takes longer to break down than chlorine in the higher water temperatures of hot tubs and has less of an odor. Unfortunately, it is considered even more carcinogenic than chlorine.</span></b><br />
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</span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px;"> Saline or salt water pool sanitation has really moved to the forefront of pool sanitizing techniques. Perhaps it sounds natural or 'green'. Whatever the reason, people are jumping on the bandwagon looking for salt solutions to eliminate chlorination. The funny thing is, this process uses a chlorine generator or salt cell which utilizes electrolysis to break down the salt creating a chemical reaction which produces chlorine. So salt water pools are </span><span class="Apple-style-span"><i>not</i></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><i> </i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: 14px;">chlorine free pools. On the upside, the constant delivery of the salt in a well maintained and balanced pool eliminates harmful chloramines. The downside is the initial cost, high maintenance, and expensive salt cell replacements. Without careful maintenance, salt cells are easily damaged and too much salt can cause corrosion and damage to pools and improperly sealed cement and pavement. Pool builders require liability wavers for salt corrosion damage.</span></b><br />
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</span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: 14px;"> Ionizers are becoming a popular method for sanitizing pools and spas. This method uses copper and/or silver to kill germs in pools. Though it works well as a sanitizer you will still need an oxidizer against organic particulates such as chlorine or shock. Also, unless kept perfectly balanced, the metals from the ionizer can stain the inside of the pool and accessories as well as plaster and cement. They also have the disadvantage of contributing heavy metals into the environment during water exchanges and have been banned in some areas.</span></b><br />
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</span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: 14px;"> Another popular method is the use of an ozonator. Although useful as a sanitizer, they also cannot be used as a stand alone solution and are somewhat more expensive. On the plus side, dramatically lower levels of chlorine are required, and chloramines are completely eliminated. Some people claim the water has a crisper, brighter look to it. There are two types of ozone generators used in the pool industry. UV in which ultraviolet light is used to create ozone; or CD which uses corona discharge or electricity, much like a thunderstorm, to create ozone. The CD ozone generators are preferable as they are much more powerful than UV types.</span></b><br />
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</span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: 14px;"> UV treatment of pool water without creating ozone is becoming more popular, but is as yet cost prohibitive. Depending upon the size of the pool a good UV pool unit can cost from just under a thousand dollars to as much as $3,500. The use of chlorine is greatly reduced, and unlike chlorine alone, provides consistent oxidizing of organic materials as the UV light is continuously cleaning the water. Small amounts of chlorine are still required for residual sanitation. With chlorine alone, the levels swing up and down depending on how quickly the chlorine is used up before the next dose. (Studies are being done in several countries on UV treatment combined with chlorine that may cause the release of an even more harmful gas, cyangen chloride or mustard gas.)</span></b><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: 14px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJGWFuWS7uzWJ5HGtJ1PegEMNP0NG-IeuFvtjkOPEjxAzha3Iy9cv4k1RCboM2LJEKIp_8jXPabD9Uq6UM9x5jz6jhuvldJ8wOFzvPKMIhnGOioCL4RA4wXz3frLKkZVivpH63o-BGVN0/s1600/Indoor+hot+tub+.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><b><img alt="Indoor pools should provide adequate ventilation systems as well as high peaked roofs to reduce the risk of negative health impacts due to trapped noxious gases and chloramines at the pool water's surface." border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJGWFuWS7uzWJ5HGtJ1PegEMNP0NG-IeuFvtjkOPEjxAzha3Iy9cv4k1RCboM2LJEKIp_8jXPabD9Uq6UM9x5jz6jhuvldJ8wOFzvPKMIhnGOioCL4RA4wXz3frLKkZVivpH63o-BGVN0/s320/Indoor+hot+tub+.jpg" height="320" title="Indoor pool ventilation" width="213" /></b></a></span></div>
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</b> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiztAZrTdLwnK3UAh2HZ4P1Ug9Mjaca4JvdBvsCL36vTsgKlRB_u9YL87X7cgpYhB8mnSONHCPeYZ-v0pf5EEpOmynhmesrj8x-nmAdeNBn4ulx73L4p9LUOTQzz8kzJmDPQQfw-WFt6Ao/s1600/Indoor+pool+roof.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><b><img alt="Indoor pools should have high peaked ceilings to allow gases to rise higher away from the surface of the water to protect swimmers' and non swimmers' health." border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiztAZrTdLwnK3UAh2HZ4P1Ug9Mjaca4JvdBvsCL36vTsgKlRB_u9YL87X7cgpYhB8mnSONHCPeYZ-v0pf5EEpOmynhmesrj8x-nmAdeNBn4ulx73L4p9LUOTQzz8kzJmDPQQfw-WFt6Ao/s200/Indoor+pool+roof.jpg" height="200" title="Indoor pool peaked roof" width="133" /></b></a><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><br />
</span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: 14px;"> All of these methods of pool sanitation need researching when deciding upon building a pool. They all have pros and cons. Thoroughly researching all methods before deciding could save a lot of time and money, not to mention preventing some health issues. But for those just looking to swim occasionally at your local pool there are just a few things to consider. Is it an indoor or outdoor pool? Outdoor pools have the benefit of freely off-gassing into the atmosphere. If it is indoors, can you still smell the chlorine 60 seconds after entering the building or do your eyes burn? If the answer to either of these is yes at any pool, you should leave immediately, especially if you have young children with you. Maybe a picnic would be better choice for today. At least until you find a pool that is better maintained. Or maybe even better yet...</span></b><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e06666; font-size: large;"><b>GO JUMP IN A LAKE!!!</b></span></div>
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54492/57/A89DFA025DF99CB2D9EED806B10DD0C9.png" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px !important; border-color: initial !important; border-left-width: 0px !important; border-right-width: 0px !important; border-style: initial !important; border-top-width: 0px !important;" /></a></div>
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Linda Machttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02459479060543678005noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2024111269963734086.post-50510659971998001942013-07-06T23:49:00.001-04:002014-01-24T16:31:16.167-05:00Summertime Sunshine Safety Precautions<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7izbOwwEgatOQEeWmTDhPBc7YhiKsXo7jmW10yO2o6Ue5iga4Y3pJVmE1RgJC448thb0fboxLY2U1b8w3SU2qMERMQoFYmObcjRelSLmvvaic7ktLdHWyJ5UVF-IzCqY1smhGNpTLSjk/s1600/Sunshine.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="People need to protect themselves from the harmful UVA rays of the sun with chemical free natural sunscreens to prevent endocrine disruptors and cancer while benefiting from the UVB rays which provide vitamin D.." border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7izbOwwEgatOQEeWmTDhPBc7YhiKsXo7jmW10yO2o6Ue5iga4Y3pJVmE1RgJC448thb0fboxLY2U1b8w3SU2qMERMQoFYmObcjRelSLmvvaic7ktLdHWyJ5UVF-IzCqY1smhGNpTLSjk/s1600/Sunshine.jpg" height="426" title="Sunshine" width="640" /></a></div>
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It's summertime again and everyone wants that great looking bronze skinned suntan look, not to mention a good healthy dose of vitamin D from the sun to protect us from all kinds of diseases. But we need to look into how to do this without causing more harm than good. Chemical sunscreens have been around for a long time, but more and more natural sunscreens and sunblocks are coming onto the market as more people shy away from harmful, even cancer causing chemicals found in today's sunscreens. It's best to avoid chemically laden endocrine disrupting sunscreen products. When sunbathing the goal is to reflect the harmful UVA rays and absorb the beneficial UVB rays that provide our bodies with vitamin D. The only way to accomplish this is through the use of sunscreens that provide UV protection without blasting our bodies with an overload of chemicals easily absorbed through our skin.</h3>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: 14px;">The middle of the day is the most likely time to get a sunburn when the sun is at its highest position. Somewhere between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. depending on where you live. The closer you are to the equator, the stronger the suns rays. Also, altitude plays a role as well as reflective surfaces like water, concrete and those white sandy beaches we all love. Even snow reflects more of the suns rays, but hopefully not too many people are exposing a lot of skin wearing bathing suits in snowy regions. Of course, skiers and snowmobilers need to protect their faces. The UV index of the day can be helpful as well.</span></b></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: 14px;"> <b>There are all kinds of recipes on the internet for making your own chemical free sunscreens. You should be aware of some of the suggested ingredients. One common recommendation is to use coconut oil alone. This may work for some people and not for others. It depends on your skin type and whether or not your skin is conditioned to being in the sun. The duration of sunbathing is important as well. Not very many tanning products allow for anyone to be in the sun for hours and hours unless it is reapplied often. Sunscreen should be reapplied every two hours at minimum. Even at that you could still suffer some skin damage from the sun if you stay out all day without taking a break in the shade once in awhile. The time of day matters again as well. The type of coconut oil is important as well. It must be unrefined, virgin coconut oil. Refined, heated coconut oils have lost their beneficial properties for the skin. Also, coconut oil has a very low SPF rating. So unless you're already a 'seasoned' sunbather, I wouldn't rely on coconut oil alone. The following ingredients can be added to the coconut oil or other safe oils like virgin olive or avocado to create pleasantly scented and safer sunscreen. When making your own sunscreen, you can add an ounce or two of beeswax to provide some waterproof protection.</b></span><br />
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</b> <b> Some sunscreen recipes suggest the use of essential oils to scent the lotion. The use of the wrong essential oil can be a grave mistake. Photosensitizing essential oils such as those in the citrus family can cause permanently darkened skin spots and other discolorations of the skin. If you have recently used any of those oils on your skin it's best to stay out of the sun for 12 or even 24 hours just to be sure. Some steam distilled citrus oils are okay such as orange, but lemon and lime remains photo toxic whether cold pressed or steam distilled. Bergamot oil is another nicely scented oil, but is photo toxic unless certified bergaptene-free and labeled as Bergamot FCF. So if you're going to scent your lotion it's best to do your homework and be sure you are using a safe essential oil such as lavender. Or you can add some lemon eucalyptus for the added benefit of bug repellent. It's non-photosensitizing and it only takes a few drops.</b></span><br />
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</b></span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: 14px;"><b> Some oils extracted from seeds and nuts, such as those in raspberries or macadamia nuts, provide varying amounts of UV protection and can be used as the base oil in sunscreen recipes. Some examples are red raspberry seed oil (SPF 28-50), carrot seed oil (SPF 38-40), soybean oil (SPF 10), wheat germ oil (SPF 20), jojoba oil (SPF 4), macadamia nut oil </b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: 14px;"><b>(SPF 6), and soybean oil (SPF 10).</b></span><br />
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</b></span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: 14px;"> <b> And last but not least, zinc oxide and titanium dioxide are two natural mineral ingredients used to block the harmful rays of the sun. Even these ingredients warrant investigation when it comes to nano particles. Whereas the use of these minerals in sunscreens previously left a pale, ghostly look when applied to the skin, newer manufacturing technology resolved this issue. Through the use of nano technology the particles are broken down very small. This process not only provides better UV protection, but alleviates the chalky look to the skin after application as well. Sounds good, but now the safety of nano zinc oxide and nano titanium dioxide are being questioned. So far it 'appears' to be safe when applied to 'healthy' skin. When used in powder or spray products the safety is definitely being studied as a respiratory toxicant. For those with allergies and asthma, it's not worth the risk. </b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: 14px;"><b>So you might just want to play it safe and look for products with non-nano zinc oxide and non-nano titanium dioxide. Of the two, regular zinc oxide still appears the safest because it reflects and scatters UV rays rather than absorbing them like titanium dioxide. Both are available online in non-nano formulations for making your own sunscreen.</b></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlr9h5p8PkwMlKsm4YV1nwKQcU2YGZ1oGqhGwWAEtaUReavtXXIWpCFI2YfT6wlVtV9PgeWNu2ZoTvUnF8LYjKRh1Hn4h4Yr327GWj5W3h9S_P3-vJurOUtmJZV2ngivmmer1IsUY6QTo/s1600/Sun.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Sunshine provides us with vitamin D produced through beneficial UVB rays." border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlr9h5p8PkwMlKsm4YV1nwKQcU2YGZ1oGqhGwWAEtaUReavtXXIWpCFI2YfT6wlVtV9PgeWNu2ZoTvUnF8LYjKRh1Hn4h4Yr327GWj5W3h9S_P3-vJurOUtmJZV2ngivmmer1IsUY6QTo/s1600/Sun.jpg" height="213" title="Sunlight" width="320" /></a></div>
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Linda Machttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02459479060543678005noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2024111269963734086.post-75752672511586472592013-06-14T16:14:00.000-04:002014-01-24T13:59:51.400-05:00Give Your Dad a Smile for Father's Day<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1pWplx3P9p7OWvRoA2GpCbIAmxRC3EB5KqmqCtVh5-hgBP0lPfX7e8wivOh6xW7FJXVz769GxOTC9coZblq5D-oSalX0vdWWBW76pJF5RcmFYO2UQnNY29EHojI8Xl0xMBPKKy18pE04/s1600/Smiling.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="When you smile and laugh endorphins are released in your body relieving stress, increasing blood flow and boosting your immune system." border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1pWplx3P9p7OWvRoA2GpCbIAmxRC3EB5KqmqCtVh5-hgBP0lPfX7e8wivOh6xW7FJXVz769GxOTC9coZblq5D-oSalX0vdWWBW76pJF5RcmFYO2UQnNY29EHojI8Xl0xMBPKKy18pE04/s400/Smiling.jpg" height="312" title="Smile" width="400" /></a></div>
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Everyone knows it's better to smile than to frown, but did you know it can be a holistic approach to better health overall as well? Not only can it improve your mental health but also your physical body by reducing tension and releasing endorphins. It even increases blood flow for cardiovascular protection. Laughing makes you feel better and gets you through those tough times. Smiling and laughing actually boosts your immune system. So smile and laugh your cares away.</h3>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: 14px;">Need a reason to smile?</span></b></div>
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</b><b> Watch a funny Youtube:</b></span><br />
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: 14px;">Dentist dad-</span><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vyR2KNNsxCc"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6aa84f; font-size: 14px;">Wisdom teeth removal</span></a></b><br />
<b> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: 14px;">Golfer dad-</span><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ul_fxYUgurg"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6aa84f; font-size: 14px;">Fox chasing golfball</span></a></b><br />
<b> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: 14px;">Olympic swimmer dad-</span><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v9zCEMEDWX0"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6aa84f; font-size: 14px;">High diving giraffes</span></a></b></div>
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<b> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: 14px;">Cat owner dad-</span><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0VM9G81KUWo"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6aa84f; font-size: 14px;">Paralyzed cat</span></a></b><br />
<b> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: 14px;">Auto repair dad-</span><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ovOZWuwezdk"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6aa84f; font-size: 14px;">Changing flat tire</span></a></b><br />
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: 14px;">Download a free animated</span></b></span><b> <a href="http://www.tnpsc.com/ssaver/smileys.htm"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6aa84f;">smiley screensaver</span></a> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: 14px;">or funny wallpaper.</span></b></div>
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<b> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: 14px;"> Watch a good comedy together on Father's Day.</span></b></div>
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<b> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: 14px;"> Buy your dad a good joke book or joke-of-the-day calendar.</span></b></div>
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<b> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: 14px;">Take your dad to a comedy club.</span></b></div>
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<b> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: 14px;">Try some 'laughing yoga' classes.</span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrgHviGwbOg4YeZW1vQGH8T147qYOm4YFcgirMcG6SsHD-7bBeWa7IJC4VS9yvDvZqcD0eDQxUUF-6YGPJYp38lkOtpMO1uIWfSLHPogWUPIl1sc8j_-7v-ZVEhQreepCA2xusgz5cLU4/s1600/Smile.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><b></b></a></div>
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<b> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: 14px;">So think of something pleasant while working, driving or relaxing and work those smile muscles. The more you practice, the easier it becomes. You'll find your mood improving along with your zest for life. Laughing even helps to reduce pain. Melt away that tension and soon you'll find yourself </span></b><br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: 14px;">laughing away life's little stressors and feeling better overall.</span></b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrgHviGwbOg4YeZW1vQGH8T147qYOm4YFcgirMcG6SsHD-7bBeWa7IJC4VS9yvDvZqcD0eDQxUUF-6YGPJYp38lkOtpMO1uIWfSLHPogWUPIl1sc8j_-7v-ZVEhQreepCA2xusgz5cLU4/s1600/Smile.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="The act of smiling or laughing relaxes the body and provides many health benefits providing stress relief." border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrgHviGwbOg4YeZW1vQGH8T147qYOm4YFcgirMcG6SsHD-7bBeWa7IJC4VS9yvDvZqcD0eDQxUUF-6YGPJYp38lkOtpMO1uIWfSLHPogWUPIl1sc8j_-7v-ZVEhQreepCA2xusgz5cLU4/s200/Smile.jpg" height="200" title="Big smile" width="150" /></a><b><br />
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</span></b> <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e06666; font-size: large;">HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!!!</span> </b></div>
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54492/57/A89DFA025DF99CB2D9EED806B10DD0C9.png" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px !important; border-color: initial !important; border-left-width: 0px !important; border-right-width: 0px !important; border-style: initial !important; border-top-width: 0px !important;" /></a></div>
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Linda Machttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02459479060543678005noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2024111269963734086.post-62771447396709044782013-06-08T13:44:00.000-04:002014-01-24T16:32:51.959-05:00Earthing: Grounding Ourselves to Mother Earth to Improve Our Health<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeowOKrPekJZEPtL_P0WkAQQ1fhx_wciaJiIqHhaEFntM4chAVTYDpodSkeM1j5rEq0ESK5cdPRy6WH1Jg54zCbz2_5EIUBJlJS8mT6KLwNhGO-YLu-6k8P04Bmz_IPYLz8-A8N05VkOk/s1600/Grass.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Earthing, the process of grounding oneself by walking barefoot in the grass or on a sandy beach neutralizes free radicals in our bodies and provides many other health benefits." border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeowOKrPekJZEPtL_P0WkAQQ1fhx_wciaJiIqHhaEFntM4chAVTYDpodSkeM1j5rEq0ESK5cdPRy6WH1Jg54zCbz2_5EIUBJlJS8mT6KLwNhGO-YLu-6k8P04Bmz_IPYLz8-A8N05VkOk/s640/Grass.jpg" height="256" title="Grassy lawn" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">So now that you've decided to go with a healthy, organic lawn after reading about the benefits in last week's article, you're ready to learn about the health benefit of grounding oneself. Stepping on the ground barefoot electrically balances you. Ever wonder why strolling along a sandy beach seems to energize you. The same thing happens when you walk barefoot through the grass. This is also known as 'Earthing'. So kick off those shoes and let Mother Earth ground you and restore your natural energy and well-being.</span></h3>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: 14px;"><b>Earthing balances the electrons in your body. Grounding yourself may also minimize the consequences of disruptive electrical fields known as 'electromagnetic pollution' or 'dirty electricity'. When you are barefoot, free electrons flow from the surface of the earth throughout your body, extinguishing free radicals along the way.</b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 24px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">The earth</span>=<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: orange;">a free radical neutralizer</span>=<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">a powerful antioxidant</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-size: large;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: 14px;"><b>Historically, humans went barefoot most of the time. And when shoes were worn, they were made of natural materials such as animal skins which can conduct electricity. Shelters and 'homes' were made with dirt floors. It's only in modern times, when synthetic materials were developed, that we are no longer naturally grounded on a regular basis. Shoes constructed with plastic and rubber soles and synthetic flooring materials such as carpets and linoleums, prevent direct physical contact with the Earth. This in turn prevents us from reaping the many benefits of nature's electrical balance. We are not grounded when traveling by airplanes, boats or automobiles either. The only time we are really grounded in these modern times is when we are in the shower or bathtub, and only then, when metal plumbing is used.</b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: 14px;"><b> Some studies on the health effects of grounding claim reduced stress, better quality of sleep, reduced inflammation and pain, reduced allergy symptoms, and even improved viscosity of the blood and reduced cortisol levels, for preventing disease. </b></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: 14px;">You can research these studies for yourself at </span><a href="http://www.earthinginstitute.net/index.php/overview"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #93c47d; font-size: 14px;">Earthing Institute.</span></a></b><br />
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</b> <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: 14px;"> Several variations on grounding oneself during sleep are available. From a simple, inexpensive anti-static wrist strap to the more expensive conductive grounding sheets and mattress pads. There are also pads to place under your feet during time spent at a computer. All of these are either plugged into a grounded outlet in your home or office or wired to a copper rod placed in the ground.</span></b><br />
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</span></b> <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: 14px;"> Whatever method you might choose, the simplest method is to just go barefoot whenever possible and at no cost to you. That might be when doing yard work, a fun afternoon at the beach or even exercising while barefoot in the grass. Grass is more conductive in the morning because of the dew. Or just go for a dip in a lake or the ocean to immediately wash away all the negative energy in your body and regain that invigorating sense of balance and harmony with our planet. Even a few minutes to an hour a day is better than never being grounded at all. Try it for yourself. You might be surprised at how much better you feel.</span></b></div>
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Linda Machttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02459479060543678005noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2024111269963734086.post-19233960283855487802013-06-02T17:00:00.000-04:002014-01-24T16:33:26.141-05:00Turning the Dream of a Perfect Organic Lawn into Reality<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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The perfect lawn. Every homeowner's dream or shall we say obsession. Obsessing and stressing over every weed that pops through that thick, lush green carpet of grass, the plot thickens. What to do next. Who to call. What's the next attack? More fertilizer. More herbicide. More pesticide. How many people have become brainwashed into thinking they have to maintain the perfect lawn no matter the cost. What will the neighbor's think? Maybe you should stop worrying about the neighbors and start worrying about yourself and your family. All those chemical pesticides, fertilizers, and herbicides you or the lawn service you've hired, are dumping on your lawn year after year, are creating your very own personal toxic waste dump. And no, they don't just magically disappear after a few days of working their magic on your lawn. You're not just disrupting the life cycle of a few beneficial bacteria, and earthworms in the soil, and killing off a few more beneficial insects and birds. As we are now sadly finding out, yourself, your children and your pets are being harmed as well. And for what? To out perform the neighbors. Instead of creating a toxic waste dump, why not turn your backyard into your own little paradise. Stop spraying and start relaxing.</h3>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: 14px;"> <b>What's the solution to toxic lawns? Is there a solution? Of course there is. There's enough pesticides, herbicides, and chemical fertilizers being used in commercial agriculture already. There's no reason to use them in your yard or gardens. Don't have the inclination or motivation to pull weeds out yourself? There's a multitude of organic products on the market for maintaining your lawn, as well as flower gardens and vegetable gardens. There are even lawn care companies going 'green'. You just have to actively seek them out. They may cost slightly more, but is your families health worth it? Read on to find out. You'll actually save money over time, because an organic lawn requires less treatments to maintain it.</b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: 14px;"><b> Glyphosate, Monsanto's Roundup, is used on their genetically-modified corn, soy, canola, and cotton crops. It is also sprayed in parks and roadways, as well as used by many home gardeners. Glyphosate has now been linked to birth defects, neurological disorders, fertility issues, cancer, and now even possibly Parkinson's disease. Pretty nasty for a product once touted as harmless as well as stating it quickly dissipates in the environment. Many consumers fell for these lies without investigating for themselves.</b></span><br />
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</b></span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"> Atrazine is commonly used on corn in the Midwest. It has now found it's way to many rivers and and drinking water sources. Exposure to atrazine has been linked to an increase of birth defects, infertility, and possibly cancer as it is a known endocrine disrupter. Manufactured by Syngenta, it is banned in Europe. Even Switzerland, home of the manufacturer, has banned its use. Yet, it is found in many brands of weed killers in the U.S. Check out this full color, online booklet concerning </span><a href="http://www.panna.org/issues/publication/syngenta-corporation-and-atrazine-0"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6aa84f;">atrazine.</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"> Pass the butter and salt for my corn on the cob please.</span></b></span><br />
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</b></span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: 14px;"><b> Chlorpyrifos, developed in the 1960's by Dow Chemical, has been widely used for home gardeners for many years. Nowadays, it is also applied to almonds, oranges, apples, corn and cotton crops. Even low-dose exposures of chlorpyrifos can cause headaches, fatigue, nausea, and blurred vision. Some people have even suffered respiratory paralysis. Children have an increased risk of being born with lower IQ's as well as more potential for developing ADHD.</b></span><br />
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</b></span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: 14px;"><b> Metolachlor is recognized by the EPA as cancer causing. Side effects include breathing difficulties, nausea, jaundice and convulsions. Widely used on crops, do we need more chemicals in our backyards?</b></span><br />
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</b></span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: 14px;"><b> Metam sodium is often applied to potatoes in high concentrations as a fumigant and pesticide. The risks include nausea, breathing difficulties, thyroid damage and birth defects. It's really easy to plant a crop of seed potatoes in your own yard that will last the whole year. And you don't need any chemicals just an occasional watering. Oh, and this time could you please pass the sour cream along with the butter and salt for my baked potato.</b></span><br />
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</b></span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: 14px;"><b> A fully organic lawn is the healthiest lawn both for the lawn itself and the surrounding environment. When basic requirements are met, organisms work symbiotically to produce a healthy lawn. Chemicals destroy this symbiotic relationship, requiring more and more chemicals each year to overcome the harmful effects. </b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: 14px;"><b> Clippings should not be removed after cutting the lawn. They provide a great source of nitrogen. Fully</b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: 14px;"><b> organic lawns never need thatching. Earthworms, beneficial microbes and insects eat the thatch producing healthy fertilizer. Over-seeding the lawn with slow growing varieties of grass seed helps to crowd out weeds, as well as allowing more time between cuttings. Grass blades should be left at a height of three inches to shade weeds and prevent growth. Lawns only need about one inch of water per week. Morning watering is best to prevent evaporation. This also allows the lawn to dry out before nightfall when over saturation can cause disease and root rot. And frequent daily watering causes roots to become lazy. Occasional, deep watering encourages deep root growth. You want the roots to grow long and deep into the soil for strength. They are forced to do this when they have to seek out moisture. Aeration every other year prevents compaction in the lawn. A machine is used to pull finger-sized plugs from the lawn allowing water, nutrients, and air to reach the soil and roots. And remember, a healthy lawn doesn't happen overnight. It may take more than one season.</b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: 14px;"><b> You can do your own composting for a small yard for the best fertilizer. You'll have to use the old fashioned wheelbarrow and pitchfork method to spread it. Or just buy an organic granulated fertilizer for use with a spreader. Blood meal makes an excellent non-toxic lawn fertilizer and can be found online for less than one dollar per pound. Not only will your lawn look great, but blood meal will chase away critters from your flower and vegetable gardens. Another great 100% organic fertilizer is, don't laugh, Chickity Doo Doo. It is made from the waste of poultry laying hens and contains 9% calcium, another important ingredient for lawns and other plants. If you can't find it locally, the best price I've found is on Amazon, at about one dollar per pound including shipping. It is available in pellet form for flower and vegetable gardens or granulated for lawns.</b></span><br />
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</b></span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: 14px;"><b> Skip the weed-and-feed and just incorporate organic fertilizer into your lawn maintenance program along with some chelated iron organic weed killer for your lawn. It is safe and natural and kills a broad range of weeds. If you can't find it locally several different brands are available online at Amazon.com including Whitney Farm's, Scott's organic brand and Ortho Elementals. Garden's Alive sells all organic products for your lawns and gardens. Iron X is their chelated iron weed killer.</b></span><br />
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</b></span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: 14px;"><b> Many organic pesticides are available for lawns as well. If your lawn has been neglected, you may need to de-thatch it. Mosts pests and fungi thrive in this dead layer of materials lying the surface of the soil. When the layer of thatch exceeds one inch, it is recommended to remove it. Once your lawn is properly maintained, de-thatching becomes unnecessary. Soil organisms will naturally biodegrade the thatch. Compost or even a layer of soil spread over the lawn helps to break down the thatch layer as well. Too frequent watering is one of the greatest causes of lawn pests. Most can't survive under dry conditions, so overwatering and maintaining a moist environment invites them to breed. Grubs aren't considered a problem unless there are more than ten per square foot. If you already have an infestation you will have to look into organic pesticides such as beneficial nematodes, milky spore, neem oil, insecticidal soaps, or diatomaceous earth to get them under control. Japanese beetles can be slowed down with traps.</b></span><br />
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</b></span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: 14px;"><b> Chemical pesticides, herbicides and fertilizers are now so widely used they are found in the air we breathe and the water we drink. Complete avoidance is next to impossible, but reducing our exposure reduces our risk of the many damaging health effects being discovered daily. Even after 50 years of studies on various herbicides and pesticides, we are often left with conflicting reports. So why take a chance and add to the problem. Why not make your yard a place where you and your family can relax and not worry about walking barefoot in the grass or garden. By the way, I'll be discussing the many health benefits of going barefoot in the yard or when gardening in an upcoming article. So get prepared and stop spreading those toxic chemicals in what should be your own private backyard paradise.</b></span><br />
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Linda Machttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02459479060543678005noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2024111269963734086.post-70687250723385686082013-05-18T08:24:00.000-04:002014-01-24T16:34:09.216-05:00Pine Tree Pollen: Friend or Foe?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV9EqEYWjhInoEqXfHUHa2cwEE3471UA2dny6_WMmdGhW22DRKy-CXTp13IAhayWWWMRQtm0WuLabnB4Wcguawc_Ex11Yt9U3s47LW5HvqXxOBjeEdqn6nA2gUMK3k-QNxj8OgREArMCE/s1600/IMG_2123.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img alt="Pine tree pollen is more beneficial than detrimental to our health." border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV9EqEYWjhInoEqXfHUHa2cwEE3471UA2dny6_WMmdGhW22DRKy-CXTp13IAhayWWWMRQtm0WuLabnB4Wcguawc_Ex11Yt9U3s47LW5HvqXxOBjeEdqn6nA2gUMK3k-QNxj8OgREArMCE/s320/IMG_2123.JPG" height="213" title="Pine trees" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSg9EvTU27Zc8Ar72JYfuHWBiVEoU_C9bvedlYnCWNC3w80FP6ZhOF9mLC4zNAAmu4F59T3UVK3MySTTa2LN7Dd1-R-gYpEVl_PXcVaHpTkHJp_T1e1Uo49IxvW-2BkFSBx4IsazJgYCU/s1600/IMG_2127.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Scattered pine cones in a pine tree tunnel provide many uses in craft projects as well as food and medicinal purposes." border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSg9EvTU27Zc8Ar72JYfuHWBiVEoU_C9bvedlYnCWNC3w80FP6ZhOF9mLC4zNAAmu4F59T3UVK3MySTTa2LN7Dd1-R-gYpEVl_PXcVaHpTkHJp_T1e1Uo49IxvW-2BkFSBx4IsazJgYCU/s320/IMG_2127.JPG" height="320" title="Pine tree tunnel" width="212" /></a> Ahhh...springtime at last. Mother nature's best show of all the seasons. Days are longer. Weather is warmer. Trees are blooming. Flowers are blooming. Time to shed those coats...and get out the antihistamines. Yellow dust. It's landing everywhere. Everything is covered in it. Outside. Inside. On the furniture. On the car. In the car. In the air? Nope. Unless you're sitting in the middle of a field of daisies, all that pollen you see is <i>not</i> the culprit of springtime allergies. It's pine tree pollen and really quite harmless if not even helpful. It just happens that pine tree pollen is dominate in the spring season any time from March through May.</h3>
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<b> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"> The pollen from a pine tree is exceptionally large and heavy. Though wind born, it quickly settles out of the air landing on everything nearby on calm days, and somewhat further away on windy days. Even though pine trees produce enormous amounts of pollen, covering surfaces with yellow dust, it doesn't generally cause allergic symptoms. There are two reasons for this. The pollen doesn't linger in the air for inhalation as a respiratory irritant. Also, pine tree pollen is not considered an allergen. Oak, cedar, maples and elm trees as well as grass pollens, are the major allergen triggers in the spring. People who might rarely be allergic to pine pollen are those with specific allergies to pine or those with severe reactions to bee stings. The obvious pine pollen that we can see serves us well as an alert to other pollens lingering in the air as well as a reminder to keep windows closed during this time of the season.</span></b></div>
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</span></b> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWpmLgs3ZYKX81yNIqWI6A0WnESJwm5DMiW1TPip6yuzUkG7vMssAsz4hMBWj7PF_yEzRNlL8Wjcp0HqMN_F_LRfDgYi8yGaqCoXLklE-_UOGt6mv8HCkazrP2gTiwkyPBPNYcF5oGMNA/s1600/IMG_2155.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Pine tree catkins are the male pine cones that provide pine pollen with containing many health benefits." border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWpmLgs3ZYKX81yNIqWI6A0WnESJwm5DMiW1TPip6yuzUkG7vMssAsz4hMBWj7PF_yEzRNlL8Wjcp0HqMN_F_LRfDgYi8yGaqCoXLklE-_UOGt6mv8HCkazrP2gTiwkyPBPNYcF5oGMNA/s320/IMG_2155.JPG" height="213" title="Pine tree catkins" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEPc33zxbeH1L2bA2rgZOuAl8ekeiH31JrSJ7b-uIe2LzUW06Wqmq-BGYvWuT82UXL1ufAQIXrICc90rJIRBKUzddm7qRWbXefHsg0PNbLQVoZhTscePFq8Y1bNeaLd5YiaL6sUo7u0Tk/s1600/IMG_2120.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="White pine trees provide health benefits from their needles, bark and pollen." border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEPc33zxbeH1L2bA2rgZOuAl8ekeiH31JrSJ7b-uIe2LzUW06Wqmq-BGYvWuT82UXL1ufAQIXrICc90rJIRBKUzddm7qRWbXefHsg0PNbLQVoZhTscePFq8Y1bNeaLd5YiaL6sUo7u0Tk/s320/IMG_2120.JPG" height="320" title="White pine tree" width="213" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><b><br />
</b> <b> Pine trees have both male and female pine cones known as 'strobili'. Male pine cones, smaller than female cones, are long and thin. Female pine cones are larger and rounder. The familiar woody cone is the female cone containing ovules where seeds are produced when fertilized by pollen grains. This seed or nut is famously known as the 'pine nut'. Some refer to the caterpillar-like structure of the male cone as a flower or 'catkin'. These catkins contain many pollen sacs. They only appear in the spring and once they release their pollen, begin to disintegrate. The female pine cones are generally found in the upper branches in the crown of the tree above the male cones. On a windy day, this release of pollen can be quite spectacular with dense, yellow smoke-like clouds of pollen rising from the trees and rolling across a field or meadow. Click the video below to see the pollen fall from the catkins.</b></span></div>
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</b> <b> Pine trees have been used for medicinal purposes for centuries. The needles are used to make tea, while the bark, seeds and pollen are eaten for health benefits as well. Pine tree pollen contains powerful antioxidants and many vitamins. It is purportedly used to regulate hormone imbalances, reduce cholesterol, improve metabolism, regulate prostate function, protect the cardiovascular system, strengthen the immune system, and even touted as a preventative for the common cold.</b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"> <b> Pine tree pollen can be purchased in powder, capsule, or tincture form. Why not collect your own during pollen season. Don't collect pollen from trees near areas that have been sprayed with chemical fertilizers or herbicides. Remember to look for the male small, flaky catepillar-like catkins. You won't find any pollen in the female pine cones. You may want to wear disposable gloves in case there is any sap still around. Just tap them over a bag or container to collect the pollen on a dry, preferably not windy day. Be sure not to take it all from one pine tree, but from several different trees as it does serve as their method of reproduction. And finally, dry it out on a tray on a hot sunny day or on a low heat in the oven or food dehydrator. Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator or in the freezer and it will last for several months. Just sprinkle a little on cereal or salad or mix it in a smoothie. See if you notice any difference in how you feel. Check with your health care practitioner for concerns about ingesting pine tree pollen. Remember not to ingest pine tree pollen if you are one of the rare persons allergic to pine or bee stings.</b></span></div>
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Linda Machttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02459479060543678005noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2024111269963734086.post-34704557835138213512013-05-10T18:42:00.001-04:002014-01-24T16:34:55.697-05:00Traditional Mothers Day Flower Gifts for the Mom with Allergies<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKCVJlhVd5Kk3WPyiUnWsXTAdERPIPdRIIf8fqZF0qeWQeWo9gn2lcaWeo8BkHuBEPy90AjosJRuEa5leYz3uqRUsxgPLdtPSXFIKaAobzidVuJr2m1nT5eab9ID77WfRg8Y7IsJpNfts/s1600/Rose+photo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Roses make great gifts for those with allergies." border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKCVJlhVd5Kk3WPyiUnWsXTAdERPIPdRIIf8fqZF0qeWQeWo9gn2lcaWeo8BkHuBEPy90AjosJRuEa5leYz3uqRUsxgPLdtPSXFIKaAobzidVuJr2m1nT5eab9ID77WfRg8Y7IsJpNfts/s400/Rose+photo.jpg" height="266" title="Red Rose Bouquet" width="400" /></a></div>
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Flowers always make great gifts for Mothers Day, right? The traditional roses, carnations, daisies, lilies, azaleas, rhododendrons...and the list goes on and on. Except when your mother has allergies, specifically pollen allergies. In that case you might want to stay away from certain varieties of flowers heavily laden with pollen. Fortunately, this list is fairly short and only includes varieties from a few well known families of flowers. Although, certain heavily scented varieties can trigger an allergic reaction as well.</h3>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: 14px;"> A flower is usually insect-pollinated as opposed to a tree, grass, or weed which is usually wind-pollinated. Small, drab, inconspicuous flowers with little color, like those found on weeds, tend to be the culprit of an allergic response. Their pollen is smaller and lightweight making it easily carried by the wind.</span><br />
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</span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: 14px;"> Orchids are an all time favorite of gift recipients. Their pollen consists of a compacted mass of pollen grains coated in wax forming a pollinia and is not released into the air. Roses are another favorite. When giving rosebuds the pollen cannot be released. When the buds open the pollen found inside is large and heavy preventing it from being released into the air.</span><br />
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</span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: 14px;"> When looking for flowers, search for those with lots of petals and no visible centers. Hybridized double chrysanthemums, begonias, hydrangeas, azaleas, asters, dahlias, gladiolas, irises, cyclamens, and double peonies all have little to no pollen. Of course, cacti and succulents are good choices.</span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaDn5-GAKe5fb9KE009RN3QizLd1010SKkIOV4OXj4Wd0HIZ8Jo87jEvZYI5cSSswDaigifRdgh8jpkHlITP5WSWJae9eBeu99L-1pOy3E-pEFFuZ5w5dXKU82sbW0wfjw85wcWSKg8v8/s1600/Calla+Lily+Stamen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaDn5-GAKe5fb9KE009RN3QizLd1010SKkIOV4OXj4Wd0HIZ8Jo87jEvZYI5cSSswDaigifRdgh8jpkHlITP5WSWJae9eBeu99L-1pOy3E-pEFFuZ5w5dXKU82sbW0wfjw85wcWSKg8v8/s200/Calla+Lily+Stamen.jpg" height="200" width="133" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: 14px;"> Daisies including the gerbera daisy, single chrysanthemums, lilies, sunflowers, zinnia, jasmine, honeysuckle, and pussy willows are some to stay away from. They all contain lightweight pollen which easily becomes airborne. Giant sunflowers to be planted outdoors are fine because they have large, heavy pollen that is not easily airborne. Lilies can be made allergy free simply by removing the brown or yellow pollen-bearing anthers at the tip of each of the six stamens. Calla lilies and other deep-throated flowers make excellent choices both for their beauty as well as the fact that the pollen producing parts of the flower are deeply embedded within the bloom.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOKvpu9xSdrTudQFLhmttlHBNYLJSliZAF2qw9lFELLOo0Y_16Xq8Uly3nQDStvewk9pABAL1NJaxkoJhZWzvr0n2AW5j0ymRKd3uOhlsajHp1pN0KQi4pfhz6HtJ2wSRifTiGmp3fzTk/s1600/Calla+lily.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="The deep-throated calla lily with its deeply embedded pollen stamens makes an excellent choice for those with allergies ." border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOKvpu9xSdrTudQFLhmttlHBNYLJSliZAF2qw9lFELLOo0Y_16Xq8Uly3nQDStvewk9pABAL1NJaxkoJhZWzvr0n2AW5j0ymRKd3uOhlsajHp1pN0KQi4pfhz6HtJ2wSRifTiGmp3fzTk/s320/Calla+lily.jpg" height="213" title="Calla Lily Flower" width="320" /></a><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: 14px;"> Some people are even allergic to heavily scented flowers. This can happen from a sensitivity to the natural chemicals produced by the plant. It is very rare to be allergic to this, but it does occur. Climbing roses tend to have a heavier fragrance than other roses. Another thing to beware of are flowers enhanced with artificial fragrance in grocery stores or even at some florists. The artificial chemicals used in the fragrance enhancers can trigger allergy attacks.</span><br />
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</span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: 14px;"> It is a myth that goldenrod is an allergy trigger. Welcomed as a flower by some and a weed by others, it produces a heavy, sticky pollen. This brightly colored, yellow flowering plant is entomophilous (animal or insect-pollinated) and is not likely to cause allergies. It got it's bad rap due to the fact that it blooms in the wild at the same time as ragweed. It serves us well as an alert to ragweed season. </span><br />
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</span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: 14px;"> Pot mums make great Mothers Day gifts for both indoors and outdoors. Outdoors they provide beauty and color while indoors they clean the air of formaldehyde. See the article <a href="http://allergyasthmaattack.blogspot.com/2013/03/breathe-easier-buy-houseplant-and-clean.html">Breathe Easier: Buy a Houseplant and Clean the Air</a>. For those with allergies, pot mums are also available in double petal varieties which prevents the pollen from becoming airborne. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1TP3n0e6Ono-kFZjxQ0hkaT_26EQgIWNisyPJ9tXTrZ8EoLSohHJTYuYhmkFBtZTECosUPFRa6P601T-9mVlV3gLSuUOq9Z_-PtpVvYnUr79hNQbuCqiHSRxVXI_QmA3-D6oR3m2AcVY/s1600/Pot+Mum.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Colorful pot mum plants provide color and beauty while helping to clean indoor air of formaldehyde." border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1TP3n0e6Ono-kFZjxQ0hkaT_26EQgIWNisyPJ9tXTrZ8EoLSohHJTYuYhmkFBtZTECosUPFRa6P601T-9mVlV3gLSuUOq9Z_-PtpVvYnUr79hNQbuCqiHSRxVXI_QmA3-D6oR3m2AcVY/s320/Pot+Mum.jpg" height="283" title="Pot Mum Plant" width="320" /></a></div>
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</span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: 14px;"> From a single flower rose or carnation, to a giant bouquet, or a grand potted plant, it's good to know their are still plenty of choices to be made even for those with allergies. This Mother's Day the allergic mother will be grateful you cared enough to research and seek out the appropriate flower or arrangement for her. Nowadays, some florists even offer sneeze-free bouquets. All you have to do is ask.</span><br />
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</span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: 14px;"> It's up to you to decide. The beauty of a particular flower might far outweigh the occasional sneeze or two.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">HAPPY BREATHING!!!</span></div>
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Linda Machttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02459479060543678005noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2024111269963734086.post-12047785103641951112013-05-04T08:01:00.000-04:002014-01-24T15:50:09.778-05:00Hay Fever, Allergic Rhinitis, Pollinosis: What is it Really & What Can I do About it?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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I haven't seen any hay growing in my back yard, or any straw either for that matter. And if it were, I'm sure it wouldn't be feverish. It's not that hot out yet. So why is everyone sneezing? As the story goes, hay got a bad wrap as an allergen from days gone by when farming was a major profession. Hay very rarely is an allergen and hay fever does not cause a fever. It was just coincidental that pollens were in the air at the time when farmers were working on the farm in the hay fields and pollen allergies became known as hay fever. Once specific to grasses only, it has now become an umbrella term for other plant pollens as well. Hay fever is also known as allergic rhinitis or pollinosis. So the next time someone asks you if your hay fever is bothering you, you can say no, it's just my pollinosis.</h3>
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<span class="Apple-style-span"> </span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: 14px;">Allergies are caused by wind-pollinated plants. Fortunately, flowers are usually pollinated by insects and normally do not cause allergies. Exceptions to this are the heavy pollen flowers: chrysanthemums, sunflowers, daisies, and jasmine. These types should not be planted near windows to prevent pollen from blowing indoors on windy days. Trees, grass, and weeds are the most likely culprits of outdoor allergies. Generally, trees release their pollens in spring, grasses in summer, and weeds in the fall. Precise dates vary every season dependent upon current weather conditions. Fungi and mold spores tend to peak during midsummer to fall, although heavy spring rains and warmer weather can bring on an allergy attack. The<span class="Apple-style-span"> male part of the plant, or stamen, produces the yellow, dust like pollen. It causes our immune system to mistake a harmless substance for a harmful one. Thrown into overdrive, it produces antibodies and releases histamines as a self defense mechanism. Trees, grasses, and weeds release these pollen particles that are then blown into the air to fertilize other plants. Even if you were able to remove all pollen allergen triggers in your yard or even your entire neighborhood, it might only be slightly beneficial. Pollen can travel hundreds of miles in the wind. </span></span></b><br />
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</span></b> <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"> Cold-like signs and symptoms may include runny or stuffy nose, red, itchy eyes, sneezing, sinus pressure, headache, or coughing. When symptoms persist on and off for months, you more than likely are not catching multiple colds. Colds usually subside in a week to ten days. It's probably an allergy. How long your symptoms persist depends on which pollens or triggers you are allergic to. Eventually, these allergies may progress into asthma. Spring, summer, and fall, symptoms could be any one of the many pollen or mold allergies. When symptoms persist throughout winter, it's probably something indoors. It could be mold growing from dampness in your house somewhere or a dust mite or chemical allergy. See </span><a href="http://allergyasthmaattack.blogspot.com/2013/01/dust-mites-and-what-you-need-to-know.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4f961e;">Dust mites and what you need to know</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">.</span></span></b><br />
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</span></b> <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: 14px;"> Some allergies can be exasperated by particular foods that we eat. Springtime tree allergy sufferers should beware of apples, peaches and pears. These foods that normally wouldn't cause any reaction at other times of the year, can further irritate the sensitive individual during the tree allergy season. Those with grass allergies should be aware that celery is a grass and shouldn't be eaten during the summertime grass allergy season unless it is cooked. Trigger proteins found in raw foods break down with heat. Melons can also trigger a response in the grass sensitive individual during this allergy season. </span></b></div>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: 14px;"> Ragweed symptoms in the fall may be even more pronounced when eating certain foods. If you know you are sensitive to ragweed, the following foods should be avoided during ragweed season and even shortly before: melons, bananas, raw honey with pollen, sunflower seed, zucchini and cucumbers. They may be fine when cooked. </span></b><br />
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</span></b> <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: 14px;"> Goldenrod blooms at the same time as ragweed. It is not a significant allergen because it is insect-pollinated as opposed to wind-pollinated. The bright yellow flowers in bloom are an indicator of the timing of ragweed pollination and serve as an alert to those who suffer from ragweed allergies.</span></b><br />
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</span></b> <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: 14px;"> You may also want to try to avoid foods high in histamines as allergy season approaches. These include avocados, chocolate, beer and wine, aged cheeses, and fermented foods such as yogurt, kefir, and sauerkraut.</span></b><br />
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</span></b> <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: 14px;"> Some foods can actually be beneficial during the ragweed allergy season. Burdock root, dandelion, echinacea, nettle leaf, spirulina, green tea and licorice are just a few. Available in tintures, teas, and capsules, they work by building up your immune system and suppressing histamines. If you've never taken these before, use caution in the event you are allergic to one of them. It is best to begin well before the allergy season starts so your body has time to build immunities. For congestion try chili pepper, horseradish, wasabi or garlic. These are all foods that act as a decongestant.</span></b><br />
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</span></b> <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: 14px;"> Another thing you can do is try to avoid outdoor morning excursions between 5:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. This is the time of the day when the highest pollen rates occur. The later in the day you go outside the better. So try to plan outdoor activities in late afternoon or early evening whenever possible. </span></b><br />
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</span></b> <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: 14px;"> Sorry to say, but it is a good time to increase the vacuuming and dusting regime. Always use a vacuum or air filter with hepa filters to trap the very fine pollen and dust particles that might otherwise escape. Dusting should be done with a slightly damp cloth or natural furniture polish to prevent particles from escaping back into the air. </span></b><br />
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</span></b> <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: 14px;"> At the beginning of a known pollen allergy season you should close your windows and turn on the air conditioning if needed. This is also a good time to change the air filters.</span></b><br />
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</span></b> <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: 14px;"> When gardening you can wear a particle mask to prevent inhalation of pollens. To prevent eye allergies, redness, swelling, watering, you could wear wrap around eye protection like goggles. Your neighbors might laugh at you, but when you are done you'll feel a whole lot better and breathe easier the rest of the day.</span></b><br />
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</span></b> <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: 14px;"> If none of these things provide any relief you might have to resort to over the counter antihistamines and decongestants. When you've had enough, a trip to the allergist doctor might be useful if your allergies are severe. They will try to find out just what it is that's aggravating you and possibly desensitize you to the offending agent. There's a new experimental form of oral desensitization called Sublingual Immunotherapy (SLIT) thats been being studied in Europe for many years. Instead of the injections used with Subcutaneous Immunotherapy (SKIT) the allergen extract is administered orally under the tongue of the patient.</span></b><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: 14px;"> Although it is commonly used in Europe and Asia, it is not yet FDA approved in the U.S. Some U.S. doctors do offer this treatment. You will have to investigate further to find out if it is available in your area.</span></b><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>HAPPY BREATHING!!!</b></span></div>
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Linda Machttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02459479060543678005noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2024111269963734086.post-14189177049136132162013-04-27T07:30:00.000-04:002014-01-24T15:53:18.330-05:00Beware of Toxic Chemicals that May be Lurking in Your New Furniture<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #d04c4c; font-size: 16px;">Indoor pollution, a leading cause of SBS or Sick Building Syndrome, is often caused by the furnishings used in homes and offices. Whether cloth or leather, wood or upholstered, contemporary or traditional, eclectic or art deco, you will likely find chemicals in one or more materials used in the composition. There are a few manufacturers utilizing natural or 'green' materials, but at a very high cost to the consumer.</span></h3>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e06666;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: small; font-weight: normal;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: 14px;"><b>Some of the symptoms to watch for if you suspect your new furnishings are making you sick: headache, fatigue, nausea, burning eyes, nose, or throat, wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath, asthma attacks and even fainting. You may smell a mild odor coming from the furniture or it may be very strong and noxious. Without an expensive chemical tester, you may never know if it's coming from the upholstery fabric or leather covering, the glues in the wood or the stuffing in the cushions. </b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"> <b>If you know ahead of time that you have chemical sensitivities, you may want to make a request for the company to remove packaging materials from the furniture and allow it to off-gas for a couple of weeks at their warehouse. If that's not possible, you should consider setting it up in a vacant room or garage for at least two weeks or more until the smell dissipates. Barring these options, you might try houseplants with a layer of activated charcoal in the soil as explained in a previous article in a study done by </b></span><b><a href="http://allergyasthmaattack.blogspot.com/2013/03/breathe-easier-buy-houseplant-and-clean.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6aa84f;">NASA</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">, as well as opening windows and doors. Ventilating with a fan directed towards the piece of furniture is helpful as well as placing bowls of bicarbonate of soda, (baking soda) and/or activated charcoal or even regular charcoal in the surrounding area. Extra dusting and vacuuming when furniture is new helps to remove some of the chemical contaminants that settle in the dust.</span></b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: 14px;"> <b>If the smell is coming from the wood, it's more than likely formaldehyde used in the gluing process of pressed woods or particle board. Formaldehyde is one of many volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and only in recent years discovered to be a carcinogen. When composite woods are heated the glue releases gases and is vaporized into the surrounding air. Some upholstery fabrics also contain formaldehyde. Low amounts of off-gassing occurs even at normal room temperatures, but increases with higher temperatures. Composite wood and suspected upholstered furnishings should not be placed near heaters, heat vents, stoves, or direct sunlight. Producing a cloying smell, formaldehyde is a potent sensitizer. It can be a catalyst in creating a cascading effect of sensitization to other chemicals where previously there was no sensitivity or allergy. Although it lessens over time, it never completely outgases.</b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: small; font-weight: normal;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: 14px;"><b>Petroleum based stuffing in furniture contains its own concoction of chemicals. Polyurethane foam, 'polyfoam', requires the use of Toluene (TDI) for the production of these synthetic flexible foams. A derivative of benzene, it is considered less toxic than benzene itself, but still a potent respiratory irritant and sensitizer. Due to the high flammability of foam inserts, most still contain flame retardants made with chlorinated and brominated chemicals. Furniture stuffed with cotton padding can contain high amounts of pesticides unless labeled 'organic'. As much as 25% of the world's pesticides are said to be used for growing cotton.</b></span><br />
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</b></span> <b> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: 14px;"> Some upholstery fabrics are manufactured with the use of formaldehyde, and may also contain flame retardants, as well as stain and soil resistant coatings such as Teflon. Manufactured with fluorpolymers that break down into perfluorochemicals (PFCs), these chemicals are now found everywhere in our environment including our bodies, our homes, soil, and water and are virtually indestructible. You could lightly dust the fabric with baking soda, leave it for 15 minutes and then vacuum. This will help absorb some of the chemical odors as well as lightly clean it. Other solutions would be steam cleaning, which also kills dust mites, or having it professionally cleaned with a nontoxic product. </span></b><br />
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</span></b> <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: 14px;"> Leather covered furniture helps to encase the foam as well as prevent the build up of dust mites for those with allergies. It's not without its own drawbacks, however. Today's leathers are mainly produced with a layer of pigment followed by a coating of urethane to protect it. It also requires maintenance to keep it clean and from drying and cracking. If you are sensitive to chemicals you should check the Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) for leather treatment products before purchasing them. It's very east to do. Just do a search for the product's name followed by MSDS.</span></b><br />
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</span></b> <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: 14px;"> Proper hydration is essential to leather to prevent it from drying and cracking. It is important to only use water based products when treating leather. The first thing you might do to your new leather is to wipe it down with a <i>slightly </i>damp microfiber cloth drying as you go. Your leather will love you for it, because it loves humidity, and you will wipe off any surface contaminants from the manufacturing process. Never use any products containing oil, wax or silicone. These products will clog the pores of the leather preventing it from breathing, as well as destroy the protective topcoat. One of the most highly recommended leather care products is Leather Master because it is a nontoxic, biodegradable, water based formula. They carry everything from cleaners and hydrating formulas to protective coating and repair kits. Each product will specify what type of leather it is for and which application is needed. For the average new top grain, pigmented, coated leather piece of furniture, all that is needed is the cleaner and the protector applied 2-4 times per year. Vacuuming once a month is highly recommended to prevent dust particles from building up and clogging the pores of the leather, as well as reduce chemical contaminates. The sooner you put a layer of protectant on your new leather furniture the better. Spills will clean up more easily and prevent staining. And one more tip. Just because your leather looks clean doesn't mean you don't need to clean it. Perspiration and oils from your skin that don't show up right away are the biggest destroyers of leather.</span></b><br />
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Linda Machttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02459479060543678005noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2024111269963734086.post-85417111281071920582013-04-19T23:43:00.000-04:002014-01-24T15:55:13.478-05:00Fabric Softeners Chemical Sensitivity and Health Hazard<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #d04c4c; font-size: 16px;">Some of you may still remember the good old days when laundry was hung out on the clothesline to dry on sunny days. Perhaps you or your mother or grandmother dried their clothes that way. Others may never have known what truly fresh, clean clothes smelled like when gently blown dry by a crisp, billowing breeze. Or falling asleep on freshly laundered bedding just pulled from the clothesline. It seems nowadays we're all about clothes dryers and synthetically scented fabric softeners and dryer sheets.</span></h3>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #d04c4c; font-size: 14px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: 14px;"><b>Fabric softeners were first invented in the early 1900's by the textile industry after the introduction of synthetic detergents. Clothes came out cleaner than with regular soap, but were left feeling harsh and stiff. Then in the late 1960's, Conrad J. Gaiser poured liquid fabric softener onto a piece of flannel cloth to save his wife from running up and down stairs to catch the rinse cycle. He then patented the idea of a dryer sheet and sold the rights to Proctor & Gamble.</b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: 14px;"> <b>Today, millions of dollars a year are spent by large companies trying to appease our sense of smell with the sales ploys of these fabric softeners. That fresh outdoor smell as yet escapes them. Perhaps one day they will figure out a way to bottle up all that fresh air, but as yet we are duped by chemical imitations.</b></span><br />
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</span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: 14px;"> It's not only the fresh clean smell of the outdoors we are missing out on. For those of you afflicted with allergies and asthma, sunshine kills dust mites immediately. Yet one more explanation for the surge of allergy and asthma related illnesses over the past several years. Add to that the toxic chemicals in liquid fabric softeners and dryer sheets and the association can be multiplied to a much higher level. Washing your clothes shouldn't create a health hazard. Let's look at the facts regarding the ingredients used in some of these products.</span></b><br />
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<li><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #d04c4c; font-size: 14px;">Benzyl Acetate</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: 14px;">-Possible link to pancreatic cancer. </span><a href="http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/0278691590901419"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4f961e; font-size: 14px;">(ScienceDirect, 2013)</span></a></b></li>
<li><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #d04c4c; font-size: 14px;">Benzyl Alcohol</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: 14px;">- Upper respiratory irritant. May cause headache, nausea, vomiting, dizziness.</span></b></li>
<li><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #d04c4c; font-size: 14px;">Ethanol</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: 14px;">- On EPA's list of hazardous waste material. Linked to central nervous system disorders.</span></b></li>
<li><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #d04c4c; font-size: 14px;">Alpha-terpineol</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: 14px;">-Irritates mucous membranes. Linked to central nervous system disorders.</span></b></li>
<li><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #d04c4c; font-size: 14px;">Alpha-pinene</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: 14px;">-Neurological disorders, respiratory irritant, skin sensitivity.</span></b></li>
<li><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #d04c4c; font-size: 14px;">Ethyl Acetate</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: 14px;">-Narcotic. On EPA's list of hazardous waste material. Neurological disorders and cancer, as well as liver, kidney and brain damage.</span></b></li>
<li><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #d04c4c; font-size: 14px;">Camphor</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: 14px;">- On EPA's list of hazardous waste material. May cause dizziness, confusion, twitching muscles, nausea, convulsions.</span></b></li>
<li><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #d04c4c; font-size: 14px;">Chloroform</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: 14px;">-Neuotoxin and carcinogen.</span></b></li>
<li><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #d04c4c; font-size: 14px;">Linalool</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: 14px;">-Plant derived extract used for scent. Possible skin sensitivity or allergen when <i>oxidized</i>. Beneficial in its pure form against cancer as well as relieving stress. Present in many essential oils.</span></b></li>
<li><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #d04c4c; font-size: 14px;">Pentane</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: 14px;">-Endocrine disruptor. Skin, eye and lung irritant.</span></b></li>
<li><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #d04c4c; font-size: 14px;">Phthalates</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: 14px;">-Linked to breast cancer and reproductive disorders.</span></b></li>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: 14px;"><b> These are just a sampling of the many chemicals found in fabric softeners. Chemical fragrances are added to the products to disguise the unpleasant odor of the softening and antistatic chemicals. Dryer sheets are particularly noxious, because heat releases the chemicals into the air posing a respiratory health risk. The chemicals are impregnated into the fibers of the dryer sheets along with fatty acids to give it a wax like coating. This coating is designed to slowly relaease into your clothes for extended periods of time and is nearly impossible to remove even after repeated washings. The chemicals are then inhaled by the wearer as well as absorbed by the skin. Manufacturers are not required to label these chemicals on their product ingredient list.</b></span><br />
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</span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: 14px;"> Fabric softening products should never be used in towels as they become less absorbent. The wax like products in dryer sheets will also build up on lint screens. Eventually, they will become clogged and can cause the dryer to overheat and burn out the heating element. Dryer lint screens should periodically be washed and scrubbed using a brush with soap and water to remove any buildup.</span></b><br />
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</span></b> <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: 14px;"> For a safe and cost effective solution you can add 1/4 to 1/2 cup of baking soda to the wash water cycle to soften clothes. Another effective alternative is 1/2 to 1 cup of white vinegar added to the rinse cycle for softening and eliminating static cling. Shake up a few drops of your favorite essential oil with the vinegar for a pleasant scent.</span></b><br />
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</span></b> <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: 14px;"> You can find dryer balls made of wool online. One brand, called 'Woolziesz' are handmade in New Zealand. All natural and hypo-allergenic they soften laundry without any chemical additives. Lasting up to 1,000 loads they are economical too. What I like about them is you can sprinkle a few drops of essential oil on them before tossing them in the dryer. Below are some other options,all natural dryer sheets or natural liquid fabric softeners:</span></b><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: 14px;"> </span></b><br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54492/57/A89DFA025DF99CB2D9EED806B10DD0C9.png" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px !important; border-color: initial !important; border-left-width: 0px !important; border-right-width: 0px !important; border-style: initial !important; border-top-width: 0px !important;" /></a></div>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: 14px;"><br />
</span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: 14px;">"Evaluation of promotion of pancreatic carcinogenesis in rats by benzyl acetate". Longnecker DS, Roebuck BD, Curphey TJ, MacMillan DL, Food Chem Toxicol, 1990 Oct; 28(10):665-8. from </span><a href="http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/0278691590901419"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4f961e; font-size: 14px;">http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/0278691590901419</span></a></b></div>
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Linda Machttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02459479060543678005noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2024111269963734086.post-22811635782744378162013-04-13T08:26:00.000-04:002014-01-24T15:57:26.996-05:00Radon Testing and Mitigation for Residential Homes and Office Buildings<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #d04c4c;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;">One of the most inexpensive, yet invaluable air pollution safety tests you can perform at your home or office is the radon test. Radon gas, another of the 'silent killers', is a form of radiation poisoning that causes respiratory distress and eventually lung cancer. Assessing radon risk is tricky as it is an invisible, odorless, radioactive gas that seeps from the ground to the air above. Higher outdoor pressure forces leaks through cracked and porous cement foundations and walls. Today's modern airtight homes, combined with leaky foundations, can have much higher levels of radon than what is deemed to be safe. No level is completely safe other than zero, but that is very unrealistic. All buildings have some level of radon however minute.</span></span></span></h3>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"> <b> The best time of year to test for radon is during the winter heating months when the house is sealed up. Test kits range from simplistic envelopes or canisters to sophisticated machines. Simple test kits involve the use of a small envelope or canister placed in an area of the home most likely to be emitting the most radon. In a basement it would be placed in an area free from drafts, high heat or humidity, and away from exterior walls. If you have no basement it will be placed on the main floor or in a crawlspace. The envelope or canister is left for a few days undisturbed to collect any radon particles in the air. It is then sealed up and returned for test results. </b></span><br />
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</b></span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px;"><b> These inexpensive radon test kits can be purchased at hardware or home supply stores from five to twenty-five dollars. Just be sure the cost includes laboratory analysis. Some local health departments supply the kits at a reduced cost or even free. So check with them first. </b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px;"><b>For more rigid testing, you can hire a company that will come to your home or office and set up a continuous radon monitoring machine that tests the ambient air for radon gas every few minutes and prints out a continuous reading of those measurements. It is much more accurate because radon levels are constantly fluctuating. Normal spikes in the readings can be overlooked if they are infrequent enough over the course of several hours or days.</b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px;"><b> When considering a property investment this form of testing is more desirable because it is tamperproof. Any movement of the machine is detected and recorded, preventing the property owner from placing the machine in another location in an attempt to skew the results. Below is a sample of a printout from one of these machines. Click on it for a closeup view.</b></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhihEMiaTuoCz6C26yUYHBA-AxpHdRn9S_R0q2gA84ljwncwySxt14VIglhCwd0BZqM-YuWVDaUVhTQmv_yn2iHITjoIM0Otlh6-usxJ4PhCe9VdcM7slNwctMAEaec8MtreuC1EKsNwqs/s1600/Radon+monitoring+sample.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Sample of a tamperproof continuous radon monitoring machine printout to check radon levels for air quality control. " border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhihEMiaTuoCz6C26yUYHBA-AxpHdRn9S_R0q2gA84ljwncwySxt14VIglhCwd0BZqM-YuWVDaUVhTQmv_yn2iHITjoIM0Otlh6-usxJ4PhCe9VdcM7slNwctMAEaec8MtreuC1EKsNwqs/s200/Radon+monitoring+sample.jpg" height="200" title="Radon monitoring sample printout" width="141" /></a></div>
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</b></span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px;"><b> Test results at 4pCi/L or less are considered to be safe levels by the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency.</b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px;"><b> So your first results come back at well under the recommended safety level of 4pCi/L. You're done for now and can get some sleep. You may want to test again in six months or one year just to be sure. After that every three to five years should suffice. It is also recommended to retest after major renovations and when replacing heating systems or central air conditioning.</b></span></span><br />
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</b></span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px;"><b> Levels from 4-10pCi/L warrant further long-term testing. </b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px;"><b>If your results came back in this range, you need to run a long-term test for accuracy before considering having a mitigation system installed as they can be quite costly.</b></span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px;"><b> Anything over 10pCi/L is significantly high and should be addressed as soon as possible to prevent further health issues. An additional short-term test can be performed to verify results.</b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px;"><b> During this testing period you should be contacting radon specialists to get several different estimates on mitigation systems.</b></span></span><br />
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</b></span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"> The primary method used to reduce radon is a vent pipe system. The pipe pulls radon gas from beneath the building and vents it outside through a wall away from doors or windows or through an attic with a fan where the gas is then diluted into the air. In crawlspaces a heavyweight plastic is used to cover the ground or concrete floor and gas is vented from beneath the plastic. Porous concrete walls and floors of basements are sometimes sealed but this method is not always reliable due to varying results. You can find more information on mitigation systems as well as free radon pamphlets at this </span><a href="http://www.epa.gov/radon/pubs/citguide.html" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6aa84f;">EPA website.</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"> </span></b></span></span><br />
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Linda Machttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02459479060543678005noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2024111269963734086.post-73245878210169743742013-04-06T08:39:00.000-04:002014-01-24T15:58:50.631-05:00Replace Chemical Laden Air Fresheners with Natural Choices<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #d04c4c; font-size: 16px;"> Most air freshening products on the market today are nothing more than concoctions of toxic chemicals and artificially manufactured scents aimed to tease and tempt our sense of smell. Once again we are creating the Sick Building Syndrome (SBS) environment when it's not even necessary. Many indoor pollutants are unavoidable, but why add to this cesspool of toxins being thrown our way everyday. Compelled by the smells of exotic perfumes designed to overpower our common sense by deceiving our sense of smell, we purchase these synthetic scents by the millions per day. Spray your clothes, spray your linens, spray your draperies, spray your upholstered furniture, spray your carpet and when that doesn't work, plug one into every vacant electrical outlet in your house. And if that isn't enough get a few motion activated air fresheners so every time you walk by one, you can sniff a few more noxious chemicals into your delicate airways. And we wonder why it's recommended to open windows, at least 30 minutes a day, even in the dead of winter. It's not just to let some fresh air in. It's to let the toxins out as well. There's a reason we need to circulate the air. We need to stop poisoning the air we breathe. Many artificial air freshener's sold today contain carcinogens, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and other toxins such as phthalates, a known hormone disrupter, that accumulate in our body. There's enough indoor pollution already in our homes and workplaces from the synthetic carpets and furnishings, wood sealants, paints, and laminates that we can't easily remove. So why add more?!?</span></h3>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px;"><b>What could be fresher than a fresh bowl of citrus fruits? Oranges...lemons...limes. A pot of simmering water on the stove filled with citrus peels from your oranges...lemons...limes. Jazz it up with a little cinnamon, cloves, or allspice. A simple, inexpensive way to freshen up your entire house Our sense of smell is very much tied into our memories. Sometimes the scent of something in your immediate environment will cause a memory flashback whisking you back to another place and time or bringing back memories of someone long forgotten. So mix up some of your own concoctions or try the ones below below and bring back some of those happy memories.</b></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: 14px;"> <b>There are so many natural remedies to mask those peevish odors you're trying to cover up. They smell better and are a whole lot better for your respiratory system. Cigarette smoke, urine and fecal odors, cooking smells, molds etc. Of course, the best option is to eliminate the source of the odor. When that's not possible, why not try making your own air freshener. Essential oils bind with odor particles and neutralize them. Just take a few drops of your choice of essential oils, 1 tsp. of witch hazel or vodka, and 1/2 cup of water. Mix it up in a dark glass or PET spray bottle, shake and spray away. Just be sure to use 100% pure essential oils. Don't spray it on your skin or on wood or plastics. Most essential oils are not meant to be used undiluted on your skin. Some citrus essential oils are photosensitive. Exposure to the sun with citrus oils on your skin can cause redness, blistering and darkened pigmentation. So just to be safe, don't go in the sun for 24 hours if you get the oils on your skin. And don't mix the oils around an open flame as they are flammable. It's best to use dark glass, such as amber or cobalt blue, because the ultraviolet rays in sunlight will break down the oils. These can be found online or at health food stores such as Whole Foods. Also, these air freshening recipes will last a long time because it only takes a few sprays to do the job. Therefore, it is best to use glass or Pet plastic bottles; because essential oils will eventually leach through other plastic bottles. PET plastic works well for diluted essential oils. For lavender or eucalyptus use 20-25 drops. The minty oils like peppermint or spearmint need only about 10-15 drops. Citrus oils take a lot more, about 60 - 65 drops. You can mix the citrus oils like orange, lemon, and lime and make a wonderful citrus blend. Try 35 drops of orange, 15 drops of lemon, and 10 drops of lime. Eucalyptus goes well with spearmint or lavender. Lavender is nice with orange. Peppermint is great on its own or mixed with just about any of the others. Just remember to use less of the mints, because they tend to overpower the others. Start with less and add more as needed. When spraying cloth, it's best to do a test sample first and let it dry overnight to be sure it's safe on the fabric you're spraying. Have fun experimenting with these and others.</b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px;"> If you don't want to mix the air fresheners yourself, you can sprinkle a few drops of the pure essential oils on cotton balls or baking soda and place on glass or terra cotta trays around your house. Be sure to protect the surface beneath it. For the fresh clean scent of eucalyptus, you can fill a vase with dried eucalyptus branches.</span></span></b><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"> </span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">All of these oils work great in essential oils diffusers or misting bowls for a continuous air freshening as in </span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2024111269963734086#editor/target=post;postID=4608427744876779864" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6aa84f;">Humidity Control to Prevent Illness</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">. You can use eucalyptus globulus or 'blue gum' when you have a cold or flu or any breathing complication. Lavender is perfect for helping you to relax. Minty and citrus oils are uplifting oils. They stimulate your senses and put you in a better mood. Jasmine and Rose Absolute are in the list below and make wonderful flowery air fresheners, but are more expensive than the others.</span></b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: 14px;"> <b>And for those of you who are too lazy, or excuse me, too busy to make your own room freshener sprays, I've done some of the searching for you. Citrus Magic and Aura Cacia air fresheners are all natural. Aura Cacia's new lemon raspberry scent smells like raspberry lemonade.</b></span><br />
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</span> <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">Note: Even some essential oils can be toxic depending upon the method of disbursement. If you wish to check for safety click on </span><a href="http://www.naha.org/articles/brief_safety%20guidance%20.htm" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6aa84f;">Safety Guide to Essential Oils</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">. Rarely, some people find themselves allergic to certain essential oils or even citrus peels. If you find them irritating to your nose or throat you should discontinue their use. </span></span></b></div>
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Linda Machttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02459479060543678005noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2024111269963734086.post-65313257136697860912013-03-23T07:36:00.000-04:002014-01-24T16:36:20.431-05:00Breathe Fresh Air with a Salt Lamp made of Himalayan Sea Salt Crystals<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfb15F92CcnHR-xLGU_0gfS_oI0k6hyphenhyphendul-_JmpjpGvdGktBpzThAgJRtjNTpGOaOMe4G0yzYWdL_b9LROpMGTmJsPc_LaUyN0ZlGrCkUd-3woA25N0hVFeY49dgo4XZaLn1nToGGglBQ/s1600/Himalayan+salt+lamp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><img alt="The soft glow of the Himalayan salt lamp lends an air of tranquility and peace to your home atmosphere while cleaning the air for easier breathing." border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfb15F92CcnHR-xLGU_0gfS_oI0k6hyphenhyphendul-_JmpjpGvdGktBpzThAgJRtjNTpGOaOMe4G0yzYWdL_b9LROpMGTmJsPc_LaUyN0ZlGrCkUd-3woA25N0hVFeY49dgo4XZaLn1nToGGglBQ/s1600/Himalayan+salt+lamp.jpg" height="320" title="Himalayan pink salt lamp" width="212" /></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #d04c4c;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;">Who would have thought you could clean your indoor air with salt and help prevent allergy and asthma attacks? Well you can. But not just any salt. Himalayan pink sea salt is the one you want. Salt crystal lamps have been used therapeutically for years. Millions of years old and free of modern man's contaminates, Himalayan sea salt is the most pristine salt on our planet. Himalayan pink sea salt lamps are widely available at a very reasonable cost. They are carved out of Himalayan salt crystals and formed into lamps or candle holders. When warmed by a low wattage bulb or candle the sea salt releases negative ions. When positively charged particles come in contact with these negative ions, dust particles fall out of the air, purifying the air we breathe. They work against allergens, pet dander, smoke, pollen, and other air pollutants while naturally fighting odors. Another great benefit of these salt lamps is they don't produce the abundance of ozone produced by electric ionizing air purifiers. Some types of ionizing machines have even been banned in some states.</span></span></h3>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaC1J4PkbrRYgUhBVXrUkRetBj6BOKyV9H5-Tf-K73lVCqlZftY-C1DE7b0zai5-F3_JgoIZKH7D0qfw8pnE_YnAvA0oIHPChaKg9EqZpC50iUUPA8aijy6VQMFDAfU5A30RJMBBpkE4E/s1600/Himalayan+salt+candle+holder.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><img alt="The warmth of the Himalayan pink salt candle holder promotes an air of tranquility as well as cleansing the indoor air of your home." border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaC1J4PkbrRYgUhBVXrUkRetBj6BOKyV9H5-Tf-K73lVCqlZftY-C1DE7b0zai5-F3_JgoIZKH7D0qfw8pnE_YnAvA0oIHPChaKg9EqZpC50iUUPA8aijy6VQMFDAfU5A30RJMBBpkE4E/s1600/Himalayan+salt+candle+holder.jpg" height="200" title="Himalayan Pink Salt Candle Holder" width="133" /></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; font-weight: normal;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px;"><b>An average sized salt lamp will freshen the air in a 50-100 square foot area. You can either buy several salt lamps or candle holders or simply place one in the area you frequent the most. This could be near a computer or television, at your bedside or put one on your desk at work. The soft, pink glowing light emitted by the salt lamp or candle promotes a sense of calm and tranquility, while at the same time providing you with clean fresh air to breathe easier. The salt lamp may be left on at night and the light emitted is very subtle. If you should find the light bothersome at night when retiring, just turn the lamp on a few hours before bedtime to clean the air. You could even put it on a timer. They come in a vast array of sizes and shapes. Some even come with dimmer switches and lavender essential oil and a dish to place it in so that you can enjoy the tranquil health benefits of essential oils. The book above tells all about the benefits of pink himalayan sea salt lamps and clicking on it will take you to amazon.com for a preview.</b></span></span><br />
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</b></span></span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px;"><b> If you prefer candles, you can still enjoy the benefits of the himalayan sea salt. Candle holders come in all shapes and sizes. If you have allergies or asthma I recommend only burning beeswax candles in the salt holders to avoid chemical vapors. The beeswax also adds a pleasant scent to the room. The assortment of lamps and candles below all come with free shipping.</b></span></span><br />
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px;"> Still skeptical? If you're still having doubts, just try one or the other. If nothing else you will have a beautiful light. If you want to know for certain if they are doing their job, you can tell after a few weeks. These are things you will never have to dust. Himalayan salt lamps and salt candle holders never get dusty no matter how long you set them out. This is because they are constantly repelling dust particles. Just see for yourself. And another test. After turning the salt lamp or lighting the candle for a few hours, just breathe the air around it...fresh as an ocean breeze. Now all you need is an ocean sound machine to hear the waves and drift off peacefully to sleep. Be sure to check the Quick Reminder Chart at the top of the page for helpful hints.</span></span></b></div>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e06666; font-size: large;">HAPPY BREATHING!!!</span></b></div>
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Linda Machttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02459479060543678005noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2024111269963734086.post-890430702419722322013-03-16T07:44:00.000-04:002014-01-24T16:03:31.050-05:00Breathe Easier: Buy a Houseplant and Clean the Air<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #d04c4c;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;">One of the best ways to clean the indoor air of your home or office is with a houseplant or two in each of your rooms or on your desk. The more plants you have, the better the indoor quality of your air. This is because plants absorb carbon dioxide and other toxins and release oxygen into the surrounding air during photosynthesis. </span></span></h3>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGfcrmrPxCvVa-1Pbufm7MbdN3ND_eXAlYz5LIWOPgmxMlE8PU3Ht-QuiJAfdqCO7_XlAXbv8lbbMzGXe5wNJWH59JnhPBsVFBu1KFg7lIhtSFfs0YngTmjxPX_6ruJw34vaqguhAdHj8/s1600/IMG_1823.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Palm tree indoor houseplant cleans the air and removes carbon dioxide from indoor environments." border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGfcrmrPxCvVa-1Pbufm7MbdN3ND_eXAlYz5LIWOPgmxMlE8PU3Ht-QuiJAfdqCO7_XlAXbv8lbbMzGXe5wNJWH59JnhPBsVFBu1KFg7lIhtSFfs0YngTmjxPX_6ruJw34vaqguhAdHj8/s1600/IMG_1823.JPG" height="200" title="Palm Tree" width="132" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGfcrmrPxCvVa-1Pbufm7MbdN3ND_eXAlYz5LIWOPgmxMlE8PU3Ht-QuiJAfdqCO7_XlAXbv8lbbMzGXe5wNJWH59JnhPBsVFBu1KFg7lIhtSFfs0YngTmjxPX_6ruJw34vaqguhAdHj8/s1600/IMG_1823.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">A study done by </span><a href="http://ntrs.nasa.gov/archive/nasa/casi.ntrs.nasa.gov/19930073077_1993073077.pdf" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6aa84f;">(NASA, Wolverton, 1989)</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">, proved the capabilities of several varieties of plants in removing, formaldehyde, benzene, and other toxins or volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from our living environment. In fact, many of these plants are so beneficial at reducing VOCs they are targeted for future space missions. For example, the Peace Lily and the Pot Mum remove all of the toxic chemicals in the study: benzene, formaldehyde, trichloroethylene, xylene, toluene, and ammonia. Golden Potho's, Mother-in-Law's Tongue, and the Red-edged Dracaena remove all but ammonia. The popular Bamboo or Reed Palm, better known as Lucky Bamboo as shown in the photo above, removes formaldehyde, xylene, and toluene. Perhaps it is lucky after all. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: 14px;">That doesn't mean you have to turn your home or office into a jungle. Studies have shown that just one six inch plant per every 100 square feet will suffice. Broad leafed plants seem to perform the best.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"> We inadvertently introduce these toxins into our indoor environments when we remodel, redecorate, and clean our homes and offices. New carpet and furnishings, wood stains, polyurethane coatings, paints and cleaners all contribute to the indoor pollution of buildings. Add to this the dust containing germs, dust mites, pollens and other irritants, it's no wonder many people become ill when confined to a building for long periods of time. This indoor air pollution is now attributed to Sick Building Syndrome or SBS. You can view a more detailed chart at </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=List_of_air-filtering_plants&oldid=540888353" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6aa84f;">(Wilkepedia, 2013)</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"> where it lists specific chemicals removed as well as toxicities to children and pets for a greater number of houseplants. Reducing at least some of these toxins contributes to a more healthy indoor environment. Some of the more common and easy to grow house plants for reducing toxins, as well as removing carbon dioxide (CO2) from the air, according to the study above, are listed below:</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUTXKWviMdfXeLalX2fo_OlnbBKfCeE3b3gH0je_ufaH_cHp8l49LEgBXNTZPCJto8zHRQQCq2Ot-tzRte2_TWlULjRHlt1P70-e8X-23-QGyMkR9cZIr8t1vF0Fq8PVEiiu4DR5Utr-k/s1600/Golden+Pothos+Houseplant.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><img alt="Golden Potho's houseplant for removing toxic chemicals from indoor buildings for cleaner air." border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUTXKWviMdfXeLalX2fo_OlnbBKfCeE3b3gH0je_ufaH_cHp8l49LEgBXNTZPCJto8zHRQQCq2Ot-tzRte2_TWlULjRHlt1P70-e8X-23-QGyMkR9cZIr8t1vF0Fq8PVEiiu4DR5Utr-k/s1600/Golden+Pothos+Houseplant.jpg" height="320" title="Golden Potho's Houseplant" width="212" /></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><br />
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<h3 style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"> Bamboo Palm-<i>Chamaedorea Seifritzii </i></span></h3>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"> English Ivy-<i>Hedera Helix</i></span></h3>
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"> Gerbera Daisy-<i>Gerbera Jamesonii</i></span></h3>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"> Pot Mum-<i>Chrysanthemum Morifdium</i></span></h3>
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"> Boston Fern-<i>Nephrolepis Exaltata</i></span></h3>
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"> Spider Plant-<i>Chlorophytum Comosum</i></span></h3>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"> Dumb Cane (Camilla or Exotica)-<i>Dieffenbachia</i></span></h3>
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"> Mother-in-Law's Tongue-<i>Sanseviria Laurentii</i></span></h3>
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"> Peace Lily(Mauna Loa)-<i>Spathiphyllum</i></span></h3>
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<h3 style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"> Red-edged Dracaena-<i>Dracaena Marginata </i></span></h3>
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"> Golden Pothos-<i>Scindapsus Aures or </i></span></h3>
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><i> Epipremnum </i><i>Aureum</i></span></h3>
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"> Heartleaf Philodendron-<i>Philodendron</i></span></h3>
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><i> Oxycardium, syn. </i><i>Philodendron Cordatum</i></span></h3>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihTybRCUU4ZB-3CBJ-fLvlA5k-VaoQGLITqaqkk6ulAF2NDg3KIy3yif86TVcKV3-fb9lwMt6UgrxgkXkfmef05ILDlzmEFNq9k-VaM1GP3hFXqnlBp-aYwpSfOwBcluOmtydGxC6XvUo/s1600/IMG_1837.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"></span></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihTybRCUU4ZB-3CBJ-fLvlA5k-VaoQGLITqaqkk6ulAF2NDg3KIy3yif86TVcKV3-fb9lwMt6UgrxgkXkfmef05ILDlzmEFNq9k-VaM1GP3hFXqnlBp-aYwpSfOwBcluOmtydGxC6XvUo/s1600/IMG_1837.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Lavender flowers and leaves can be crushed to release scent for inhalation, reducing stress and anxiety." border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihTybRCUU4ZB-3CBJ-fLvlA5k-VaoQGLITqaqkk6ulAF2NDg3KIy3yif86TVcKV3-fb9lwMt6UgrxgkXkfmef05ILDlzmEFNq9k-VaM1GP3hFXqnlBp-aYwpSfOwBcluOmtydGxC6XvUo/s1600/IMG_1837.JPG" height="213" title="Lavender Plant" width="320" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: 14px;"> The lavender plant is a wonderful addition to this list for its duo purpose qualities. Lavender is known for cleaning the air, while also inducing a state of relaxation due to the chemical composition of its scent. Both attributes important for those with allergies as well as asthmatics. Obviously, cleaning the air reduces allergy and asthma symptoms on a physical level, but stress reduction is also important for relieving allergy and asthma symptoms. When your body is stressed it releases hormones and histamines. Eventually, if the stress is not reduced, your immune system wears down and symptoms become worse. Before you know it, you're repeating a vicious cycle of symptoms, medications, and anxiety. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: 14px;">So growing an indoor lavender plant can have many benefits. Lavender requires a bright sunny location to flower and flourish indoors. Lavender would also be beneficial in the stressful environment of a sunny office. It must be allowed to dry out slightly between thorough waterings. You'll know when to water when it begins to droop. Be sure to drain it completely to avoid root rot. If your home or office is very dry, you can place it on a tray filled with water and pebbles, gravel, or sand to provide humidity.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px;"> If your allergies or asthma are attributed to mold, you can water the plant from the bottom with a tray to prevent the top layer of soil from getting too moist, or just cover the top of the soil with gravel to prevent mold spores escaping into the air. Annual repotting with sterile soil also helps to alleviate mold growth. Add to this soil a thin layer of activated charcoal to help capture the chemicals absorbed by the plant into the root system. Eventually the chemicals will be broken down by microbes. Lucky Bamboo is also a good plant for those with mold sensitivities, because it is easily grown in water. Frequent water changes prevent the growth and spread of mold spores. Another option is hydroponics, a growing method that's uses no soil. If you would like to try your hand at that method here is a small kit to get you started:</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: 14px;"><iframe bordercolor="#000000" frameborder="0" height="200" hspace="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://ad.doubleclick.net/adi/N963.148119.BLOGGEREN/B6527721;dcadv=3632184;sz=200x200;lid=41000613802463762;pid=ELN001;usg=AFHzDLvBBVrPWUAYOJGzBBcbESbcBCA3SQ;adurl=http%253A%252F%252Fwww.unbeatablesale.com%252Feledhylabgrs.html;pubid=619971;imgsrc=http%3A%2F%2Fsite.unbeatablesale.com%2Fimg021%2Feledhylabgrs.gif;width=200;height=148" vspace="0" width="200"></iframe><br />
</span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: 14px;"> If you are lucky enough to have a bright sunny window in your bedroom, you can place a lavender plant there and reap all the benefits for a peaceful night's rest. If the sunny location is elsewhere in your home, you can place a small dish of the crushed leaves and flowers near your bedside and just refresh it now and then. Use other low-light plants from the list for cleaning the air, such as the Mother-in-Law's Tongue, and the crushed lavender for relaxation. Be sure to check the Quick Reminder Chart at the top of the page for helpful hints.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgajPIqxkUGd_YeTbEYI1abJPAg9vHBh9AcyD2HauDUx2tebRUIwwXXEjZvpkupmCtNL9SlcB-LUkir7GHbnQob4m6Sma-LLMBYfrsMKVR9KbIRpk6qDAHhTeVEiehDxpsXkq4si66VuWY/s1600/IMG_1835.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><img alt="Lavender as a houseplant cleans the air and adds a calming, relaxing scent to the indoor environment for stress relief.." border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgajPIqxkUGd_YeTbEYI1abJPAg9vHBh9AcyD2HauDUx2tebRUIwwXXEjZvpkupmCtNL9SlcB-LUkir7GHbnQob4m6Sma-LLMBYfrsMKVR9KbIRpk6qDAHhTeVEiehDxpsXkq4si66VuWY/s1600/IMG_1835.JPG" height="425" title="Lavender Houseplant" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><br />
Note: Lavender has been found to be an allergen in some people, although, it is extremely rare.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"> Just be aware that if your breathing problem worsens or other symptoms develop; you </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"> could be one of those rare persons allergic to lavender, and you should discontinue its use. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e06666; font-size: large;"><b>HAPPY BREATHING!!!</b></span></div>
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<div style="text-align: left;">
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54492/57/A89DFA025DF99CB2D9EED806B10DD0C9.png" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px !important; border-color: initial !important; border-left-width: 0px !important; border-right-width: 0px !important; border-style: initial !important; border-top-width: 0px !important;" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: 14px;"><u>Sources:</u></span><br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4f961e;"> </span><a href="http://ntrs.nasa.gov/archive/nasa/casi.ntrs.nasa.gov/19930073077_1993073077.pdf" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6aa84f;">Wolverton, B. C. et al (1989), NASA "Interior Landscape Plants for Indoor Air Pollution Abatement." </span></a><br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">List of air-filtering plants. (2013, February 27). <i>In Wilkepedia, The Free </i><i>Encyclopedia. </i>Retrieved 14:14 March 16, 2013, from</span><br />
<div style="text-align: right;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6aa84f;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=List_of_air-filtering_plants&oldid=540888353" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6aa84f;">http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=List of air-filtering plants&oldid=540888353</span></a></span></div>
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Linda Machttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02459479060543678005noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2024111269963734086.post-15123839788580917772013-03-09T07:30:00.000-05:002014-02-15T20:55:53.545-05:00UV Sanitation to Kill Germs, Molds and Dust Mites<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: 16px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e06666; font-size: 16px;">UV sanitation is becoming a powerful tool against many types of germs, molds and even dust mites. UV sanitizing wands can be especially useful in an office environment against SBS, "Sick Building Syndrome' when used on chairs, desks, keyboards, and smaller areas of carpets around the desk. Most of the skepticism surrounding this technology stems from the fact that results are not seen, but can only be assumed. Now that there are many products on the market widely available to the average consumer, reports are rolling in of people with respiratory illnesses attesting to its effectiveness. People with dust mite allergies, asthma, bronchitis, and COPD, are getting results; breathing and sleeping more easily.</span></h3>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"> </span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">Why is this? Because UV sanitizing lights have now been proven to kill germs including bacteria and viruses, molds, dust mites, even some fungi. If you're still having doubts, check out this </span><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q7EE9mJ7hBA" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6aa84f;">Fox News video</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"> where they actually grow cultures from swabs taken around their office and test the Verilux CleanWave UV Wand on them. Plug in wall units are available as well for continuous air cleaning to fight germs and prevent infections.</span></b></span><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000G2BESO/ref=as_li_tf_il?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B000G2BESO&linkCode=as2&tag=detyouwor-20" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=B000G2BESO&Format=_SL160_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=detyouwor-20" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: 14px;"><b><br />
</b></span> <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px;"> So whether you're fighting allergies and asthma, colds or influenzas, UV lights can be beneficial. The wands come in different sizes, both for home use as well as travel. Here are some examples of wands available in various sizes:</span></span></b><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px;"><b><br /></b></span></span>
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<iframe border="0" frameborder="0" height="240" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/cm?t=detyouwor-20&o=1&p=15&l=st1&mode=hpc&search=UV-C%20wand&fc1=21A309&lt1=_blank&lc1=08AF35&bg1=D7D3D3&f=ifr" style="border: none;" width="468"></iframe><br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: 14px;"> <b>All of these UV wands can be used for killing dust mites or germs. Larger one's are more practical for killing dust mites in mattresses, as you can cover a larger area at one time. Travel UV wands are perfect for use in hotel rooms and offices. I've even heard of some people using the smaller version when eating at a restaurant, waving their magic wand across flatware, dishes and condiments. I suppose it wouldn't be a bad idea in areas of flu outbreaks. I guess I'll never know if they bring it with them to the restroom or not. Well, at any rate, you might kill off a few cold germs headed your way.</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px;"><b><br />
</b></span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px;"><b> When using the wand on mattresses or upholstered furniture, you will need to keep it horizontal. These products have built in safety features which prevent you from turning them sideways or holding them vertically, as the UV light bulb will turn off automatically. This is to prevent the user from directing the light towards their eyes. UV lights are for killing things and they do this by disrupting DNA and preventing the organisms from reproducing. Just like sunlight burns your skin, so can artificial UV lighting products. Therefore, this is one product where it is very important to read the manufacturer's instructional materials that come with it to avoid needless injury. You should also never hold small objects in your hand when passing the wand across them to prevent injury to your skin.</b></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: 14px;"><b><br />
</b></span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"> Another great product for mattresses and upholstery is the Verilux sanitizing portable vacuum. You can view this type below and there are other sizes and types available. The great thing about these products is that they are also mini vacuums and suck up the dust, dead skin, and dust mite debris, while UV sanitizing all at the same time. You could even use these to treat a small area of carpet around the bed. There are several vacuums with UV lighting available now, though some can be quite pricey. You can read about their effectiveness here in an </span><a href="http://oncampus.osu.edu/uv-light-helps-vacuums-reduce-carpet-microbes/" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6aa84f;">Ohio research study</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">. All research seems to point to two things. When UV light is used in conjunction with the suction power of a vacuum the effect is greater than the use of just one or the other. Also, the slower the pass you make, the more organisms destroyed.</span></b></span><br />
<br />
<script charset="utf-8" src="http://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?rt=tf_ssw&ServiceVersion=20070822&MarketPlace=US&ID=V20070822%2FUS%2Fdetyouwor-20%2F8003%2Fa814f436-8d9c-464d-9c18-6d9df8530223&Operation=GetScriptTemplate" type="text/javascript"> </script> <noscript><a HREF="http://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?rt=tf_ssw&ServiceVersion=20070822&MarketPlace=US&ID=V20070822%2FUS%2Fdetyouwor-20%2F8003%2Fa814f436-8d9c-464d-9c18-6d9df8530223&Operation=NoScript">Amazon.com Widgets</A></noscript><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px;"> So in conclusion to today's article, I would say these products produce excellent results when used properly for the right intentions. They are not toys, though, and should not be used by children. Some people wear goggles with UV protection as an added safety precaution. Be sure to check the Quick Reminder Chart at the top of the page for more helpful hints.</span> </b></span><br />
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</span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #45818e; font-size: 14px;"><b><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e06666; font-size: large;"><b>HAPPY BREATHING!!!</b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #45818e;"> </span><br />
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Linda Machttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02459479060543678005noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2024111269963734086.post-58343994150168038102013-03-02T12:02:00.001-05:002014-03-08T12:44:09.746-05:00Bed Bug Bite vs. Dust Mite Bite<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOtgnujiy3mNN3Q2lbUdQNNHf-bpq9RUAbPTHobjZ6vUbBX-oNKT4uWBxCbnGKBzPtNkuXfmRv15mRStrTnlfTK_npEmjXrSuiH6VAl7otymVHorfxkJ0LL9eDVcmfeWYh1lldD-bzSdI/s1600/Dust+mite+4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><img alt="Dust mite drawing showing anatomy of a dust mite" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOtgnujiy3mNN3Q2lbUdQNNHf-bpq9RUAbPTHobjZ6vUbBX-oNKT4uWBxCbnGKBzPtNkuXfmRv15mRStrTnlfTK_npEmjXrSuiH6VAl7otymVHorfxkJ0LL9eDVcmfeWYh1lldD-bzSdI/s200/Dust+mite+4.JPG" height="187" title="Dust Mite Illustration" width="200" /></span></a></h3>
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<span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="color: #666666;"> </span><span style="color: #cc0000;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #d04c4c; font-size: 16px;">Let me start off by clarifying this rumor. There is NO such thing as a dust mite bite. If there were, we would all be in trouble; because dust mites can never be completely eliminated, whereas bed bugs can. Yes, they really can and it's not as difficult as you may think. Later in the article I'll discuss methods of eradication that really do work. Don't throw away any furnishings or mattresses until you try these methods first. Dust mites do not bite humans. Bed bugs bite humans. Dust mites live off of skin flakes. Bed bugs live off of blood. Unfortunately, usually ours. That's why they bite us in the first place. We are their life blood or sustenance. So if you're being bitten while asleep you can rule out dust mites right now. If it's just one or two bites it could be a spider. If you have clusters of several tiny bites, it could be bed bugs, as they are known to be making a comeback. Check out the link at the bottom of the page for bed bug bite photos to help identify whether or not it is bed bugs.</span></h3>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: 14px;"> <b> Bed bugs cause a lot of grief. Some people are allergic to the bites which can cause swelling, inflammation, even scarring and also fatigue in sensitive individuals. Some people have extreme mental anxiety from practicing various elimination techniques that don't work. Some extremes I have heard of are throwing away or burning mattresses, furnishings, clothing, and other personal belongings. Sleeping on floors or in bathtubs or even deserting homes or apartments including all belongings. You can see why this would cause mental anguish. Just the expense alone is overwhelming. Not to mention those who have spent thousands of dollars on pest control companies, sometimes with no results. So if these people are not left with physical scars, many are left with emotional scars and unable to get a good nights rest for fear of the bed bugs returning. </b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: 14px;"><b> You need to first determine how bed bugs may have gained entry into your home or dwelling. Have you or anyone done any traveling or stayed in other people's homes recently? Have you purchased any used or even new furniture, pillows, mattresses, towels, or clothing? Not only have bed bugs been sweeping the countryside infesting motels, but also many popular furniture and clothing stores as well. Or what about a pet that has just made a trip to a kennel? Bed bugs are on the rise due to lack of awareness, increased resistance to pesticides, bans on pesticides that previously eradicated them, and increased international travel.</b></span></div>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: 14px;"> If you suspect it could be bed bugs the next step is identification. Quickly throw back the sheets on your bed upon arising to hopefully see at least one before they have a chance to scurry away. If you have been bitten several times and you don't see any actual bugs, you quite possibly can identify their remains. Check out the link at the bottom of the page for bed bug photos. It also shows photos of their offspring and eggs. Get out your best flashlight and even a magnifying glass if you have one. Search for tiny brown or reddish specks, their excrement, and/or tiny clear nymphs, the babies of the adult bed bugs. You also might find tiny eggs or empty shells of any that may have molted as they molt several times throughout their development into adults.</span></b></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: 14px;"><b> If you still can't find any evidence, you need to start checking the mattress and bed frame, including the headboard, foot board and legs. There should be some evidence in or around the bed. If by chance they have all scurried back to their nesting areas, you will need to search dark areas such as inside corners of drawers and baseboards. If you have any upholstered furniture in the room, you should check under cushions and inside crevices. If you have bed bugs, you should have found some evidence by now.</b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px;"> Starving them out isn't going to work as they can live for several months in warm areas and even up to one year in cooler areas without ever eating. Sprays and pesticides could kill you long before you kill them. Heating rooms can kill them, but raising inside temperatures high enough with propane heaters is risky and dangerous. If you don't accidentally burn down your residence using heat treatment with some type of heater, you still risk ruining wood furnishings and floors that may dry out and crack from lack of moisture. The rooms also need to be sealed off to prevent the bed bugs from escaping into cooler areas of the dwelling. This treatment is obviously better off left to professionals as well as any gassing treatments, both of which can be very, very expensive. Some people have heard of steam treatments and attempted it themselves with negative results. Steam treatments need to be done with commercial steamers that produce less than 5% humidity. Do-it-yourselfers using store bought steamers run the risk of ruining many items saturating them with steam. This is because every single area of the room needs to be steamed in order to ensure complete elimination of the bed bugs. Once again, this type of treatment is best left to professionals if you can afford it.</span></span></b><br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002SW52CE/ref=as_li_tf_il?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B002SW52CE&linkCode=as2&tag=detyouwor-20" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=B002SW52CE&Format=_SL160_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=detyouwor-20" /></a><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px;"> So here comes the most effective and simple treatment for ridding your home of bed bugs. All you need is some diatomaceous earth also known as DE. Does diatomaceous earth kill bed bugs? Yes it does! It is a white powder composed of millions of tiny microscopic fossilized shells of algae. These tiny skeletal structures are very sharp and when the bed bugs or most any other bug crawls through the powder their bodies are cut and pierced causing not immediate, but eventual death. Diatomaceous earth benefits are many. Where to buy diatomaceous earth? There are many uses for diatomaceous earth so you have to be careful. Some diatomaceous earth sold in garden centers or pool supply stores contain chemicals. You need to buy food grade diatomaceous earth to avoid these chemicals. This can be found at agricultural stores as it is sometimes used in animal husbandry or you can purchase it online. One other precaution that must be mentioned is that it is very important not to breathe the powder into your lungs. The fine particulates are difficult for the lungs to expel as well as sharp to the delicate tissues. Let me repeat. It is HAZARDOUS to inhale this powder. You should always wear some sort of dust mask when applying this powder such as the one in the photo below. Is diatomaceous earth safe for pets? Yes it is as long as they aren't stirring up large quantities creating a dust to breathe, it is not harmful to pets. Some people use it as a dewormer for animals.</span></span></b></div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000FLV9H2/ref=as_li_tf_il?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B000FLV9H2&linkCode=as2&tag=detyouwor-20" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=B000FLV9H2&Format=_SL160_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=detyouwor-20" /></a><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003RDKKV6/ref=as_li_tf_il?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B003RDKKV6&linkCode=as2&tag=detyouwor-20" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=B003RDKKV6&Format=_SL160_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=detyouwor-20" /></a><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px;"> Now I'll begin by explaining how to use diatomaceous earth as well as various ways of how to apply diatomaceous earth for bed bug elimination. For the first application, start by placing the legs of your bed into small containers such as cups or bowls, and place a thick layer of the diatomaceous earth powder in the cups surrounding the legs of the bed. Bed bugs don't fly around the room. They have to crawl up the legs of your bed to feed on you at night after you retire. That's assuming there aren't already some in your bed before you retire. If you haven't already done it, whether old or new, your pillows and mattress should be encased in zippered bed bug proof protectors. If any adults, nymphs, or eggs are inside they will die as they cannot escape for feeding. Now to continue the application of the DE powder you need to carefully apply a thick, but narrow layer along the baseboards of the entire room. A good method of application for this is a plastic squeeze bottle with a nozzle end. Now carefully search out other areas where you suspect they may be hiding such as inside or beneath furniture, corners of drawers as well as the tracks the drawers slide on etc. Some severe infestations of bed bugs have been reported of bed bugs burrowing into the wood of furniture. Check for seams and cracks that may need to be treated with a sprinkling of DE.</span></span></b><br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000BQUUQM/ref=as_li_tf_il?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B000BQUUQM&linkCode=as2&tag=detyouwor-20" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=B000BQUUQM&Format=_SL160_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=detyouwor-20" /></a><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px;"> If at all possible sleep in a different area for several nights up to two weeks to allow the DE to do its job. If you can't sleep elsewhere use freshly laundered bedding every night until the bed bugs are gone. Some people use DE in their bedding, but I am not going to recommend it, because of the previously mentioned issues with inhalation. Perhaps a small amount at the foot of the bed beneath the fitted sheet would help a little and not cause breathing issues. Otherwise, just use fresh bedding each night. Rest easy. It won't be long and your worries will be over and life will be back to normal once again. Be sure to check the Quick Reminder Chart at the top of the page for helpful hints.</span></span></b><br />
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #134f5c;">********</span><span style="color: #f1c232;">******</span><span style="color: #134f5c;">********</span><span style="color: #f1c232;">UPDATE</span><span style="color: #134f5c;">********</span><span style="color: #f1c232;">*******</span><span style="color: #134f5c;">********</span></span></b></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #134f5c;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Amazon is selling cups to place under the legs of your bed to make it easier to prevent bedbugs from crawling up the legs of your bed. You can make your own using two different size cups or just order these. Make sure to check queen or king size beds for extra legs touching the floor in the middle of the mattress. Also, be sure to place diatomaceous earth in the inner ring.</span></span></b><br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0033SC0LI/ref=as_li_tf_il?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B0033SC0LI&linkCode=as2&tag=detyouwor-20"><img border="0" src="http://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=B0033SC0LI&Format=_SL160_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=detyouwor-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=detyouwor-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B0033SC0LI" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /><br />
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #d04c4c; font-size: large;">SLEEP WELL AND DON'T LET THE BED BUGS BITE!!!</span></b><br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-size: 14px;"><br />
</span></b> <b><a href="http://bedbugger.com/photos-of-bed-bugs-and-signs-of-bed-bugs/" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6aa84f;">Bed Bug Photos</span></a></b><br />
<b><a href="http://hotels.about.com/od/hotelsecrets/ig/Bedbug-Bites/" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6aa84f;">Bed Bug Bite Photos</span></a></b><br />
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Linda Machttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02459479060543678005noreply@blogger.com0