My youngest daughter is one of those little kids who immediately acquires a runny nose and nasty cough the minute the weather cools off. It drags on and on. One bout of flu like crud is almost gone and presto, there it is again. Bigger and badder than it's predecessor. And so we go, on and on.
A couple of weeks ago I was reading a blog, Heart Failure Solutions Carrie, the blogs author wrote a very informative post on the harmful effects of using cough medicine. When we cough, it is our bodies way of getting all the nasty stuff out. We then turn around and suppress it with cough medicine and defeat the bodies purpose of naturally curing itself. To read more about the harmful effects of cough medicine and more useful information, visit Heart Failure Solutions
Now back to my hacking daughter. In her post about cough medicine, Carrie recommends applying Vicks Vapor Rub to the bottom of your feet, putting socks on and getting a good nights sleep. We tried this and incredibly her cough was much improved after the first night and completely gone after the second night.....and hasn't returned. This child who has drug a runny nose and cough around with a box of Kleenex for as long as I can remember is now cough free.
No doctor visit, no prescriptions for drugs with multiple, harmful side effects and a healthy child at last. This home remedy is going to remain on my Top Ten Favorite List of Home Remedies for a very long time!
Saturday, December 20, 2008
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Cell Etiquette 101
I talk and text literally thousands of minutes a month to my BFF, otherwise known as my husband, as he travels extensively with his job. Even with all this talking and texting, I am extremely considerate of others and exhibit proper Cell Phone Etiquette at all times. I have unofficially dubbed myself the "Miss Manners of Cell Phone Etiquette". OK, at least for today's post because poor cell phone etiquette drives me crazy.
Let me share some recent Cell Phone Scenarios. Please be honest with yourself and admit if you are guilty, even in part, of these inconsiderate cell phone behaviors. Remember, the first step to getting help is admitting you have a problem. Read More........
Let me share some recent Cell Phone Scenarios. Please be honest with yourself and admit if you are guilty, even in part, of these inconsiderate cell phone behaviors. Remember, the first step to getting help is admitting you have a problem. Read More........
Friday, December 5, 2008
The Truth And The Next Big Killer
I just read an article about the dangers of cell phones. Geez, I quit smoking, dramatically changed my diet, take vitamins and supplements, am trying to exercise more and now I have to quit talking on my cell phone? I know this isn't new news, but as time goes on and the cell phone generation gets older, I am certain we will hear about this more and more.
I'm afraid I am a cell phone addict. Now I practice extremely proper cell phone etiquette. Don't get me started, that is a whole other post in itself. No I'm an addict in that my BFF, also known as my husband, travels for his job. He is on the road all the time and we talk......all the time. When he pulls out of the driveway we are often already talking. It's how our relationship began as we lived indifferent states and it has always continued in that manner. So now I'm discovering the potential dangers of cell phone use and am in a stage of denial. Obviously, I don't want our relationship to change, it's what BFF's do. Talk and text. Literally thousands of minutes each month. But I only get one body in my life, so ignoring this subject isn't a good option.
The concern is of course that cellphones send out electromagnetic radiation that can penetrate the brain, thus causing brain cancer. There is debate to this as scientist's say that there have not been enough studies performed to found this as truth. However, an argument to that is there was a time when cigarette smoking was claimed to be safe by scientists. That was prior to performing those valuable studies that incriminated the tobacco companies as well as those same scientists who were often on the payroll. Oh yes, the truth.
Which leads me right to another point and that is, much like the drug companies and tobacco companies, telecommunication companies are making far too much money on cell phones to allow any truth to be told on the dangers. After all there are 3 billion of us using them and that number grows steadily each year.
So where does one obtain this education needed to make a choice about this important health issue? Can we find enough truthful information to make an educated decision? It's a tough question, but like so many other issue's concerning our health and the truth, the responsibility falls to us as individuals.
To begin, you can go to one of my favorite websites about alternative health: Mercola.com or click here to go directly to the article.
Now, if you will excuse me, I have to go call my BFF to tell him about this concern. Well maybe, I'll write a letter or send up smoke signals.
I'm afraid I am a cell phone addict. Now I practice extremely proper cell phone etiquette. Don't get me started, that is a whole other post in itself. No I'm an addict in that my BFF, also known as my husband, travels for his job. He is on the road all the time and we talk......all the time. When he pulls out of the driveway we are often already talking. It's how our relationship began as we lived indifferent states and it has always continued in that manner. So now I'm discovering the potential dangers of cell phone use and am in a stage of denial. Obviously, I don't want our relationship to change, it's what BFF's do. Talk and text. Literally thousands of minutes each month. But I only get one body in my life, so ignoring this subject isn't a good option.
The concern is of course that cellphones send out electromagnetic radiation that can penetrate the brain, thus causing brain cancer. There is debate to this as scientist's say that there have not been enough studies performed to found this as truth. However, an argument to that is there was a time when cigarette smoking was claimed to be safe by scientists. That was prior to performing those valuable studies that incriminated the tobacco companies as well as those same scientists who were often on the payroll. Oh yes, the truth.
Which leads me right to another point and that is, much like the drug companies and tobacco companies, telecommunication companies are making far too much money on cell phones to allow any truth to be told on the dangers. After all there are 3 billion of us using them and that number grows steadily each year.
So where does one obtain this education needed to make a choice about this important health issue? Can we find enough truthful information to make an educated decision? It's a tough question, but like so many other issue's concerning our health and the truth, the responsibility falls to us as individuals.
To begin, you can go to one of my favorite websites about alternative health: Mercola.com or click here to go directly to the article.
Now, if you will excuse me, I have to go call my BFF to tell him about this concern. Well maybe, I'll write a letter or send up smoke signals.
Saturday, November 22, 2008
The Sunshine Vitamin
Winter is here, for some it's been here for a while, arriving quite early this year. Winter brings many things, skiing, snow boarding, lighting a fire, hot cocoa, snow balls and snow men. It also brings less sun light.
Having grown up in Michigan I know what it's like to truly experience winter. I also know what it's like to high tail it south because of that experience. The hardest part of winter that I can personally relate to is the lack of sunshine. I remember days upon endless days of little to no sunlight. Endless gray and cold. The lack of sunlight and the depression that results from it has been discussed and studied for many years. More and more I keep reading that we can experience Vitamin D deficiency as a result of too little sun, most often occurring in the winter.
You see the most efficient way for our bodies to absorb Vitamin D is through sunlight as opposed to milk or even supplements as previously thought. Vitamin D deficiencies can lead not only to weak bones, but high blood pressure, cancer, diabetes and several auto immune diseases, particularly muscular dystrophy. Studies have revealed that cities with limited sunshine, Seattle WA, for example have much higher rates of those suffering from MS than cities that receive more sunlight.
So what do we do during these months of limited and often times non existent sunlight? Even those of us who live in milder climates experience limited amounts of Vitamin D absorption in the winter as UV rays are much weaker than in warmer months. Well the next best thing, researchers say, is supplements. The RDA for adults varies with the rule of thumb being 400IU per day, with many researchers and doctors claiming we need a much higher dosage, particularly during the winter. Do your research to determine the best amount for you.
In the spring when the sun reappears and regains it's warmth along with more intense UV rays, what about the risk of skin cancer? A good question no doubt with all the attention skin cancer has received in recent years. We have now been taught to slather on the sunscreen and cover up before exposing ourselves to the sun's harmful rays. Now we are discovering the sun is once again our friend. Well researches say that just fifteen minutes on your face, arms and legs each day can provide you with enough Vitamin D to sustain a healthy body and help prevent disease. So get outside, put your face to the sun and get yourself some Vitamin D. If you live in a climate that is suffering from sun deficiency, get outside as much as possible, take your Vitamin D supplements until our friend, The Sun, returns with the crocuses.
Having grown up in Michigan I know what it's like to truly experience winter. I also know what it's like to high tail it south because of that experience. The hardest part of winter that I can personally relate to is the lack of sunshine. I remember days upon endless days of little to no sunlight. Endless gray and cold. The lack of sunlight and the depression that results from it has been discussed and studied for many years. More and more I keep reading that we can experience Vitamin D deficiency as a result of too little sun, most often occurring in the winter.
You see the most efficient way for our bodies to absorb Vitamin D is through sunlight as opposed to milk or even supplements as previously thought. Vitamin D deficiencies can lead not only to weak bones, but high blood pressure, cancer, diabetes and several auto immune diseases, particularly muscular dystrophy. Studies have revealed that cities with limited sunshine, Seattle WA, for example have much higher rates of those suffering from MS than cities that receive more sunlight.
So what do we do during these months of limited and often times non existent sunlight? Even those of us who live in milder climates experience limited amounts of Vitamin D absorption in the winter as UV rays are much weaker than in warmer months. Well the next best thing, researchers say, is supplements. The RDA for adults varies with the rule of thumb being 400IU per day, with many researchers and doctors claiming we need a much higher dosage, particularly during the winter. Do your research to determine the best amount for you.
In the spring when the sun reappears and regains it's warmth along with more intense UV rays, what about the risk of skin cancer? A good question no doubt with all the attention skin cancer has received in recent years. We have now been taught to slather on the sunscreen and cover up before exposing ourselves to the sun's harmful rays. Now we are discovering the sun is once again our friend. Well researches say that just fifteen minutes on your face, arms and legs each day can provide you with enough Vitamin D to sustain a healthy body and help prevent disease. So get outside, put your face to the sun and get yourself some Vitamin D. If you live in a climate that is suffering from sun deficiency, get outside as much as possible, take your Vitamin D supplements until our friend, The Sun, returns with the crocuses.
- Resources: The Chicago Tribune Archives
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)