In Blogs We Trust...

You can't believe everything you read or hear and that is probably especially true on the internet.  So how do you know what your getting is good information?  The best advise I can give is that if it sounds reasonable and gives fact based information it can be trusted.  That said, take everything in moderation.  
Since there isn't a "Parent Manual" and "Parenting for Dummies" hasn't been published, we are all on our own to do the best job we can.  Most would agree that we cant just parent on instinct, as our parents did.  Following the status quo isn't only unfashionable, it can be dangerous.  There are so many hazards to our children these days, in the environment, the socioeconomic climate, political agendas, and more.  These 3 hazards are especially dangerous though, as they work silently to influence the very fibers which we rely on to create our "good" parenting skills.  
When it comes to the food we eat, getting the information we need off of nutritional labels isn't enough.  Huge corporations have enough at money to pay for passing of changes in the law so they can be sure their products look "natural" and "healthy".  Digging a little deeper, beyond the food labels, will reveal some disturbing information.  I could get on my soap box about an issue that is disturbing to me (Monsanto corn and modified corn products) but you can find it already.  It's all over the web and some of the best and most resounding information I have read and believe has been written in blogs, by women like myself, moms with a drive to make better decisions for themselves and their families.  Natural news just posted an article about a study that found moms are more and more often looking to blogs to find honest and reasonable information about food facts.  Here's the link.  It's an interesting read!
http://www.naturalnews.com/038838_food_facts_moms_online_research.html

Loneliness can weaken the immune system

This week the internet has been flooded with news reporting a study done by Ohio State University It scientifically and measurably shows the effects of loneliness on the human immune system.  From what I have read, it seems to be a very well done study and the results are compelling.  Here's part of an article that I read with a couple of links to more information:

..."It is clear from previous research that poor-quality relationships are linked to a number of health problems, including premature mortality and all sorts of other very serious health conditions. And people who are lonely clearly feel like they are in poor-quality relationships," said Lisa Jaremka, a postdoctoral fellow at the Institute for Behavioral Medicine Research at Ohio State University and lead author of the research. "One reason this type of research is important is to understand how loneliness and relationships broadly affect health. The more we understand about the process, the more potential there is to counter those negative effects – to perhaps intervene. If we don't know the physiological processes, what are we going to do to change them?"


http://medicalxpress.com/news/2013-01-loneliness-chronic-stress-taxes-immune.html#jCp

http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2013/01/21/loneliness-bad-health_n_2519899.html

Slim & Sassy

Aromatherapy for Weight Loss

Keep those munchies at bay and stay on track with your diet by using essential oils.  Using them internally and externally can help your diet be a smashing success.  The best oil blend to use is doTERRA's Slim and Sassy.  I've made it easy to find, just by clicking on the link on the bottom of this article.  The other oiIs mentioned are also available from doTERRA.  They are the highest quality oils available to the general public.
Inhalation can be very effective in curbing the cravings and stabilizing the emotional urges to eat too much.  Giving into cravings can be the demise of a good diet plan.  Eating sugars and too many carbs will not only throw off your diet, but will actually make you hungrier.  Inhaling Slim and Sassy will stave off cravings.  All of the ingredients in this blend are appetite suppressants: Grapefruit, Peppermint, Ginger, Lemon, and Cinnamon.  Avoid sweet smells, such as vanilla and strawberry.

It's important to note that candida can sabotage your diet.  Carbs and sugars also promote an overgrowth of candida in the body.  Using inhalation to curb the cravings is best.  If the urge to eat is overwhelming, it is probably a good idea to address the candidiasis. Oregano essential oil will kill an overabundance of candida.  It will be most effective taken internally.  I suggest getting some empty veggie caps (@ $5.33 from doTERRA) and putting 3-5 drops inside and taking 1 capsule with every meal.  Candida is epidemic in America, so dont be suprised or worried if you think you have it.  Look for my future post on candidiasis to find out how to cure it.  

Slim and Sassy is the best blend of oils to keep a well intentioned diet on the right track.  You can apply it to your trouble areas, especially to the tummy.  It will increase the blood flow to these areas, effectively flushing fat stores into the bloodstream.  Inhaling it will curb cravings.  Taking it internally will work on both fat absorbtion and hunger.  You will feel full faster so you eat less. It will also boost your metabolism so you burn more calories.  Again, using the veggie caps is my favorite way to take this essential oil internally.  Put 5-8 drops inside a veggie cap and swallow.  Take before every meal.  This essential oil blend tastes great in your water bottle as well.  

For the best results, you can try the entire weight management line from doTERRA.  It includes the TrimShake, Slim & Sassy EO, Mito2Max, Oregano EO, GX Assist & PB Assist+.  In February, I will be posting a complete diet regimen using doTERRA products, so stay tuned.  In the mean time, get some SLIM & SASSY!

Here's the link to my doTERRA Store...

https://www.iact1.com/doterra/ShoppingCart/Shop.cfm?pid=46374932963430558

Foods for Flu Season & an Easy Recipe

Immune-boosting foods can improve your ability to ward off the flu and other health problems, according to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Even a small nutritional deficiency can affect the body's ability to stay healthy, said Heather Mangieri, a registered dietitian and academy spokesperson. 
"A strong immune system doesn't guarantee your body can fight off every flu bug, but it is a powerful defense," said Mangieri in an academy news release. "Good nutrition is essential to a strong immune response." 
Mangieri provided the following overview of foods that may boost the immune system: 
-Protein is an essential part of your body's defense system. Sources of protein include seafood, lean meat, poultry, eggs, beans and peas, soy products and unsalted nuts and seeds. 
-Vitamin A helps prevent infections by keeping the skin and tissues in the mouth, stomach, lungs and intestines healthy. This nutrient, found in sweet potatoes, carrots, kale, spinach and red bell peppers, also helps the body regulate the immune system. 
-Vitamin C triggers the production of immune-boosting antibodies. Oranges, grapefruit, strawberries and tangerines are among the foods rich in vitamin C. 
-Vitamin E is an antioxidant that may provide a boost to the immune system. 
People who want to get more vitamin E in their diet should eat sunflower seeds, almonds, sunflower or safflower oil, hazelnuts, peanut butter or spinach. 
-Some believe that zinc, a nutrient found in lean beef, wheat germ, crab, wheat bran, sunflower seeds, black-eyed peas, almonds, milk and tofu, may also improve functioning of the immune system.

Read more at: http://medicalxpress.com/news/2013-01-immune-boosting-foods-flu-defense.html#jCp

Here's a great recipe I have made.  It's a hit in my home, where it's often hard to get the kids to eat what is good for them.

Roasted Sweet Potatoes with Almonds

4 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1in cubes
3 tablespoons olive oil
4 garlic cloves, minced
1/3 cup fresh thyme, or 3 teaspoons of dried thyme
1/2 teaspoon Kosher or coarse salt
1/2 cup sliced almonds


Directions:
1.  Preheat oven to 450 degrees F.
2.  In a large mixing bowl, combine all ingredients except the sliced almonds, and toss.
3.  Spread potatoes in a single layer on a greased cookie sheet.  Roast until tender in oven until
     slightly browned, about 40 minutes.
4.  In a serving dish, stir together roasted potatoes and almonds.  Serve warm.

Avoid the Flu with Elderberry

Want to avoid the flu epidemic? 
Here's how to stay healthy with elderberry.

Elderberry can be found in syrups, jams, as an extract, or in vitamin supplements at your local health food store.  It is inexpensive and therefore an economical way to fend off illness.  

Learn more: http://www.naturalnews.com/038659_flu_epidemic_elderberry_prevention.html#ixzz2HuXrbcjq

Cilantro Essential Oils for the flu, and so much more!

Cilantro essential oil has been used as a detoxifying agent to help the body remove toxic levels of heavy metals (like mercury used in teeth fillings). It can be beneficial for Arthritis, colds, colic, diarrhea, exhaustion, flatulence, flu, infections, migraine, muscular aches and pains, nausea, neuralgia, poor circulation, rheumatism, stiffness. It's also great in lots of recipes - try it in guacamole, lime shrimp, fajitas, tortilla soup, etc.

Fight the 2012 Flu with supplements...

Instead of getting the flu this year and having to suffer in misery, why not boost your immunity with supplements!  Click on the link below for helpful hints to prevent coming down with this nasty virus.  It's a short article from Natural News on a few simple things you can do to avoid getting the flu this year or ever again!

http://www.naturalnews.com/038655_flu_prevention_supplements_nutrients.html

Regulation of the Immune Response to Pathogens

Regulation of the immune response has been efficiently explained in these 2 videos.  Click on the links below to see them.  A good working knowledge of the immune system will be your best ally to improved health.  

Regulation of the Immune Response to Pathogens: Part 1
http://hstalks.com/main/view_talk.php?t=2457&r=611&j=755&c=252

Regulation of the immune Response to Pathogens:  Part 2http://hstalks.com/main/view_talk.php?t=2458&r=611&c=252

January Feature: The Immune System

To function well, the immune system needs balance and harmony.  Many things can affect the immune system, including diet, exercise, age,  psychological stress, and genetics.  Figuring out the massive defense system that is our immune system is incredibly complex.  Healthy living is a good way to start giving your immune system the upper hand.

I could go on and on in a lengthy article about how the immune system works.  If you are looking for that, go to Wikipedia.  Although the information on the functions of the immune system is thorough, it gives little help to someone looking to improve their immunity.  All of January, I’ll be posting information about different areas involved and affected in the immune system.  More importantly, you’ll learn how to combat your immune system deficiencies.  So stay tuned!  There's great info to come, including:

• Boosting your Immunity with Diet
• Supplementing with Vitamins, Minerals, Probiotics, and Essential Oils
• How Special Populations can Combat Low Immunity
• Massage Therapy for Immunity
• The Stress Connection to Low Immunity
• Using Essential Oils to Prevent Illness
• The Myth of Antibiotics
• Some Tasty Recipes