Saturday, January 30, 2010
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Petition regarding EPA Testing of Household Products!
| Hi Audrey, Just yesterday UC Berkeley released a study showing that certain flame-retardant chemicals in many household items may reduce a woman's ability to become pregnant. The study showed that women with high levels of chemicals known as PBDEs were 30 to 50 percent less likely to become pregnant! That is a staggering figure. Act Now! Chemicals MUST be tested before being allowed into your home. >> PBDEs are found in sofas, fabrics, electronics, drapes and plastics -- many items that remain in your home for years. The offending PBDEs are set to be phased out of use in 2013, but why were they allowed to be used in the first place? It is a disgrace to allow chemicals to be used that are not properly tested and proven to have no negative affect on human health. For years PBDEs have been present in our homes, and now we learn that they are affecting fertility - this has to stop. Stop the cycle of poorly tested products. Insist that the EPA properly test new flame-retardant chemicals BEFORE they allow them to be distributed. Act now! >> Thank you for taking action.
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Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Household chemicals linked to reduced fertility
In a study published today, a decreased likelihood of pregnancy is linked to flame-retardant chemicals in foam furniture, electronics, fabrics and more. Californians may have higher exposures compared with residents of other states.
Wellness Starts with Good Eats!
One of the things I really like to do is cook! Afterall, wellness is all about and starts with good eating!
I have my favorite food websites and recently I discovered the Chow website. I particularly love the short videos with tips on how to do stuff that any cook, no matter how experienced, will find particularly helpful.
For example, did you know that storing a cut avocado with chopped onions will keep the avocado from browning? Well, now you know!
Visit the Chow website to learn more: http://www.chow.com/
I have my favorite food websites and recently I discovered the Chow website. I particularly love the short videos with tips on how to do stuff that any cook, no matter how experienced, will find particularly helpful.
For example, did you know that storing a cut avocado with chopped onions will keep the avocado from browning? Well, now you know!
Visit the Chow website to learn more: http://www.chow.com/
Eye on Haiti and back to my focus on wellness matters!
Hello all,
The past week has been an incredible experience for me. Due to the tremendous amount of pain that I tend to internalize regarding disasters, I decided to remain detached from the Haiti tragedy so that I would not suffer from the inevitable post-traumatic stress syndrome. Wrong number -- not for long!
An article regarding comments made by a certain preacher regarding the Haitians got me out of detachment mode. Being the history buff that I am, I researched Haiti's history to have a better understanding of the endemic poverty of Haitians and this island nation that has suffered for so long.
For the first time ever, I have a better understanding of Haiti -- the first independent black nation in the Western Hemisphere. A nation of mostly poor but proud people with a rich history based on a quest for freedom, liberty, equality and racial justice.
While watching the CNN news report on Haiti, I noticed that survivors had camped at a central park in Port-au-Prince which whatever little possessions they had left. People at the park appeared to be calm despite the trauma that they had just been through. I noticed a lot of youth roaming about aimlessly, and I could not help thinking that this was probably the calm before the storm! I also noticed the lack of sanitation facilities and this raised an alarm in my mind so I decided to get involved.
I contacted my Ecosanres Yahoo Discussion Group to determine the disaster relief procedures are in place in the event of disasters; and to find out the possibility of training Haitians to install Ecosan dry toilets. I was connected with Prof. Dr-Ing. Ralf Otterpohl, a professor of civil engineering and wastewater management expert at Technische Universität Hamburg-Harburg, Germany who immediately connected me with one of Engineers Without Borders students Andrew Larssen, who is based in Salt Lake City. Andrew contacted me immediately, connected me to Permaculture-Haiti -- a group that was put together to coordinate Permaculture's relief and restoration work. We got to work immediately to contact sanitation experts that could fly to Haiti to teach the Haitians to build and install dry toilets.
Andrew, Rodrigo Silvio -- a sanitation expert from Portugal -- and others left for Haiti last Saturday. We will keep track of their progress and developments through the Permaculture-Haiti website.
Andrew, Rodrigo Silvio -- a sanitation expert from Portugal -- and others left for Haiti last Saturday. We will keep track of their progress and developments through the Permaculture-Haiti website.
Sunday, January 17, 2010
Friday, January 15, 2010
Your Health and the Environment: Protecting Your Piece of the Planet
Think your home is pretty green? Maybe it is. But take a look at the darker corners of your basement, garage, and backyard shed. You'll likely find a miniature toxic waste dump, getting larger by the year.
Americans generate more than 1.5 million tons of hazardous household waste every year. Anything that has a label with the word poison, danger, warning, or caution is considered hazardous household waste and all of them pose potential risks to your health and the environment. If your home is like most, you could easily have 100 pounds of toxic junk lurking in the basement, garage, and closets.
More Lawn and Garden Tips
Biting Bugs
See More Rooms
© 2009 WebMD, LLC. All rights reserved.
When it's time for the next cleaning (spring or otherwise), do it in a way that makes your home and the environment safer, says Kathy Shay, water quality education manager for Austin, Texas and its Grow Green program. "Your home has its own environmental protection agency, and it's you," says Shay. "There are dozens of ways you can go a little greener at home that are simple, but also powerful."
Go Green: Plan, Don't Just Pitch It
In a garage overpopulated by cans of crusty paint, sludged oil, half-full pesticide sprayers, and cemented caulk tubes, the solution can seem easy. Put them down the storm drain or into the trash bin -- anything to be rid of the stuff.
Experts warn against ever pouring suspect chemicals down the drain, into storm sewers, or backyard dirt. "A single can of oil can travel through acres of soil," says Paul McRandle, deputy editor for National Geographic's Green Guide. "And water treatment plants aren't set up to process petrochemicals. They end up in the water, in the fish -- and eventually back on your plate."
Read more:
Improving your Home's Health
Be sure to share this interactive graphic tool of a home with embedded videos that helps you to understand better and determine how you can make your home healthier, less toxic and cleaner.
Tip: Click on the orange balls to activate the videos and click on the links to repeat segments.
This content is from an educational collaboration between WebMD Editorial and Healthy Child Healthy World.
Click on the link to learn more: WebMD --Health eHome
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
New Sustainable Wellness Business Website!
I am pleased to announce the launch of our new Sustainable Wellness Business. The website will serve primarily for the purpose of lead generation for the referral marketing business. We will use the tools available at the company website for live presentations and managing the business. I am excited about the possibilities and look forward to the opportunity to work with people who are interested in pursuing their personal and financial goals and want the freedom to achieve their dreams. Join me and let's make it happen!
Make Mine a $ Million Business - Webinar Reminders
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Upcoming Webinars
Wednesday January 27, 2010: Start With Why
with Count Me In Expert Simon Sinek, renowned Leadership Expert and Author of Start With Why.
with Count Me In Expert Simon Sinek, renowned Leadership Expert and Author of Start With Why.
Wednesday February 3, 2010: Steps to Attracting Financing with Count Me In Experts Mary Beth Shewan and Bill Dueease.
Wednesday February 10, 2010: Sell to the Choir with the Founder and Leader of Maverick & Company, Alecia Huck.
Saturday, January 9, 2010
January 4-10 is Folic Acid Awareness Week: Did you take your folic acid today?
January 4–10 is National Folic Acid Awareness Week. CDC urges every woman who could become pregnant to get 400 micrograms (400 mcg) of folic acid every day.
There are 3,000 pregnancies affected by spina bifida or anencephaly, which are neural tube defects caused by the incomplete development of the brain and spinal cord. If women take 400 mcg of folic acid daily, before and during pregnancy, they can help reduce their risk of having a pregnancy affected by a neural tube by up to 70%.
What is folic acid?
Folic acid is a B vitamin. Our bodies use it to make new cells and can help prevent serious birth defects of the brain and the spine. If a woman has enough folic acid in her body before she is pregnant, it can help prevent serious birth defects of her baby's brain and spine. These birth defects are neural tube defects or NTDs. Women need to take folic acid every day, starting before they are pregnant to help prevent NTDs.
Source: Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) -- www.cdc.gov
Friday, January 8, 2010
Antioxidants and Cancer Prevention: Fact Sheet
Key Points
- Antioxidants protect cells from damage caused by unstable molecules known as free radicals (see Questions 1 and 3).
- Laboratory and animal research have shown that antioxidants help prevent the free radical damage that is associated with cancer. However, results from recent studies in people (clinical trials) are not consistent (see Question 2).
- Antioxidants are provided by a healthy diet that includes a variety of fruits and vegetables (see Question 4).
- What are antioxidants? Antioxidants are substances that may protect cells from the damage caused by unstable molecules known as free radicals. Free radical damage may lead to cancer. Antioxidants interact with and stabilize free radicals and may prevent some of the damage free radicals might otherwise cause. Examples of antioxidants include beta-carotene, lycopene, vitamins C, E, and A, and other substances.
- Can antioxidants prevent cancer? Considerable laboratory evidence from chemical, cell culture, and animal studies indicates that antioxidants may slow or possibly prevent the development of cancer. However, information from recent clinical trials is less clear. In recent years, large-scale, randomized clinical trials reached inconsistent conclusions.
- What was shown in previously published large-scale clinical trials? Five large-scale clinical trials published in the 1990s reached differing conclusions about the effect of antioxidants on cancer. The studies examined the effect of beta-carotene and other antioxidants on cancer in different patient groups. However, beta-carotene appeared to have different effects depending upon the patient population. The conclusions of each study are summarized below.
- The first large randomized trial on antioxidants and cancer risk was the Chinese Cancer Prevention Study, published in 1993. This trial investigated the effect of a combination of beta-carotene, vitamin E, and selenium on cancer in healthy Chinese men and women at high risk for gastric cancer. The study showed a combination of beta-carotene, vitamin E, and selenium significantly reduced incidence of both gastric cancer and cancer overall (1).
- A 1994 cancer prevention study entitled the Alpha-Tocopherol (vitamin E)/ Beta-Carotene Cancer Prevention Study (ATBC) demonstrated that lung cancer rates of Finnish male smokers increased significantly with beta-carotene and were not affected by vitamin E (2).
- Another 1994 study, the Beta-Carotene and Retinol (vitamin A) Efficacy Trial (CARET), also demonstrated a possible increase in lung cancer associated with antioxidants (3).
- The 1996 Physicians’ Health Study I (PHS) found no change in cancer rates associated with beta-carotene and aspirin taken by U.S. male physicians (4).
- The 1999 Women's Health Study (WHS) tested effects of vitamin E and beta-carotene in the prevention of cancer and cardiovascular disease among women age 45 years or older. Among apparently healthy women, there was no benefit or harm from beta-carotene supplementation. Investigation of the effect of vitamin E is ongoing (5).
- Are antioxidants under investigation in current large-scale clinical trials? Three large-scale clinical trials continue to investigate the effect of antioxidants on cancer. The objective of each of these studies is described below. More information about clinical trials can be obtained using http://www.cancer.gov/clinicaltrials, http://www.clinicaltrials.gov, or the CRISP database at http://crisp.cit.nih.gov/ on the Internet.
- The Women’s Health Study (WHS) is currently evaluating the effect of vitamin E in the primary prevention of cancer among U.S. female health professionals age 45 and older. The WHS is expected to conclude in August 2004.
- The Selenium and Vitamin E Cancer Prevention Trial (SELECT) is taking place in the United States, Puerto Rico, and Canada. SELECT is trying to find out if taking selenium and/or vitamin E supplements can prevent prostate cancer in men age 50 or older. The SELECT trial is expected to stop recruiting patients in May 2006.
- The Physicians' Health Study II (PHS II) is a follow up to the earlier clinical trial by the same name. The study is investigating the effects of vitamin E, C, and multivitamins on prostate cancer and total cancer incidence. The PHS II is expected to conclude in August 2007.
- Will the National Cancer Institute (NCI) continue to investigate the effect of beta-carotene on cancer? Given the unexpected results of ATBC and CARET, and the finding of no effect of beta-carotene in the PHS and WHS, NCI will follow the people who participated in these studies and will examine the long-term health effects of beta-carotene supplements. Post-trial follow-up has already been funded by NCI for CARET, ATBC, the Chinese Cancer Prevention Study, and the two smaller trials of skin cancer and colon polyps. Post-trial follow-up results have been published for ATBC, and as of July 2004 are in press for CARET and are in progress for the Chinese Cancer Prevention Study.
- How might antioxidants prevent cancer? Antioxidants neutralize free radicals as the natural by-product of normal cell processes. Free radicals are molecules with incomplete electron shells which make them more chemically reactive than those with complete electron shells. Exposure to various environmental factors, including tobacco smoke and radiation, can also lead to free radical formation. In humans, the most common form of free radicals is oxygen. When an oxygen molecule (O2) becomes electrically charged or “radicalized” it tries to steal electrons from other molecules, causing damage to the DNA and other molecules. Over time, such damage may become irreversible and lead to disease including cancer. Antioxidants are often described as “mopping up” free radicals, meaning they neutralize the electrical charge and prevent the free radical from taking electrons from other molecules.
- Which foods are rich in antioxidants? Antioxidants are abundant in fruits and vegetables, as well as in other foods including nuts, grains, and some meats, poultry, and fish. The list below describes food sources of common antioxidants.
- Beta-carotene is found in many foods that are orange in color, including sweet potatoes, carrots, cantaloupe, squash, apricots, pumpkin, and mangos. Some green, leafy vegetables, including collard greens, spinach, and kale, are also rich in beta-carotene.
- Lutein, best known for its association with healthy eyes, is abundant in green, leafy vegetables such as collard greens, spinach, and kale.
- Lycopene is a potent antioxidant found in tomatoes, watermelon, guava, papaya, apricots, pink grapefruit, blood oranges, and other foods. Estimates suggest 85 percent of American dietary intake of lycopene comes from tomatoes and tomato products.
Read more:
http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/prevention/antioxidantsSource: National Cancer Institute -- www.cancer.gov
High Blood Cholesterol: What You Need To Know
If you have questions about cholesterol -- what it is, why it is important, etc. -- the article below from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health and National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute answers your questions.
Read more:
National Institutes of Health
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
NIH Publication No. 05-3290
Originally printed May 2001
Revised June 2005
- Why Is Cholesterol Important?
- How Does Cholesterol Cause Heart Disease?
- What Do Your Cholesterol Numbers Mean?
- What Affects Cholesterol Levels?
- What Is Your Risk of Developing Heart Disease or Having a Heart Attack?
- Treating High Cholesterol
- Lowering Cholesterol With Therapeutic Lifestyle Changes (TLC)
- Drug Treatment
- Resources
Your blood cholesterol level has a lot to do with your chances of getting heart disease. High blood cholesterol is one of the major risk factors for heart disease. A risk factor is a condition that increases your chance of getting a disease. In fact, the higher your blood cholesterol level, the greater your risk for developing heart disease or having a heart attack. Heart disease is the number one killer of women and men in the United States. Each year, more than a million Americans have heart attacks, and about a half million people die from heart disease.
When there is too much cholesterol (a fat-like substance) in your blood, it builds up in the walls of your arteries. Over time, this buildup causes "hardening of the arteries" so that arteries become narrowed and blood flow to the heart is slowed down or blocked. The blood carries oxygen to the heart, and if enough blood and oxygen cannot reach your heart, you may suffer chest pain. If the blood supply to a portion of the heart is completely cut off by a blockage, the result is a heart attack.
High blood cholesterol itself does not cause symptoms, so many people are unaware that their cholesterol level is too high. It is important to find out what your cholesterol numbers are because lowering cholesterol levels that are too high lessens the risk for developing heart disease and reduces the chance of a heart attack or dying of heart disease, even if you already have it. Cholesterol lowering is important for everyone--younger, middle age, and older adults; women and men; and people with or without heart disease.
Everyone age 20 and older should have their cholesterol measured at least once every 5 years. It is best to have a blood test called a "lipoprotein profile" to find out your cholesterol numbers. This blood test is done after a 9- to 12-hour fast and gives information about your:
http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/heart/chol/wyntk.htm
PDF Version: http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/heart/chol/wyntk.pdf
PDF Version: http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/heart/chol/wyntk.pdf
Source:
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICESNational Institutes of Health
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
NIH Publication No. 05-3290
Originally printed May 2001
Revised June 2005
Thursday, January 7, 2010
Her Guide to a Heart Attack: Recognizing Female Heart Attack Symptoms
Reviewed by Louise Chang, MD
On a Monday morning in April, Merle Rose, a New Jersey woman, experienced what some doctors call "female heart attack symptoms;" a feeling of indigestion and extreme fatigue. Later, she had nausea, vomiting and fainting.
But she never had chest pain-a "typical" male heart attack sign. When she got to the emergency room, doctors couldn't find any sign of heart attack and Rose says, "They would have sent me home."
As Rose's experience shows, many doctors-and women themselves--still don't realize that female heart attack symptoms can look very different than those of men. In fact, according to a study of women's early heart attack signs published in Circulation, women have more unrecognized heart attacks than men and are more likely to be, "mistakenly diagnosed and discharged from emergency departments."
In the emergency room, physicians had assumed she had a gastrointestinal illness. But at the time, no one told Rose that she had suffered a heart attack.
When an outside cardiologist recommended by Rose's regular doctor ordered testing that uncovered major blockages, doctors still made no mention of heart attack, she says.
So when did she finally get word? Not until several months later, when she visited a new female cardiologist. This doctor told her in retrospect that she had suffered a textbook case of undiagnosed female heart attack.
"That's the first I ever heard," Rose says. "This doctor told me, 'They didn't connect the dots.'"
Female Heart Attack Symptoms: What are They?
These chest-related heart attack signs often appear in men, and many women get them, too:- Pressure, fullness or a squeezing pain in the center of the chest, which may spread to the neck, shoulder or jaw;
- Chest discomfort with lightheadedness, fainting, sweating, nausea or shortness of breath;
Source: http://www.webmd.com/heart-disease/features/her-guide-to-a-heart-attack
Facts -- Leading Causes of Death in the US!
(Data are for the U.S.)
Number of deaths for leading causes of death
- Heart disease: 631,636
- Cancer: 559,888
- Stroke (cerebrovascular diseases): 137,119
- Chronic lower respiratory diseases: 124,583
- Accidents (unintentional injuries): 121,599
- Diabetes: 72,449
- Alzheimer's disease: 72,432
- Influenza and Pneumonia: 56,326
- Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome, and nephrosis: 45,344
- Septicemia: 34,234
Sunday, January 3, 2010
Resources Available to Help You Grow Your Business!
One of the resources available for building your wellness business is RM Barry Publications which provides extremely useful information and materials that will help you to grow a successful wellness business.
Here is a representative extract from a recent article on grape seed extract -- one of the ingredients in a line of supplements. RM Barry believes that an educated consumer becomes a faithful customer.
Knowing that Grape Seed Extract (GSE) is recommended as an antioxidant from major universities and research houses will help you be secure in explaining its benefits to your customers.
Here is a white paper all about Grape Seed Extract from the University of Maryland. It explains how the seed helps in conditions such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, pancreatitis, and cancer.
For more information, visit the RM Barry Publications blog and sign up for the newsletter.
Read more:
http://rmbarry.com/blog/
Here is a representative extract from a recent article on grape seed extract -- one of the ingredients in a line of supplements. RM Barry believes that an educated consumer becomes a faithful customer.
Knowing that Grape Seed Extract (GSE) is recommended as an antioxidant from major universities and research houses will help you be secure in explaining its benefits to your customers.
Here is a white paper all about Grape Seed Extract from the University of Maryland. It explains how the seed helps in conditions such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, pancreatitis, and cancer.
For more information, visit the RM Barry Publications blog and sign up for the newsletter.
Read more:
http://rmbarry.com/blog/
How to Evaluate a Home Based Business Opportunity
October 15, 2007 by Zig Noda
When Looking at a Home Based Business You Need to Consider These Factors
There are so many companies online now days that offer home based business opportunities. There are several things to look for when thinking about joining a home based business opportunity.
The very first thing you should look for is contact information. Does the website have a contact link or any contact information for the corporate office? Is there a street address and a phone number that you can call?
Anyone can hide behind a website now days. If the company does not offer a phone number it probably means that they don't want to handle any phone calls or answer any questions. Remember you are going to a partnership with these people. Do you want to be in business with a company or with a person you can't even call?
Also lack of a physical or mailing address probably means that they are hiding something. Why would they not want to receive mail? Most likely when a business opportunity website fails to have a corporate address it means that they don't want to be bothered by anyone including mail from government authorities. Ask yourself why would that be?
Read more:
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/406847/how_to_evaluate_a_home_based_business.html?cat=3
When Looking at a Home Based Business You Need to Consider These Factors
There are so many companies online now days that offer home based business opportunities. There are several things to look for when thinking about joining a home based business opportunity.
The very first thing you should look for is contact information. Does the website have a contact link or any contact information for the corporate office? Is there a street address and a phone number that you can call?
Anyone can hide behind a website now days. If the company does not offer a phone number it probably means that they don't want to handle any phone calls or answer any questions. Remember you are going to a partnership with these people. Do you want to be in business with a company or with a person you can't even call?
Also lack of a physical or mailing address probably means that they are hiding something. Why would they not want to receive mail? Most likely when a business opportunity website fails to have a corporate address it means that they don't want to be bothered by anyone including mail from government authorities. Ask yourself why would that be?
Read more:
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/406847/how_to_evaluate_a_home_based_business.html?cat=3
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