I was wrong!

I started to write about foods that naturally reduce inflammation and was led (yes - I believe guided) to information that pretty much rocked my safe little world.

For years I have been touting the benefits of drinking RO (reverse osmosis) water because it was the only think I knew of that could eliminate all the toxins including fluoride from drinking water. I later learned that the ph level of RO water was very low (acidic) so we started adding liquid minerals to our drinking water and recommended that friends do the same.

Today I was led to article after article, including one by the WHO, proclaiming the dangers of drinking demineralized water. It is extremely acidic, absorbs carbon dioxide and leaches minerals out of your body as you drink it. In fact, your body contributes so much calcium, magnesium and potassium in an effort to alkalize the water that osteoporosis, osteoarthritis, gout, thyroid disease and heart disease can all result from drinking this water.

I thought adding mineral drops to the water would take care of this, but studies have shown this not to be true. After years of doing just that, RO water drinkers who added minerals were still more deficient in minerals than others who drank tap water.

I still believe that drinking unfiltered tap water is dangerous and there are many studies out the to prove that point. For now we are switching to the Shaklee Water Pitcher  This pitcher takes out way more contaminants than any of the other water filtration pitchers we looked at.  If you don't know a Shaklee consultant, contact me - I know several.

There - I feel a little better now. Please share this information with people you care about. We are all learning as we go and I will let you know new information as soon as I find it.

Be well always,
Mary

Some information taken from the following sources:
Winston W. J. Kao 727-447-2344 or info@gobeyondorganic.com

http://shop.snyderhealth.com/product_info.php?product=alkalife-alkaline-booster-drops&category=ph-booster-drops-alkalife&osCsid=940ecec3410f5c95237c844e5a61523b

http://www.snyderhealth.com/water_ionizers/distilled_and_reverse_osmosis_water.html

Foods That Make You Happy

Summer is usually a happier time especially in this northern climate because the sunshine is so full of Vitamin D3 for us. However, if you are having a bad day, you might be tempted to turn to food for comfort.  Guess what - there are foods that will actually help you to feel better fast - maybe even keep the bad days away. 

1. Bananas - Loaded with potassium, these sweet, creamy treats are so good and healthy, you'll want to eat them every day. They contain tryptophan that the body converts to serotonin - the feel-good hormone. 

2. Nuts (especially walnuts) - Packed with Omega 3's, protein and minerals, they could help short-circuit depression. try rolling slices of banana in chopped nuts for a mood-altering, delicious treat. 

3. Chocolate - Yup - you know you love it and now you know that chocolate contains anadamine that scientists say is a brain chemical that boosts your mood. OK - I'm seeing frozen banana slices dipped in chocolate and rolled in chopped nuts. YUM! I'm happier already. 

4. Coffee - Again science proves that the energy-boosting drink we love can actually boost our mood as well as our memory. It improves attention, concentration and reaction time too. Add a little milk and the calcium to calm your nerves and it's even better. Are you with me here? Nothing like creamy cappuccino to go with those cool bananas.  Moderation is key - one to two cups a day. 

5. Fish (salmon, tuna) - Again the Omega 3's are responsible for mood boosting here. You'll also get lots of B6 and B12 that are used in the production of serotonin so aim for 2-3 servings a week to keep your feel-good mood. 
6. Broccoli and Spinach - Yum! Raw or cooked these greens and many others give you a power house of B vitamins, minerals and much more. The B vitamin Folic Acid is especially important for production of serotonin and reduction of stress. 
7. Blueberries and Strawberries - loaded with Vitamin C and fiber, these yummy summer fruits help combat stress, fight free radicals and keep away tummy troubles. Eat up. 
8. Beans - Round out the menu with a variety of beans because their fiber, Omega 3's and folic acid will fill you up, help you lose weight and boost your mood at the same time. 


So when you're having a bad day, don't feel guilty about indulging in a healthy, delicious treat. Just remember to use moderation, drink lots of pure water and BREATHE. Actually breathing should be your first go-to for grounding yourself and lightening your mood. It works every time. 


Be well always,
Mary

So tired of being tired

Everyone is talking about being exhausted all the time. Life is so crazy and we are stressed to the max! We don't take time off - can't afford to.  We don't get enough sleep - can't afford to. We don't always eat right - can't afford to? Or can't afford the time?  So what is the answer in this crazy, extreme life we created?

First of all, even if all of the above is true, a different perspective is needed here. We feel we can't afford the time, cost, energy, whatever to treat our bodies well. Here is the truth. We really can not afford not to. 

We all have these two little adrenal glands that help us deal with stress. Going back to the beginning of the human race these glands have allowed us to deal with extreme stress and survive. Here comes a lion - I need to run or fight like crazy. Extreme rush of adrenalin to give me super-human strength so I can survive. Afterwards I crash from all of that exertion and excess adrenalin, but that's OK because I am safe now so I rest and restore my body before the next trial. 

Jump to today - here comes the boss - say the right thing, have all the work done, make sure it's super-fantastic so I don't lose my job so I can keep my house and feed my family. Phone is ringing, emails need to be answered, need to take work home with me, need to work late into the night and get up early for a morning meeting - need caffeine to look like I'm awake - no time to rest - no time to restore my body - just keep pushing. . . . . . 

Wow! Your body is saying "Really?!?? You want me to do that again?!?!? When do I get to rest?"

Guess what - when your adrenal glands are exhausted they can stop producing adrenalin - that 'fight or flight' hormone that keeps you going at high-stress levels. What happens then is a system crash that will force you to either stop everything or use major drugs to keep going. Yuck! 

We need to make some changes as the best forward-thinking companies recognize. Some are incorporating yoga classes on site. Others are making time for Meditation or even mid-afternoon naps. If you have not tried the 15 minute nap, please do! It's amazing how that tiny bit of time can calm your nerves, reduce your stress and make you more alert and productive. 

Stress-free eating helps too. Avoid sugar and caffeine for starters. Add more fruits and veggies or if that doesn't seem appealing or possible, add one of the great whole-food, organic, cold-processed products that will give you your fruits and veggies in a quick shake. Two I recommend are Body Balance and Natraburst. I use them both. 

Stay hydrated - try for half your weight in ounces of water daily. (ex. you weight 160, drink 80 oz). 

MOST IMPORTANTLY - BREATHE! 

Remind yourself to take deep belly breaths whenever you can. Take a 5 minute break and just breathe as deeply as you can. You will be amazed at the results - more energy instantly, better sleep, weight loss, better health, better complexion, etc. 

This is the only body you get this time around. It needs your love and attention. We all need you to take care of yourself so you can be here for a while and share your wonderful gifts. 

Be well always,

Mary

More on adrenal fatigue...

http://www.adrenalfatigue.org/what-is-adrenal-fatigue

One in every 88 boys diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

This is the latest shocking statistic. Maybe we are more hyper-aware than 20 years ago - but ASD is not normal, and we should be outraged by this statistic! 

The evidence points to Toxic Overload which is damaging their fragile genetic structure. Immunizations have been identified as one source of toxins, but they are everywhere. Our environment is overflowing with toxins - so much so that poisonous toxins are even found in mother's milk and the umbilical chords of newborns. 

As a parent, you may be panicking right now.  Yes - we want you to be aware - we want you to get angry - so angry that you'll help us make changes. We need to shut down the sources of this toxic pollution. We all know about air pollution from factories and vehicles. However, the greatest threat to our health and that of our children today comes from our food. 

The survival of every cell in our body depends on good, wholesome nutrition. Vegetables and fruits every color of the rainbow, nuts, seeds, natural whole grains, naturally raised and healthy animals and fish all have important roles in cell nourishment. But natural, healthy sources of these foods are getting harder to find. Why? Because we douse our foods with pesticides, herbicides, and more. We feed our animals these toxic foods and raise them in unhealthy conditions creating animals plagued by disease and filled with stress hormones. 

Our precious water - that which makes up over 70% of our body - is so toxic that we must filter it and add more chemicals to make it "safe" to drink. 

My purpose is not to completely depress you. I am here to tell you that YOU CAN DO SOMETHING about this today. Your body is a remarkable miracle of strength and healing. What it needs to heal itself and cleanse itself of the poisons is beautiful, whole-food nutrition and clean water.  Nothing fortified, pre-packaged, super-sized, deep-fried or instant can feed your body the nutrients it craves. 

So where do you start. 

Pay attention when you shop - read labels.

Buy organic when you can. 

Buy grass fed and free-range beef and poultry. Yes it costs more but you only need 3-5oz a day - less for some. 

Use reverse osmosis water.

Get rid of fluoride toothpaste.

Get rid of cleaning chemicals. 

Use natural soaps, shampoos, cosmetics. 

Probably the most important thing you can do right now - today - is to start feeding you body something everyday that will supply a mega-serving of super healthy phytonutrients from a whole food source. This will do two things: 

1) your body will start cleansing out the toxins and 

2) your body will have the nutrition it needs to repair and rebuild damaged cells. 

Please don't let anyone tell you that you can get what you need just by eating food. That just isn't true anymore - at least right now. When we have a chance to heal Mother Earth, that may become true again. 

There are many sources of healing nutrition available. I have researched quite a few and found several that I truly believe make a difference. We have seen countless cases of ASD improve and even reverse when young bodies are given healing nutrition.  

I would be happy to tell you more and help you decide where to start. Please contact me at maryslifeforce@gmail.com or call 608-245-9308.  Nothing is impossible. This journey can start today with a single step. Just please start. 

Be well always,

Mary

www.TheJoyofBeingWell.com

Spring Cleaning from the Inside

It’s Spring and time for Spring Cleaning so let’s being with you. When your body is clean, free of the toxins that build up from water, food and air, your energy will improve dramatically. So before you tackle those big Spring cleaning jobs, start with a body cleanse and feel your energy soar.

You’ll want to 'take small steps' so you don’t get frustrated and quit. This process is also a great way to jump-start weight loss


Keep is simple.
Eat smaller, lighter meals full of vegetables.
Eat often - don't let yourself get hungry.

First - look at what you eat on a daily basis. Then pick one food type that you know you should eat less and cut it from you diet. Yes - I said one. Remember we are taking small steps. I want you to see success and feel good about what you have accomplished. So be kind to yourself and start slow. [example - cut sugar, or white flour]

Next - let's give your body something it craves so you don't feel hungry all the time. Vegetables are the key here. "Yuck" you say? They don't have to be bland or mushy. Think crunchy, sweet, delicious - or steamy, roasted, savory, exotic... Go to a store that has great produce like your local food coop or farmer's market and pick up lots of different colored vegetables.

Root Vegetables are great roasted in the oven with olive oil and/or butter and seasonings. They also make great soups and stews. [rutabagas, carrots, yams, sweet potatoes, parsnips, beets, onions, turnips, etc] Try something new - experiment and have fun!

Cruciferous Vegetables are wonderful for their cancer inhibiting properties. They are best eaten cooked because the raw form has a property that can negatively affect thyroid production. So steam them, stir-fry, use in soups or add to your roasted root vegetables.

Arugula, Bok choy, Broccoli, Brussels sprouts,Cabbage, Cauliflower, Chard, Chinese cabbage, Collard greens, Daikon, Kale, Kohlrabi, Mustard greens, Radishes, Rutabagas, Turnips, Watercress, Broccoli Rabe

Salad Vegetables that taste good raw include leafy greens like lettuce, spinach,and kale as well as tomatoes, celery, carrots, peppers, cucumber, radishes, asparagus, etc. Make salads easy and fun by spending some time every few days preparing salad vegetables in advance and storing in the fridge. Wash your veggies well in a mixture of cold water and vinegar. Then rinse thoroughly. Store greens wrapped in a clean towel then in a plastic container (I use a sweater box) in the fridge. Chop celery, carrots, peppers, etc and store in separate containers so all you have to do is grab a few containers and throw a great salad together.

Keep toppings fresh and healthy too. Olive oil, fresh lemon juice and seasonings is a wonderful dressing. Yogurt, honey and mustard is another favorite. Sunflower seeds, walnuts, almonds or pecans add crunch without the fat of croutons. Avoid prepared dressings, dried fruits, imitation bacon bits, or other canned toppings. Keep it fresh and simple.

Drinking Your Veggies -
For the fastest detox you'll want to Juice your vegetables. There is so much information out there on the benefits of juicing that I won't go into it here. I do recommend the Jack Lalanne Power Juicer for the best value. Carrots, beets, celery, cucumbers and organic apples yield some of the most healing and detoxing juices. Mix them all together or drink separately - experiment and have fun.

If you eat vegetables all day for a few days, your body will thank you. On day 4 add some protein - just keep it healthy and start slow (3 oz with one meal). Day 5 add some grains - maybe oatmeal with rice milk for breakfast, some rice cakes with soup for lunch or brown rice with stir fry for dinner.

I think you'll find that this is much easier than you thought. The food tastes great and you really could live this way. Now you'll have the energy you need for the Spring chores and all the summer fun.

Be well always ~
Mary
www.thejoyofbeingwell.com, maryslifeforce@gmail.com,

Brown Fat - Do You Want It?

I learned something today. Love when that happens. I was amazed to discover that Brown Fat is actually good fat! I thought it was the opposite. So wrong!
Brown fat - when it's activated - actually melts white fat. WOW! Scientists have discovered that we all have some brown fat - we were born with it. However some lucky people have more brown fat than others and they are usually the trim folks.

"Brown fat burns energy to generate heat. It is perhaps best known for keeping babies warm, but scientists have now realized that adults do retain active brown fat. We can be made to produce more brown fat through exposure to cold or activation of the sympathetic nervous system. The new study suggests a more engaging environment is another, perhaps more effective path to increasing brown fat."
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/09/110906121242.htm

Studies have been done with mice that seem to prove you can create more brown fat and thus lose more white fat by being socially active. In other words get off your butt and get out there - meet people, go shopping, go dancing, go to coffee shops, take classes, join groups. You get the idea.

Further study indicates that people with higher levels of brown fat are overall healthier.  "(Researchers) found a direct correlation between the activation of brown adipose tissue and metabolic measures that indicate the presence or absence of good health," NIH researcher Francesco S. Celi, MD, writes in an editorial accompanying the studies.  http://www.webmd.com/diet/news/20090407/can-brown-fat-make-you-thin

What a great recipe for losing weight. Grab your sweetie or some friends and go have some fun. Be social. Be active. Create more brown fat and watch the white fat melt away. Awesome!

Be well always,
Mary
www.Thejoyofbeingwell.com

Protecting Yourself from EMF's

EMF's or Electro-Magnetic Frequencies are the energy transmission frequencies found in power lines, Cell Phones, all wireless devices, home wiring, airport and military radar, substations, transformers, computers and appliances.

"In his autobiography Going Somewhere Andrew Marino PhD., J.D. recounts this contentious 40-year history from the intimate perspective of a key participant, concluding that EMFs, which invariably cause changes in brain waves, can ultimately affect the immune system and lead to a wide variety of disease states."

When I do my clearing work with clients, EMF's almost always come up as a problem that needs to be cleared.  When I clear the energy in homes, again I find EMF's are everywhere often leading to problems with sleep, eating, moods and behaviors especially in young children who are so susceptible. 


So I'm excited to tell you about GIA Wellness. They have a unique technology that helps protect you and your family from these dangerous EMF's. My favorite product is a plug-in EMF disruptor called the Harmonizer. It nutralizes EMF's in a 60 sq.ft. area from computers, wiring, cell phones, wireless land line phones, microwaves, etc. People report

•  Feeling less stressed, more focused and more energized in the home and office
•  A positive behavioral change in family and even pets
• Much improved sleep

You can read about the Harmonizer, the cell phone disk, products for your computer and even beautiful disks you can wear at this site.

As always, I wish you well and I'm here to help.

Mary
www.thejoyofbeingwell.com