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Monday, November 27, 2017

The Human Body’s Cry for Water


What Could Your Nagging Aches and Pains Be Saying to You?

You’ve probably heard that your body is 70-75% water. But what does that mean? For every 100 pounds of you, 70 pounds is WATER. If you were a 10-slice pie, 7 pieces of you would be WATER!

Think about what happens to a plant that isn’t watered or is cut off from a source of water… It shrivels up and dies!

Water is the most essential nutrient that your body needs to be able to function optimally, deliver to your cells what they need and flush out what isn’t needed. Many of us deny our bodies of proper hydration on a regular basis. When you lack the water you need, your body goes into rationing mode. Your most important organs (brain, heart, lungs, liver and kidneys) get the rations they need and the rest of the body gets whatever is left.
Some conditions that are often the result of dehydration are joint pain and arthritis, high blood pressure, digestion problems, asthma, headaches and migraines, neurological diseases and depression, just to name a few. 

Water is a miracle cure. Most people walk around mildly dehydrated and have many nagging symptoms to show for it. News flash: You don't have a Tylenol, Advil, Prozac, soda or caffeine deficiency. Treat symptoms first with WATER. 

Here are just a few things water does: 
-regulates body temperature
-transports nutrients and oxygen to cells 
-removes waste
-cushions joints 
-protects organs and tissues  
-increases the efficiency of the immune system
-prevents clogged arteries
-regulates hormone production that affects mood, attention and sleeping patterns
-Helps prevent memory loss
-Causes skin to appear smoother
-reduces inflammation 
-slows the affects of aging

Last but not least of all, water helps manage weight! In a dehydrated state your body secretes a hormone called aldosterone which causes water retention. It's like storing for survival mode. When you drink the water your body has been needing, it releases these stores and causes you to lose water weight! Use this calculation to find out how much you should be drinking: half your body weight in ounces plus 8oz for each half hour of high intensity exercise or 1 hour of low intensity.

So go grab a glass and fill it up with the good stuff - pure, clean, filtered water! Keep track of how much you’re drinking and let us know the difference you feel once you’re rehydrated!

Tuesday, November 14, 2017

What to know About Essential Oils That No One is Telling You



With the growing world of essentials oils we now have the power of aromatherapy at our fingertips.  Companies such as Young Living and DoTerra have opened our eyes to see the benefits of the use of this rich resource. But are they telling you everything you need to know? Essential oils can do more harm than good when not paired with the correct knowledge. 

Did you know, for example...
  • Not all oils are okay for women in their first trimester.
  • Internal usage of essential oils is not recommended. Be aware that every person reacts differently to herbs. You will be taking a great risk by adding this extremely concentrated herb oil to your diet.
  • Therapeutic Oils are not regulated.  The name “therapeutic oil” is a marketing ploy. It causes the consumer to make assumptions about its quality.  However, the essential oil industry is not regulated by third parties and therefore no such title actually exists.  A grading system, quite frankly,  does not exist for the essential oil industry. 
  • Certified Organic is best when it comes to oils. This is the only current means we have to know to certain that the product is grown without  the use of GMOs and synthetic pesticides/insecticides.
  • Those with heart conditions such as high blood pressure will need to stay away from some oils that can be considered stimulants.
  • Do you have sensitive skin? Be careful when using most oils. Since they are concentrated, oils are meant to be used with carrier oils or some not at all in situations where sensitive skin can be irritated. Severe burns have occurred because of improper usage.
  • Animals, such a your sweet dog, Rover, can be extremely sensitive to oils.  Do not assume because it is safe for you it is safe for your pets.

Before you start adding oils to your daily routine or recommending them for others, please do your research and seek the advice of a holistic practitioner or certified aromatherapist. Seek out local classes that are not affiliated with a certain brand of essential oils but are geared towards education and providing information on the oils themselves. 



Additional Resources:

Non-regulated (which is both good and bad) https://www.fda.gov/Cosmetics/ProductsIngredients/Products/ucm127054.htm

http://naha.org/assets/uploads/The_Quality_of_Essential_Oils_Journal.pdf

List of oils that may not be safe for pets
http://allnaturalpetcare.com/blog/2013/12/05/30-essential-oils-may-safe-pets/

Dermal irritants (skin sensitivity) and pregnancy safety 
http://naha.org/explore-aromatherapy/safety/