Healthy Homes e-News from March 2007

Greetings! I’m sitting on my couch in the living room, soaking up the sun. We’ve seen too little of it recently and I need a “sun fix!” I’m also enjoying the quiet house – three of my children are sleeping and the fourth is doing his homework. I’ve learned to savor these moments. They seem to come less and less often as my children are growing older.

I want to acknowledge a friend of mine, Mary Hill. She’s taken the initiative to ask if we can collaborate on our monthly newsletter. I’m so happy to have her help in gathering stories and information about how people like you are enjoying the products we sell. We’ll be working together on our newsletters in future months. Thanks Mary!

Children are such a big part of our lives, aren’t they? As parents, grandparents, aunts & uncles and friends, we want what’s best for the children in our lives. My mom gave me the gift of this company's products when I was five – so when I was pregnant with my first child, my first gift to him was this brand of all-natural vitamins instead of synthetic prenatal vitamins.

In this month’s issue, we focus on children:

1. Eco-Friendly House

2. Air Quality affects Infant Health

3. Book Review: The Hundred-Year Lie

4. What Kids Love

5. Best Baby Shower Gifts

6. Current Promotions

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1. Eco-Friendly House

We all want our homes to be a healthy place for us and our families. Unfortunately, some of the products readily available on the market today are full of chemicals that are harmful to our health. These products are “off-gassing” all the time – letting of those chemicals into the air for us and our families to breathe.

Companies are responding to the growing concern about indoor air quality and “off-gassing” by bringing us more products made without these dangerous chemicals. I came across an article recently which gave some examples of eco-friendly products, including paints, furniture and bedding. The last part of the article caught my eye:

CARPETING Studies indicate that a baby crawling across a carpet can inhale the same amount of carcinogenic materials that it would if it had smoked three cigarettes a day. You can change that by vacuuming regularly, using nontoxic cleansers and buying special flooring, like InterfaceFLOR carpet tiles, which you can mix and match for a custom look.

My husband and I decided to replace all the flooring in our house when we moved in. It was not an inexpensive decision, but we knew that with my and our youngest’s allergies, it was the smartest thing to do. We went with laminate flooring – which I’m sure off-gasses some nasty chemicals. It was the best we could do financially, and since we have an AirSource 3000 air purifier, I was confident that the air in our home would be healthy for us all. We did leave the air purifier on for a few days in the house before we moved everything in – to get rid of the paint fumes and the gasses from the laminate flooring.

To make your home more eco-friendly for your family, the first step would be to switch cleaners. Of course, I recommend environmentally-friendly, non-toxic cleaners for safe, effective and economical cleaners. I also highly recommend this air purifier. This purifier is powerful enough to clean the air in your whole house, requires maintenance only once a year, and is quite cost-effective.

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2. Air Quality affects Infant Health

Of course, this article caught my eye! It’s a logical next step after the last article’s comment: “a baby crawling across a carpet can inhale the same amount of carcinogenic materials that it would if it had smoked three cigarettes a day.” Of course, his/her health will be affected.

Here’s the beginning of the article:

Compounds found in air in the home could pose more of a health risk to breast-fed babies than chemicals they are exposed to through their mother's milk, researchers in the United States said.

They found that a nursing infant's exposure to gases known as volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from indoor air was 25-135-fold higher than from breast milk.

"We ought to focus our efforts on reducing indoor air sources of these compounds," said Sungroul Kim of Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health in Baltimore, Maryland.

VOCs are gases emitted from certain solids and fluids such as paints, cleaning supplies, building materials, printers, glues and photographic solutions.

Read the rest of the article here: http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20070213/hl_nm/breastfeeding_toxins_dc

Again, the best thing you can do for your family’s health is invest in this air purifier. To compare it to other air purifiers, click on this link:

http://www.thebestairpurifierinfo.com/recommendairpurifierchart.html

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3. Book Review: The Hundred-Year Lie by Randall Fitzgerald

I would put this book as a must-read for everyone. As a journalist, I’ve been reading lots of different articles (both on- and off-line), and wondering about which one I can trust. I remember enough from my probability and statistics class in high school (!) to know that numbers can be manipulated and to watch sample sizes of studies, etc. However, I don’t have the time to track down all the sources of the articles I read to see if the conclusions drawn are valid, nor do I have the scientific background to understand some of the studies.

Randall Fitzgerald is an investigative journalist who became concerned “for members of (his) family who seemed to be on a slippery slope of health dilemmas” (pg 1). His concern led him down a path of investigating modern food and medical practices.

The book is titled The Hundred-Year Lie based upon the year the US Congress enacted the Pure Food and Drug Act in 1906. It was “a law that for the first time gave Americans the illusion of food and drug safety and provided a legal standard for most other governments of the world to follow” (pg 62).

Throughout his book, Fitzgerald repeatedly emphasizes that we cannot assume the government is looking out for our well-being. We assume that if the chemicals we use daily were bad for us, the government would take them off the market. This is simply not the case.

He takes us through many “Myths We Cherish” and “Disturbing Trends” in America today. I found his book well-written and well-documented. Some authors who approach this type of work get hysterical and dramatic. Fitzgerald avoids such hysteria, calmly laying out studies and statistics.

I have to admit, reading this book made me so thankful for the company I represent. I kept saying to myself, “This is why we need these products! This is why I can trust this company!”

For example, “Today, the vitamin industry is dominated by six pharmaceutical companies that produce about 97-percent of all raw materials for the synthetic vitamins we find on store shelves. Their vitamins are made from coal tars and use artificial colorings, preservatives, disintegrents, coating materials, and other additives” (pg 137). I’m so glad I can say, except this company!

And, “Former Harvard Botanical Museum researcher Andrew Weil laments how in the West, ‘science and medicine have separated themselves from nature and separated us from nature.’ Healing is a natural process, ‘and if you want to understand healing and how to make people better, you must understand the ways of nature.’ ” (pg 177). Which again points me back to the company I represent: “science in harmony with nature.” It has always had whole-food based supplements. The philosophy of their scientists has been, “if it’s in nature, there must be a reason, so we keep it in the final product.”

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4. What Kids Love… and Parents too!

Mary & I both started our children young on this brand of vitamins. We started with this powdered vitamin mix for infants, and as soon as they had molars and could chew (about two years), switched them over to childrens' vitamins. (My first hint that Isaac was ready for the chewables was when he stole his sister’s vitamin, chewed it and swallowed before I could react. Quite frankly I was shocked. However, once the infant mix was done, we immediately switched him to a half-dose of the chewables – he was about 20 months.)

In fact, when I started my older children on this brand of children vitamins, I was able to tell them that these were the same vitamins Mommy had taken as a child. That spoke to me of the consistency and integrity of this company. Since then, they reformulated the children’s vitamins according to the latest research and introduced a reformulated chewable. My children LOVE them.

None of the vitamins do not have any artificial colors or flavors and contain no aspartame.

“After years of searching, I found no other products that match [this company's] uncompromising scientific standard of quality, safety, and efficacy. I do not hesitate to recommend [this brand's] Children's Health products to my patients, family, and friends.”

Dr. Linda Rodriguez - Pediatrician, Mother, and Business Leader

“I was looking for vitamins that would be safe and just right for (my children). So we looked into (this company’s) powder mix which is wonderful… Both of my children use it and we just mix it into their juice and they don't even know the difference. My sister is now giving it to her children also. We love the product and when they outgrow it, we will then use the [chewables]. Keeping [this brand of] products in our family… we LOVE [THEM].”

Katrina M. – Mother and product user

Children also love the company's all-natural, organic toothpaste – and so do I! I love not having to worry about the children swallowing toothpaste with fluoride in it. Have you read the warning sign on toothpaste? “WARNING: Keep out of reach of children under 6 years of age. If YOU (this means anyone, not just the child) accidentally swallow more than used for brushing, seek professional help or contact a poison control center immediately.”

Did you know that the American Dental Association is concerned about the fluoride level in infants?

In a little-noticed but dramatic turnaround, the nation's leading fluoride advocate, The American Dental Association (ADA), issued an alert on November 9, 2006 urging parents to avoid fluoridated water when reconstituting infant formula, warning that "Infants less than one year old may be getting more than the optimal amount of fluoride if their primary source of nutrition is powdered or liquid infant formula mixed with water containing fluoride."

The dentists are worried that fluoride exposure at this age will permanently damage teeth, not protect them. A growing body of research also links fluoride to weakened bones, reduced thyroid activity, and possibly bone cancer in boys.

The advice, however, has gone largely unheeded. Nursery Water, the nation's leading fluoridated water for babies still markets its product nationwide at Wal*Mart and other major retailers.

LINK: No Fluoride for Bottle-Fed Infants

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5. The Best Baby Shower Gift

With all the toxins our children are exposed to in this world, the best gift we can give them is healthy skin. Our skin absorbs whatever is put on it so quickly – don’t we want to make sure what we put on it is safe?

I give this brand of all-natural baby shampoo & bath at every baby shower. I feel confident giving mothers of new babies such a safe product. As with all of this company's products, they combined the power of science with specifically selected natural ingredients that are safe for you and your kids. My children love the lightly fragranced shampoo, and it really cleans them up too. It is completely non-irritating, tear free, pH balanced and biodegradable.

Mary also recommends this creamy baby oil too. “It absorbs faster and is less greasy, contains Vitamin E and allantoin to help soothe tender skin while helping to prevent dryness and irritation. pH balanced for baby’s delicate skin, with no mineral oil or petroleum based ingredients.”

“Thanks you so much for the [all-natural] baby products! I have been using them on Addison every night. It took about a week of shampooing and using the cream on her head, but the cradle cap is all gone. Plus, it’s not greasy at all!

Katie B. – Mother and product user

Healthy Homes eNews from February 2007

Here in Chicago, February greeted us with a very, very cold weather. Our poor heater is having a hard time keeping up – and Glen added more towels and pillows to stop the horrible draft from the front door in the living room.

The children don’t seem to mind. They sat on the floor Sunday night with their food as they watched the SuperBowl with us – the first half anyway. They were so excited the Bears were playing! Last week, everywhere they went, they talked about the Bears with everyone they met. Nathaniel, my 8-year-old, was quite disappointed they lost. Anna, my 7-year-old, responded with, “That’s OK. I was rooting for the Colts anyway.” Since when, Anna?

In this month’s issue:

1. Be Thinner, More Productive

2. Tax Tip

3. Did You Know?

4. Who is Will Steger??

5. “[These products] Saved my Life”

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1. Be Thinner, More Productive (www.abcnews.go.com)

Tired? Much of the nation is, too, and lack of sleep could mean more than just red eyes or grogginess.

50 to 70 million Americans have some type of sleep disorder or chronic under-sleeping that impairs their day-to-day performance.

The typical person needs between eight and eight-and-a-half hours of sleep per night. But Americans now get an average of six-and-a-half hours on weekdays, and the amount of time spent in the sack is on the decline.

Experts say people who cut back on sleep by even a few hours each night will, within a week, be just as impaired as if they had pulled an all-nighter.

As America's sleep deficit grows, so does its waistline.

"When we get an inadequate amount of sleep at night, there are changes in our body's metabolism that almost mimic starvation," Czeisler said. "So, we have carbohydrate cravings and we eat more."

For those trying to shed pounds, one of the most powerful tools may be a pillow.

Another powerful tool is this new healthy weight loss program. It's getting a lot of publicity lately – including TV news reports. You can view one report here. (http://www.azfamily.com/sharedcontent/VideoPlayer/videoPlayer.php?vidId=113108&catId=239) Did you know that losing just a few pounds (10-15) can significantly cut your risk for high blood pressure, diabetes and heart disease? What a delicious, simple way to start taking care of your heart.

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2. Tax Tip

Does your hefty tax bill make your heart sink? Did you know that having your own home-based business is a great tax shelter?

For example, since I am the image of my business, all my clothing, haircuts, skincare and makeup are tax-deductible.

If you’d like to explore the idea of a home-based business, please contact me.

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4. Did You Know?

Astronauts used to regularly pass out when re-entering the earth’s atmosphere from space. NASA approached this company's scientists and asked if there was anything that could help the astronauts.

The scientists did some research and developed AstroAid. When the astronauts drank it, they no longer passed out during re-entry. They still use it today on every space mission.

You can purchase it here. I’ve been enjoying this rehydrating drink as a hot beverage (I combine it with this energizing tea) this week as I’ve been sick. It’s given me energy to take care of my family when all I wanted was my pillow and my bed.

It is also great as a rehydrating drink for sports teams, after working outside a lot, or when you feel lethargic. My kids drink it when they’ve had a stomach flu instead of Pedialyte or something similar.

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5. Who is Will Steger?

Will Steger has been called the Jacque Cousteau of the polar regions. He’s led number of expeditions to the North Pole and the South Pole. He is well-known and well-regarded for his work on global warming.

The company I represent has partnered with Will for 20 years – and is continuing to partner with him as he takes another expedition this month – this time to Baffin Island. His goal is to record the memories and stories of the most remote Inuit tribe leaders to document the effects of global warming. He and his team take off next week.

You can read more about it at www.globalwarming101.com. Sign up for the free newsletter – it has some great information about the preparations underway, and will keep you updated on the progress of the trek once they’re underway.

Are you a teacher, a homeschooler or a concerned parent? You can find lesson plans and activities for grades K-5 at the globalwarming101.com site. A great way to teach geography!

Read more about the company's partnership with Will Steger here.

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6. [These Products] Saved My Life”

I read this testimonial from Susan Mitchell and wanted to share it with you.

A little over a year ago I was unable to focus and was having trouble with my memory. I had no energy and all I did was sleep. I was stressed and exhausted so in order to get going in the morning, I drank coffee...lots of coffee. I was too tired to make a healthy meal for lunch so I ate fast food.

For my afternoon break at work, I ate chocolate candy giving me more caffeine and sugar to run on. When I got home from work, I took a two to three hour nap every day. I got up just long enough to make dinner for my husband. Immediately after dinner, I went to bed and the next day was just like the last. I had deteriorated to the point that was unable to write my own name. I quit my job.

I was afraid to tell anyone what was happening to me. My father passed away from Alzheimer's Disease so while I wasn't sure what was wrong with me, I assumed that I had gotten it as well only at a much earlier age. I figured I'd have to start taking the prescription drug Aricept, which is often prescribed for those with Alzheimer's.

Thankfully, my sister, Karen Reed, started a home-based business and insisted that I try some of the basic nutrition products. I started on the daily strips and a stress reliever. After a few short months, I began to feel better. I added St. John's Wort and I felt even better!

I was a new person less than 6 months after getting started on [this brand of] products. I felt better than I had in years. I was able to concentrate again and my memory and ability to focus improved greatly. I had no idea that good, basic nutrition was so important. Apparently I was completely malnourished. The food I was eating was not giving me what I needed. [This brand of] products gave my body exactly what it needed.

Because the nutrition products helped me so much, I decided to start a business! Feeling better and functioning better helped me regain my confidence. I decided that as soon as the healthy weight loss program was available, I would get started on it.

I am vertically challenged...just over 5 feet tall and like many people I gained a few pounds each year as I aged. A few pounds each year for a few decades turns into 25 pounds and that's a significant weight problem when you're not very tall. I got started on the healthy weight management program as soon as it was available. …

I love all of the products. They are delicious and the system is simple and easy to follow.

I am happy to report that I am at my goal weight and have lost 25 pounds and 27 inches! I feel and look better than I have for years! I feel attractive again and my confidence is at an all time high! I'm smiling a lot! I'm wearing my skinny jeans again and even they're getting baggy! I love [this brand of products]!

I am extremely grateful to my sister for insisting that I try this particular brand of products and I am extremely grateful to the company for being the wonderful company that itis. It sounds a bit extreme but I'm going to say it anyway because it's true... this company saved my life!

Signed,
The New Susan Mitchell

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I want you to know that I appreciate you and that you chose to do business with me. I trust you will have a wonderful February and a Happy Valentine’s Day. Do something today that will make your heart happy!

Healthy Homes e-News for January 2007

Happy New Year! I don’t know about you, but the high activity level, loss of sleep and sugar highs of the holidays have all weakened immune systems in this house. Everyone here is fighting colds – some better than others. It’s made for some rough nights, short tempers and interesting interactions this week as we strive to recover.

Amazingly enough, the thought had occurred to me that this week would be difficult, and many of us would probably be sick, so I had adjusted my expectations. I find myself emotionally doing better than I have in the past when all four children are sick at the same time. It’s amazing to see the role expectations play in my emotional well-being (or lack there-of).

Do you have any New Year’s Resolutions? Perhaps this month’s newsletter will encourage you in your resolutions.

In this month’s newsletter:

1. Resolved: to buy organic when possible
2. Resolved: to lower the toxins in my home
3. Resolved: to evaluate my supplement routine
4. Resolved: to lose weight and keep it off
5. Resolved: to keep learning

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1. Resolved: to buy organic when possible

Our bodies are bombarded with toxins every day as we go through life – in the air we breath, the products we use on our bodies, the foods we eat. Buying organic fruits and vegetables helps to lower that load, plus gives our bodies better nutrition. However, organic produce is not always available, nor is it always financially feasible. So, the Environmental Working Group has put together a list of the top 43 foods – ranked from those with the most pesticides found to those with the least amount.

The “Dirty Dozen” – the foods with the highest pesticide loads (from highest to lowest):

Peaches, Apples, Sweet Bell Peppers, Celery, Nectarines, Strawberries, Cherries, Pears, Grapes – Imported, Spinach, Lettuce, Potatoes

The Cleanest 12 – the foods with the lowest pesticide loads (from lowest to highest):

Onions, Avocado, Sweet Corn (frozen), Pineapple, Mango, Asparagus, Sweet Peas (frozen), Kiwi, Bananas, Cabbage, Broccoli, Papaya.

You can find the full list here: http://www.foodnews.org You can also download a free printable version to keep with you.

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2. Resolved: to lower the toxins in my home.

There are several ways in which we can accomplish this resolution – and they are small, simple things too.

The biggest, most dramatic step we can take to reduce the toxins in our home is with this air purifier. I cannot live without mine. In fact, I packed mine up and brought it with me to my in-law’s house each time we visited them.

We were staying in the basement, and my allergies wouldn’t tolerate that. They noticed such a big difference, just over the weekend the AirSource was running downstairs, they bought one of their own. It’s made such a difference downstairs they want another one for upstairs.

On a smaller scale, switching cleaners to non-toxic cleaners will make a big difference in the health of your household, and in lowering the toxins in your home. Plus, you’ll save money, and you’ll be caring for our earth at the same time.

Matt Mayer (www.groovygreen.com) reviewed the cleaners, and here’s what he says:

“My final assessment of the products is that you should check them out. Shaklee's website has a ton of great general environmental information on it and you can order their products from the website or from a local distributor. I'm convinced the products work at their job just as well as non-ecofriendly cleaners so I don't see any reason not to give them a try and see how you like them in your home.

There are fewer things that you can do to make a quick, immediate, easy difference in the environment than changing what you use to clean your house and what you put down your drains. I should have thought about making a change like this a long time ago.”

Matt, I couldn’t agree more. I have been using these cleaners since I was a kid, and wouldn’t consider using anything else with my family.

Read his complete review here: http://groovygreen.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=302&Itemid=57

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3. Resolved: to evaluate my supplement routine

Do you have questions about supplements? Which ones to take and why? Wondering if the ones you’re taking now really work? If you should start supplementing at all?

I can help you through the maze – guiding, educating, informing and coaching you to a healthier you this year.

Would you like to assess your health goals, review your family medical history, investigate a nutritional approach to a health challenge, inquire about a supplement program, or review your current supplement regimen?

Did you know that supplementation is often an alternative approach to a variety of health concerns such as: allergies, menopause, osteoporosis, arthritis, digestive disorders and more?

I can be your personal coach – focusing on your needs and desires, offering you a commitment to great customer support and very high quality products.

May I set aside some time to focus on you?

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4. Resolved: to lose weight and keep it off

OK, isn’t this on everyone’s list this year? Maybe not everyone’s, but certainly on mine. I’ve lost 15 pounds so far with this weight loss program – and kept it off during the crazy Christmas holidays and eating all those fantastic foods and treats. I even took a week and a half “vacation” from exercising and still didn’t gain the weight back.

I’m back on track now that the holidays are over, looking to lose more weight this year, and keep it off.

The January 1^st edition of First for women on the go magazine focuses on this inch-loss program and the “secret” ingredient – amino acid Leucine. Researchers at UCLA and at India’s University of Delhi have found that deficiencies in amino acids lead to all sorts of problems – including weight gain, thinning hair, chronic fatigue and fertility problems. UCLA researchers say 33% of women are deficient in amino acids. Are you one of them?

Adding leucine to your diet is particularly important in weight loss, the article explains. It can help women shed up to two inches of “subcutaneous fat (the dimply puffy surface fat that’s so difficult to lose) in just six days!” And, leucine will also help you keep it off.

So where can you find leucine? The foods with the highest amount of leucine are also high in fat – like red meat and nuts. You can also find them in beans, nonfat milk and brown rice, although in lower amounts. Thus, this weight loss program includes – protein-rich, leucine-rich shakes you substitute for one or two meals a day. It also includes leucine-rich bars and a multi-vitamin with leucine in it.

You can learn more here.

Oh – be sure to take some before pictures before you start. It's a great way to tell your story!

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5. Resolved: to keep learning

I love to read, and just finished a really good book about the diamond industry. Yes, it has nothing to do with health & wellness or healthy homes, but it was so good, I’d like to recommend it to you.

It’s called The Heartless Stone: a journey through the world of diamonds, deceit and desire by Tom Zoellner. I picked it off the “New Books” shelf in my library because I thought it sounded interesting and it was.

Zoellner is a wonderful story-teller. He weaves his own story of a diamond engagement ring and a broken engagement as he travels the world, exploring the diamond trade. His travels take him to Central African Republic, Canada, Arkansas, South America, Russia, and Australia, to name a few.

It’s a sad tale, and did make me question, “What’s so special about a diamond?” He doesn’t just give the facts, but introduces us to people involved from the poor miner in South America risking his life to a businessman using Russian technology to create diamonds and even an interview with an executive of De Beers.

All the while, he weaves the history of diamonds and the diamond trade to give context to the people and places he visits.

I found it to be a fascinating journey.

While I was able to squeeze in a book during the holidays (don’t ask me how), I usually read magazines. It’s easier to squeeze in articles here and there while still tending to my family. Here are some publications featuring the company I represent this year you will want to look for:

FORBES, January 8 Issue- “Building a Healthier Climate”

Home Business Connection, January Issue
Redbook, March Issue
Renovation, March Issue
Consumer Reports, March Issue
Country Home, Spring Issue
Mothering, Spring Issue
Natural Health, Spring Issue
Health, May Issue

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Resolved: One step at a time, one choice at a time, one day at a time, I will accomplish my New Year’s Resolutions – even though they may seem daunting right now. I hope your new year has started out great, and thanks for reading through my resolutions. Feel free to make them yours!

Healthy Homes e-news from December 2007

Merry Christmas! I hope you enjoyed a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday, with lots for which to be thankful. We’re in the midst of the Christmas rush – the children are performing in a Christmas program December 16^th, I’m performing in a cantata the next day.

Lots of company on the horizon – and in the midst of it all, I’m trying to find time to be quiet and reflect on the meaning of Christmas. I love to be the first one out of bed in the morning, reading my Bible quietly by the light of the Christmas tree lights. It gives me such joy to see the lights shining in the dark (morning AND evening). I really do love this time of year. Especially with the snow on the ground!

In this month’s issue:

1. Are Industrial Chemicals Killing Kid’s Brains?
2. Eating Slowly really does mean Eating Less
3. Former President Clinton praises Shaklee’s commitment
4. Catch a Flight? Don’t Catch a Cold.

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1. Are Industrial Cleaners Killing Kid’s Brains? (abcnews.com)

“A laundry list of common industrial chemicals could be responsible for a silent pandemic that already has resulted in brain impairment in millions of children worldwide, according to a study published in the British medical journal The Lancet.

The chemicals, which are released into the environment by various industries, turn up in various forms -- from methylmercury in fish, arsenic and PCBs in drinking water, to lead in certain types of paints and glazes.

Some researchers argue that conclusive evidence of a connection between the chemicals and brain impairment is limited, in many cases. But authors of the study still believe that the total impact of exposure to industrial chemicals is much greater than currently recognized, and raises the question of whether enough is being done to protect children from exposure.

"The human brain is a precious and vulnerable organ," said study author Dr. Philippe Grandjean, an adjunct professor at Harvard School of Public Health in Boston. "And because optimal brain function depends on the integrity of the organ, even limited damage may have serious consequences."

Among the possible consequences, the authors note, are decreases in intelligence or changes in behavior, which are important but aren't something a doctor might notice during an office visit.

"What prompted our study," said study co-author Dr. Philip J. Landrigan, a professor at Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York, "was the realization that has been growing over the past several decades that there are a small number of chemicals that we know with absolute certainty can cause brain injury if exposure occurs during the fetal life or in the first several years after birth."

"Our big worry is this: If we know there are four or five or six chemicals out there capable of causing brain injury, what about the other chemicals, to this time, that have not been adequately tested?" he said.

The idea that industrial chemicals have detrimental effects on developing brains is not a new one.

However, the authors say insufficient research has been conducted into the toxic effects of industrial chemicals on children. Moreover, they say, lax governmental requirements for testing and control have caused the problem to be overlooked.”

Read the rest of the article here: http://abcnews.go.com/Health/print?id=2635962 Dr. Shaklee saw this potential years ago, when he created the first non-toxic, biodegradable cleaner. If you’re concerned about your toxic load or that of a loved one,, I’d recommend these cleaners – everything you need to replace toxic cleaners in your home. Also, consider other things that increase our personal toxic load – products we put on our skin, we breathe in our air. If you’d like to discuss strategies for lightening your toxic load, please give me a call.

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3. Eating Slowly Really Does Mean Eating Less (reuters.com)

Are you concerned about maintaining your weight this holiday season – perhaps even losing some? Just slow down when you eat!

“A new study provides the first-ever scientific proof that if you eat slowly, you will eat less -- and you will enjoy the meal more.

Women consumed about 70 fewer calories when they were told to take their time eating a meal of pasta and sauce, compared to when they were instructed to eat it as quickly as possible. They also rated the meal as more pleasant when they ate slowly.”

“…Someone who ate three leisurely meals might consume 210 fewer calories a day than someone who wolfed those meals down.”

You can read the rest of the article here.

Are you thinking of losing weight in the new year? Be prepared by getting a starter kit now. I’ve lost about 15 pounds so far – not a terrific amount, but I’ve dropped one skirt size and one shirt size. Plus, this program is flexible, it tastes good and it’s easy to use. I’m hosting a half-hour informational and accountability call this Thursday, December 7^th, at 9:15 p.m. I’ll give a brief explanation of Cinch, and then we’ll hear from real people who are using this easy weight loss program – their successes and triumphs. Please join us by calling 347-534-1701 then participant code 6437#. I’d love to hear some familiar voices on the call!

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4. Former President Clinton Praises this company

I just had to share this with you. The company I represent is obviously well-established, well-respected and deeply committed to taking care of our earth.

Bill Clinton mentioned our CEO, Roger Barnett, in his closing address of the Clinton Global Initiative, September 22, 2006. We were all introduced to Dr Sachs, this summer at our 50^th celebration.

"This is a commitment I love. Roger Barnett, the president of [the company I represent], has made a commitment for his company to become net fully carbon neutral, 100-percent carbon neutral, all year long, from this year through 2011. Shaklee intends to oversee the purchasing and installation of solar energy to provide decentralized electrification to the Millennium Villages that Dr. Jeff Sachs is doing so much to develop. This is a great deal. Thank you very much, Roger, ..."

--Former President Bill Clinton

By the way – the company I represent was the first (and as far as I know, the only) company to be certified climate-neutral. Read more about that here.

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5. Catching a Flight? Don’t Catch a Cold. (USA Weekend, Nov 17-19, 2006)

The chances of you catching a cold on an airplane increase by 113 times than if you stayed on the ground. Yikes! Plus, if you already have a cold when you get on the plane, you’ll probably feel worse when you get off. The pressure differences on the flight plug up your inner ear and sinuses.

Ways to avoid airplane colds:

Reduce Pressure Effects: Take an antihistamine if you have any sign of a cold. A natural solution: alfalfa, which is a natural antihistamine.

Stay Hydrated: To keep your mucus membranes working despite dry cabin air, sip water throughout the flight and use a saline spray. (Avoid caffeine!) I always carry a water bottle and some powdered electrolyte with me when I fly. But be sure to pop the top a bit so that the pressure equalizes with the cabin pressure. I’ve had plenty of wet bags in my days when I’ve forgotten to do that, and water forces itself out of the bottle. Oops!

Minimize Contact: You catch more colds by touching than by breathing. Wash your hands frequently. Viruses cause colds, so antibacterial products aren’t going to help.

Pack Protection: The article recommends zinc lozenges & vitamin C as well as chicken soup. I cannot help but recommend this echinacea product – take before the flight to boost your immune system naturally. Also, this immune regulation product is especially important for on-going immune function. Remember, it takes about four days for it to build in your body, so be sure to start before your trip. Sustained-release vitamin-C is quite helpful – be sure to pack extra just in case, and I never travel without my vitamin strips.

The Eco-Friendly Home

This is an excerpt from an article I read awhile ago, but it still applies today.

The Eco-Friendly Home

by Lisa McLaughlin

One the domain of hippie holdouts, organic home decor has gone mainstream. From fume-free paint to chairs made from sustainable wood, a growing number of products are manufactured without the chemicals used in traditionally-made furnishings.

They still cost a little more, but now they're easier to find and surprisingly chic.

PAINT When regular paint dries, it can release compounds that contribute to smog and irritate your lungs. Benjamin Moore EcoSpec can help keep the air cleaner. The upside: no new-paint smell. The downside: you'll pay up to $5 more per gallon. (I do believe that Sherwin Williams also has an eco-friendly paint too.)

FURNITURE Both elegant and environmentally friendly, the Q collection's James chair is made of wood from sustainable forests, low-impact dyed cotton upholstery and polyurethane-free stains. Pillow stuffing comes from free-range ducks.

BEDDING Sales of organic pillows and mattresses topped $1 million in 2004 and are expected to grow nearly 15% annually, according to the Organic Trade Association. Gaiam's sheets come in a variety of colors and boast a 205-thread count.

CARPETING Studies indicate that a baby crawling across a carpet can inhale the same amount of carcinogenic materials that it would if it had smoked three cigarettes a day. You can change that by vacuuming regularly, using nontoxic cleansers and buying special flooring, like InterfaceFLOR carpet tiles, which you can mix and match for a custom look.

Of course, I recommend these non-toxic cleaners for safe, effective and economical cleaners. Also, if you're not ready to replace all the carpet in your house, I recommend an air purifier. This purifier is powerful enough to clean the air in your whole house, requires maintenance only once a year, and is quite cost-effective.