Healthy Homes e-News from June 2006

Warm June greetings! We’ve been enjoying beautiful weather this month. This weekend, the children played in the blow-up pool on Saturday, while Glen and I tried our hand at planting a garden – both vegetable & flower. I was very glad to have Glen helping, because I’ve never really planted a garden (that I remember). Glen has much more experience than I do. I’ll let you know how it progresses!

This month we honor the men in our lives – particularly the dads. While my news focuses on men’s health, I couldn’t resist an item for the ladies. : )

In this issue:

1. Poor Diet as Bad as Smoking for Health
2. Is Your Belly Killing You?
3. Sports Nutrition for the Weekend Athlete, Outdoorsman or Gardener
4. Black Cohosh Supplements Don’t Always Live up to Label Claims
5. Spring Specials End This Month!
6. Free Membership with 50 points – end This Month!
Try AutoShip and save

1. Poor Diet as Bad as Smoking for Health (reuters.com)

AMSTERDAM (Reuters) - Insufficient consumption of fish, fruit and vegetables is as bad for human health as smoking, a Dutch report said.

The study, which the European Food Safety Authority says it will use when analyzing food and diet risks, concludes that most cases of serious illness and death in the Netherlands is caused by poor diet.

"Taking into account not just deaths but also years spent living with serious disability, unhealthy dietary habits cause as much health loss as does smoking," said the Dutch National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM).

Some 75 percent of the Netherlands' 16 million people eat fruit and vegetables below the recommended level, said the report, which is a result of an extensive research into the effects of current food trends in the country. (If my household is any indication, probably more Americans eat fruit & vegetables below the recommended level. And, no, French fries don’t count!)

Each year in the Netherlands, poor diet causes about 13,000 deaths due to diabetes, cardiovascular disease and cancer, while obesity claims 7,000 lives by causing heart disease and cancer, it said.

Although this study was done in the Netherlands, I think it easily could represent American health as well. If you’re concerned about your poor diet, let me recommend these supplements:

All your basic nutrient needs in a form which your body can use. It doesn’t replace a healthy diet, but can fill in the gaps of what your body needs to be at it’s best.

Here’s what one of my new customers said this week:

“so I love the vitamins. … I definitely have noticed a dramatic difference when I take them and when I don't. My energy levels change, and I got over a cold the fastest I've ever recovered in my life!!! It was crazy!! I took a few extra vitamins of the ones I could take extra, and it was gone the next day!! WOW!!!”

2. Is Your Belly Killing You? (USA Weekend, June 2-4, 2006)

You don’t need “six-pack” abs, but doctors now know a fat gut is far deadlier than once thought, raising your odds for getting heart disease and diabetes.

The danger is visceral fat. It’s what gives you the “spare tire” or “beer gut.”

And the danger cannot be measured by the bathroom scale – instead use a tape measure. Guys, if your waist size (across the belly button – no cheating!) if 40” or more (gals: 35” or more), you need to take action now. (All honesty here – this includes me!)

Why is visceral fat so bad? First, it surrounds and inhibits the function of the most important organs in your body – especially your liver.

Second, it sets off a wicked metabolic chain reaction in your body that’s hard to reverse.

As the amount of fat around your middle increases, it slows down your body’s response to insulin – which results in your pancreas producing more insulin. This leads to high blood pressure and rising cholesterol levels. If the cycle isn’t reversed, your pancreas quits, and you have type 2 diabetes.

What can we do to stop this cycle?

1. Increase your fiber intake. Soluble fiber slows the entry of fats & glucose into the bloodstream, which means your body requires less insulin. Some high-fiber foods are: oatmeal, apples, berries & beans. Need more? Try any of the fiber solutions found here.
2. Be mindful of your caloric intake.
3. Switch from vegetable oil or olive oil in your cooking. Olive oil and avocados can help with insulin resistance.
4. Avoid anything made with white flour & sugar, which spike your blood sugar.
5. Exercise regularly - that almost goes without saying.
Consider a glucose regulator, which helps your body regulate glucose more efficiently.

3. Active Nutrition for the Weekend Athlete, Gardener or Outdoorsman

You don’t have to be a professional athlete to appreciate this brand's active nutrition products – although many do, including the US Olympic Ski and Snowboarding Team.

Find out why The U.S.S.A., Olympic Gold Medal winner Gary Hall (who, by the way, is diabetic), and other professional athletes choose this brand, check out the results of the clinical trials and find product tips here.

4. Black Cohosh Supplements Don’t Always live up to Label Claims (www.hon.ch)

THURSDAY, June 1 (HealthDay News) -- Women taking black cohosh supplements to ease the hot flashes of menopause may not always be getting what they pay for, a new study reveals.

Black cohosh, a plant native to North America that has traditionally been used to treat fatigue, kidney problems and menstrual irregularities, has been used by menopausal women in the United States and Europe for the past 40 years. Some studies have reported that black cohosh improves menopausal symptoms, including hot flashes, mood disturbances, palpitations and vaginal dryness, for up to six months.

But the compounds in black cohosh thought to alleviate hot flashes vary widely from product to product, if they are even present at all, say researchers reporting in the May issue of the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry .

In this U.S. study, researchers analyzed 11 of the most popular black cohosh tablets and capsules available in New York City between 2002 and 2004. Using a process called high-performance liquid chromatography, they extracted, separated and identified the hundreds of different compounds within each black cohosh sample.

"We did anticipate some difference in the chemical profiles based on manufacturing and biological differences. But what was surprising was that three of the products that we evaluated didn't have black cohosh at all," said study author Edward Kennelly, of the City University of New York, in New York City. (emphasis mine)

These three supplements claiming to contain black cohosh instead contained an Asian species of Actaea . The Chinese herb is closely related to black cohosh but has not been proven effective in easing menopausal symptoms. To keep up with the increased demand for black cohosh products, supplement manufacturers may substitute Actaea for black cohosh, because it is less expensive to produce, the researchers postulated.

In their study, Kennelly and colleagues maintained that although Actaea is widely used in traditional Chinese medicine, it is not clear whether exchanging it or using it in combination with black cohosh is safe or effective.

Kennelly points out that no one is sure which compounds in black cohosh relieve the redness, sweating and pounding heartbeat commonly associated with hot flashes. Triterpene glycosides and phenolic constituents are two of the compounds in black cohosh that experts think may be responsible, but the amounts of these compounds varied widely in the study.

Because of the variability in product quality and the lack of government regulation when it comes to dietary supplements, consumers interested in using black cohosh to relieve menopausal symptoms may need to try more than one brand to find one that works for them.

Or, you can go with a product you can trust – like this one. The quality control standards are so exacting, that the company rejects over one million dollars worth of raw material a year. Also, you can know what is on the label is in each and every one of the tablets/capsules inside. The label says it has 80 mg of Black Cohosh extract – and goes on to specify the latin name for the plant used (Cimicifuga racemosa), that they use the root of the plant, and that it’s standardized to contain 2.5% Triterpene glycosides as 27-deoxyactein. OK, honestly, I don’t understand what it means – except that the scientists are careful to include information on the label for those scientists/nutritionists or other knowledgeable people among us who are wondering exactly what’s going into the product.

Had the scientists above tested these products, they would have found exactly what was on the label. Which is true for every last one of this company's products.

Healthy Homes e-News from May 2006

I don’t know about you – but it’s been a crazy week around here! It started on Monday night with AWANA awards at our church. My heart sank as my 4-year-old Lydia threw a fit three feet from the stage, not wanting to go on. Normally, not a big deal, but this week she was to perform on stage at dress rehearsal on Tuesday and the recital on Thursday! I was so scared she would throw another fit!

We prayed hard, and she did GREAT! Both Anna and Lydia danced at their recital, and it was wonderful. I had to chuckle on Thursday night when I asked Lydia what was the best part of the night. She thought a bit and said, “Being on stage, Mommy. Being on stage was the very, very, very, very best part!” It was a special night. Hopefully, she’ll remember that next year for AWANA awards night!

In this month’s newsletter:

1. What’s a Mother Worth?
2. Latest on Strong Bones
3. Calcium and Common Sense
4. New: calcium product
5. The new calcium product helps grow new bones
   

1. What’s a Mother Worth? (www.reuters.com)

NEW YORK (Reuters) - A full-time stay-at-home mother would earn $134,121 a year if paid for all her work, an amount similar to a top U.S. ad executive, a marketing director or a judge, according to a study released Wednesday.

A mother who works outside the home would earn an extra $85,876 annually on top of her actual wages for the work she does at home, according to the study by Waltham, Massachusetts-based compensation experts Salary.com.

To reach the projected pay figures, the survey calculated the earning power of the 10 jobs respondents said most closely comprise a mother's role-- housekeeper, day-care teacher, cook, computer operator, laundry machine operator, janitor, facilities manager, van driver, chief executive and psychologist.

An estimated 5.6 million women in the United States are stay-at-home mothers with children under age 15, according to the most recent U.S. Census Bureau data.

NOT 'JUST A MOM'

"It's good to acknowledge the job that's being done, and that it's not that these women are settling for 'just a mom,"' said Bill Coleman, senior vice president of compensation at Salary.com. "They are actually doing an awful lot."

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, some 26 million women with children under age 18 work in the nation's paid labor force.

Salary.com offers a Web site (http://www.mom.salary.com) where mothers can calculate what they could be paid, based on how many children they have, where they live and other factors.

The site will produce a printable document that looks like a paycheck, Coleman said.

"It's obviously not negotiable," he said.

On average, the mother who works outside the house earns a base pay of $62,798 for a 40-hour at-home work week and $23,078 in overtime; a stay-at-home mother earned a base pay of $45,697 and $88,424 in overtime, it said.

2. Latest on Strong Bones USA Weekend, March 31-April 2, 2006, pg 4.

Today, about 10 million Americans have osteoporsis (brittle bones), and another 34 million have osteopenia (low bone mass).

Here’s the latest research on how to keep bones strong:

· Don’t count on calcium alone. New research finds vitamin D just as important. Most women should take 500mg to 800mg calcium and 6oo IU vitamin D each day. (not just vitamin D – many other nutrients are important too – see #4)

· Beware of animal fat. Eating high amounts of saturated fat in meat and dairy can weaken bones.

· Eat fruits & vegetables. One reason; They’re packed with potassium, which slows excretion of calcium.

· Cut salt. For a woman on a typical American diet, cutting back to 2,000mg sodium a day reduced their calcium and bone loss.

· Get B vitamins. Low B12 levels in the blood signal lower bone mineral density in men’s hips & women’s spines. In Japanese research, high daily doses of B12 and folic acid cut hip fractures 80% in stroke patients. (You need all the B vitamins in balance - here's the most complete & balanced B-complex!)

· Limit colas and candy. Higher consumption of these is linked to greater bone loss.

3. Calcium and Common Sense US News & World Report, May 8, 2006, pg 71.

Did you see the headlines recently, stating taking calcium supplements didn’t help women (50-79) lower their risk for fractures? What you didn’t hear is that those women who did faithfully take their pills had 29% fewer broken hips. Dr. Bernadine Healy addresses women and calcium in her column this week in US News & World Report. (Read her column here.)

Here’s what caught my eye:

“Hip fractures do not usually occur in women in their 50s or early 60s, though during that critical time around menopause they are facing a silent loss of calcium from their bones and need to shore it up. So though these women appear to get no benefit from supplements…, we know for sure that they are being set up for fractures a decade or more later. For these women to throw away their calcium pills based on the insignificant number of fractures in their age group is just plain silly.” (emphasis mine)

“The smart move is to stick to a prudent diet: low in fats, high in fruits and vegetables – and rich in calcium and vitamin D.”

“When it comes to calcium, … American women are malnourished. That includes young girls just building their adult skeletons, who on average run 500mg short daily. For menopausal women, the intake gap can easily be as wide as 900 mg.”

4. New: calcium product

As stated above, women need more than just calcium to build their bones. Vitamin D is also important, but so are a number of other nutrients – magnesium, boron, vitamin K, zinc, copper, manganese. These have been described as the “mortar” that hold the calcium “bricks” together.

This calcium product is the most complete formula on the market, with clinically proven absorption. Plus, they’re small, easy-to-swallow coated caplets.

I’ve been taking it since March, and I’ll attest – they’re very easy to swallow, and I love the way I feel taking them. I know I’m helping my body maintain bone mass, and I’ve noticed that my PMS symptoms are now almost non-existent.

5. This calcium product helps grow new bone

I’m not the only one who loves the new calcium product. This brand's calcium products have always been easy to absorb and their formulations have reflected the latest in scientific research. They’ve helped many women not only maintain bone mass, but in some cases even build new bone.

“People who start using [this brand] products have reported bone density growth of SEVEN PERCENT in just a few months! No one needs those DRUGS for good bones! Fosomax only gives bone density increase of three percent if that much.” –Elizabeth McIlhaney

Also from Elizabeth:

“I had dentists tell me for 20 years that my braces I had three years 25 years ago caused severe bone loss. Starting about ten years ago I really started upping my program for healthy bones, all [this brand] products, and by the year 2000 or 2001, the new dentist I went to that year told me there was no evidence of any kind of abnormal or extreme bone loss for my age. Previous dentists and their staff sort of 'freaked' out about my bone loss! I figured it was all that [brand name]!

“Just got off the phone with one of my members who joined [this company] several years ago when she had a health challenge - Lyme Disease. She recovered nicely and has done very well since starting on her [brand-name] vitamins, [multi-vitamin], calcium, immunity booster and protein. Recently she had a physical and the doctor recommended a bone scan. When the results came in, he told her she had the bones of a "much younger woman." He told her to keep doing whatever she was doing: [this brand] multivitamin and calcium and exercising. HE DID NOT RECOMMEND FOSIMAX OR ANYTHING ELSE! Do we have a preventative solution for osteoporosis? I think so!” -Gerri S. via Judy Hanson

“I sit next to a woman here at work who has been taking [this brand] products for years and when she went to the periodontist, he told her she had bone growth instead of bone loss!! It's TRUE!!!” -Mary

Healthy Homes e-news from April 2006

It's a beautiful April day here, sunny and about 60, so I'm told. My three youngest are outside playing while Nathaniel labors over thank-you notes for his birthday cards. He's 8 now, and I cannot believe how the time has gone.

I've seen some trees budding and hardy flowers starting to poke their leaves through the earth – spring is here! This used to be one of my most loved – and hated – times of the year. Now, I'm free to just LOVE it! The products I take have helped me control my allergies to the point that I don't even notice allergy season anymore. How cool is that?

In this issue:

1. Caffeine Fuels Most Energy Drinks
2. Too Much Fluoride in Water Endangers Bones
3. Most New Moms Exhausted
4. Allergy Suffers Sniff Out Remedies
5. "How [this air purifier] helped my asthma"

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1. Caffeine Fuels Most Energy Drinks (www.webMD.com)

Researchers from the University of Florida analyzed the caffeine content of 10 of the best-selling energy drinks, along with carbonated soda and other commercial beverages. Many of the energy drinks contained about twice as much caffeine as the typical caffeinated soda beverage.

Energy drinks are wildly popular, but most people don't realize that the vast majority of these drinks rely on large doses of caffeine to boost energy levels.

For example, SoBe's Adrenalin Rush lists supplements D-Ribose, L-Carnitine, and Taurine as the "natural energizing elements" that help it work. But it also contains 80 milligrams of caffeine (more than twice that found in Mountain Dew.)

"The ads (for all energy drinks) give people the idea that they are getting a cocktail of various ingredients fine-tuned to synergistically enhance energy," says John Hopkins professor Dr. Roland Griffiths. "As far as I can tell, this is bogus. The effects of these drinks are largely due to the presence of added caffeine,"

Here's the good news for those of us who need an energy booster: This product is all-natural, with no added caffeine. It includes cordyceps, ginseng and green tea – well-researched Chinese remedies to help you resist fatigue and maintain energy.

2. Too Much Fluoride in Water Endangers Bones (Reuters)

Fluoride in drinking water -- long controversial in the United States when it is deliberately added to strengthen teeth -- can damage bones and teeth, and federal standards fail to guard against this, the National Academy of Sciences reports.

The academy's expert panel said some 200,000 people in the United States may consume water that is at or above the government's standard because of naturally occurring fluoride.

Children exposed to the government's current maximum fluoride limit "risk developing severe tooth enamel fluorosis, a condition characterized by discoloration, enamel loss and pitting of the teeth," the academy said in a statement.

Children are at particular risk in communities with water at or near the federal limit, where about 10 percent of young people develop severe tooth enamel fluorosis, the report said.

The report does not examine risks or benefits from the purposely fluoridated water that millions of Americans drink, which contains about one-fourth the government's limit, or less.

Are you concerned about your children swallowing their toothpaste with fluoride? This product does not contain fluoride, so it's safe for kids. It's highly concentrated, so you don't need much to clean your teeth. My kids love it. I tried it too, and like it so much that I've switched too.

3. Most New Moms Exhausted (Health Day News)

When I saw this headline I thought it fell under the "Duh! Did we need to spend our money on this?" But the headline doesn't tell the whole story.

Many new mothers may underestimate the toll giving birth and caring for a baby can take on their health, new research shows.

At five weeks postpartum, a majority of new moms were fatigued, had breast discomfort and a decreased desire for sex, the study found.

"This study highlights the need for ongoing rest and recovery beyond four to six weeks postpartum, and the need for more support for women," said study author Pat McGovern, an associate professor in the division of environmental health sciences at the School of Public Health at the University of Minnesota.

"The postpartum period for the woman and for her family can be rough. The woman needs all the help and support she can get," said Dr. Nicholas Klein, an obstetrician.

I'll agree, I completely underestimated the toll that having a baby would have on me. However, I learned after my first to give myself lots of time and limit activities after the babies are born. I also agree that postpartum women need all the help and support they can get. One of the great things we can do as postpartum moms is to care for our health. We need lots of extra nutrients to help our bodies recover from birth and to prepare for caring for the baby. If you know a woman who is pregnant or post-partum, encourage her to get in touch with me and we can outline a plan to help her get the nutritional support she needs at this time.

4. Allergy Sufferers Sniff Out Remedies (USA Today)

Cold and allergy symptoms are one of the top reasons people seek out alternative medicine, says Leonard Bielory, director of the Asthma & Allergy Research Center at the University of Medicine & Dentistry in New Jersey.

Despite the growing popularity of such treatments, there is scant scientific research on their effectiveness & safety.

"When a patient asks me whether they should try alternative or herbal medication, I counsel that it generally won't be harmful, but it's not likely to be beneficial either," says Brian Smart, an allergist in Glen Ellyn, Illinois.

The scientific community has been slow to keep up with the public's imagination when it comes to studying alternative ways to treat allergies: There is little conclusive data on whether alternative therapies work.

Adding to consumers' uncertainty about the safety and effectiveness of alternative therapies is the way the Food and Drug Administration regulates supplements – as food, rather than drugs – so there is little standardization within the industry.

As I read this article, I was disappointed that the reporter hadn't know about the company I represent. It stands alone in the lightly-regulated supplement industry with the highest standards of excellence in producing its products, and also with testing its products before they go on the market. You can be assured that when you take this company's products, you are not being a guinea pig for an untested remedy – and that they are manufactured to the highest standard possible. To learn more about the difference of this company, go to www.theglobalsuccessteam.net and click on the icon that says "What's Different About Us?" See the end of the newsletter to learn how you can earn a discount off your order this month by watching Cindy Latham's presentation.

5. "How this air purifier Helped my Asthma."

This letter was written to a Shaklee Distributor last month. If you want more information about the air purifer i use (my first line of defense against allergens!), let me know.

Dear Bruce,

I wanted to write to you to let you know of my wonderful experience with the [air purifier] that I purchased. I've had it for about nine months now and it has changed my life.

In 1999, I was diagnosed with adult on-set asthma, which I believe was brought on by a house I was renting that was full of mold. Every spring and summer since then I would suffer from several severe asthma attacks a week. I work for myself doing bookkeeping and Quickbooks training, and I would literally be crippled with these attacks and unable to work. Unfortunately, if I don't work, I don't get paid. So, doctors kept adding medications to try to get me comfortable, but I feel they never fully worked for me. I was always winded, even on a short walk. Exercising was next to impossible. My voice was hoarse all the time as a side effect of medication, so I had to stop the teaching aspect of my job. It was too difficult to talk for hours straight.

I was on FIVE different medications for asthma when I bought the [air purifier]. Some of these medications were covered under insurance and some were not! I was paying close to $300/month, just for the asthma medications! This was an extreme financial burden, especially since I would still be sick for at least several days per month and would lose that time and money.

After 8 months of having the [air purifier] in my home, I am off ALL – let me repeat that

ALL asthma medications. Of course, I had the support and monitoring of my wonderful doctor who has been at my side for a number of years now trying to find the right combination for me. I attribute my success completely to the [air purifier]. I have NOT had an asthma attack in well over six months and I haven't even had a cold this winter.

My fifteen year old son has always had terrible allergies and carries wads of tissues in his pockets. Since I've had the [air purifier] I never hear him sniffle. Both my children have had two colds this winter (at different times), but they were mild and the rest of the family didn't get them. In the past if one of us had a cold; it cycled through the whole family. The money I've saved in not buying tissues has been an unexpected pleasure – as well as the saved monthly cost of the medications! My [air purifier] paid for itself in less than two months.

I believe my overall health has been improved by the [air purifier]. I sleep better, wake up more refreshed. Exercising is easier. I don't dread the spring and summer any more! My mother, who lives in Maine, has cardiomyopathy which has resulted in her losing all but 30% usage of her heart. She has a very hard time breathing at times, and has allergies. I brought my [air purifier] up to Maine with me on a visit and within a day and half she couldn't believe how much easier it was for her to breath. She thought it just might be a fluke – but the next two times we visited (once in Maine and once at my house in Massachusetts), she was amazed at the difference the [air purifier] made for her breathing. She was able to sleep through the night instead of being woken up by allergies. She was much more rested and overall comfortable. She was less winded. She had to have an [air purifier] of her own. She also has been very pleased with the health benefits she's experienced since she's had it.

I took it on vacation last year when we stayed in a condo for a week on Myrtle Beach, SC. I was nervous because I've had asthma attacks staying in hotels and other places away from home, especially places with all-to-wall carpeting. I plugged in my [air purifier] the minute we got there and never had one problem.

On a side note, I love that the [air purifier] takes odors away so quickly. I've used it in a bedroom with three stinky, teenage boys. The room is fresh and clean smelling in less than two hours. Most chemical air cleaner sprays make my allergies worse and can bring on an asthma attack for me – so I don't use them. My husband brews beer at home and for those of you who have not had the pleasure of smelling hops cooking – let me tell you how horrible the smell is! I put the [air purifier] in the kitchen and I can be in the next room and not smell a thing!

I absolutely love my [air purifier] and I will never be without it. I talk about the [air purifier] to everyone I meet and I would recommend it to anyone. You can't even imagine all the benefits and you have to experience it for yourself.

Thanks so much Bruce, for educating me on this wonderful technology! I am forever in your debt!

Sincerely,

Margaret L.

AML Consulting

Computerized Bookkeeping

Holyoke, MA

Thanks so much for reading my monthly newsletter. As always, if you have any questions, please feel free to e-mail or call me.

Healthy Homes e-News for March 2006

Can you believe it’s March already? After the relatively mild winter we’ve had, I’m almost afraid to mention the word “spring” for fear that we’ll get another snowstorm like we had on Sunday. Actually, it wasn’t so bad. My kids were so excited to see the snow and were able to sled in the backyard yesterday afternoon. Today, the snow’s almost all gone, and I hear we’re to be near 60 by this weekend. I guess I can say, “It’s almost spring!”

In this month’s newsletter:

1. Produce Not as Vitamin-Rich as in Past (from ABC News)
2. Time + Money = slimmer, trimmer you (from Daily Herald)
3. Spring Cleaning Tips & Testimonials
Promotions

1. Produce Not as Vitamin-Rich as in Past (from ABCNews.com)

Fruits and veggies aren’t what they used to be, new data suggests.

Of the 13 major nutrients found in fruits and vegetables, six have declined substantially, according to a study by Donald Davis, a biochemist at the University of Texas at Austin.

Using data from the US Department of Agriculture, Davis concludes that recently grown crops have shown decreases of up to 38% in protein, calcium, vitamin C, phosphorus, iron and riboflavin when compared to produce from past decades.

What accounts for this negative trend? Like any other competitive industry, farmers’ attempts to drive up profits have led them to use new techniques to increase production, Davis said. The faster-grown fruits don’t have as much time to develop the nutrients.

“It’s a simple inverse relationship: The higher the yield, the lower the nutrients,” he said.

Did you know:

· You would need to eat 20 oranges today in order to get the same amount of vitamin C that was in an orange in 1920?

· It would take a diet of 5,000 to 6,000 calories a day of the perfect foods to get enough nutrients (vitamins, minerals, etc.) just to prevent disease?

· If you want to feel your best (optimal health), you would have to eat even more of those perfect foods?

· The American Medical Association recommends that everyone take a multivitamin daily?

· This brand provides 23 essential nutrients in perfectly balanced amounts?

· Only this brand undergoes 349 of the most stringent quality control tests to guarantee its purity and potency?

· This multi-vitamin is available with or without iron, for seniors, chewables for children and powder for infants?

2. Time + Money = slimmer, trimmer you

(my paraphrase of article in the Daily Herald, Friday March 3, 2006)

Researchers at the University of Illinois at Chicago compared height & weight data for people living in ZIP codes all across the Chicago area. They found that overall, suburbanites had lower Body Mass Index (BMI) ranking than those living in the city. They found this surprising because city dwellers walk more places than suburbanites, which theoretically would keep them slimmer.

Instead, they found that people living in more affluent suburbs were thinner than city dwellers, and thinner than those living in less affluent suburbs.

“Regardless of how long a person spends motoring around every day, eating well and staying fit require two things: time & money.

Whole grains and fruit cost more than hamburgers and soda, as any grocery store shopper can attest. And gym memberships – an important tool to keep fit when residents may not shed pounds walking around town – are not free.”

I found this article interesting because it supports a book I read recently by Paul Zane Pilzer called The Wellness Revolution. In it, he explains that throughout history, being overweight was a sign of wealth – the “rich, fat man.” Now, in American culture, the “rich, fat man” is becoming rare. Instead, being overweight is a sign of poverty, because good, nutritional food is more expensive than processed foods.

I started looking at my weekly grocery ads, and realized that the best sales were on the packaged convenient foods, not necessarily on produce (let alone organic produce), or meats (I’m not sure my grocery store even carries organic meats). It’s made me more conscious of what I put in my grocery cart and what kind of meals I feed my family. It’s also made me want to start a small garden this summer. We’ll see how that goes!

3. Spring Cleaning Tips

I think the spring cleaning bug is going to be hitting me soon. I know I can’t wait to wash my windows! I really don’t know when they were last washed on the outside, and they are filthy. So, as the weather gets nicer and you’re ready to clean your house, here are some of the products my children and I use. (That’s one of the things I love about non-toxic cleaners. I don’t have to worry about my kids helping me clean. And, many hands make light work!)

concentrated general cleaner: just 2 drops to 16 oz of water (Window Spray) will make your windows and mirrors shine! Since my windows are so dirty, I plan to use the Light Duty Spray (1/4 tsp cleaner to 16 oz water) first to get all the grime off, then polish them up a bit with the Window Spray. This cleaner is so economical and you can use it for everything. I even put it in the soap dispenser in the children’ bathroom (about 1/8 cup cleaner, then fill with water) – then I don’t have to worry about wasting the expensive liquid-soap.

Concentrated disinfectant is a fighting machine! It’s a powerful disinfectant, anti-fungal and germicide. I pour about a tablespoon in my toilet and swish it around, then let it sit while I clean the rest of my bathroom. About a teaspoon to a sink full of water cleans the rest of the surfaces in my bathrooms. And when those potty training accidents happen, I keep a 16 0z bottle filled with a dilution of the disinfectant (1 tsp disinfectant to 16 oz water; change monthly) to spray down the area and wipe it clean.

One of my new members recommended scouring paste to me. She told me how much she loved that product, so I thought I’d better order some. Well, I did and let me tell you, I LOVE this product!

We have well water, and even with a water softener, I still have a problem with rust stains in my bathtub. Nothing works like the scouring paste. This morning, I thought I’d try it quick after I got out of my shower. I rubbed it on, and rubbed it off a portion of my tub, and I could not believe the difference. The part I cleaned looked like a whole new bathtub!

I never thought I’d say this, but I can’t wait to clean my whole bathtub. Plus, I don’t have to have a well-ventilated room, or worry about toxic fumes harming me or my children. It actually smells good. Thanks Pam and Nancey for the recommendation.

“I used to have trouble getting the gummy yellow residue off my pans after cooking with olive oil. This scouring paste takes it off in a second! It’s also comforting to know these cleaners are safe for little ones. When my daughter was small, she opened the tub of scouring paste and rubbed it all over her face. She was fine, there were no ill effects and she ended up smelling like cherries!” ~ Toni Dunn

“I started using non-toxic cleaners when I was pregnant and couldn’t open my bathroom windows while cleaning. I loved how they cleaned and they saved me money, too. Plus, NO toxic fumes!” ~ Lynn Burley

You can learn more about all of these economical, non-toxic cleaners here.

Healthy Homes e-News from February 2006

We've experienced quite a January here in Illinois… it makes me a bit nervous for February and March! My kids have been outside quite a bit – sometimes in 55° weather, and sometimes sledding on 10" of snow! Either way, it's been wonderful to get out of the house and get fresh air. I wish we had snow now so I could do a little Winter Olympic competition for the kids. Things may change this week.

This month, I focus on heart health. My family has a history of heart disease, so this is information I need to know too. But knowing and doing are two different things! I encourage you (and me) to make one change this month towards better health. Happy Valentine's Day!

In this issue:

1. Top 3 Tips for Healthy Hearts
2. When to buy Organic
3. Watch Shaklee-powered athletes at the Olympics
4. Trouble remembering 10% special? Here's a tip!
5. New promotion

1. Top 3 Tips for Healthy Hearts

Heart disease is one of the leading causes of death in America – for both men and women. If you have a family history of heart disease, now is the time to start working to prevent it. So, what are the top three tips for preventing heart disease?

1. Exercise 30 minutes a day – doesn't have to be all at once!

2. Manage your stress – try stopping once an hour to breath deeply. It will help you relax.

3. Eat well – a good rule of thumb is 2/3 – 1/3. 2/3rds of your plate should be vegetables, 1/3 protein. Also, provide nutritional insurance through supplementation.

One thing you could do this month is add fish oil supplement to your diet. The American Heart Association says that Omega-3 fish oil protects your heart, but wild fishes are likely contaminated with mercury, PCBs, lead & dioxins. The solution? An ultrapure, full-spectrum omega product. It is all-natural, full-spectrum omega supplement guaranteed to be free from contaminates.

Wondering what else you can do to help keep your heart in shape? Drop me an e-mail or give me a call to discuss your concerns.

2. When to buy Organic

From ABC News:

When buying some products, it may be worth the extra money to buy organic for health benefits. But these days, with almost everything possible being labled organic, it's difficult to know when to pay the extra money.

A "Consumer Reports" investigation concluded that shoppers do not need to buy organic across the board – that some products are worth seeking out, some are worth buying only if price is no object, and some are not worth buying at all because they don't offer additional health benefits.

Organic products worth buying to avoid chemicals found in conventionally produced versions: apples, bell peppers, celery, cherries, spinach, strawberries. ABC News medical editor Dr. David Katz said that the above items are likely to be contaminated by pesticides.

"You're going to see a big difference between an organic apple and a conventional apple when it comes to chemicals and pesticides," he said. "So, if you buy anything organic, buy these things organic."

Organic products worth buying only if price is no object include: processed foods, cauliflower, sweet corn, broccoli, mangos, sweet peas. Katz said the above items tend not be as affected by pesticides as those in the first category because "either they aren't sprayed as much or they don't absorb chemicals as easily."

"You're not going to see as big a difference between the organic and the conventional produce in these cases," he said. "So it may not be worth the extra money."

Organically labled items not worth buying: seafood and cosmetics.

"You can't really control what gets into fish," Katz said." If there are chemicals in the ocean, they're going to be absorbed into that fish and there is no way to tell how much is in there. So labeling any sort of seafood as organic is a bit misleading."

Dr. Katz called it "just plain silly" to even call cosmetics and shampoo "organic."

"Companies slap 'organic' on the label if there is one ingredient out of 100 that is organic. All the rest could be chemicals," he said.

3. Watch Shaklee –powered athletes at the Olympics

Shaklee is the proud nutritional sponsor of the US Ski Team and SnowBoarding athletes. In fact, this immune boosting program™ is the official immunity product of the team.

The U.S. Ski Team is comprised of 14 different men's and women's national teams in Alpine, Cross Country, Disabled, Freestyle, Jumping, Nordic Combined and SnowBoarding categories and has been training with Shaklee as their official nutritional sponsor for the past two years. The teams are competing hard and are very selective about their nutrition, so Shaklee is honored to be the product of choice for this outstanding line-up of athletes.

Shaklee works closely with the team nutritionist; keeping athletes healthy is the primary challenge as they push through tough competition schedules. Their goal is to win the most medals of any nation in skiing and snowboarding this month, when all eyes will turn to Torino, Italy, February 10-26, 2006.

Here's what the United States Ski Association (USSA) Sports Dietitian and Physiologist, Susie Simmons, had to say about the product:

"[This product] has had a huge impact on the health of many of our athletes. U.S. Ski Team & U.S. Snowboarders travel four to five months straight each year, flying in winter conditions to many different countries. [This product] makes a big difference in strengthening their immune systems, as they push through jet lag, drastic temperature, tough training and the stress through competition. The team takes [this product] wherever in the world they are traveling to train and compete."