Can you survive the Silly Season Intact and still healthy??!!

I received a wonderful email from my naturopath outlining how to survive the silly season and the over-indulging that goes with it!  With his permission I am sharing his secrets to avoiding the hangover, keeping your skin fresh and glowing and keeping our digestive system in relatively good order..... Enjoy!


Christmas time and all the festivities can be a time when one's health is not a priority. However, there are some simple things you can do to help compensate for this and in doing so help to make the festivities more manageable and more enjoyable. I hope these tips are helpful.

1) EAT WELL AND BE HAPPY

We often spend Christmas eating more than we usually do. If you choose your foods carefully, you dont have to suffer for the next few weeks with symptoms of over-indulgence.

Christmas nibbles: If you are preparing nibbles, add in lots of cut up vegetables to go alongside your hummus or home-made avocado dip. They still taste good, but you are getting some fantastic benefits from the nutrients that you are adding in to your diet, and it also cuts down on the amount of crisps or sweets that you consume. Good quality olives are high in essential fatty acids, so they can be another beneficial addition to your nibble plate.

Trying to care for yourself with good quality food, have your fridge stocked with great vegetables, good fats such as avocados, olives and fish and good quality proteins, such as organic eggs, nuts and seeds, lentils or beans.

2) WHAT TO DO IF YOU OVER INDULGE ON CHRISTMAS DAY

There are a few things we can do to over come this and the often associated indigestion.

A little exercise: Try going for a brief walk. This will help to get everything moving so that you can make some space in the digestive system.

Add some fruit: Try adding some lemon to your water, the bitterness and the slight acidity will help to support digestion of the excess food that you have swallowed! Pineapple and papaya are high in enzymes that support digestion. Serve them as after dinner fruits to try and break down the excess.

If all else fails, take a couple of digestive enzyme tablets. These again will help to break down the excess food that you have been indulging in!

3) JUICING EVERY MORNING

Start the day with a healthy juice to help cleanse your system and provide healthy nutrients. A refreshing, energy booster I like to recommend is carrot, apple and ginger.

4) HOW TO AVOID AND OVERCOME A HANGOVER

Good food first: Try and eat before you know you will be having some alcohol. A meal that contains protein and good fats will help to slow down the absorption of alcohol and the nasty effects that can occur from drinking too quickly. Ideally, just have a couple of drinks.

Lots of water: Don't dehydrate yourself. For every alcoholic drink have a glass of water alongside it. A major cause of a hangover is purely the fact that your body is dehydrated, so aim to drink at least 2 litres of water the next day as well. Drinking lots of water all through the festive season and going into the future is recommended to help cleanse your system naturally.

Nutrient boost: Replace nutrients that alcohol washes away. Lack of these nutrients contributes to the hangover sensation you may feel the next morning. Magnesium, potassium and B vitamins are usually first to go. Taking a good multi-vitamin such as the Tresos B, or a B complex and a mineral supplement the night before and the morning after will help keep that listless feeling at bay.

Herbs: Milk thistle is a herb that helps detox the liver and taken at the correct dose can do the trick to really ward off the symptoms of a hangover. And if you have over-indulged, the homeopathic remedy Bio NV is great for knocking a hangover sensation on the head.

As far as alcohol is concerned, moderation is really the best policy, and as a Naturopath this is what I recommend.

5) HOW TO AVOID GETTING RUNDOWN

Christmas tends to be a period of over-indulgence and under-nourishment. We work hard and play hard, which in turn can lead to a burnt out immune system.

Sleep: Try to get as much sleep as is possible, during the festive months we seem to lose our normal patterns. Avoid coffee to overcome the problem, as this will only make things worse.

Vitamin C boost: Eat foods that are high in Vitamin C, citrus fruit, berries, orange, red and green vegetables will help to keep the immune high.

Daily multivitamin mineral supplement: To give your body the nutritional tools and equipment it needs on a daily basis and to help with health maintenance.

6) KEEP YOUR SKIN CLEAR AND HEALTHY

Water: Drink as much water as you can before and during the festive season. The more you can help the kidneys to cleanse toxins, the less work your skin has to do, so the more glowing you will look!

Nettle tea can help too: A few cups of this a day will assist your skin to clear.

Try to avoid: Saturated fats, too many sugars and over-indulgence with alcohol as these all contribute to grey or blemished skin.

Include foods with lots of anti-oxidants in your diet: Orange, red and yellow vegetables, berries and green tea are all great choices to help with glowing skin.


Written by:
Nick Dale
Naturopath
Tel: 9397 9124
Mobile: 0412 596789
www.perth-naturopath.com
www.facebook.com/perth.naturopath

How Safe are our Feminine Hygiene Products?

I remember reading an article more than 10 years ago about the materials that are used to make all of our normal feminine hygiene products.  I remember being shocked and vowing to only purchase a particular brand from then on.

And just in the last week I was again reminded when I watched a video on Youtube made by Dr Joseph Mercola, covering the same topic.  And again I was shocked!  Could it be possible that the materials and processes involved in making these products can cause harm to our health?

The average woman in her lifetime will use on average 17,000 disposable sanitary pads and tampons.  That not only has a huge impact on landfill, but even small amounts of chemical ingredients in your products can add up to massive exposure over our menstruating years.  Our skin readily absorbs what we put onto it, and because sanitary napkins and tampons are used next to our skin, or inserted into our bodies, we need to pay particular attention to the chemicals that are used in their manufacture.

Sanitary napkins and tampons are often made from a combination of Viscose and Cotton, these are both very absorbent materials.  These materials are then heavily bleached leaving chemical residue on the sanitary item.

One area of concern is the level of dioxins in commercially available sanitary items. Dioxins are unwanted by - products of a wide range of manufacturing processes including chlorine bleaching. 

Dioxins are environmental pollutants. They have the dubious distinction of belonging to the “dirty dozen” - a group of dangerous chemicals known as persistent organic pollutants.

Dioxins are of concern because of their highly toxic potential. Experiments have shown they affect a number of organs and systems. Once dioxins have entered the body, they endure a long time because of their chemical stability and their ability to be absorbed by fat tissue, where they are then stored in the body.   Repeated exposure to dioxins increases our bodies chemical load.

Key Facts about Dioxins

Dioxins are a group of chemically-related compounds that are persistent environmental pollutants.     

Dioxins are highly toxic and can cause reproductive and developmental problems, damage the immune system, interfere with hormones and also cause cancer.

Due to the omnipresence of dioxins, all people have background exposure, which is not expected to affect human health. However, due to the highly toxic potential of this class of compounds, efforts need to be undertaken to reduce current background exposure.

Prevention or reduction of human exposure is best done via source-directed measures, i.e. strict control of industrial processes to reduce formation of dioxins as much as possible.

So what are our alternatives when it comes to choosing the right feminine hygiene products for ourselves?

If you are choosing disposable napkins and tampons, choose brands that have been made from unbleached organic cotton.  Cotton is one of the most highly pesticided crops that is grown.  Choosing unbleached and organic means there are no pesticides used to grow the cotton, and there are no nasty by – products of the chemical bleaching process.  TSS (Toxic shock syndrome) is greatly reduced by using organic cotton tampons.

Cloth pads are another option.  Not only do they save you money because they are re-usable, you are also not adding to the tonnes of landfill generated by disposable sanitary items.  Cloth pads are available in a huge variety of colours, styles, thicknesses etc.  There are even instructions online on how to make them!

Another option available are “mooncups” or similar reusable menstrual cups.  These cups are made from medical grade latex, and are inserted inside the vagina to collect menstrual fluid.   These are a fantastic alternative to tampons, and can be used during sport, or water activities. 

Below are some suppliers of organic and re-usable feminine hygiene products. www.organicbamboobaby.com.au – reusable cloth pads and mooncups         www.tomorganic.com.au – organic cotton tampons                                                         Don’t forget to try your local health store!

All Natural Heat Therapy

This morning I am surrounded by pearled wheat, lavender and half sewn wheatbags.  With a few market days lined up before Christmas I think I need to get a move on and get them finished!

I suffer on and off from lower back pain and there is nothing more soothing and comforting than a nice warm wheatbag.  And while I am surrounded by my mountain of unfinished wheatbags I thought it would be a great idea to explore why heat therapy is so soothing and helpful for managing pain.

Heat therapy as a treatment option goes back thousands of years.  Heat is generally used for injuries that have no inflammation or swelling and is enjoying a comeback as an excellent way to reduce the severity of chronic pain.  Sore, stiff, nagging muscle or joint pain is ideal for the use of heat therapy.

How Heat Therapy Works

·         Heat therapy dilates the blood vessels of the muscles. This process increases the flow of oxygen and nutrients to the muscles, helping to heal the damaged tissue.

·         Heat stimulates the sensory receptors in the skin, which means that applying heat to the site of discomfort  will decrease transmissions of pain signals to the brain and partially relieve the discomfort.

·         Heat application facilitates stretching the soft tissues around the injury, including muscles, connective tissue, and adhesions. Consequently, with heat therapy, there will be a decrease in stiffness as well as injury, with an increase in flexibility and overall feeling of comfort.

Heat therapy is in fact a pretty simple concept. Any treatment that uses heat to help soothe pain, relax muscles or ease stress can be classified as a form of heat therapy. Heat therapy can be done by pretty much anyone and for very little cost.  

Heat for pain, particularly back pain, is a good first option for managing most types of body pain. Its effectiveness depends on the circumstances of the pain condition.  Heat is mainly effective at treating muscular troubles. Heat should be applied after 48 hours following an injury, application too soon will cause increased swelling and uneasiness in the injured area.  Ice is a better option directly after sustaining an injury.

Heat therapy is a popular option because it is inexpensive, easy to use and available at home.  Try a hot bath, applying a gel heat pack, applying a hot towel, using a hot water bottle, or heating up a wheat bag.  Ensure you protect your skin from burns when using any type of heat pack. 

References:       Elizabeth Quinn -  sportsmedicine.about.com

                       Bodypaincure.com

                       Spine-health.com

If you wouldn't eat, don't put it on your skin!!

It is so easy to get confused when it comes to skincare, whether it be for you, your new baby, or the rest of the family.  Do you choose natural skincare, organic skincare, the cheapest in the shop or that favourite brand that you have used forever?

I never really used to care what brand I used.  If it was on special I bought it, if it smelt nice I bought it.  If I got a reaction to it I just moved onto the next product.  Seemed pretty simple really! 

That was until I learnt a few facts about skincare, and about the ingredients that are used so commonly in them.  Our skin is a major organ of our body and it is medically recognised that our skin absorbs significant amounts of whatever we put onto it.  So it makes sense to choose very carefully what we put on our skin.

The average person uses 9 personal care products per day, exposing us to an average of 126 chemicals a day!!  Tiny bits of exposure every day adds up to huge exposure over a lifetime! 

Top 10 chemicals to avoid in skincare:

Urea
Common preservatives that release formaldehyde, a known carcinogen, that is irritating to the mucous membranes and known to cause contact dermatitis, headaches and internal bleeding.

Parabens
Common preservatives that are linked to breast cancer.

Phthalates
Commonly used as a plasticizer in everything from skincare, cosmetics, nail polish, perfume to hair products and deodorants. Known to cause damage to the liver, kidneys, lungs and reproductive system. Suspected of causing birth defects, lowering sperm counts and a breast cancer risk.

Mineral Oil
Examples: mineral oil, petroleum, liquid paraffin
A petroleum by-product that interferes with the skin’s natural functions, clogs the pores, exacerbates acne, and is highly likely to be contaminated with carcinogens that are linked to breast cancer.

Propylene Glycol and Polyethylene Glycol (PEG)
Made from the same chemical that is used to create anti-freeze, this chemical easily penetrates the skin and is linked to damage of the liver, kidneys and brain.

Sodium Laurel/Laureth Sulfate
Commonly used foaming agent that is considered a skin irritant and carcinogen, and is known to cause skin rashes and allergic reactions. It is often disguised in “natural” products with the term “derived from coconut”. It is particularly irritating to the eyes.

Diethanolamine (DEA) and Triethanolamine (TEA)
These chemicals can react with other ingredients in the cosmetic product to form potent carcinogenic chemicals called nitrosamines.

Formaldehyde
Commonly found in nail products, this chemical is a known carcinogen, allergen and irritant. Commonly used synthetic preservatives, such as diazolindyl and imidazolindyl urea, break down to release formaldehyde.

Synthetic Fragrances
Many fragrances are phthalates (ie. toxic carcinogens and hormone disruptors). Fragrances are considered to be one of the top 5 known allergens and are known to cause asthma and trigger asthma attacks.

Synthetic Colors
Examples: FD&C Yellow 5, FD&C Red 40
Labeled FD&C or D&C followed by a number, they are known to cause skin irritation and sensitivity. Many are also believed to be carcinogenic.

This is just a short list of chemicals commonly found in skincare.  It is also really important to note that so called natural products, and sensitive skin products, very often contain a cocktail of chemicals.  Pay particular notice to what you are using on babies and young children, as their immune systems are still developing.

With so many wonderful organic products available we can avoid exposing ourselves and our families to these harmful chemicals.

Here are some of my favourites, please add your own to the comments below and share the wonderful products!
Miessence - Certified Organic Skincare
Margaret River Savi
Ayana Organics
Baby Concepts
Milk

Organic Meat - Is it worth the extra cost?

I have often asked myself if it is worth the extra expense to purchase organically grown meat.  With the cost of living going up, and the price of my fortnightly shop ever increasing, purchasing cheaper meat is always appealing.

However some research into the benefits of organic meat keep on reminding me how important it is to eat organic food wherever possible.

A recent article I read about organic chicken affirms this.  Non organic chicken farms contain much larger percentages of drug resistant enterococci, a kind of bacteria that can cause meningitis and other unpleasant sicknesses that become a lot harder to cure when the bacteria has spent time becoming resistant to modern medicine.  Drug resistance is becoming a huge problem in modern society and can lead to deadly outbreaks.

The benefits to our health are clear when you choose to purchase organic meat.  Organic farms are not permitted to feed their animals genetically modified crops, are free from groth hormones, antibiotics and drugs.  Pesticides and synthetic fertilisers are not used on the land and animals are free-range therefore are raised in a more humane way.

It is a win - win situation.  Your health benefits from it, and you are supporting ethical farming methods.

There are some great businesses in Perth that supply organic meat:

Perth Organics - www.perthorganics.com
Mondo butchers - www.mondo.net.au
The Naked Butcher - www.thenakedbutcher.com.au
Redtail Ridge (bulk) - www.redtail-ridge.com

So get in there and support your local Organic supplier, and taste the difference!

Chemical Exposure - Fluoride

Today is all about a chemical we all know, Fluoride.  I have started here because it is a chemical that is so commonly used by practically everyone.  One trip to the bathroom and there it is, sitting in our tube of toothpaste.  Turn the tap on, there it is again..... added to our tap water because it is good for our teeth (well that is what we are told anyway).

It all seems fairly harmless.  Afterall, we only hear about how good fluoride is for us.  It is meant to assist in strong healthy bones and cavity free teeth, but researchers are now starting to find cracks in these facts, and starting to find that fluoride is not all its cracked up to be.

My research on fluoride started when I read a book that I reference often, "Dangerous Beauty".  "Fluoride is found in toothpaste and dental care products.  Fluoride is a poison to humans when ingested over long periods, as it accumulates in our body tissues.  Effects include convulsions, changes in the liver and kidneys and in respiratory function.  Fluoride is a known carcinogen and teratogen, decreases fertility in women and is not approved by the FDA in the United States.  Fluoride has been removed from various animal feeds because it was causing birth defects in the offspring.  The growing scientific consensus is that flouride provides no benefit to teeth but does cause damage to the bones and organs."

Reading that information actually took my breath away, especially when I started adding up all the times I had brushed my teeth morning and night for the last 30 years.  My anger has grown significantly after finding more and more compelling evidence that flouride is deadly and should not be ingested by humans at all.

Articles by Today Tonight and ABC news confirms the health fears http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wC5KzhuISgI and   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6vaERfTZTSo&feature=watch_response_rev

And when you learn that the very same fluoride, that is added to our water and oral hygeine products, is actually an industrial byproduct of the fertiliser and aluminium industry, it really makes you wonder how a product like that can actally be good for us.

So all these arguments against fluoride are all good and well, but what can we actually do to minimise our own exposure to fluoride?  We can not avoid it all together unfortunately, but there are steps we can take ourselves to minimise the damage this chemical can have on us.

My first and easiest suggestion is to replace your toothpaste with a non fluoridated brand.  A trip down the toothpaste aisle in the local grocery shop will probably not be very helpful here.  You will need to try a health food shop, an organic shop or try online.  I use Miessence branded toothpaste.  Sure it does not taste the same as your normal toothpaste brands, but after a week or so you get used to it.  Visit this link for more info http://organicbamboobaby.mionegroup.com/en/category/3.  I think the health benefits far outweigh the taste!

Another option is to have your water filtered.  Unfortunately fluoride is one of the easiest chemicals to add to water but also the toughest chemicals to filter out of water, and normal water filters do not remove it.  If you are looking for a filter you need to read the fine print on what exactly the filter removes.  Again there are plenty of options online when it comes to finding a water filter that removes fluoride.

I encourage you to do your own research and make decisions based on your own findings, decisions that will hopefully lead to a happier and healthier lifestyle!

Organic is my way of life

A common thing I often hear is what is the big deal about organic produce, and how can the average person benefit by choosing to use organic produce.

My main reason for choosing organic wherever possible is too simply reduce the massive amounts of chemicals we are exposed to everyday.  Most often we are unwittingly exposed through food, water, skincare products and everyday household products. 

The most worrying thing to me is the long term health effects.  Small amounts of chemical exposure every single day of your life really adds up in the long run, and it has the capacity to effect our health in a negative way.

We always hear about the terrible chemicals in cigarettes, alcohol etc.  But we never hear that some of the same chemicals are found in every day products.  Cancer causing chemicals (carcinogenics) are present in commonly used items like toothpaste, mouthwash, deoderant, shampoo.  I encourage you to have a look at the ingredients in some of your personal care products and do a simple google search.  The results will shock you!  I have recently read a book called "Dangerous Beauty" and it radically changed my view on using anything on my skin that contains chemicals.  The book is available through this link -  http://organicbamboobaby.mionegroup.com/en/product/18131

Another major contributor is the food we eat.  Pesticides used on crops, and food fed to cattle all trickles through into what we eat.  A seemingly fresh peice of fruit could contain a cocktail of chemicals all used to make sure that fruit looks "fresh and appealing" on the supermarket shelf.  Organic foods are foods that are produced using methods that do not involve the use of pesticides, chemical fertilizers, chemical food additives, genetically modified organisms or industrial solvents.  This results in food that is naturally better for you!

I have no choice but to choose organic and natural wherever possible.  Sometimes things do cost more, but the benefit to my health and wellbeing far outweighs this.  In future articles I will be looking in depth at some common chemicals that are used extensively in everyday products, exploring the negative impact on our health and offering some simple solutions to minimise our exposure.

FOOD BUZZ - What is so good about Chai seeds

Chai has become the latest thing in my household, and it boasts some pretty impressive statistics!

I no longer drink caffeine, so my morning and afternoon "coffee" is now a chai latte.  I have also just recently started eating chai seeds with my breakfast, so I think it is very appropriate to look at exactly what is so great about Chai.

HISTORY OF CHAI
Chai seeds are from a plant called Salvia Hispanica, a member of the Mint family.  They were a substantial part of the Aztec and Mayan diet, but was banned in the 16th century due to being associated with Pagan religion.  Over the past few decades production has resumed, and because insects hate chai, it is very easy to access organic chai.

Chai comes in black seeds and white seeds, but there are no known nutritional difference between the two types of seeds.

Chai seeds will last for a long time in the pantry, and can be added to any foods without the need for grinding or much preparation

HEALTH BENEFITS OF CHAI
Chai seeds are now recognised as a "superfood" as they boast many health benefits.  High in fibre, packed full of antioxidants, full of vitamins and minerals, and the highest plant source of omega-3. 

More Omega-3 than Atlantic Salmon
More Antioxidants than Blueberries
More Fibre than Bran Flakes
More Calcium than Milk
More Protien, Fibre and Calcium than Flaxseeds / Linseeds

Here are some great reasons to add Chai to your diet today:
- Chai seeds are nutritious
- Chai seeds are energising
- Chai seeds are low GI
- Chai seeds are easy to digest
- Chai seeds are easy to add to all sorts of foods.

HOW CAN I ADD CHAI TO MY DIET?
Chai seeds have a slightly nutty flavour.  I add them to my morning porridge and have not noticed much of a taste difference at all. 

Chai seeds can easily be added to your diet.  Try a few of these options:

Sprinkle on your morning cereal - oats, meusli, yoghurt etc
Add to your baking - muffins, bread, pancakes
Mix a teaspoon of chai through your favourite smoothie.
Mix a teaspoon of chai through your favourite soup, or dip, or salsa.

Chai seeds are now readily available in major supermarkets and health food stores, so try some today!

Welcome!

Wow, so the long dreamt about blog is here!

Through this blog I hope to share a lot of information on natural and organic stuff, from news articles around the world, amazing organic and natural products, and my own experiences with all things natural and organic.

I really want this blog to be interactive, so I welcome your comments and suggestions.  And of course if you would like your natural or organic product or service to be featured, please contact me!

I guess I have always had a tendency towards natural alternatives.  I was brought up in a home where I barely saw a doctor, our most common practitioner was always the family chiropractor.  And it never did me any harm, I have had a fairly uneventful medical history.

The organic and natural lifestyle however became very real to me about 8 months ago.  It all just fell into place, if you want a healthy life it starts with what you subject your body to!  I decided to clear out the fridge, freezer and pantry and radically change the food (energy) I was putting into my body.  I started to focus on fresh, healthy, organic and free range foods.  Within 6 months I had lost 10 kgs without too much effort!  My body is certainly loving the change.

The next step was ridding my cupboards of any plastics that contain BPA, and then next on the chopping block was any skincare and cleaning agents that contained ingredients with names I could not pronounce!  I have made a very conscious effort to rid my home of any chemicals and along the way have discovered some fabulous products that I will be sharing in future blog posts!