The Nature In Us

Another Heartworm Success Story

2009-07-03T04:47:00.001-04:00

Robin Sockness at Bandit's Buddies is a hero in my eyes. She's been helping dogs recover from heartworm without the chemical treatments and has helped so many dogs get well from so many health issues.

Not only does she work with clients through her website, she also has taken in numerous rescue dogs to get them well and then send them on to their permanent home. She began Bandit's Buddies after her own dog had heartworms and was doomed to die, but being a believer in natural remedies, she and I came up with a program and Bandit checked out negative for many years after until he died of old age.

Her initial motivation was to help other dogs with a natural heartworm program, but she soon was aware that her new part-time business was providing some profits that she could donate to her local shelter and use for natural products that were needed by rescue dogs with health problems.

I just noticed her website has a new success story on a rescue dog with many health issues, one of them being heartworms. It warms my heart to know there's somebody out there making such a difference for animals. Read Read Mack's success story and many others on her website.

Robin shares her rewarding part-time business enthusiasm with others, so if you're looking to help pets and want to learn more about natural remedies, contact Robin from her website. She's always looking for more distributors to help more dogs.

Flowers and Pollinators

2009-07-03T01:00:00.001-04:00

From Creation Moments.

Matthew 6:28:
So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin…

When a flower lives in harmony with and is dependent upon, say, an insect for fertilization, this is known as symbiosis. Creation Moments programs have given many examples of this, and each one defies the notion that these relationships could have developed by chance over very long times. We have another example today.

Chicory spaces out the opening of its flowers through the summer on a precisely timed schedule that is in perfect harmony with its pollinators. Early in the season, chicory flowers nearest the bottom of the flower stalk open first and, as they are pollinated, they close, and the next flower up the stem opens and so on.

There is a remarkable efficiency to this, but there is more: The flowers usually open only in the cool morning hours, not only to protect the delicate flower from the heat of the sun but also because this is the time the pollinating insects are about.

Other flowering plants open their flowers only at night and tend to have white flowers so that they are easily seen in the dark. These are the flowers that are pollinated by night-flying moths.

Such coordinated inter-relationships between the plant and the animal kingdoms could not have developed through accidental situations. They provide more evidence that the wise Creator designed these and all creatures within their relationships from the very beginning!

Prayer:
Dear Lord, in Your design of the creation You have seen to the needs of all living things. Take from me a mind that thinks that I must do for myself what You will do for me, and replace it with faith in Your promises. Amen.

Visit Creation Moments.

Saving God's Green Earth

2009-07-02T02:00:00.001-04:00

For hundreds of years, the church championed the beauty of God’s creation, demonstrating in many ways how it points to the Creator. However, over the last century, the evangelical church has let the value of caring for creation slip away. In Saving God’s Green Earth, author and pastor Tri Robinson makes a compelling case for the biblical precedence behind environmental stewardship and shows the church what it can do about this eroding value.

Read Chapter One.
Listen to sermons by Tri Robinson on the environment and stewardship of God's creation.
Read reviews of the book.

Ginkgo Reduces Neuropathic Pain

2009-07-01T01:58:00.000-04:00

An extract of ginkgo biloba shows scientific evidence of effectiveness against one common and hard-to-treat type of pain, according to animal data reported in the June issue of Anesthesia & Analgesia, official journal of the International Anesthesia Research Society (IARS).

Dr. Yee Suk Kim and colleagues of The Catholic University of Seoul, South Korea, performed experiments to evaluate the effectiveness of ginkgo against neuropathic pain, a common pain problem associated with herpes zoster, limb injury, or diabetes. Affected patients may feel severe pain in response to harmless stimuli like heat, cold, or touch.

The study provides no evidence as to how ginkgo works to reduce pain. Several mechanisms are possible, including antioxidant activity, an anti-inflammatory effect, or protection against nerve injury—perhaps in combination.

Many herbs and "alternative" drugs are commonly used without prescriptions for a wide range of purposes, despite a lack of scientific evidence for health claims. Ginkgo, one of the most popular herbal products, is widely used as a memory enhancer, among other purposes.

The new study provides the first scientific evidence that ginkgo has a real effect in reducing neuropathic pain. New treatments are needed for neuropathic pain, which does not always respond well to available treatments.

Source: www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090605175332.htm
Source of Standardized Ginkgo Extract

Bumblebees Extinct In UK

2009-06-30T07:57:00.000-04:00

After being last seen in the south of England in 1998, and declared extinct in 2000, the short-haired bumblebee (Bombus subterraneus) is going to be reintroduced, from stocks reimported from New Zealand, after they were originally exported there in the late 1800s to pollinate red clover (also imported), which was used as cattle feed.

The first bees, crucial to the farming economy, may be released into the wild by 2010. (England has seen a loss of 98% of its wildflower meadows in the past 70 years.) Read the entire article.

Stumbling Blocks to Stepping Stones

2009-06-29T08:41:00.000-04:00

From The Word For You Today

How would you describe somebody who was an accomplished pianist at ten, a professional organist at eleven, had compositions published at thirteen, and was a member of the royal court musical staff at fourteen? Privileged? Born with a silver spoon in his mouth? Hardly!

Ludwig van Beethoven was a black-haired, swarthy-complexioned, pockmarked boy who endured taunts and name calling in his hometown along the Rhine River, an area of mostly blond, fair-skinned children. His alcoholic father decided that Ludwig would support him so he made him a slave to the keyboard.

Looking back, Beethoven couldn't recall a single moment of childhood happiness. His life was comprised of work, tears, beatings and angry tirades. In his twenties he encountered another more insidious enemy - deafness. When he could no longer play publicly, he put all his energies into composing. His years of deafness were his most prolific. Although at the time his works weren't well received, he influenced many of the great composers like Brahms, Wagner and Schubert. Nearing death and recognizing that the world had never fully understood or appreciated him and his music, he said with a smile, "I shall hear in heaven."

When life knocks you down, don't stay down, bounce back! Everybody stumbles or gets knocked off their feet from time to time; the winners are just the ones who keep getting back up! That's what Paul meant when he said, "In all things we are more than conquerors." If you pray and look hard enough, you'll find the seed of good in every adversity (See Genesis 50:20). The difference between winners and losers, is their ability to turn stumbling blocks into stepping stones.

Pets: Proactive Skin and Coat Care

2009-06-29T04:56:00.001-04:00

by Dr. Jane Bicks, Veterinarian

Everybody knows that the cleaner the hair, the shinier and better looking it is. Not only that, but bathing removes loose, dying skin cells in the first layer of the skin, allowing healthy, new layers to grow. If you notice any excessive flaking, that’s an indication that skin cells are dying prematurely and are in need of additional nourishment and support.

Personally, I recommend that cats be bathed two to four times each year. The life cycle of hair ends with shedding, and as the amount of hair shed increases, the more hairballs are likely to develop. And when a lot of hair is shed in a short period of time, it can become trapped in the healthy hair. This is exactly why a proactive hair and skin care routine can help to diminish the likelihood of hairballs.

Not only is it important to bathe cats in an effort to prevent hairballs, there is evidence to suggest that bathing cats can actually help to reduce the severity of allergies in your family, too. Research by the Cornell Feline Health Center showed that many people who suffer from cat allergies report fewer problems after their cats have been bathed.

Unless your dogs have problem skin, they should be bathed only about every two weeks. Even though we think of our little dogs like our babies, they definitely don’t need daily baths. If they are experiencing mild problems (dry skin, an excessively oily coat, noticeable odor, etc.), I recommend that they receive an effective combination of the Revitalizing Shampoo and Bath Fresh Mist, bathing every few days and using the mist on the in-between days. And these products are safe to use in combination with topical flea products, so you don’t have to worry about reapplying these treatments.

A good shampoo includes conditioners, which moisturize as the shampoo cleans. Inexpensive shampoos often have harsh chemicals which, while providing a rich lather, frequently do not contain conditioners that contribute to a healthy coat and better skin.

The formula for Revitalizing Shampoo was created specifically to help your pet’s coat be lustrous and healthy, all year long! I formulated our shampoo with fruit extracts, due to their antioxidant properties. The base itself is very mild, with a built-in conditioner.

This delightful formula includes organic herbs, to provide your sweet companion with the very finest in care products. As soon as you apply Revitalizing Shampoo, the rosemary and sage begin to penetrate the hair shaft and rejuvenate the hair at the root. Used for centuries to care for hair, rosemary is a natural antiseptic that leaves skin feeling tingly and invigorated. Additionally, these organic herbs also help to stimulate the growth of new skin cells, resulting in healthier hair and a more luxurious and shiny coat.

Some over-the-counter shampoos indicate that you use a large amount of the product. As a result, rinsing can take a very long time. Sometimes pet parents, even after several minutes of rinsing, still feel residual soapiness in the coat and on the skin. With a rich formula, Revitalizing Shampoo lathers quickly, generates loads of foamy bubbles, and takes only moments to rinse clean. The fragrance is vibrantly fresh, with a pleasingly tropical mango scent – no overpowering perfumes like those used in some shampoos. The aroma is just wonderful!

If you have a dog, you know that even when you bathe them, they can frequently have the same dirty smell the very next day. Yech! Our Revitalizing Shampoo has a special odor-control ingredient called Ordenone™, which effectively eliminates foul odors for four-to-five days. With a proven safety record in many personal care products, Ordenone™ is a unique compound that traps odor-causing molecules odors and permanently encapsulates them. When you rinse away the suds, you also rinse away the unpleasant odors. In addition to eliminating everyday odors, Ordenone™ has no effect on the normal microbial processes of the skin, helping to ensure the health of your pet’s skin.

Unfortunately, both dogs and cats can have problems with matting fur. And often, washing them will only aggravate the problem, making the mats tighter and harder to deal with. Using scissors to cut the mat can be dangerous, and therefore I don’t think they are a good way to get rid of mats. This is exactly why I created Bath Fresh Mist … simply spray this coat conditioner onto the mat and carefully comb it out. It takes a little bit of patience, but it’s better for your lovable companion.

Bath Fresh Mist is made with the same fruit extracts and has the same odor-fighting molecule as the Revitalizing Shampoo. This spray-on coat conditioner and skin nourisher is an excellent in-between bath solution, keeping your dog or cat smelling fresh. Additionally, it’s effective at removing kinks, which helps to prevent mats. This lovely scented product is an easy and effective way to keep coats lustrous and smelling great.

And remember, both of these products are safe to use in combination with topical flea products, so you don’t have to worry about reapplying those treatments.

Give your sweet companion a healthy helping of relief this spring, and all year long, with the skin and coat combination of Revitalizing Shampoo and Bath Fresh Mist!

Very best regards,
Dr. Jane

Vital Nutrition!

2009-06-28T01:11:00.000-04:00

by Curtis Walcker

Vital nutrients are absolutely needed by the body to function properly. An almost endless selection of nutrients can be obtained through eating foods and taking dietary supplements. But, interestingly, for the average person, only about 45 nutrients are considered vital for human growth, development and maintenance.

These vital nutrients can be classed into six different groups: fats, carbohydrates, proteins, vitamins, minerals and water. Ideally, our diets should supply us with all of the nutrients we require. But most diets fall short, and gaps in the diet can be filled with dietary supplementation when needed.

Fats and similar substances like cholesterol and phospholipids are referred to as lipids. They are important sources of energy, they provide structure in cell membranes, they transport fat-soluble vitamins, and they can be precursors for hormones.

Types of fats categorized as omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids are essential and must be obtained from the diet. They play significant roles in cardiovascular health, mood and behavior; healthy inflammation response, and more. Omega-6 fatty acids are usually abundant in the diet; omega-3 fatty acids often need to be supplemented for optimal health. Products such as Super Omega-3 EPA and DHA contain beneficial amounts of omega-3 fatty acids. Flax Seed Oil Liquid provides both omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids.

Dietary carbohydrates come in the form of simple sugars, starches and fibers. They provide the major source of energy for the body. It is quite easy to obtain ample amounts of carbohydrates from the foods we eat, but choosing how much of each type to eat can significantly impact health and bodily function.

Simple sugars are made of one or two sugar molecules that are easily digested and absorbed, and increase sugar levels in the blood quickly for fast energy. Berry Healthy Drink Mix and Recovery Drink Mix both contain the simple sugar fructose and are ideal for active or stressed individuals. Starches are chains of three or more sugar molecules that take longer to digest and absorb. This makes them ideal for sustained energy.

Glyco Essentials contains essential sugars that may improve cellular communications. These essential sugars are supplied by many sources, including rice starch. Fibers are non-digestible carbohydrates that may help promote bowel regularity, maintain already normal cholesterol levels and much more. Psyllium Hulls Combination and Everybody's Fiber each provide significant amounts of dietary fiber.

The word protein is derived from the Greek word protos, which translates to, "of prime importance." Individual amino acids can affect the body on their own, but when proteins are eaten, the amino acids that they provide combine with others produced in the body to make other functional compounds.

Thousands of proteins in our bodies form structures, act as hormones and enzymes, provide energy, form antibodies, balance fluids and pH, provide nitrogen and sulfur, and transport substances. Nature's Sunshine Products that provide excellent sources of protein include Nutri-Burn Chocolate, Nutri-Burn Vanilla and SynerProTein. Free Amino Acids also provides a good source of protein in a convenient tablet.

Vitamins and minerals constitute a major portion of vital nutrients. They have a diverse range of functions in the body. These nutrients are needed in small amounts compared to fats, carbohydrates and proteins, and are referred to as micronutrients as opposed to macronutrients.

A varied diet consisting primarily of unprocessed foods is expected to provide sufficient quantities of essential vitamins and minerals. However, this ideal diet is not often practiced. Supplemental vitamins and minerals are a wise choice for those interested in maintaining good health. With a selection of Super Supplemental Vitamins & Minerals; Multiple Vitamins & Minerals, SynerPro®; Multiple Vitamins & Minerals, Time Release Tablets; VitaWave Liquid Vitamins & Minerals; Nature's Prenatal, Multiple Vitamins & Minerals; and Herbasaurs Multiple Vitamins & Minerals Chewable Tablets, it should be easy to find the right products to suit the needs of virtually anyone.

If you look at which nutrients you can do without for the shortest amounts of time, you might conclude that water is the most vital of all nutrients. Our bodies are made up of approximately 60 percent water. Transporting nutrients and wastes, controlling body temperature, lubricating joints and aiding in digestive processes are but a few functions water performs in the body.

Most guidelines recommend eight to 10 glasses of water per day, in addition to the water obtained from foods and other beverages. Nature's Sunshine Products offers many products such as Ultimate GreenZone, RG-Max, and Vita Lemon Drink Mix (Stock No. 2932-7) that are mixed with water, to add extra nutrition to daily water intake.

While it is essential to ensure that you consume adequate amounts of vital nutrients, it is also important not to stop there. Many other substances found in foods provide health benefits beyond those of basic nutrition. Numerous plant nutrients, or phytonutrients, have been identified as having possible actions in helping to maintain wellness. Many of these nutrients can be found in products offered by Nature's Sunshine and nicely complement a diet and supplementation program containing vital nutrients.

Green Jobs

2009-06-27T01:20:00.000-04:00

Green Jobs -- we're hearing it over and over in the media. But how can you find these great green jobs? There are many excellent online resources you can use to find your new green dream job -- ranging from renewable energy, to green building, to energy efficiency and much more. Here's an article with links and resources to find great green jobs.

Leave It Behind

2009-06-25T07:39:00.002-04:00

by Donna L. Watkins

None pass through life without causing pain somewhere and making many mistakes along the way.

© 2009 Donna L. Watkins - Canada Geese on Lake - Lebanon, PA
Parents are often burdened with guilt related to something to do with parenting, a job that one rarely gets any preparatory training for and one that cannot be done perfectly. Siblings carry guilt about things they've done as children to other brothers and sisters. Missed business opportunities haunt and life's common mistakes torment our minds.

Life hurts. It's a fact of life. We pass through with injuries and wounds and it requires forgiveness and mercy to weather the storms well. If we don't apply a healing balm, we'll have deep scars that threaten to mar our vision of today and the future.

What does God say about these things? We are told to leave the past behind us and run the race before us. We must learn from our mistakes. Consider the wrong Paul did to the Christians when he was Saul of Tarsus. I often wondered how he could put all that behind him. Burning and stoning Christians with an all-out vengeance for eliminating them. What an astounding vision of how we can accept God's forgiveness and grace. Paul's life is an example of how we can turn about and leave the past behind and make the future good.

Let go of what you've done to others. When the offended party has no desire to forgive or offer mercy, the load of guilt seems to be double the weight. If Paul can let go of the persecution he caused the church, you can let go of whatever you have marked up as wrong choices in your life. Learn from them. Mistakes are classrooms for learning. Take the lesson and move on. Carl Bard says, "Though no one can go back and make a brand new start, anyone can start from now and make a brand new ending."

Ask for forgiveness where you can and it is appropriate. Make amends where you can in reasonable proportion. If the offended one is not willing to let go and move on with their own life, that is not your problem. That is not your fault! By asking for reconciliation and forgiveness, you open the doorway for them to remove this burden from their life also. God will heal all, but it is a choice, and they may not choose the freedom path that you do.

Guilt is the burden of the devil to keep our lives from amounting to anything for God. It can consume the mind and life like a fire consumes paper. All that is left at life's end is ashes. What will there be to be said about us if we waste our lives in guilt and sorrow over events of the past.

No one is exempt from trials and tribulations, mistakes and errors of life. It's how you finish the race that matters, not the pitfalls you've had in the process. John Maxwell says, "You can spend your life any way you want, but you can spend it only once."

No one can destroy you without your permission and cooperation. It's not what "they" do to you that determines your outcomes, it's what YOU do next.

Confession, not remorse, brings God's forgiveness and newness of life. God is the God of second chances. He can make up for "the years that the locust has eaten" (Joel 2:25). Believe in Him and His mercy and power. He can place you where you would've been had the opportunity never been lost. Ask God for a new dream, then "forget those things which are behind and move forward to those things which are ahead" (Philippians 3:13).

Have you considered that making the right choice may give them the only vision and example of how they can get out of their prison of the past also. Set your sights forward to the future and in doing so, you may be able to release healing into their lives too.

When the "there and then" gets into the "here and now" you've got to turn to the future. Isaiah 43:18 says, "Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing!" Your past will infect today and every day of your future if you allow it. Choose to let go and move forward with an eye on the possibilities and purpose God has for you.

Copyright and Reprint Information
The photo(s) and article are copyrighted. You may use them if you include the following credit and active link back to this website:
© 2009 Donna L. Watkins - This article was reprinted with permission from TheNatureInUs.com.
The link URL is: http://www.TheNatureInUs.com

Guggul Has Gaggle of Benefits

2009-06-24T05:31:00.000-04:00

Guggul has a long history of use in India as an aid for weight loss, as an anti-inflammatory in arthritis rheumatism, and as a remedy for skin disorders such as acne. It has also been used for neurological diseases, hemorrhoids and water retention.

Guggul is promoted in the West primarily as a remedy for helping to lower cholesterol and aid the circulatory system. Research done in India has suggested that the herb may be beneficial for reducing overall cholesterol, lowering LDL and raising HDL. It contains compounds called guggulsterones that inhibit the synthesis of cholesterol in the liver. These compounds also appear to inhibit cholesterol from oxidizing.

In spite of this promising research, tests done in the Western world have not confirmed guggul’s ability to lower cholesterol. In one study, guggul raised LDL levels. Guggul does benefit the circulatory system in other ways, however.

It appears to have antiplatelet and anticoagulant activity, so it would inhibit the formation of blood clots in the circulatory system. Because of this, caution should be used when taking guggul with aspirin, NSAIDs and blood thinners.

Guggul may also help to lower lipoprotein (a) and C-reactive protein, two blood factors known to have a link with inflammation and heart disease. Because of these benefits, it is clear that guggul can be a valuable aid in preventing heart disease.

One of the common uses for guggul in India is to aid in weight loss. Part of the reason why guggul may be helpful here is because it acts as a thyroid stimulant. It appears to increase the conversion of T4, the storage form of the thyroid hormone, into T3, the active form. This would increase metabolism and the burning of fat in the body, including helping to lower triglycerides.

Guggul extracts have a definite anti-inflammatory action. A triterpene called myrrhanol A was discovered in guggul that has potent anti-inflammatory effects. This would account for its use in arthritis and rheumatism. For this reason, guggul is an ingredient in the Ayurvedic Joint Support formula.

Read the entire article.
Guggul Lipid Concentrate (wholesale prices)
Ayurvedic Joint Formula (wholesale prices)

Pet Shedding and Healthy Coats

2009-06-23T04:53:00.000-04:00

by Dr. Jane Bicks, Veterinarian

The splendor of summer is right around the bend. We are approaching the season when children, freed from studies, populate the neighborhood, friends and families hold cook-outs, and we find ourselves preoccupied with the health our pet’s coats.

There’s a reason for our annual fixation. Dogs usually begin to lose their winter coats in early spring, when it is gradually replaced by a shorter, lighter coat suited to the summer months. The amount of shedding varies widely from breed to breed. For example, the pet parents of German Shepherds will groan about the amount of shedding all year long, while those of us with poodles rarely have to get out the broom or vacuum, even with the arrival of summer.

While we’ve seen that growth cycles can be affected by mood, hormones, and nutrition, changes primarily occur due to fluctuations in the amount of daylight and temperature.

The length of daylight hours is believed to have a greater impact on the shedding cycle than temperature, which is why all pets shed during particular times of the year. Even artificial indoor lighting can have an effect, especially on companion animals who stay primarily indoors.

And companion animals experience big differences in temperature when leaving and entering your home, which is most extreme in the summer and winter months. These differences induce a constant state of change, setting up conditions that lead to increased shedding throughout the year.

And an unhealthy coat can have negative impacts on pet parents, too, in the form of allergies. Contrary to popular belief, hair is not the culprit of allergies in humans, but rather dander and proteins in the oil produced by glands in the skin.

For all of the hair support systems to function properly, they require a variety of nutrients, including fatty acids, minerals and vitamins. Additionally, a healthy coat requires a great deal of protein. Almost 95% of the protein that’s ingested is used by the body to support hair production and maintenance. Fortunately, nutritious foods like Life’s Abundance and Instinctive Choice provide the protein content necessary to supply your pet’s body with the protein necessary to help maintain a healthy coat.

Just as it is important to feed a high-quality, nutrient-dense food, it is also advisable to give your companion animals a balanced supplement that provides the additional nutritional support necessary to achieve the utmost in a healthy coat and skin.

HealthyPetNet’s Skin & Coat Formula is a unique formula that provides a perfect balance of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. These oils are certified-free of contaminants and are microencapsulated to increase absorption, so your pet receives the full nutritional benefit. Additionally, Skin & Coat Formula contains vitamins A, D, and E, all of which are necessary for the maintenance of healthy skin and a glossy coat. To ensure the highest product quality, Skin & Coat is manufactured in a human pharmaceutical plant. And, it has a delicious roast beef flavor that both cats and dogs love.

No matter the season, HealthyPetNet’s Skin & Coat Formula can help to make your pet’s coat healthy, glossy and beautiful – and keep it that way, all year long.

Rats Give Engineers Technology

2009-06-23T01:31:00.000-04:00

From Creation Moments.

A new revolutionary design in metal-cutting blades has been added to the metal-working industry. In use, the new blade is fixed in one position while the metal to be shaped spins on a lathe. This new blade stays sharp six times longer than the old blade design. When cutting titanium, the old-style cutting blades become dull almost the second they are used, but the new blades last up to 30 minutes. This wonderful new blade was developed by two engineers who got the original idea from a rat.

You see, rats' teeth always have a sharp edge. Engineers learned that this is because the teeth are hard on one side and soft on the other. So as they wear, they always keep a sharp edge. Applied to metal-cutting technology, this principle has lowered costs and increased productivity because cutting blades don't have to be changed as often.

Visit Creation Moments.

Big Sale At The Herbs Place

2009-06-22T08:51:00.008-04:00

ON SALE - 06/21 to 06/30/09
Expires Tuesday, June 30, 2009 at 6PM EST

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Chinese Anti-Gas is a formula combining 15 herbs. Its Chinese name 'xiao dao' can be translated to “clear the congestion.” It supports both the digestive and detoxifying functions of the body, including the urinary system.

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Clearing the blood of impurities is a safe way to prevent tissue degeneration. By strengthening body-wide cleansing mechanisms already in place, you allow your purified blood to deliver more nutrients and carry away more cellular toxins. The result? You feel better and body tissues heal more quickly. Chinese Blood Build is called "Bu Xue" in Chinese, meaning “to nurture the blood.”

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Harsh, over-the-counter laxatives hardly constitute a cleansing program. A gentle, but thorough, natural approach is easier on the body and stimulates other body-cleansing mechanisms besides the bowels. This approach should include balancing ingredients (to prevent unwanted side effects) and should replace minerals that may be removed during cleansing. Nature's Sunshine's CleanStart™ meets all of these requirements!

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Drought-Resistant Gardening

2009-06-22T01:00:00.000-04:00

Nearly 2 billion people already live in water-stressed regions, where subtle shifts in average annual temperatures could mean inadequate water supplies for people and the environment, according to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.

When water is scarce in sub-Saharan Africa, people spend hours searching for and collecting drinking water. When drought hits Nevada, people have to change the way they wash their cars and tend to their yards.

In urban areas of arid Texas, about 25 percent of treated water goes toward landscaping, according to experts at the Texas A&M Department of Horticultural Sciences.

Even small steps can make a difference, so when planting this spring and summer, consider using native species already adapted to the environment you live in. They will require little more than natural rainfall. You can also make soil improvements that help absorb and hold water, and use mulch to prevent water loss through evaporation. “Mulch is your greatest ally in drought conditions,” according to Organic Gardening magazine editor Ethne Clarke.

But most importantly, avoid these thirsty varieties: Plants That Will Suck Your Yard Dry.

Battling Bedbugs

2009-06-21T07:55:00.000-04:00

Bed bugs are increasingly becoming a problem within residences of all kinds, including homes, apartments, hotels, cruise ships, dormitories and shelters. The Harvard School of Public Health has drafted a document to provide basic information about the biology and health significance of these pests, and to offer guidance on how to safely and effectively manage an infested residence.

View information.
View an ABC News video.

Bird-Friendly Building Certification

2009-06-20T01:57:00.000-04:00

Buildings are a leading cause for bird-fatalities in the United States every year. Few green buildings exist where bird-safety is included. Architects and designers just don’t understand the connection between birds and the architecture. They don’t see glass. Viviana Ruiz-Gutierrez has a big idea. She wants to create the first-ever nationally recognized Bird-Friendly Building Certification.

LEED, a popular green building standard, awards only one point for bird-safe design, but it’s not a requirement. Other industries have already gone to the birds, for example, you can easily find bird-friendly coffee.

In 2007, the New York City Audubon Society published guidelines to bird-safe buildings, but the techniques are still often absent from most green projects. Places such as Chicago and Toronto have bird-safe guidelines, yet there’s not a nationally recognized certification for ornithological design-excellence. If Ruiz-Gutierrez has her way, that’ll all change.

Ruiz-Gutierrez is bird crazy. She’s spent her share of time in the field researching and monitoring birds. Her research focuses on the effects of agricultural land uses on forest bird populations, as well as testing monitoring techniques to determine how land use patterns around protected areas influences their capability to maintain current levels of biodiversity.

Her research has shown her that with less natural areas, birds are spending their time in urban environments. Impact of urbanization on bird populations is evident from mortalities in cities. At least 100,000,000 birds are killed every year across North America by collisions with buildings. Even more are injured. Read the entire article.

Travel With Your Pet

2009-06-19T08:07:00.001-04:00

© Photo: 2009 Christina Bethke - Fancy

It's that time of year when families travel and every year traveling with pets becomes easier and less expensive than boarding or pet sitting.

Here's a few resources to consider taking the 4-legged member of your family along for the trip.

Bring Your Pet
Pet Travel Resource
HSUS - Tips For Safe Travel
Dog and Pet-Friendly Hotels
HSUS - Packing Pets For Travel

God's Design For You

2009-06-19T01:18:00.000-04:00

From Creation Moments.

Genesis 1:21
So God created great sea creatures and every living thing that moves, with which the waters abounded, according to their kind, and every winged bird according to its kind. And God saw that it was good.

Beautiful feathers worn by birds are a gift of the Creator, but it takes a lot of work on the part of the birds to keep their feathers beautiful. Nevertheless, the Lord has provided birds with ways to keep their feathers healthy and beautiful.

We have all seen birds preening and, while this may look a bit vain, they are really going about a very serious business. For example, birds of the heron family accumulate a coating of pond-slime on their feathers. To clean this, they have three patches of special feathers that break down into a kind of powder. These birds apply the powder to their feathers and, after the slime has been absorbed, they comb it out, using a special toe shaped like a comb. Many birds have an oil gland near their tail and oil their feathers after cleaning to waterproof them.

Most birds pick up parasites, and they work at getting rid of them. For example, some will sit near an ant nest to let the ants release their formic acid that drives off mites and other pests.

God has not only provided birds with beautiful feathers, He has also given them everything they require to keep their feathers beautiful and healthy. Doesn't it seem reasonable that He will also provide for us when we sincerely lay our concerns before Him?

Prayer: Dear Father in heaven, help me to know that You have provided for all my needs. Help me to trust You more completely for everything. In Jesus' Name. Amen. Visit Creation Moments.

FDA Takes Power Over Tobacco

2009-06-18T01:20:00.000-04:00

Times have changed now that even tobacco states have smoking bans. Today, after two weeks of wrangling and a decade of considering the change, the U.S. Senate endorsed increased regulation of tobacco.

Senators voted 79-17 to regulate tobacco in the same way the government regulates everything else you put in your body -- from Froot Loops to aspirin.

At Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, organization president Matthew L. Myers called the vote "a truly historic victory" and "the strongest action Congress has ever taken to reduce tobacco use."

"Forty-five years after the first U.S. Surgeon General's report linking cigarette smoking to lung cancer, the most deadly product sold in America will no longer be the least-regulated product sold in America," Myers said in a statement.

The bill would give the federal government the power to regulate cigarette ingredients, to ban the marketing of "light cigarettes" and to require graphic warning labels.

Newfound authority over tobacco would mean the FDA could hold cigarette manufacturers to the same standards for quality control and marketing as makers of breakfast cereals and pharmaceuticals. It could also move to reduce nicotine levels and harmful chemicals in cigarettes.

And it could mean cigarette makers would be required to include new, larger warning graphics with more health information on their products and would be prohibited from using words like "light" and "low tar" in their marketing. Read the entire article.

Eco-Friendly Lawn Care

2009-06-17T01:05:00.000-04:00

We're rolling out the mowers, throwing fertilizer around, and using thousands of gallons of water. And all of these actions can have major negative environmental consequences. Did you know that over 50 million Americans mow their lawns each weekend, and that mowing contributes as much as 5% of the country's air pollution? Ouch. Check out 12 steps to an eco-friendly lawn for this summer.

Who's Afraid Swine Flu?

2009-06-15T18:00:00.000-04:00

by Sharon Grimes

You can't turn on the news without hearing about the possible swine flu epidemic. I am getting phone calls and e-mails from people asking what they should do to protect their family. So, I wrote this article to tell you what we are doing at our home. We are simply taking the same steps we would to avoid any type of an illness or outbreak.

I recommend a three-prong approach to protect yourself against the swine flu, or any other type of contagious illness that is passed by human contact from one person to another. Read the entire article.

More information on the products mentioned.
Research and information on Silver Shield.

Great American Backyard Campout

2009-06-15T13:03:00.000-04:00

Join thousands of American on June 28th for the 5th annual Great American Backyard Campout. This event is co-sponsored by National Wildlife Federation and provides an opportunity for families and individuals to spend the night sleeping under the stars. For details, camping tips, activities and downloadable campfire songs visit NWF's website.

Giving Love Better Than Getting It

2009-06-15T01:36:00.003-04:00

by Donna L. Watkins

I've believed and written that we need to love ourselves to be able to love our "neighbor." I recently read some research from the book, "The Heart's Code," that certainly negates those beliefs for me. And thinking of the content of the research was one of those "duh" moments when it just makes sense.

God commands us to love others - it's part of the greatest commandment. Romans 13:8 tell us that "he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law." Paul says that if we don't have love in what we do, all else is worthless, no matter how much we give or sacrifice.

©2005 Donna L. Watkins - Skipper Living and Loving the Good Life
Pets have such an ability to give unconditional love. Our kitty, Skipper, was a great example of that. Today is the 4th anniversary of his death. He died on the birthday of a dear friend (mentioned below) that passed into the heavenly home last year also. They both loved well.

The aforementioned book is about cardio-energetics and healing and the role that the heart has to play in this. For some reason God's has me in scientific books this year. I've never had much interest in science so it's been puzzling the amount of great information I've learned as I see on a cellular and genetic basis the why and how of these incredible human bodies. Physiology has always interested me since we made a turn towards the natural health movement back in the late 70's when modern medicine had no answers for our health issues.

So ... in this book it is mentioned that our capacity and willingness to give love is at least, if not more, important than how much we are loved. It is not so much "feeling loved" as "loving others" that is the way of the healing heart. It makes sense since so many people have overcome their own loss, pain and empty lives by giving love to others. You can remember such stories.

Dr. David McClelland at Boston University defines love as a body/mind state that occurs on all levels of the human system, including the immune system and the heart. His research involved tapping into the hearts instead of the heads of his subjects by asking them to tell stories and fantasize about past or future life experiences as a means of uncovering the code of the heart instead of the mental malarkey of the brain.

McClelland's work showed that a love for power negated the power of love. He studied men who had a high need for control accompanied by the brain's inevitable disappointment with the reality that none of us has all that much control over anyone or anything. By their early fifties, these frustrated lovers of power were 2.5 times more likely to develop heart disease.

He also showed that the immune system of lovers of power were weaker than those who knew the power of love. To show the coherent and caring heart's effect on the immune system, he showed students documentary films. Those who watched Mother Theresa experienced a profound increase in their immuno-efficiency. Watching a person with a coherent, open heart, seemed to make the students' hearts more coherent, open, and more able to tap into their own heart's trust code, and these changes were accompanied by a lasting enhancement of their immunity.

Cardio-energetics proposes that healing is a matter of the heart, not the head. It's a choice to tune into another realm beyond that with which the brain is more comfortable. A "picture" of this would be what the mother told the author as a child when his grandfather died and he asked her if everybody had to get old.

She said, "The body gets old, but never your mind. Even if the brain seems to fail and the body gets weak, the heart stays strong and its energy is forever. In the central place of every heart, there is a recording and sending chamber; so long as you see to it that your heart keeps sending loving signals to other hearts even when you are sad, your heart will get loving signals back. If what you sent was beautiful, cheerful, hopeful, and caring, that is what your heart will eventually receive, and no matter what happens to your brain or your body, who you are and have been to others will make you forever young at heart."

It will also make us immortal in one way because we will live on in other people's hearts. And that's the case with me and my special friend, Louise Allred. She gave so much love that nothing else she had to do was more important. I have known many that have died and I have wonderful memories of them, but with Louise, it's like she remains because she directed so much love within me that I still feel her presence and am inspired by it to love others as a picture of Christ ... which is what she was to me.

Reference: The Heart's Code

Pets: Sarcoptic Mange

2009-06-14T07:46:00.000-04:00

We love to hear success stories about pets getting health benefits from natural remedies. Here's a recent one somebody emailed me:

Sarcoptic Mange
I used Tea Tree Oil on my dog's sarcoptic mange because the vet couldn't fit him in for an appointment for a week. I canceled the vet appointment because the Tea Tree Oil cleared it beautifully! I cleaned the area and applied the oil with a dropper twice a day. This stuff is great! My dog thanks you! J.K.

Read more great Pet Success Stories here.