Megan's Mind

Higher Levels of Vitamin D Reduces Risk of Crohn's and Flare-ups

2012-03-02T16:25:00.000-05:00

Can having a high vitamin D level really decrease one's chance of being diagnosed with crohn's disease? Can something as simple as a vitamin D supplement or 20 minutes of sun exposure each day really prevent the painful flare-ups those of us with crohn's or colitis are all too familiar with?

A new study suggests YES!

Investigators led by Ashwin Ananthakrishnan, MD, from the Division of Gastroenterology, Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, found that vitamin D–sufficient women were 62% less likely to be diagnosed with CD during a 22-year period compared with those deficient in vitamin D.

"Our results strengthen the rationale for considering vitamin D supplementation both for treatment of active CD or prevention of disease flares," the authors write, suggesting that routine screening of vitamin D status may be indicated for people with a genetic predisposition for the disease.

"The recommendations seem reasonable," Edward V. Loftus Jr, MD, professor of medicine at Mayo clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, told Medscape Medical News, noting that the findings on this "hot topic" are "very provocative."

"Many patients are worried about medication safety, so any vitamin that might either reduce the risk of Crohn's or might decrease relapse rates is going to be well received by patients," Dr. Loftus added.

A study was also conducted examining vitamin D's role in preventing flare-ups. Here's the jist:

Investigators examined data for 72,719 women enrolled in the prospective Nurses' Health Study who had completed an assessment of diet and lifestyle in 1986 to examine the association between vitamin D status and crohn's disease.

Although higher intake of dietary vitamin D supplements was linked to a decrease in CD risk, more studies are necessary verify data.

What does all of this mean? Eat your fruits and vegetables and get outside for 20 minutes a day if you want to prevent or heal your disease!

Source: Vitamin D May Decrease Risk of Crohn's Disease by Yael Waknine on Medscape & Gastroenterology. 2012;142:482-489

Baby Eating Habits and Healthy Recipes

2012-03-02T09:58:00.000-05:00

Do you want to know how to encourage good eating habits from a young age? Are you unsure of what recipes to make or where to start? If so, head over to Megan's other blog for some tips and Mea's favorite green smoothie recipe!

Treat Your Menstrual Problems Naturally

2012-02-23T11:29:00.001-05:00

We all have them - you know...the lovely side effects that accompany Aunt Flo's monthly arrival: cramps, excessive bleeding, delayed or absent periods, and a whole host of PMS symptoms. What if there was something you could take to treat these symptoms naturally?

Below is a brief list of some traditional herbal remedies that have been passed down from previous generations. They are effective, non-toxic, safe, and aids the body in healing itself. And no, Midol is not on this list.

For acute menstrual cramps prepare the following tea: Steep a pint of boiling water, add a chamomile tea bag (or handful of chamomile flowers) and six slices of raw ginger (or 1/2 teaspoon of ginger spice).
For menstrual cramps (best for women who get severe cramps every month): Take black haw with cramp bark and dong quai.
Wild yam is another great cramp reliever.
PMS: Take Chaste berries (an herbal supplement) with dong quai or false unicorn.
For excessive menstrual bleeding, try the herb Shephard's Purse (tea or herbal supplement).
For delayed periods and irregularities, make a tea of squaw fine and raspberry leaves. If none of these are available, try red raspberry (and herbal supplement or tea).
Dong Quai is widely known for its curative effects when it comes to menstrual disorders. Take this herb through the month but especially the week before your period is due.

Wouldn't it be great if your Aunt Flo came and went without notice? Okay, maybe that could never happen but it would sure be great if she didn't bring all of her baggage with her. Sometimes it is as simple as drinking a warm glass of tea :)

Vitamin D and Postage Stamps

2012-02-07T11:00:00.003-05:00

Do you live in a gray state? A state where the sun rarely comes out to play, and rainy days never seem to end?

Until a week ago, I did. Michigan has more cloudy days than any other state except for Washington. Our skin is light and our moods are depressed, mainly because we are so deficient in vitamin D. What makes getting adequate levels of vitamin D even more difficult, is that I despise the Sun. Yes...I enjoy the dreary days where I can sit at home in front of the fire with a cup of tea, a warm blanket, and a nice book!

I know, I'm the rarity. Most people relish the sun and can't wait to spend hours out in it. But not me, which is why I have been on the search for the minimum amount of time I need to be out in the sun for my body to absorb the vitamin D that is so important for maintaining good health!

And here it is:

Research has shown that a patch of white human skin smaller than a postage stamp can synthesize up to 20 units of vitamin D in just three hours when exposed to the sun! This means that if a baby were outside for three hours, her cheeks alone would absorb the entire day's amount of vitamin D!
So bundle up, leaving your face and hands uncovered. Go on a quick 10 minute walk and enjoy the rest of your day happy, healthy, and for me - indoors!

Dark Meat or White Meat: Which is Healthier?

2011-11-24T09:41:00.001-05:00

Today seems like a fitting day to share with you a little health secret I have kept to myself for some time. I have often debated on whether or not to share it as I was afraid that through supply and demand, the price would go up on what is now, the less expensive meat. But, in the spirit of Thanksgiving and for the sake of your health, I will de-bunk a great health myth:

Dark meat IS healthier than white meat. Yes, its true, the increased fat in dark meat neutralizes the acid of the meat, is easier for the body to digest, and contains more vitamins, minerals, and nutrients. Many people think that white meat will keep their body from gaining those dreaded pounds, but that is simply not the case and is a health myth that keeps most from enjoying the tasty juicyness of a good piece of dark meat!

So this Thanksgiving, you have permission to enjoy a big slice of the healthier dark meat turkey!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Dirty Cooking Water or Festive Medicinal Tea?

2011-11-08T20:42:00.000-05:00

A few years ago I visited a macrobiotic institute and was introduced to the principle of not "wasting" any of the foods used in the cooking process. This meant that if I made something with pumpkin, I roasted the seeds; if I made oatmeal, the leftovers were made into something new the next day; and when I cooked vegetables on the stove, the water was not discarded but was used in another dish or drank as a nutritional or medicinal tea.

Yesterday, after I finished cooking squash, carrots, and beets to add to our spaghetti sauce, I was half-tempted to discard the water as I had done so many times before. Instead, the deep red color of the water caught my eye and I was brought back to this simple macrobiotic principle and remembered that even this water contains loads of vitamins and minerals! I then glanced at the water again and saw it not as "dirty cooking water" but as a nutrient-dense medicinal drink.

The drink itself tasted a bit bland so I added some loose leaf tea (or a tea bag) to it. I was no longer drinking the "cooking liquid" from my beets, squash, and carrots. No, I was drinking a festively red "Roasted Almond Delight" with an infusion of vitamins and minerals.

This "medicinal tea" didn't cost me a dime or any extra effort to make...it came from the cooking water I was going to throw out! What do you do with the water left-over from cooking creations?

Natural Remedies for Perianal Crohn's Disease: Your Butt Will Thank You!

2011-10-15T09:19:00.000-04:00

Crohn's disease...everyone who has it knows this is a disease people avoid talking about. Why? Because one can't mention this disease without bringing up the words intestine, toilet, or poop; and well, poop really isn't a subject you want to bring up on a first date, job interview, or family gathering. As if having crohn's disease wasn't embarrassing enough, I had the pleasure of experiencing this disease in one of the worst locations...ever. Yes, having crohn's disease of the illio-cecal valve (where the small and large intestine meet) had nothing on perianal crohn's (i.e. crohn's of the hole de la bum).

Unfortunately, there isn't a lot of main-stream or natural health information out there on perianal crohn's disease or the very uncomfortable symptoms. So...for all my peri-anal crohn's sufferers, suffer in silence no more! There are natural remedies out there for you too!

Here is a list of things I (and many of my clients) have used with much success. The following remedies can be used for those suffering from perianal crohn's, fistulas, abscesses, and post-pregnancy crohn's complications:

1. Rose essential oil - Apply with a q-tip to affected area several times a day (at the very least, before bed at night and upon waking in the morning). Note, rose oil is a very expensive oil so if finances are an issue, try lavender.

2. Silver Shield Gel - Silver is a wonderful natural non-toxic antibiotic. Studies show it to be more effective than the three leading pharmaceutical antibiotics (without the side-effects). Not only that, silver shield is wonderful for all sorts of skin ailments.

3. Pau d` Arco - I took pau d` arco orally for my immune system. This herb is wonderful for infections, abscesses, and the digestive system. I wanted to take something internally to help with the root cause of my crohn's and give my body the support it needed on the inside.

4. Liquid Silica - Silica is a mineral necessary for healthy skin (inside and out) and healing! Most of us are deficient in silica because of our diets. I used 100% bio-available (i.e. absorbable) silica to help myself heal quickly and repair the inflammed area.

5. Acidophilis - Whenever the intestine is involved, a probiotic is always recommended! 60% of the immune system is housed in the intestine and good bacteria are essential for the prevention of all diseases, but especially crohn's disease.

Perianal crohn's disease is painful for most, embarrassing for some, and uncomfortable for all; but for me, these remedies put an end to my suffering in silence and allowed me to avoid drugs, surgery, and all of the wonderful symptoms that accompany this type of crohn's disease. At the very least, your bum will thank you!

Black Cherry Juice & Raw Egg: A Blood, Liver, & Nerve Tonic

2011-10-10T15:02:00.001-04:00

I am visiting my family in Missouri for an entire month! One of the best things about being from a rural area is the easy access to home-grown garden vegetables and fresh eggs that only come from living on a farm. With that being said, I was delightfully surprised when I opened my parent's refrigerator and found REAL eggs from REAL chickens from a REAL farm. I say these eggs are "real" because they came from chickens that are raised the way chickens are suppose to be raised and fed what chickens are naturally designed to eat. Yes, these eggs came from chickens that roam free on the farm and eat insects, bugs, and vegetation.

I knew this was a good egg the moment I cracked the speckled shell and saw a deep orange yolk. Yes, these eggs were too good for bread-making. There was only one way to eat these types of eggs...RAW!

I've never eaten a raw egg before and I would normally not consider eating them raw: (1) because factory farm chicken eggs are plagued with bacteria, medications, and poor nutrition, and (2) grain-fed organic eggs still come from chickens that eat grain and don't roam free. In other words, the benefits do not outweigh the risks.

What prompted my raw egg eating venture was research I read by Dr. Bernard Jensen. He recommends drinking a tonic of black cherry juice mixed with a raw egg yoke as a tonic for the blood, liver, and nerves. This tonic is also high in protein, iron, magnesium, manganese, enzymes, and contains a perfect blend of amino acids. With the fast-paced, highly stressful, malnourished society we live in, I am always up for nutritious health tonic.

Why not just eat my egg cooked? Because a cooked egg does not have the same health benefits: it increases cholesterol (as lecithin is destroyed when heated), is void of enzymes, contains little (if any) vitamins or minerals (as most are destroyed by heat), is constipating, and is very hard for the body to digest.

With that being said, I decided to "eat to live" and not "live to eat" and passed on the scrambled eggs. Instead I mixed 4 ounces of black cherry juice with a raw egg yolk and drank to my health! Surprisingly, it wasn't that bad and I think I'll make this a regular part of my morning routine, especially when I'm in a rush.

Why You Should Think Twice About Your Morning Glass of Orange Juice

2011-09-25T21:15:00.000-04:00

A big glass of OJ, or orange juice, is considered a healthy staple in most American households. Its the breakfast drink that gets the day started off right with lots of vitamin C. Its a "fruit" that most children are encouraged to drink and nutritionists and diet "experts" alike advocate orange juice as some sort of health tonic that can prevent colds, the flu, and can shed inches from the waistline.

I don't mean to be the bearer of bad news, but if you're drinking orange juice because you think its healthy, packed full of vitamins and minerals, or is going to prevent this winter's flu, you might want to pour the rest of it down the drain.

Very few people drink freshly squeezed orange juice; instead, its usually the concentrated kind that comes in a box with lots of sugar (and very little orange I might add). Regardless, neither have the health benefits we've been led to believe and here's why:

First, oranges like any other fruit or vegetable must be picked at the right time during the season to ensure that they are fully ripe and contain vitamin C. Did you know that the oranges in your juice are picked when they are still green? The oranges sent to market are picked two months early and are sprayed with a special gas that turns the outer peel to the bright attractive color we associate with a "tree-ripened" look. Since these oranges are picked before they are ripe, they contain very little vitamin C (as it hasn't had a chance to develop yet).

Next, when oranges are juiced the pulp is removed. The pulp is important because it contains calcium which helps the body use the vitamin C and neutralizes the acid in the fruit (which is very important for our health). The pulp also helps keep us "regular" and is important for digestion.

In addition, oranges (unless organic) are sprayed with pesticides and the commercial juices are pasteurized which removes important nutrients and enzymes. Without enzymes your body cannot use the vitamins in the juice (though as we've found out, there's very little nutritional value as is).

Add in a LOT of sugar, some preservatives, and some food coloring, and what you've got is a first class ticket to Diabetesville, Obesity Land, and Acid City.

If you want to eat oranges and get some benefit, stay away from commercial orange juice. Consume oranges that are tree-ripened, organically grown, and free of chemical sprays. Peel the orange and slice into sections. Enjoy both the juice and pulp, and do not consume them everyday.

If you want to increase your vitamin C levels, prevent colds and flu, and think that orange juice is a healthy choice for you or your family, you might think twice before reaching for the un-ripen, nutrient void, processed, sugary glass of OJ.

Solve Your Cold Feet Dilemma With This Natural Remedy

2011-09-11T10:28:00.000-04:00

My husband is always startled at night when I crawl (or collapse) into bed and surprise him with my very cold feet. Most of the time I'm pretty amused by his reaction and the ability to keep him up if I want to talk; however, when its cold outside and the temperature is lower in our house, my cold feet can keep me awake too! And that's not very entertaining.

I'm sure everyone can relate to this in one way or another. Either you are the one who always has cold feet or you are someone who complains that the person you're with has the cold feet. Having cold feet is more than just a nuisance, its a circulatory issue. When your body has poor circulation or drops below its normal body temperature, it moves the blood to the internal organs which causes your limbs to become colder. Since your feet are the furthest away from your internal organs, they tend to be plagued with poor circulation and are noticeably effected by cold weather more than any other body part. (Who really notices if their liver gets cold?) This is why people who catch hypothermia in the winter snow lose their fingers, toes, and limbs first. Its really the body's built-in protection mechanism (a desire to protect the most important organs first).

But we aren't really worried about hypothermia. What we're really worried about is the hours of sleep we're going to lose because our feet are cold, how many layers of socks we're going to need to wear, and our spouse's loving reaction to the drop in temp. our feet bring to the bed.

Here's a simple age-old remedy that will solve the cold feet problem:

Place a small amount of cayenne in the socks and sleep with them on.

The cayenne will absorb into the feet, increasing circulation, and will warm up the entire body! So instead of wearing several layers at night (or during the day), put a little powdered cayenne in your socks and warm your cold feet for good!

Side note: By using cayenne, you'll also be using a natural remedy known to prevent colds, flu, chills, heart attacks, and high blood pressure!

Treat Depression Naturally with St. John's Wort

2011-09-05T15:26:00.002-04:00

A little over a month ago I wrote an article for Natural News on St. John's Wort, a very effective and well-researched alternative treatment for depression. In case you missed it, check out the link to the article below.

http://www.naturalnews.com/033238_depression_St_Johns_Wort.html

The Challenge: Two new recipes each week

2011-08-11T21:46:00.000-04:00

A few weeks ago I decided to embark on a new challenge - tired of eating the same types of foods and longing for some culinary creativity and variety on the menu, I decided to cook two new recipes each week. Between writing, working, and being a stay-at-home Mom to a 5-month old, I'm sure most moms can relate to exhaustion that entails cooking a meal...let alone one that is not box! But, two new creations a week is do-able for me, and exciting for my husband as well.

So far, we've had many successes like "Baked Penne Pasta with Roasted Vegetables, Gluten-free Beer Bread, Portebello Pizza, Vegetarian Chili, and Home-made hummus with Naan bread." But we've also had some time consuming flops like "Edamame Burgers and Vegan Chowder."

Below, are some links to a few of our favorite new recipes:

Gluten-Free Teff Muffins
Portebello Pizza (Substitute cream with almond milk, and pork sausage with chicken sausage or ground turkey;)
Vegetarian Chili (We now make this once a week in our house!)
Baked Penne Pasta with Roasted Vegetables (This is my husband's personal favorite).
Lemon-Lime Hummus with Oven Roasted Pita Chips (Substitute soy with rice milk.)
Strawberry Date Smoothie (If in a rush, skip the soaking.)
Kale Chips (These were so good! I then used the same dressing on our usual stir fry. Yum! Note: Substitute soy sauce with tamari.)

I'll continue to update with our favorite recipes, but for now, maybe adding a few new recipes to your menu will re-ignite your spark for healthy eating too!

Wild Yam: Nature's Medicine for Infertility, Miscarrage Prevention, & PMS Relief

2011-08-06T09:57:00.003-04:00

When my husband and I decided we wanted to start a family, it was easier said than done. Like many couples, we didn't get pregnant right away, and when we did, it took several attempts for our pregnancy to make it past those crucial first weeks. I'm sure many women can share my frustration when the attempts to count days, check signs, eat right, and planning just don't pay off.

Instead of going to a doctor and getting on a drug to push my body into a state it clearly wasn't ready to be in, I decided to plug myself into the non-toxic, safe alternatives that nature has to offer to treat infertility. With that being said, infertility, miscarriages, and pre-menstrual syndrome (PMS) can be caused by any number of things and infertility actually effects just as many men and women; so to keep this post on topic, I will focus on what I would consider the #1 cause of infertility in women, early miscarriage, and PMS...progesterone imbalance.

During the month women undergo vast hormonal changes that most of us aren't even aware of. During ovulation when a woman is most fertile, progesterone is at its highest. If an egg doesn't get fertilized, the progesterone level drops and a woman starts her period. It is this quick drop in progesterone that causes our men to hide from us for a few days each month.

On the other hand, if the egg gets fertilized, progesterone levels do not drop but continue to rise, a woman misses her period and baby starts developing. If a woman's progesterone levels are low, its very hard for an egg to be fertilized in the first place and can even prevent ovulation all together - thus causing infertility.

So what does progesterone have to do with miscarriages during those crucial gestation weeks (9-13)? To make things as simple as possible, progesterone is produced by something called the corpus luteum for about the first trimester. Then it is time for the placenta to take over the production of progesterone. It is often this "switch" that causes a miscarriage because the corpus luteum stops producing progesterone but the placenta doesn't pick up the task so a miscarriage occurs. Usually, if a woman has made if past her first trimester, she can be assured that the placenta took over the job and progesterone levels are where they should be.

If you are someone who has had any of the above three issues, you know it can be very frustrating, saddening, and troubling all at the same time. If you were to go to a doctor, they would recommend taking progesterone either through a shot or cream. This is un-natural to the body and often interferes with the body's ability to regulate hormone levels once a pregnancy occurs. It can also have side effects for both mother and baby. In addition, even if you get your hormone levels checked at the doctor, that doesn't mean progesterone imbalance is not the cause of your fertility problems as these hormone levels are always changing and the lab test isn't geared towards the individual person.

As someone who has experienced all three issues, I decided to search for an alternative that could FIX the progesterone issue all together and to my amazement, there was such an herb...wild yam! Wild yam has been used as a "medicine" since the time of the Aztecs and has since been used widely in Japan, Central America, and by American herbalists. Its no secret to pharmaceutical companies either - who made the first form of birth control from an ingredient called diosgenin found in these yams. It was the discovery of wild yam properties that also allowed pharma companies to produce both corticosteroids and hormones.

Now let's clear a few things up:

The biggest difference between the plant source wild yam and prescription progesterone is that the prescription version is not only a hormone, but is synthetic. In other words, its made in a lab, hard for the body to use, and most times it is given in incorrect amounts. It also doesn't fix the underlying problem of why enough progesterone isn't being produced in the first place. The body, now being overloaded with synthetic progesterone, stops sending the signal to make its own (or it makes less than it should), eventually leaving a woman in a worse state then she was before.

In contrast (and what many people mistakenly believe), wild yam itself does NOT contain hormones nor is it converted into a hormone in the body. The hormonal properties of these yams can only be converted in a lab! It is a substance in wild yam called diosgenin that mimics progesterone and helps the body balance its own hormone levels. Whatever is not needed or used is easily excreted from the body and it does not interfere with the body's own ability to produce its hormones.

So if you suspect your infertility or early miscarriage might be due to a progesterone issue, or if you can't handle the swing that accompanies Aunt Flo every month, try a little wild yam. I personally took this herb for two months before I found out I was pregnant with Mea. I then continued to take it through the first trimester to prevent miscarriage - which worked out great because it is also a morning sickness remedy.

There you have it, my #1 recommendation for infertility in women, early miscarriage, and PMS!

Wild Yam

Treat your urinary tract infection naturally

2011-07-19T21:14:00.007-04:00

Did you know that we are one of the only nations who "wipe" but don't "wash" after going to the bathroom? And did you know that a urinary tract infection (UTI) is the most commonly occurring infection among women accounting for more than 11 million physician visits each year - the highest of any other country?

There are two types of urinary tract infections that can occur in both males and females: an upper infection affects the kidney and ureter, and a lower infection affects the urethra and bladder. A UTI is most often caused by the E. coli bacteria (and sometimes other types of bacteria, herpes, or parasites) that develops inside the digestive tract and contaminates the vagina or urethra. Many women experience UTIs shortly after giving birth vaginally, this is due to the weakened muscles of the pelvic floor that interfere with the draining of urine from the bladder. Menopausal women and birth control users often experience an increase in UTIs because of hormonal changes that change the pH of the vagina.

In the alternative medicine community, we believe that urinary tract infections occur most often in people who have made poor nutritional choices or have a compromised immune system. Usually the good bacteria in the gut and the body's immune system keep disease-causing micro-organisms in check, but when lacking proper nutrients or beneficial bacteria, these bad micro-organisms grow, contaminate the vaginal area, and because of a pH imbalance, are able to survive and cause an infection.

In Asian medicine, they believe that eating to much, drinking during meals, greasy foods, dairy, and stress create vaginal conditions that encourage bacterial growth.

Treating your urinary tract infection naturally:

The most common medical treatment for a urinary tract infection is antibiotics. These antibiotics reak havoc on the body, kill good bacteria (that keep bad bacteria in check), allow yeast to grow, and can even cause a UTI (and are the #1 cause of recurrent UTIs). Instead of adding to the environment that caused your UTI in the first place, why not treat it naturally and help resolve the root cause of the infection.

The following are simple remedies that have been proven effective at preventing, treating, and curing UTIs:

Drink one 8 oz. glass of water each hour to flush out the bad bacteria and decrease pain.
Unsweetened cranberry juice (or capsules) have antibacterial agents that create an unfriendly environment for bacteria to grow. Studies show that 15 ounces of cranberry juice can kill up to 80% of the bad bacteria, and these bacteria fighting properties are present in the urine for up to 10 hours.
Vitamin C and zinc with cranberry juice have been shown to be even more effective.
Lemon juice mixed with water consumed several times a day is a simple home remedy that's effective for many people.
Buttermilk mixed with 2 teaspoons of apple cider vinegar and water consumed several times a day create an unfriendly environment for the infection-causing bacteria.
Consume more acidic foods during an acute infection like grains, seeds, nuts, and fish and to prevent the infection in the first place, consume more fruits and vegetables.
Beneficial herbs for urinary tract infections include: uva ursi, juniper and garlic, buchu, golden seal, parsley, corn silk, marshmallow root, and juniper berry.
Equal parts of burdock, fennel, and slippery elm (a teaspoon total) added to boiling water and allowed to sit for 20 minutes and consumed after each meal and before bed is very effective.
Acupuncture has been shown to be clinically effective for treating re-current UTIs.
Sitz baths and hot compresses are wonderfully effective for post-partum women who experience UTIs.
Flaxseed tea and uva ursi / buchu tea are two teas that can be consumed several times a day to prevent and treat a UTI.
If you do take antibiotics, a good probiotic or cultured food is recommended to restore healthy bacteria and prevent yeast infections (caused by antibiotic use).
Maintain proper hygiene to help prevent urinary tract infections.

These remedies can be used to prevent and naturally treat a urinary tract infection; however, if you are victim of a UTI that just won't go away or keeps returning, ask yourself the following: "Why are you "pissed" off or who are you "pissed" at? (Hint...usually the opposite sex). This is the emotional root (cause) of a urinary tract infection and often must be resolved for those re-current infections to stop returning. Sometimes just answering those questions will resolve a UTI :)

Sometimes a simple natural remedy is all you need to prevent that trip to the doctor's office!

Red Tea: Drink Your Way to Youthful Skin

2011-07-10T10:02:00.004-04:00

What if you could drink something that would make your skin look younger, brighter, and fuller; something that could save you hundreds on cleanser, creams, face srubs, chemical peels...and yes, even micro-derm abrasion; a drink that is all-natural, healthy, and has been used for hundreds of years for all sorts of skin issues? Most of us are familiar with the health benefits of the all-to-popular green tea, but there's a cousin to this tea that many people don't know about, a tea that might just be able to make all of your skin troubles fade away.

"Red tea," or South African Rooibos is a naturally caffeine-free, mineral rich herb, that has been proven to be beneficial for the skin. This tea contains powerful antioxidants, enzymes, and nutrients that cleanse, nourish, rejuvenate, and protect the skin. Red tea is also rich in a substance called alpha hydroxy acid. This is the main ingredient in expensive chemical peels and cleansers. These acids remove dead skin to the surface and rid the skin of free radical damage.

Red tea is not only a natural remedy for acne and skin damage, but has also been effective at treating various ailments from eczema to psoriasis. If you are someone who has been plagued with skin problems or merely want to have more youthful skin - add this leading anti-ager to your tea cabinet!

What's in your medicine cabinet?

2011-06-28T15:36:00.009-04:00

Almost every home in America contains the infamous "medicine cabinet." You know...the secret compartment behind the bathroom mirror that's stocked with various "remedies" from prescription medications and band aids, to Neosporin, Exedrine Migraine, Nyquil, Tylenol, and aspirin. Until a few years ago, I couldn't imagine my life without the typical medicine cabinet either. What if I got a fever, cough, cold, headache, or couldn't sleep?

When my husband and I switched to the holistic view of health we threw the "medicine cabinet" (along with our microwave) in the trash. Yes, that's right, we haven't used a single prescription or over-the-counter medication in over three years!

When I found out I was pregnant, we decided it might be important to bring back the medicine cabinet, only this time it would be stocked with natural remedies. Below is a list of things we keep on hand - we have natural remedies for just about every emergency (or acute) situation:

Zinc Cold & Flu Lozenges - This can be taken whenever you think a cold might be coming on, during a cold, or after. It's also great for runny noses.
Thieves Lozenges - Very effective at relieving sore throats;
Licorice Root - A natural corticosteroid you can use in place of a steroids and anti-inflammatories;
Liquid Silver Shield - Used in place of an anti-biotic;
Silver Shield Gel - Used on skin infections, skin conditions, open cuts, wounds, etc.
Bone and Skin Poultice - Used with Golden Salve and applied to skin conditions like pink eye, rashes, fungal infections, candida;
Homeopathic Cough Syrup
Homeopathic Chamomilla, Pulsatilla, and Children's Cold Homeopathic - For teething, fussy, runny noses, and clingy babies;
Oscillococcinum - Taken within the first 24 hours of flu symptoms;
Essential Oils: Gentle Baby (for baby issues), Peppermint (for stomach aches and teething babies), Lavender (for all health issues), Di Gize (for digestive issues), and Aroma Siez (for migraines and headaches);
Chlorophyll - For all health issues from stomach viruses to weakness;
Probiotics - For stomach bugs, bacterial, and yeast infections;
Sleep Essence - A natural sleep aid that consists of a blend of essential oils;
Stomach Comfort - For indigestion, heartburn, and upset stomach;
Five Flower (or rescue / distress) remedy - For emotional upset;
Histablock - Great for allergies;
I also keep a bronchial/lung herbal supplement, capsicum, olive oil, hydrogen peroxide, lots of vitamin C, zinc, and a pair of crutches on hand.

With the items above in my medicine cabinet, I know I'm equipped to handle just about every situation including stomach aches, colds, the flu, bronchitis, insomnia, headaches, skin rashes, wounds, teething, diarrhea, heartburn, inflammation, sprains, and more! The great thing about herbal, homeopathic, and essential oil supplements is that they last a very long time without losing their potency, are not toxic to the body, and may just save you a few trips to the doctor.

Replace all of the medications in your medicine cabinet, just a few, or maybe just add one natural remedy at a time for a healthier response to the sometimes daily health situations that take us by surprise.

Ginger Root: Home Remedies for aches and pains, menstrual cramps, constipation, motion sickness, crohn's disease, poor circulation, kidney stones, and more...

2011-06-01T19:19:00.011-04:00

A few years ago while researching crohn's disease, I was introduced to a Chinese macrobiotic remedy for pain called the "ginger compress." As someone who did not use pain medications for the knife stabbing pain that accompanied this disease, I found the compress to be soothing and used it every day until I got into remission. Not only did it provide wonderful pain relief, it also cleared toxins and stagnation from my intestine, increased nutrient absorption, and increased blood flow to the blood-deprived scar tissue that plagued my intestinal wall.

I then decided to test its effects on back pain, arthritis, and kidney stones and noticed that it helped pass the stones and relieved back and joint pain, sometimes better then the best pain medications (while healing at the same time).

Most may be surprised to know that ginger has been cultivated and used as medicine since the beginning of time. Ginger was first written about in China in 400 B.C., mentioned by Marco Polo in 1280 A.D. and was the most popular import in Europe in the 11th and 13th centuries. Ginger has been used to treat all sorts of ailments such as: indigestion, flatulence, diarrhea, stomach aches, malaria, morning sickness, motion sickness, pain, high cholesterol, digestive ailments, and blood sugar issues.

To get the benefits of ginger, try doing one of the following remedies:

The Ginger Compress

For crohn's disease, colitis, lung congestion, constipation, kidney stones, menstrual cramps, sore muscles, joints, arthritis, poor circulation, and more.

What you'll need: Small piece of cheese cloth, large pot, water, 3 inch piece of organic ginger root, 3 medium/large dish towels

Directions:

1. Grate up a small piece of ginger until you have a piece about the size of a golf ball.

2. Wrap it in cheesecloth and tie it up.

3. Squeeze and put into a big pot of water.

4. Boil and then simmer for about 10 minutes.

5. Dip the middle of a towel into the hot pot and wring out excess. (Where gloves if needed.) Replace lid.

6. Slowly, so as not to burn the area lay the hot towel on the abdomen (back, muscle, etc.) The compress towel may be very hot so if needed, place a towel over the area and place the compress over that towel.

7. Cover with another towel to keep it hot.

8. Let the towel rest on their back for about 10 minutes.

9. Repeat steps five thru eight 3 or 4 times (or about 45 minutes total).

For intestinal issues: After the 45 minutes is up, remove the towels and compress. Look at your abdomen, which will be a pink color from the warmth of the compress. Do you notice any white skin patches? If so, those are areas of stagnation, decreased blood flow, and poor circulation. It could also indicate areas contributing to constipation, and diseased sections of the bowel.

For lung ailments: Place the compress on the lung area or for better results, on the upper back.

For muscles and joints: White patches of skin within the pink area, indicate an area of poor circulation and or toxin build-up.

For kidney stones: Apply to the area of pain where stone is located (most likely over the kidney) and slowly move down the back as the stone does. Many people claim they can tell where the stone is located (and the size) because of the white splotch left behind by the compress.

Note: You can also substitute 2-3 tablespoons of ginger powder for the root or if you are working with a small area like a joint you can just apply the warm ginger-filled cheese cloth, dipping it into the pot and applying it directly to the area.

For Motion Sickness:

A study in the Lancet Journal showed that ginger was more effective at treating motion sickness than the over the counter motion sickness drug dramamine. To use, take 2 capsules of ginger 20-25 minutes before boarding an airplane and thereafter every 4 hours.

The Ginger Bath
For Sore Muscles, aches, and pains

Use the ginger compress above and apply to the painful muscle or joint,
OR,
grate 2-3 tablespoons of ginger and place in a cheese cloth. Squeeze the cloth so the juice can drip into your bathwater and place in the tub. You can also use powdered ginger by placing the 2-3 tablespoons of powdered ginger into the bath water (or place in a tea bag if floaties bother you:)

For High or Low Blood Sugar
Consuming the fresh juice of ginger has been shown to regulate blood sugar...whether high or low! Add to smoothies, salads, and stir fry.

Ginger is a "food" that everyone should have on hand! It's cheap, medicinal, edible, effective, and may just save you a trip to the doctor!

Mea's Revolution

2011-05-31T22:21:00.002-04:00

I've really been struggling with the focus of my blog lately. Do I want it to be strictly about natural health and informative posts...or do I want to share my personal experiences, stories, and opinions? Now that I'm a mom, I wondered whether I should include my struggles as an individual, or as a parent as well.

All of these questions led me to the decision to do a spin-off blog called "Mea's Revolution." This is a Wordpress blog that is solely dedicated to pregnancy, babies, and parenting - specifically my daily experience as a mom as well as related alternative medicine, research, news, tips, and natural parenting techniques.

Megansmind will remain the same but if you are interested in pregnancy, babies, and the mommy version of my life, feel free to check out Mea's Revolution!

The Seneca Indian Cleanse

2011-05-26T09:27:00.004-04:00

The Seneca Indian Cleansing Diet (described in "Good Health Through Diets" by Hanna Kroegar) is a four day detoxification ritual originally practiced by the Native Americans to purify the body. For those new to fasting or detoxing, this cleanse is easier to follow than a strictly water or juice fast. It is very effective at ridding the body of toxins while also replacing the vitamins and minerals so many people are deficient in. This is also a great cleanse for people who consume animal meat and fats, and people who find it hard to do a cleanse because of their job or energy levels. Read below to see if this is the right cleanse for you!

Day 1 focuses on cleansing the colon. The first day eat only fruit throughout the day (e.g. applies, berries, melons, pears, cherries, etc.). The only fruit that is forbidden is bananas.

Day 2 focuses on releasing toxins and excessive salt and calcium deposits in the muscles, tissues, and organs. On this day, you are restricted to herbal teas. You can drink as much herbal tea as you want (e.g. raspberry, chamomile, spearmint, hyssop, etc.). The only teas you should avoid are stimulant teas like black tea, ginseng, and green teas.

Day 3 supplies the digestive tract with healthy minerals and fiber. On this day eat all the vegetables you want. You can have them steamed or raw. (Microwaves are not allowed:)

Day 4 cleanses the blood and lymphatic system while mineralizing the organs. On day 4 you can make a pan of vegetable broth with whatever you have on hand (e.g. cabbage, onions, peppers, parsley, carrots, etc.). You are allowed to season the broth with herbs or sea salt.

While doing this cleanse, be sure to get adequate rest and plenty of water. So jump start your "spring cleaning" by cleaning the most important house...your body!

Elimination Communication: Potty Training Mea

2011-05-20T19:31:00.012-04:00

Have you ever seen pictures of the women in Africa who carry their babies diaper-less on their backs? Yes...I too wondered the age-old question:

"What do these mothers do when their babies have to go to the bathroom?"

In all honesty, I tried not to dwell on the answer to much because I was sure it would have something to do with "Oops my baby just peed on me." Fortunately inquiring minds might be surprised to know that I have discovered the answer to the above question: ELIMINATION COMMUNICATION, better known as, infant potty training!
(Mea 6 weeks old - on her potty:)

Did you know that the United States is one of the only countries where parents wait to potty train their children until they are two and three years old? In fact, most babies in China are potty trained by the age of six months. In India, women place their babies over the street or other receptacle so they can go to the bathroom and then continue on with their business, baby in tow. Infant potty-training is no shock to most parents in Europe, Asia, and Africa because it is common practice.

So why do we (the United States) wait so long to potty train our babies, and why are we told that our babies have no ability to control their elimination processes until they are two or three years old!?? My theory, is that like most of the recommendations in this country, when you are told to potty train your child is largely determined by the billion dollar diaper industry who would lose a LOT of money if you were to potty train your child earlier! We are also told that babies are born with no ability to control their elimination functions...which is just NOT true! But it would explain why most parents have no idea that infant potty training is even an option.

I am no expert on infant potty training but my husband and I decided to take the lead from other countries and potty train our child from birth - which means 10,000+ fewer diapers for me to change and the avoidance of having to potty train a child at 2-3 years old - which by the way, is a lot harder to do when we spend the first 2-3 years of their life "training" their natural ability to control their bodily functions right our of them (and telling them its okay to sit in a wet/poopy diaper.)

There are many books out there on elimination communication, which I perused over; however, I thought of it more like potty training a puppy (and hey...it worked!)

Here's a few things we did:

1. Mea first went in her potty at six days old (the first day I had enough energy to take her).

2. I spent the first week or two of her life learning her cues - what she does before she goes to the bathroom. These are signals that let you know your child needs to go. Then, I'd set her over her potty or cloth.

3. Every time she went pee I looked at her in the eyes and said "Peeee Peeee," with a big smile of course. For poop I did the same but used the word "Poooo Poooo!" *A good time to teach your child these words is when they "surprise" you when you are changing their diaper!

4. I NEVER let her sit in her wet or soiled diaper. Babies cry when their diapers are wet and if you make them "cry it out," they will learn to sit in it, which is how we train their natural urge to stay dry right out of them! (Plus, would you want to sit in your pee?) Which by the way, led me to an interesting revelation that babies actually pee about 16 times a day (not 4-5 which is supposedly the "norm")!

5. When she was three weeks old I knew she recognized the words and associated them with the action. I then took her potty when her diaper was dry so that she would learn to go when I cued her.

6. You don't have to use a potty. Many times we just take off her diaper and place her on a cloth, cue her, and then put her diaper back on. Our goal is to save diapers (which saves $$$)! We also have a competition each week - who can save the most diapers. The winner gets dinner, a movie, or a massage!

7. When we travel, she waits until we stop at a rest area to go; however, when we are visiting relatives, we don't bother to much with cuing her. We just do our best to keep her dry and when we return home we return to the "potty" schedule. This same thing applies when we are out and about (or if your child goes to a day care). The great thing about elimination communication is: once you learn their language and teach them the words, you can go back to it at any time. They call it "part-time" potty training.

Our goal was never to see how fast we could potty train our daughter, but to encourage her natural tendencies, save $$, avoid toddler potty training, and to spare ourselves of the many (un-ncessary) years of diaper changes! Babies are soooo smart and have a language of their own...if you just take the time to learn it :)

Natural News Article #4: High Levels of Cadmium Found In Children's Jewelry

2011-05-18T20:26:00.008-04:00

Its hard to believe that children are exposed to toxic cadmium through something as simple as children's jewelry! Check out the link below for my fourth NaturalNews article.

High levels of cadmium found in jewelry for children

Weight Loss: Dissolving Fat With Daikon-Carrot Tea

2011-04-26T17:55:00.005-04:00

Its no secret in the natural health community that certain foods have the wonderful ability to dissolve fat deposits in the body. One of these foods, if not the #1 food, is the daikon radish. This white radish (sold in your grocery store) is traditionally consumed in Japan and China with meals that contain oily foods and fish. It is highly medicinal and used as a natural remedy for coughs, colds, asthma, bronchitis, digestive issues, high cholesterol, hardened arteries, and weight loss. Daikon is rich in digestive enzymes and helps break down food for digestion and boosts metabolism. It is wonderfully rich in vitamins and minerals, dissolves mucus, is a natural diuretic, helps lower bad cholesterol, and is one of the most effective vegetables at ridding the body of fat!

If you are looking for something to add to your weight-loss routine or are looking to add a medicinal health drink to the mix, try this macrobiotic daikon-carrot tea. For optimal results, take this tea every other day for two weeks, then stop for two weeks, and repeat if necessary. This tea is quite powerful so be sure to take the recommended break!

Makes 1 serving:

1/4 cup finely grated carrot
1/2 cup finely grated daikon
1 cup filtered water

Combine grated vegetables with water in an uncovered sauce pan. Bring to a gentle boil over medium heat. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 4-5 minutes. Drink the tea and eat the vegetables while the tea is hot.

In addition to the tea, raw daikon radish is worth adding to your diet on a regular basis, if not for weight loss, then for its many other health benefits!

The Master Cleanse

2011-04-18T09:40:00.010-04:00

As many parts of the earth are waking up from a long winter's nap, the spring season is setting in. Spring time brings flowers, fresh air, warmer weather, and green grass; it embodies the refreshing energy of new life, growth, and revitalization as the dreary Winter scenery fades into a picture perfect spring day.

Not only is it a great time for the earth to cleanse away the drearyness of Winter, its a perfect time for your body to cleanse away its "winter sludge" as well. By "sludge," I mean those few un-necessary pounds packed on from last Christmas, toxins from your environment and poor food choices, effects of excess stress, and poor lifestyle choices. Cleansing, will hopefully bring you more energy, skinnier jeans, a brighter complexion, and a step closer to the health you desire.

Below is one of the most popular cleanses for the spring season. It is seemingly simple, inexpensive, very effective, and can be done at home. The "Master Cleanse" detoxifies the body, expels mucous from the sinuses and chest, and is used for prevention of illness and disease.

The Master Cleanse:

Ingredients & instructions: Combine 3/4 cup of fresh squeezed organic lemons (approx. 3-4 lemons), 3/4 C. raw maple syrup (preferably Grade B), and 48 oz. of water. Drink 4-6 oz. adding 1 ml. of liquid capsicum or 1/10 teaspoon of powdered capsicum (cayenne pepper) to each glass every 1-2 hours. Reduce after the state of desired health has been reached. If liquid capsicum isn't your thing, take 3-4 capsicum capsules a day.

Note: Many people do this cleanse anywhere from 1-7 days, drinking 6-12 glasses throughout the day.

Remember to always use caution when doing any cleanse and do not cleanse if you are pregnant or nursing:)

What Your Sleep Patterns May Reveal About Your Health

2011-03-27T12:26:00.006-04:00

Have you ever wondered why you feel tired during the early morning or afternoon hours? Do you have trouble falling asleep at night even though you're utterly exhausted from a long day? Or maybe you are one of those people who fall asleep hard at 10 only to awaken wired at 1 a.m. and can't fall back asleep. Do you have to have that 20 minute nap at 2 p.m. to function during the evening? Maybe you have trouble waking up in the morning when the alarm goes off?

Chinese medicine practitioners believe different organs are the focus of the body throughout a 24-hour day. In essence, your body is constantly cleansing, building, healing, and restoring, and researchers have been able to link the times when these processes are occurring to the corresponding organs. Thus, what you may not know, is that your sleep patterns - when you are tired, wired, stressed, or experience physical symptoms, often indicate that certain organs are stressed or in need of some extra attention.

Use the chart below to track your own patterns and if you have symptoms or problems (e.g. insomnia, fatigue, pain, etc.) consistently during any of the 2-hour segments, consider that the corresponding organ may be a problem area for you.

3:00 a.m. - 5:00 a.m. LUNGS

5:00 a.m. - 7:00 a.m. LARGE INTESTINE

7:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m. STOMACH

9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. PANCREAS / SPLEEN

11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. HEART

1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. SMALL INTESTINE

3:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. BLADDER

5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m KIDNEYS

7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. PERICARDIUM / SEX ORGANS / CIRCULATORY SYSTEM

9:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m. THYROID / ADRENALS

11:00 p.m. - 1:00 a.m. GALL BLADDER

1:00 a.m. - 3:00 a.m. LIVER

NaturalNews: An apple a day really does keep the doctor away!

2011-03-25T12:47:00.004-04:00

In case you missed my newest NaturalNews article, below is the link. Check out the medicinal benefits of a very simple fruit...the apple!

An apple a day really does keep the doctor away