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5 Ways to Avoid a Painful Toothache

Posted by Dr. Richard Walicki on July 29, 2010

It has been said that there is no pain worse than a toothache.  Images of what people will do to deal with this are branded into our consciousness through movies like Cast Away with Tom Hanks, Marathon Man with Dustin Hoffman, and many others. I’m sure that you can think of a few others without trying too hard.

The pain, the throbbing, the agonizing feeling that your head is about to explode are a reality for many at this very moment. I have had women tell me they would rather experience childbirth than the pain associated with a toothache. As a man, I wouldn’t know, but at least with childbirth you have something to show for the experience at the end.

It is also a reality that much of this is entirely avoidable.  Here are a few ways to get a handle on this starting right now:

1. Understand that you can have a cavity without experiencing tooth pain. This is probably, the main reason that people get into trouble. They assume that if a tooth isn’t hurting, there must not be anything wrong with it. Nothing could be further from the truth. You can even have multiple cavities — on the same tooth — without pain in the early and moderate stages of decay. How is this possible? It’s simple. The outer layer of your tooth, called enamel, is mineral. It has no nerves and therefore will not send you a pain signal to say it is breaking down.

2. Watch your diet. Avoid sugary foods, drinks, and snacks. Cut sodas out of your diet. The average 12 oz. can of soda contains about as many teaspoons of sugar. Many foods also contain hidden sugars. Foods with bleached flour (think bread, pizza, bagels, cereals, chips, pasta, etc.) are among the stickiest and most acid-forming foods out there. I would venture to guess that the residue following a sandwich or pretzel will probably stick to your tooth longer than a caramel. Bad news if you don’t brush after meals.

3. Develop disciplined oral hygiene habits. Make brushing your teeth after meals and snacks, as well as daily flossing, a part of your daily routine. Many people start out well (especially after a trip to the dentist), but become less disciplined after a few weeks. Very often they will stop flossing altogether, for example. You need to make your hygiene routine as regular a part of your daily habit as eating.

4. Get out of the “emergency” mentality. Some people will only see a dentist for emergencies. You know who you are. So does the dentist. As my receptionist puts it when one of these people calls: “His (or her) head must be on fire.” Emergencies end up costing you far more than preventive care.  If you don’t believe it, ask your dentist about the cost of replacing a missing tooth.  It can cost ten to twenty times more than a filling!

5. See your dentist regularly. Believe it or not, this actually saves you money in the long-run. Patients that see their dentist at least twice a year are much less likely to experience the high costs associated with neglect than those who see their dentist only when they perceive a problem. There is also the matter of lost income associated with time out of work. Perhaps not least importantly, you will avoid much of the pain and discomfort that comes with abscesses, bleeding gums, broken teeth, and swollen faces.

Take care of yourself.  Apart from the health risks involved with infection and the inability to digest your food well when you lose your teeth, tooth pain can put a serious dent in your disposition. It’s hard to be happy when you are losing sleep because of constant throbbing or when you can’t concentrate at work or at home. You can find more tips on how to prevent dental problems and save money while doing so in the article section of my website.

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Known as the Doctor of Dental Wellness, Dr. Richard Walicki is a graduate of the Temple University School of Dentistry. Dr. Walicki is a general dentist with a focus on wellness and has maintained an active private practice in Philadelphia for over twenty years. His mission is to help people attain practical solutions for their dental health problems through education, prevention and nutrition. Dr. Walicki is a contributor to the LiberationWellnessBlog and a supporter of real food. Additional articles of related interest can be located on his website. A free newsletter and bonus report are also available.

Posted in Nutrition, health, oral health, real foods, sugar, wellness, weston price | Tagged: , , , , , | Leave a Comment »

Probiotics Prevent Colds..in Athletes!

Posted by Jenny Westerkamp, RD on July 26, 2010

We came across this new study below regarding probiotic use in athletes.

While we include a probiotic in our foundational programs for athletes and clients with compromised digestion and depressed IgAs (tested via saliva testing), we also encourage fermented foods (i.e. sauerkraut) and feature cultured vegetables on the Eat Like the Pros menu. The connection between digestion and immunity is a strong one. It is important that our clients aren’t dealing with colds during the season, or anytime for that matter!

Below is the abstract and summary of key findings (provided by Emerson Ecologics).

Author: Steve Austin, N.D.
Reference: Cox AJ, Pyne DB, Saunders PU, Fricker PA. Oral administration of the probiotic Lactobacillus fermentum VRI-003 and mucosal immunity in endurance athletes. Br J Sports Med 2010;44:222-6.
Design: Randomized double blind cross-over intervention trial
Participants: 20 healthy male long-distance runners, mean age 27 years
Study Medication and Dosage: 12 billion spore-forming units per day of Lactobacillus fermentum in freeze-dried powder placed in capsules or identical-appearing placebo administered in two divided doses per day for one month
Primary Outcome Measures: Incidence, duration, and severity of respiratory infections

Key Findings: Mean episode severity on a scale of 1-to-3 (where “1″ was mild and “3″ was severe) was 1.0 in the probiotics group versus 1.7 in the placebo group P=0.06 for the difference). The number of symptomatic days in the probiotics group totaled 30 versus 72 with placebo (P<0.001 for the difference). The trial was underpowered to detect a significant reduction in the actual number of respiratory infections, though the number of episodes in the probiotics group (4) was less than half the corresponding number in the placebo group (9).
Treadmill performance was also tracked and was not affected significantly by probiotics or placebo interventions. A statistically-nonsignificant doubling of interferon gamma levels was noted in the probiotics group.

Practice Implications: Strenuous exercise has been reported to increase susceptibility to common colds. Previous research suggests that secretory IgA may decrease as a result of strenuous training. Some researchers have suggested that these decreases could be responsible for the higher incidence of colds reported in training athletes. IgA levels did climb in the current trial (21-29%) but these increases did not achieve statistical significance. That said, however, a variety of immune parameters have previously been reported to respond to probiotics therapy (e.g., the phagocytic action of white blood cells).

Previous double blind research has shown a reduction in severity and duration of colds in both children (Pediatrics 2009;124:e172-9) and adults (Clin Nutr 2005;24:481-91). This trial confirms previous evidence that probiotics have similar effects in athletes in training (e.g., Int J Sport Nutr Exer Metab 2007;17:352-63).

We still do not know optimal doses for probiotics or which strains are most effective. However, relatively common strains of Lactobacilli and Bifidobacteria appear to provide a significant prophylactic and therapeutic effect. Adult doses in positive trials often range between 10 and 20 billion spore forming units per day.

Healthcare practitioners may now advise athletes in training that taking probiotics prophylactically could reduce the risk of acquiring a cold.

Unlike with some other supplements in the news these days, ingesting probiotics will not disqualify anyone from an athletic event.

Julie H. Burns, MS, RD, CCN is founder of SportFuel and Eat Like the Pros®, both located in the Chicago suburbs. SportFuel is an integrative nutrition consulting firm, while Eat Like the Pros is an organic meal delivery service. Julie’s past and current clients include the Chicago Blackhawks hockey team, Chicago White Sox baseball team, Chicago Bears football team, Chicago Bulls basketball team, Northwestern University’s varsity teams, Next Level Performance and individual pro and elite athletes.

Jenny Westerkamp, RD is a registered dietitian and nutrition consultant for SportFuel and Eat Like the Pros, both based out of the Chicago suburbs. SportFuel is an integrative nutrition practice, while Eat Like the Pros is an organic meal delivery service. Jenny is also the co-founder of All Access Internships, a website dedicated to serving the dietetic student community. She enjoys writing about real food and has contributed a variety of websites, newsletters, online magazines, and blogs.

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Vitamin D-ficient?

Posted by Jenny Westerkamp, RD on July 26, 2010

Vitamin D, a much-researched HORMONE (yes, hormone) has made its way into mainstream buzz. You can find it fortifed in a variety of food products including fruit juices and milk. Vitamin D once was thought to be mostly involved in bone development, but in fact, it wears many hats! Did you know that Vitamin D can up-regulate and down-regulate at least 1,000 genes? There is also growing support that it plays roles in the immune system, cardiovascular health, and even athletic performance! Here is an interesting article on vitamin D and athletic performance from the New York Times.

Where do you get Vitamin D from?
The sun is the best and most natural form. In fact, the UV light provides not only D3, but 9 other forms of Vitamin D with likely, but as yet unknown, function. We recommend organ meats, salmon, and real milk as well as cod liver oil (We love Green Pasture Blue Ice Royal!) to get food sources of vitamin D. Also, spending 30 minutes per day in the sun (in the summer months) is beneficial.

At SportFuel, we first recommend a Vitamin D home test from ZRT labs (email us and we’ll send you a test kit!). You can also go to your physician and it is most likely covered by insurance. Aim for blood levels of 25OH Vitamin D to be at about 50 nanograms per milliliter at least. We want all our SportFuel clients athletes to be at 70-90ng/mL. If low in vitamin D, and when food is not enough, we typically recommend 5,000IU daily of Vitamin D3 (and sometimes more depending on current levels or when someone is sick). Unfortunately, vitamin D3 is synthetic, so always tell your health professional how many IUs you are taking so as not to take a toxic level (the cases of vitamin D toxicity are rare, and some studies report toxicity at 100,000IU/day). It is interesting to note that with the sunlight exposure that provides vitamin D, your body can actually automatically turn off Vitamin D production when it is sufficient…always trust the body!!

Julie H. Burns, MS, RD, CCN is founder of SportFuel and Eat Like the Pros®, both located in the Chicago suburbs. SportFuel is an integrative nutrition consulting firm, while Eat Like the Pros is an organic meal delivery service. Julie’s past and current clients include the Chicago Blackhawks hockey team, Chicago White Sox baseball team, Chicago Bears football team, Chicago Bulls basketball team, Northwestern University’s varsity teams, Next Level Performance and individual pro and elite athletes.

Jenny Westerkamp, RD is a registered dietitian and nutrition consultant for SportFuel and Eat Like the Pros, both based out of the Chicago suburbs. SportFuel is an integrative nutrition practice, while Eat Like the Pros is an organic meal delivery service. Jenny is also the co-founder of All Access Internships, a website dedicated to serving the dietetic student community. She enjoys writing about real food and has contributed a variety of websites, newsletters, online magazines, and blogs.

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Good Vibrations

Posted by let'spoon on July 26, 2010

Sniffles and a sore throat in July?  I usually don’t associate summertime with getting a cold/flu.  Yet, last week I developed had all the symptoms of a classic cold.  And the one thing I craved most: Chicken Soup.  Even in 105′ heat, I craved a steaming bowl of Chicken Soup.  For the scientist in all of us – and for those that love the show “mythbusters” – here’s a evidence-based reason to make bone broth a regular part of our diet.  Francis Pottenger- the doctor famous for his research on the diets of cats – also helped to highlight the benefits of gelatin in digestion.  Here are some statements he made:

“Cooked foods interfere with the ability to absorb digestive juices. Hydrophilic colloid (gelatin) brings about conditions in the stomach during digestion which approach those resulting from the consumption of foods in their natural state. So if you eat cooked foods, hydrophilic colloids can help with digestion and the assimilation of food.”

“If man did not cook his food, there would be no need for the addition of any hydrophilic colloid to his diet. Uncooked foods contain sufficient hydrophilic colloid to keep his gastric mucosa in excellent condition.”

“Hydrophilic colloids lesson gastric irritation by absorbing the digestive secretions of the stomach so that digestion takes place within a mass of food.”

“It has a wide range of usefulness in gastro-intestinal ailments…ranging from heartburn and indigestion to spastic colitis and more.”

So people, what did we learn from today’s lesson: if we cook, we need gelatin.  What is the easiest way to get gelatin into your diet?  Make slow-simmered, homemade bone broth.  And once you have your gelatinous broth, here is a delicious summer recipe for all to savor.  It’s got the extra enzymatic punch of pineapple, a little spicy kick and is served chilled.

Pinata Gazpacho

Ingredients:

3 cups homemade chicken stock
5-6 medium tomatoes
2 large cucumbers
1/2 of a fresh pineapple, cored and chopped
1/2 large red onion
2-3 garlic cloves
1 jalapeno or serrano pepper (optional)
1 bunch cilantro
Olive oil
Freshly squeezed lemon or lime
Sea salt
Freshly ground black pepper
Avocado (optional)

1. Chicken broth should be ready in the refrigerator

2. Peel the tomatoes, remove the seeds, and cut into large chunks. The best way to peel tomatoes: fill a medium saucepan halfway with water (enough to cover your tomatoes), bring to a boil, place the tomatoes in and boil for one minute — set aside to cool and peel). Add to the a bowl, or the bowl of your food processor. (I do it in my food processor.)

3. Peel the cucumbers, scrape out the seeds, and cut into large pieces. Add to bowl.

4. Remove the skin from the pineapple, core and chop 1/2 for recipe. Add to bowl.

5. Peel the onion and cut it up, crush the garlic and add to bowl.

6. Rinse the cilantro, chop, and add to bowl.

7. If using the food processor, pulse a few times for chunkier gazpacho. Blend longer for smoother gazpacho.

8. Transfer to a large bowl. Add the chicken stock. Add a glug of olive oil and a glug of vinegar. If using lemon or lime juice, squeeze a little in. Stir.

9. Season to taste with sea salt and freshly grated black pepper.

10. Taste and add olive oil, vinegar, salt and pepper until it is to your liking.

11. Serve with chunks of avocado.

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Jamie Busch is the Chef/Owner of Let’spoon – Seasonal Foods from Scratch. Through his food business addition, Jamie is bringing Real Foods to people through personal chef services, event catering, prepared meals, and Farmer’s Market participation. He is a ServSafe certified Chef, and a member of Slow Food USA and The Weston A. Price Foundation.

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Organic Produce? . . . Local Produce? . . . Does It Matter?

Posted by Debbie Wysocki on July 18, 2010

Are Organics Worth Their Price?

That would depend . . .

The recession is lingering. . . . and for city dwellers in areas where agriculture is not big, this question can be important for a family’s budget.

While many families have sought out food co-ops and local farmers who aren’t certified organic but certainly are (they don’t use synthetic
pesticides, petroleum-based fertilizers, or sewer sludge), the chickens run free on grass, other families are making the hard choice on whether to spend their money on organic produce.

IS ORGANIC really important?

I recently came across an article in O Magazine — by author Nina Planck did a great job sharing her insights and research.

Our family is a ‘city’ family with a Whole Foods nearby a small market that provides local produce, meats, and dairy, and then
the BIG Super Market — Publix who has its allotted 6 feet of Organic produce 2 feet in the Meat section and so on.

To summarize Nina’s article, there were a whole bunch of European studies.  The bottom line is that we now know that organic produce that is free of synthetic nitrogen fertilizer has:

1.  A stronger immune system.  The nitrogen produces a watery,
sugary cell sap that compromises the plant’s health (imagine that).*
A healthy plant, makes a healthier meal, and tastier.

2.  Higher levels of beneficial antioxidants, including vitamin C
which helps prevent aging)

3.  More polyunsaturated fatty acids (according to the French)

4.  More nutrients according a 5-year study by 33 universities in
the United Kingdom

Maybe this will help you and your family — it’s what the guidelines we use:

These are the fruits and vegetables known to be MOST CONTAMINATED with  herbicides and pesticides

1.  Peaches
2.  Apples
3.  Bell Peppers
4.  Celery
5.  Nectarines
6.  Strawberries
7.  Cherries
8.  Lettuce
9.  Grapes
10. Pears
11. Spinach
12. Potatoes
13. Raspberries
14. Blueberries
15. Kale

My first weekly stop is our local market for any produce, meat, and dairy need.  Note that I pretty much put ALL berries on the buy LOCAL or ORGANIC list.  IF there is anything on my list that they didn’t have that our family really wants, we’ll go on to Whole Foods.  Then for our paper goods and household staples, it’s either the warehouse store or Publix.

Whole Foods brings in a lot of foods from South America — I never buy anything from South America even if it says ‘organic’ from South America because frankly I just don’t believe they monitor the farming practices – but this is just me.

Here’s the list of produce that is LEAST contaminated with herbicides and pesticides

1.  Sweet Corn
2.  Avocados
3.  Pineapples
4.  Cauliflower
5.  Sweet Peas
6.  Broccoli
7.  Onions
8.  Asparagus
9.  Bananas
10. Kiwi
11. Mangoes
12. Papaya
13. Eggplant
14. Cabbage
15. Watermelon
16. Tomato
17. Sweet Potato

Going Organic for many families is a lifestyle change — becoming healthier in all areas.  That’s how it was for us.  We are about 70% organic in our food — it’s all the kids knew until they went to school — and then they got introduced to world of their friends lunch boxes.  As for our cleaning, we are close to 95% green.  Of course, there is always room for improvement!

Why are farmers going organic?  One, the demand is huge.  Two, the money.  For some farmers it’s about raising healthier plants and raising soil fertility — which of course gives better plants!  Let’s hope more farmers choose to go down the organic path — more farmers means more choices and hopefully lower prices for us!
*There was a mention in Planck’s article that when a plant becomes dependent upon synthetic pesticides, it can no longer fend of pests naturally.  Kinda like when people become dependent on pharmaceuticals . . .

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Debbie Wysocki is the owner of Women with Dreams and residual Money secrets – companies that empower the average person to live an extraordinary life by teaching how to build profitable businesses in the network marketing arena.  She is a wife, mom, volunteer, a top producer in the MLM industry, a wellness educator,  a real estate investor, author, trainer, and former Beverly Hills financial analyst who is passionate about helping others succeed. Her motto is ‘How you do anything, is how you do everything!’ To see more of Debbie’s posts, go to:  www.WomenWithDreams.com/Blog For more information or to contact Debbie directly at Debbie@WomenWithDreams.com or 954-781-6629

Posted in FRESH, Family Wellness, Financial Wellness, Goal Setting, Local Foods, MLM, Nutrition, Total Wellness, Women With Dreams, debbie wysocki, farm fresh, fresh and local, health, liberation diet, liberation wellness, motivation, part-time business, polyunsaturated fats, real food, real foods | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a Comment »

FLIP Fitness Certification

Posted by Kevin Brown on July 16, 2010

BRING A NEW PROGRAM TO YOUR FACILITY THIS FALL !

How: Get Flip Fitness Certified and learn how to teach the BEST, new fitness program around!

Date : Sunday, September 12, 2010
Time: 9:00 am – 1:00pm
Location: Intoxx Gym, 123 Leverington Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19127

Cost: $125

Register: With Susan at 610-822-6135 or susan@flipfitness.com

Who:Group Fitness Instructors – Flip Fitness will increase your class numbers, service both males and females and does not require hours of choreography preparation.

Personal Trainers – Flip Fitness will give you the tools you need to workout any client in any environment with no equipment.

Obtain your Flip Fitness Certification and receive 2.75 Continuing Education Credits
from the Aerobics and Fitness Association of America (AFAA).

TO LEARN MORE ABOUT FLIP FITNESS VIEW ATTACHED VIDEO OR CONTACT SUSAN TO EXPERIENCE A FLIP FITNESS CLASS.

Susan McInerney
Co-Owner,
Flip Fitness, LLC
Cell: 215.520.9932
Fax: 610.822.6135
www.flipfitness.com

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MANIPULATIVE POLITICS AT CODEX

Posted by Kevin Brown on July 13, 2010

NHF Logo

PRESS RELEASE

MANIPULATIVE POLITICS AT CODEX –
WHERE FORM REIGNS OVER FUNCTION


July 12, 2010

The Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC) opened its 33rd session on Monday, July 5th, at the Centre International de Conferences in Geneva, Switzerland, with a full agenda of food-standard topics to be discussed.   Except for those spells during which vice-chairmen ran the meeting for practice, the CAC Chairwoman Karen Hulebak steered the meeting down its bobsled course with the National Health Federation (NHF) as a very active and noticed participant in the debates.

Among many other issues, the Commission debated the proposed Codex standard for ractopamine maximum residue levels (MRLs).  Stuck at the final Step 8, and balancing on the edge of adoption by CAC, these standards are strongly opposed by the European Union, Russia, China, Turkey, and other member-country delegations as well as all consumer INGOs.

Ractopamine is a veterinary drug developed by a subsidiary of drug company Eli Lilly.  It is approved in 22 countries, but either banned or not approved for use in 160 countries worldwide.  Administered in the feed of animals in the last few weeks before they are slaughtered, this drug “beefs up” the animal so that more will be paid for them at market.  Lost in the shuffle are any concerns about the health and welfare of the animals themselves as well as the health of the humans who consume ractopamine-saturated meat.

As argued by NHF delegate Scott Tips during the Commission’s sometimes heated debates, “This debate is being framed in a rigged way that is dishonest.  Our goal here is not compromise and consensus, those are just tools, not an end in themselves.  The goal as stated by you [indicating Chairwoman Hulebak] at this morning’s opening session is ‘to protect the health of consumers.’  Unfortunately, there always seems to be a push for adoption no matter what.  This Commission has a habit of rubberstamping, rubberstamping, and rubberstamping what has been done below in the committees.  Yet sometimes there can be no compromise or consensus reached, and you just have to stand back and say ‘no,’ ‘no more.’  That is what has happened here.  This product, ractopamine, has been banned in 160 countries and there are delegates here representing 2.5 billion persons who are saying no to ractopamine.  This is not a safe product.  Others seem to want to push commercial interest over health instead.  Some have argued that if we don’t approve a standard here than the credibility of the whole Codex system will be called into question.  But, what will bring into question the whole system more than anything else would be to crank out a standard that leads to harming thousands of people – that would be far worse than simply failing to adopt a standard!  We therefore agree with the comments of the delegates of Norway, the EU, China, and Russia, who are trying to protect the health of their citizens by taking a firm stand here against ractopamine.”

[For the Full Report and outcome of the debates click here.]

Please send this e-mail to everyone on your list so that they may know the truth about Codex events.

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*** PLEASE CONSIDER DONATING SO THAT WE MAY CONTINUE OUR FIGHT AT CODEX.

THE NHF EXISTS TOTALLY ON MEMBERSHIP FEES AND DONATIONS. ***

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For further information on Codex, please visit the NHF website (Codex): http://www.thenhf.com/codex.html

NHF Codex Book -

NHF Codex Overview (May be used as an article or printed as a handout to educate on Codex) –

NHF-UK Codex Overview (May be used as an article or printed as a handout to educate on Codex) –

NHF-Dutch Codex Overview (May be used as an article or printed as a handout to educate on Codex) –

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As the oldest and best-respected health-freedom group on Capitol Hill, the NHF continues to be the credible source of objective assessment of, and proactive actions on, Congressional legislation and FDA matters that have material impact upon our freedom-of-health choices and access to dietary supplements and nutritional foods.

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Click here for the permanent link to this press release, use this link to inform others.

National Health Federation: Established in 1955, the National Health Federation is a consumer-education, health-freedom organization working to protect individuals’ rights to choose to consume healthy food, take supplements and use alternative therapies without unnecessary government restrictions. The NHF is the only such organization with recognized observer-delegate status at Codex meetings. www.thenhf.com

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Kevin Brown is President of Liberation Wellness and co-author of the Liberation Diet. He serves as a Fellow on the National Board of Fitness Examiners, and is president of Visionary Trainers. Kevin and his wife Tracy are Chapter leaders for the Weston A. Price foundation, a non-profit organization that is helping restore real food to its rightful place in the American diet.

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Chipping Away at The China Study

Posted by Lauren Snyder Grosz on July 10, 2010

Here is a recent post by one of my favorite real food bloggers who goes by the moniker Food Renegade.

I’ve answered plenty of reader questions about The China Study over the years. Most simply ask, “I appreciate the research and thought you’ve put into getting us this information about how pre-industrial diets can help curb the diseases of industrialization (heart disease, diabetes, cancer, high blood pressure, obesity, etc.), and I support your conclusions 100% based on my own experience. But I have friends who have read The China Study, and they say that it’s real, hard science disproving what you’re promoting. What’s your response to them?”

I’ve never written a post about The China Study, so rather than point them to my own content, I point them to a hodge podge of various posts online written by people whose scientific judgments I trust as more valid than my own — some are doctors, some have Ph.D.s in nutrition research, and some are just folks who are science junkies. While I’ve found those handful of articles to be helpful, I’ve never found any one of them individually to be all that comprehensive or thorough.

That changed yesterday.

Now, I’ve finally read what I consider the go-to article online for helping folks in love with The China Study see the light. The post is written by someone who took the raw data from The China Study and mapped it out to see if she could draw the same conclusions that the famous book’s author (T. Colin Campbell) drew.

After spending a solid month and a half reading, graphing, sticky-noting, and passing out at 3 AM from studious exhaustion upon her copy of the raw China Study data, blogger Denise Minger decided it was time to voice her criticisms. And there were many.

Her 9,000+ word essay is as thorough as they come, and she concludes with this thought:

In sum, “The China Study” is a compelling collection of carefully chosen data. Unfortunately for both health seekers and the scientific community, Campbell appears to exclude relevant information when it indicts plant foods as causative of disease, or when it shows potential benefits for animal products. This presents readers with a strongly misleading interpretation of the original China Study data, as well as a slanted perspective of nutritional research from other arenas (including some that Campbell himself conducted).

In rebuttals to previous criticism on “The China Study,” Campbell seems to use his curriculum vitae as reason his word should be trusted above that of his critics. His education and experience is no doubt impressive, but the “Trust me, I’m a scientist” argument is a profoundly weak one. It doesn’t require a PhD to be a critical thinker, nor does a laundry list of credentials prevent a person from falling victim to biased thinking. Ultimately, I believe Campbell was influenced by his own expectations about animal protein and disease, leading him to seek out specific correlations in the China Study data (and elsewhere) to confirm his predictions.

So, if you’ve been wanting an in-depth rebuttal to T. Colin Campbell’s The China Study, go read her 9000+ word summary conclusion. And if you want even more detailed analysis, take a look at the complete series of articles she’s posted over the past month as she’s dissected both the raw data and the famed best-selling book.

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Lauren Snyder Grosz is a Certified Nutrition and Wellness Educator. She writes for LiberationWellnessBlog.com. As a student on a lifelong quest for exceptional health and happiness, her mission is to empower people to take complete responsibility for their own health by rethinking everything we’ve assumed to be true and rediscovering what truly works based on accurate science.

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WILL ALCOHOL MAKE YOU SWEET?

Posted by Debbie Wysocki on July 1, 2010

ONLY TO MOSQUITOES!

IT’S SUMMER TIME . . .

And that means FUN, more time outdoors, backyard bar-b-ques and for many people, mosquitoes (I can think of a few States that battle this problem, including my current home in Florida!).

Do you hate them as much as me?  Or, should I say do they LOVE YOU as much as they love me?

When I was catching up on reading this past weekend, I came across this interesting article, and wanted to pass along the information from BottomLine Health about . . .

What MOSQUITOES HATE MOST

Along with some interjected commentary from me . . .

It’s not your imagination — mosquitoes really do find some people tastier than others. I’ve always suspected this, and now new UK research confirms that some lucky individuals produce certain skin oils that seem to repel mosquitoes… but, while fascinating, these findings aren’t at a point where we can put them to practical use. Since it’s summer, I thought it would be good to check on the latest expert advice about what’s effective and not effective… safe and not so safe… for keeping mosquitoes away.

This is important because not only are mosquito bites uncomfortable, they also can give you diseases such as West Nile Virus and encephalitis — even here in modern-day America.  Mosquito maven Susan M. Paskewitz, PhD, professor in the department of entomology at the University of Wisconsin in Madison, was happy to offer some helpful advice.

A special NOTE– if you have dogs in an area known for mosquitoes, BE SURE TO CHECK WITH YOUR VET about heartworm  prvention medication. Heartworms are transmitted by mosquitoes to dogs  and a few other species (this parasite is overwhelmingly found in dogs in mosquito territory).  Other animals that can be infected are cats, ferrets, foxes, sea lions, wolves and horses. If you miss one month of medication, your dog could get heartworm, and if left untreated, it’s a painful, fatal illness.  It’s also expensive to treat once diagnosed.  So as with anything, pay now (prevention) or pay later.

WHAT’S IN BUG SPRAY?

Dr. Paskewitz was reassuring about the safety of insect repellents, saying that there’s not much evidence that they are harmful. She told BottomLine Health that just about all the products sold today are formulated using one or more of the following substances…

• DEET. This chemical (on labels it may be called N,N-diethyl-3- methylbenzamide) was developed by the US Department of Defense
after WWII for military personnel stationed in tropical climates.    Dr. P told BLH it has supposedly been applied to humans
more than eight billion times since becoming commercially available  in 1957.  Between then and 2002, which is when a report on DEET safety  was  published in The New England Journal of Medicine, there were fewer than 50 known cases of serious adverse effects from DEET — most caused by incorrect use and most resolving with no long-term consequences.   But DEET-containing products do have the potential to irritate the skin of people who are sensitive and DEET should always be kept away from the eyes. Noting that DEET doesn’t accumulate in the body, Dr. Paskewitz  said that there’s no evidence that using DEET causes cancer or any other  long-term health concerns.

NOTE for parents from Debbie: The studies I reviewed showed that children seemed to be sensitive to DEET AND that should you choose to use DEET for yourself, it should be washed off prior to sleeping.

• Picaridin. This compound (its scientific name is KBR 3023) is odorless,  less oily and even less irritating to the skin and eyes than DEET, Dr.
Paskewitz told the BottomLine Health author.
• IR3535. Derived from natural compounds, this is the proprietary ingredient that supposedly makes Avon’s Skin So Soft Bug Guard products and BullFrog  Mosquito Coast sunblock work so well. It can be irritating if it gets in your eyes but is otherwise safe, Dr. P shared with BLH.
• Lemon Eucalyptus Oil. An extract from the lemon eucalyptus plant, the active ingredient is para-menthane-3,8-diol, and there is a synthetic
version (known as PMD) as well. The only potential issue uncovered by EPA safety tests is that it, too, can irritate the eyes.

How well do they work? Dr. Paskewitz said that all these products are equally effective when tested at 20% concentration — but noted that concentrations vary in commercial products, so check labels to compare strength.

How to use safely According to Dr. Paskewitz: Though none of these products is linked to long-term health concerns, virtually all of them can be irritating to the skin for some people and for the eyes (for practically everyone). Minimize the likelihood that this will happen by using the sprays, creams and wipes only where you need to — on exposed skin, not under clothing. When using a spray product, Dr. Paskewitz advises averting your face and avoiding your eyes (donning glasses can be helpful) and holding your breath while spraying. Wash hands
after applying to prevent getting the products in your eyes if you touch your face.  Avoid cuts, scratches and irritated skin… don’t get any on or near your mouth… and, after you come indoors, she advises washing all treated skin with soap and water.

If you’re prone to irritation, Dr. Paskewitz suggested trying a repellent formulated to be sprayed onto clothing, such as permethrin (Bug Off and Insect Shield are two such products).

AROMATHERAPY — NATURAL SCENTS THAT REPEL MOSQUITOS

If you prefer to take a natural approach, there are numerous plant-based oils that can be effective at keeping mosquitos away — peppermint, cinnamon, citronella, cedar, clove, lemongrass, rosemary, thyme, lavender, catnip, patchouli, tea tree oil, eucalyptus and
sage, to name a few.  But be careful — you’ve heard it before from BottomLine Health, but it bears repeating: Natural substances also have the potential for harm if used incorrectly.

How well do they work? These oils haven’t been tested by the EPA for this purpose, but a few smaller independent studies have found undiluted oils of citronella, patchouli, clove, catnip and Zanthoxylum limonella (lemon oil) quite helpful, sometimes offering more than two hours
of potent repellent power.

How to apply: Here’s the rub: Undiluted oils provide the best protection when applied directly to exposed skin. But they can also cause irritation and rashes and haven’t been tested for safety.  A good solution is to look for these oils in natural skin creams, lotions or oils that
use them as ingredients, formulated to be less irritating.

Debbie’s Personal Recipe: eucalyptus, lavender, lemon and lemongrass mixed together and apply neet (directly to skin) or  you can blend into an uncented lotion or a spray bottle of water.    Be sure to use a sunscreen when using citrus based essential oils because they make your skin more sensitive to sun.  Note that on children under the age of 5 ALL essential oils should be diluted 50%.

WHAT ELSE WORKS AGAINST THESE BLOOD SUCKERS?

Preventive advice includes doing all that you can to reduce the number of mosquitoes in your environment, suggests Dr. Paskewitz. This includes taking the following measures:

First things first — Eliminate standing water. Mosquitoes breed like crazy in ponds and other natural pools of water. To avoid bites, avoid these locations, particularly on days that are hot and still. Keep control over the mosquito population around your home by draining water anywhere that it might collect — even in small containers such as empty flower pots, spare tires, kiddie pools, etc.

Second, stay indoors at dawn and dusk. I know the mosquitoes love to eat me alive in the early morning and at twilight, so if there are lots in your area, try to stay indoors at these times.

Third, watch what you wear. Mosquitoes are attracted to dark colors, particularly red and violet, so wear lighter and brighter colors — also wear long sleeves and pants.

Finally, Paskewitz shares, don’t drink alcohol. Have to say that I’ve found no correlation here because me and the kids don’t drink at all and the mosquitoes eat us alive. My husband loves his beer and never gets bit.  Paskewitz’ research shows drinking alcohol may boost the sugar content in your sweat, making you more attractive to mosquitoes.

If you’re itching to learn more about mosquito behavior and how to stay safe from these pesky critters, visit the Integrated Mosquito Management Web site that Dr. Paskewitz and her team at the University of Wisconsin have developed: http://www.entomology.wisc.edu/mosquitosite/. It’s an interesting read — and they put lots of home remedies to the test.

Source(s):

Susan M. Paskewitz, PhD, professor, department of entomology, University of Wisconsin, Madison.

I found this website for comparing Mosquito Sprays — Many of them natural –

http://www.consumersearch.com/insect-repellent — FYI, when I don’t make my own, we use Herbal Armour and Bugs Away

****

Debbie Wysocki is the owner of Women with Dreams and residual Money secrets – companies that empower the average person to live an extraordinary life by teaching how to build profitable businesses in the network marketing arena.  She is a wife, mom, volunteer, a top producer in the MLM industry, a wellness educator,  a real estate investor, author, trainer, and former Beverly Hills financial analyst who is passionate about helping others succeed. Her motto is ‘How you do anything, is how you do everything!’ For more information or to contact Debbie directly at Debbie@WomenWithDreams.com or 954-781-6629

Posted in Family Wellness, Financial Wellness, MLM, Women With Dreams, debbie wysocki, fitness | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment »

Real Food Revolution

Posted by let'spoon on June 24, 2010

I just finished watching a video of Jamie Oliver making a speech at TED.  He concludes with a vision for the future: “I wish for everyone to help create a strong, sustainable food movement to educate every child about food, inspire families to cook again and empower people everywhere to fight obesity.”  Anyone who cares about Real Food, will resonate with the strong sense of urgency in his passionate plea.  One line in his talk that strikes a chord with the Liberation Diet is:  “On processed foods, the labeling is a farce!  How can you advertise a product as “Low Fat” when there is tons of sugar in it!”   As people wake up to the healing power of Real Food,  I believe that the sugar laced, unnatural, low fat fad will be headed towards the grave.

Here’s a recipe to strike up your own revolution this summer, – uncomplicated and delicious, try it on the Fourth of July!

Cioppino Seafood Stew

Ingredients

  • 3 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 large fennel bulb, thinly sliced
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 3 large shallots, chopped
  • 2 teaspoons salt
  • 4 large garlic cloves, finely chopped
  • 3/4 teaspoon dried crushed red pepper flakes, plus more to taste
  • 1/4 cup tomato paste
  • 1 (28-ounce) can diced tomatoes
  • 1 1/2 cups dry white wine
  • 5 cups fish stock, store bought or homemade (see recipe below)
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1 pound local clams, scrubbed
  • 1 pound local mussels, scrubbed, debearded
  • 1 1/2 pounds assorted firm-fleshed fish fillets such as halibut or salmon, cut into 2-inch chunks

Easy Fish Stock Preparation:

  • 1 whole non-oily fish, like snapper or sole, *if possible, also add 2 cups of shrimp shells
  • 2 carrots
  • 2 stalks of celery
  • 1 onion
  • 1/4 cup vinegar

Put all ingredients into stock pot, let sit for 30 min., then bring to boil, skim off the scum, and simmer for around 6 hours.

Cioppini Preparation:

Heat the oil in a very large pot over medium heat. Add the fennel, onion, shallots, and salt and saute until the onion is translucent, about 10 minutes. Add the garlic and 3/4 teaspoon of red pepper flakes, and saute 2 minutes. Stir in the tomato paste. Add tomatoes with their juices, wine, fish stock and bay leaf. Cover and bring to a simmer. Reduce the heat to medium-low. Cover and simmer until the flavors blend, about 30 minutes.

Add the clams and mussels to the cooking liquid. Cover and cook until the clams and mussels begin to open, about 5 minutes. Add the fish, simmer gently until fish is just cooked through, and the clams are completely open, stirring gently, about 5 minutes longer (discard any clams and mussels that do not open). Season the soup, to taste, with more salt and red pepper flakes.

Ladle the soup into bowls and serve.

***As always with any recipe, if you don’t have some of the ingredients on hand,  just stick to the core essentials and make up your own version of the recipe.  Nothing to fear from experimenting!

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Jamie Busch is the Chef/Owner of Let’spoon – Seasonal Foods from Scratch.
Through his prepared food business, Jamie is bringing Real Foods to people through personal chef services, event catering, prepared meals, and Farmer’s Market participation. He is a ServSafe certified Chef, and a member of Slow Food USA and The Weston A. Price Foundation.

Posted in Food Safety, Jamie Busch, Lets Spoon, Local Foods, farm fresh, fresh and local, obesity, real food, real foods | Leave a Comment »

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