DID YOU KNOW? New research led by scientists from King's College London and the University of Bristol has found that a high-fat, high-sugar diet during pregnancy may be linked to symptoms of ADHD in children who show conduct problems early in life. See more here

Did you know broccoli SPROUTS contain more nutrients than mature broccoli and fight cancer. According to several (or more) researchers such as Johns Hopkins and Ohio State University, the sprouts made from broccoli seeds actually, in spite of their size, contain 1,000 percent MORE nutrients than a broccoli plant. The phytochemical in broccoli that combats cancer in several ways is called Sulforaphane. "These small plants are in the cancer research limelight for their unique ability to exert 50 times the amount of cancer fighting power of broccoli." Read more here -  https://thetruthaboutcancer.com/grow-broccoli-sprouts/

What do you think and did you know how they compare and which is healthier? Check here for a good comparison

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Do you know how to fix brain damage due to an overload of stress? Read more here.

Two natural compounds—one in apple peel and one in green tomatoes—may fight the effects of aging on muscles. Elderly mice fed the compounds saw a 10 percent increase in muscle mass and 30 percent increase in strength. Read more here.

“Blueberry” items

"Ahh, blueberries...now in everything from your breakfast cereal to muffins, granola bars, and sauces—or are they? Turns out that most of the blueberry-flavored items on grocery store shelves don't feature a single actually berry, just artificial blueberry flavor. Buy your own berries and add them to plain cereal for a real health boost" -Read more: http://www.rd.com/slideshows/foods-you-should-never-buy-again/#ixzz3IEJQBPTf

Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese

A few shavings of nice cheese on top of pasta or vegetables can take a simple dish from good to great—but you don't have to fork out $22 a pound for the famous stuff. Instead, look for varieties like Pecorino Romano and SarVecchio, which offer the same flavor at half the price.

Read more: http://www.rd.com/slideshows/foods-you-should-never-buy-again/#ixzz3IEDhr5iJ

 DID YOU KNOW? "In a small study from Ohio State University, students given an omega-3 fatty acid supplement exhibited a 20 percent reduction in anxiety compared to students given a placebo pill. Rather than encourage the public to rush out to buy supplements, however, "people should just consider increasing their omega-3 through their diet," study co-author Martha Belury said in a statement." See here for more information. 

Turmeric fights Alzheimer's! 

My mom had Alzheimer's which is one reason I'm always interested in research in this area. Pretty impressive! "While there are 114 studies on our Turmeric research page indicating turmeric has a neuroprotective set of physiological actions, 30 of these studies are directly connected to turmeric's anti-Alzheimer's disease properties." Read more here...

Eat shrimp? Not if it's imported!

1.  Dirtiest of the Seafood's Dirty Dozen list.
2.  Common contaminants include antibiotics, cleaning chemicals used in farmed shrimp pens, as well as residues of toxic pesticides banned in the USA - and pieces of insects.
3.  Less than 2% of ALL imported seafood is inspected.
4.  Alternatives - look for domestic shrimp that isn't near recent oil spills. Options include Texas, East Coast, Maine and the Carolina's.
Read more here.

METAL IN YOUR OATMEAL?

Yep, not only are those supposedly convenient packs of instant oatmeal full of sugar and calories, but they're sweetened with high fructose corn syrup (HFCS), which may be contaminated with mercury. A study found mercury in 1/3rd of instant oatmeal at levels three times higher than what should consumed in a day. Not to mention the fiber is processed out of it. Does it really take that long to cook REAL steel cut organic oatmeal? No, truly it doesn't. Cook it the night before, stick it in the refrigerator and heat it up in the morning. Add some healthy cinnamon and nuts. Read more here.

“When health is absent, wisdom cannot reveal itself, art cannot manifest, strength cannot fight, wealth becomes useless, and intelligence cannot be applied.” ― Herophilus 

Meatless Mondays? 

Did you know?

1. One pound of meat requires 2,000 gallons of water and produces 58 times more greenhouse gasses than one pound of potatoes. 2. It takes 7,000 pounds of grain to produce 1,000 pounds of meat. 3.  Irrigation is depleting our Ogallala Aquifer on the Great Plains 1.3 trillion gallons faster than it can be replenished by rainfall. 4. Three quarters of our fresh water (5 percent of all of the earth’s water) is used for agriculture, mostly to grow meat for human consumption. Read more here...

Fertility concerns? A recent paper (August 2012) published in Biology of Reproduction's Papers-in-Press reveals that eating 75 grams of walnuts a day improves the vitality, motility, and morphology of sperm in healthy men aged 21 to 35. Read more here. 

Need a brain boost - eat protein:

Did you know that eating between 4 and 5 ounces of protein helps your brain create dopamine and norepinephrine, neurochemicals that keep you alert, says Judith Wurtman, Ph.D., author of The Serotonin Power Diet. Dopamine also increases your motivation to accomplish tasks.

Tornado's in 2012?

"The Weather Underground's Dr. Jeff Masters speculates the last two years may have been the most severe in America's history, dating back to 1816. Something has changed. It may be a temporary aberration, but an apparent eastward shift in Tornado Alley may threaten millions of Americans who still believe a tornado is something only experienced in Kansas. But Chicago, Nashville, Atlanta and Washington D.C.?" - much more very important information at the link provided. 

Does it seem like mercury is everywhere?

As per Dr. Isaac Eliaz - "Most vaccines contain ethyl mercury, in the form of Thimerosal—that includes everything from the flu vaccine to the vaccines given to millions of infants. Thimerosal has been used worldwide since the 1930s as a preservative in vaccines, cosmetics, eye drops, contact lens solutions and tattoo ink. Because of its mercury content, Thimerosal is known to have neurotoxin properties and in the case of vaccines, it has been linked to autism. It has been removed from pet vaccines and contact lens solutions, but still is used as a preservative in vaccines for children. This year, mercury-free flu vaccines are available, but you have to ask." Our note: Hospitals continue to use "antibacterial soaps" that contain Thimerosal - nurses and doctors wash their hands hundreds of times each day. 

Read more here.

Nuts can help you lose weight!

Nuts do contain fat, "BUT the surprising truth is that nuts are one of the best foods for weight loss, according to Harvard researchers. 'Nuts are loaded with protein and fiber, which can help you feel full for longer,' explains Richter. One study in the journal Obesity found that people who ate nuts at least twice a week were less likely to put on pounds over the long run than those who didn't." The fat in nuts is the heart-healthy unsaturated kind.  Keep it to one ounce - 23 almonds, 14 walnut halves, and 49 pistachios." - according to Prevention.com.

Protein to preserve lean body mass: 

Did you know that when researchers at Purdue University asked 46 dieting women to eat either 30% or 18% of their calories from protein, the high-protein eaters felt more satisfied and less hungry. Plus, over the course of 12 weeks, the women preserved more lean body mass, which includes calorie-burning muscle. Read more here:

Use maple syrup instead of sugar: 

"According to Rodale. com - "In 2011, a pharmacist from the University of Rhode Island discovered 54 previously unknown compounds in maple syrup from Canada, many of which were anti-inflammatory (which protects your heart) and exhibited cancer-fighting antioxidant properties. Ironically, two of the antioxidants they found were later discovered to fight enzymes that lead to type 2 diabetes." Be sure to choose grade B and 100% maple syrup, not just "flavored" maple syrup - BIG difference. 

Blackstrap Molasses - more iron than red meat!

According to Rodale.com - "Blackstrap molasses is rich in iron, potassium, and calcium, making it a healthier choice than nutritionally defunct artificial sweeteners or even regular refined sugar. In fact, one tablespoon of blackstrap molasses provides more iron—but fewer calories and fat—than a three-ounce serving of red meat."

Number one killer in the USA?

Did you know that Hospital-acquired infections are a leading cause of death in this country, with estimates of the death toll nearing 100,000 lives a year—more than that of car crashes, breast cancer, or AIDS. Check and see where your hospital rates for infections. (Read more here.)

Did you know that the organic industry is growing rapidly in spite of a poor economy. Research shows this to be true not just in produce, but also in the purchase of organic beef, eggs, milk and "even hair care categories".  Surprisingly, it is the age group under age 40 who were more likely to choose organic regardless of their income. Click on the picture below to follow the link to find out more.

HOW TO GET RID OF DUST MITES:

Do you have dust mites? They're way too small to be seen by the human eye. Did you know that a university study showed these results?: "This study suggests the use of the essential oils and their major constituents as ecofriendly biodegradable agents for the control of house dust mite, D. pteronyssinus." Check out our Cassia, Cinnamon Bark and Citronella essential oils which contain some of the constituents used in the study, and our Cinnamon Orange Spice air freshener. Click HERE to view the study.

Kale - is it better than beef?

Dairy and beef both contain calcium, but the U.S. still has some of the highest rates of bone loss and osteoporosis in the world. Kale contains more calcium per calorie than milk (90 grams per serving) and is also better absorbed by the body than dairy. - Organic Authority - read more here.

Did you know one of the best ways to ward off cold and flu germs is just getting a massage? According to a study published in The Journal of Complimentary and Alternative Medicine, a good massage doesn't just feel good, it is good for your immune system too. Add to that the very antibacterial and antiviral properties of essential oils and you should have double protection. 

Castor Oil has been given a bad rap since I was a kid. But did you know that it has been found to be effective on age spots or spots referred to as "liver" spots. As easy as applying it undiluted to the particular area or spots at least three times a day for about three months. Check out our organic oils section to see our certified organic castor oil.

It's true - negative emotions such as anger, jealousy, hate, anxiety, resentment, bitterness and on and on - are emotions that are transmitted to our entire body through neurons and neuropeptides that send messages for health or illness.  Neuropeptides are chemicals that affect mood and behavior. They join the brain, glands and immune system in a network of communcation that can and will affect us and disrupt our otherwise healthy immune system. Some neuropeptides can even trigger cancer cells. Candace Pert, Ph.D, has written a well-respected book called Molecules of Emotion that is full of amazing information such as this that she has discovered through extensive research.

Do what you can to prevent cancer:  

Scientists estimate that about a third of the most common cancers could be prevented by eating a healthy diet, being physically active and maintaining a healthy weight. NOTE: Tobacco use is a separate risk factor that is itself responsible for one-third of all cancer deaths. - from American Institute for Cancer Research. Check out their website for lots of sensible and easy ways to prevent cancer and tips on what to give out for Halloween. Click here to see more info from AICR.

 "Bad" Estrogen is Problematic for Guys, Too 

The same estrogen metabolite, 2-hydroxyestrone, known to increase the risk of breast cancer, has been shown to also increase the risk of prostate cancer in men. Research has shown that both men and women can balance the estrogen metabolites toward a healthier direction by increasing intake of cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, cauliflower, brussell sprouts for example).

Jeff Bland, PhD, at Institute for Functional Medicine's 20th International Symposium, Bellevue, WA. Read more about eating well to prevent cancer in our blog.

Saponification - what is it?

"Saponification, a chemical reaction used to create soap for millennia, literally means "soap making" in Latin. When water reacts with the fats and oils, a reaction called hydrolysis, the result is glycerol and soap." - Discovery News

FOODS THAT FIGHT CANCER! 

Are you worried about MRSA?

If you're not, you probably should be at least aware of it. Essential oils are powerful and have been proven to kill MRSA. "Eucalyptus globulus (at 2 per cent dilution) will kill 70% of ambient Staphylococcus aureus. Duke writes that in Cuba, essential oil of Eucalyptus globulus is used to treat all lung ailments." - Jane Buckle, Clinical Aromatherapy in Nursing. Take a look at what we've written about more information on the different varieties of Eucalyptus.

 GMO food products - another reason why not?

Quoted in "AlterNet" is a study done by Dr. Arpad Pusztai who was working on a $3 million grant from the U.K. gov. to test for the safety of GMOs. He found instead that GMO's are "inherently unsafe."  Within 10 days, his supposedly harmless GMO potatoes caused massive damage to rats—smaller brains, livers and testicles, partial atrophy of the liver, damaged immune system, etc. Read more here.

 Essential oils for sinus congestion?

"Charron (1997) carried out an exploratory study of 40 patients with bronchial and sinus congestion. Patients inhaled two drops of Spike Lavender (Lavendula latifolia), floating in a bowl of hot water. All patients cleared their mucus immediately with results lasting from 20 minutes to two hours. Some patients who had been on yearly repeat antibiotics no longer needed them." -- Clinical Aromatherapy, Jane Buckle, 2003

 Cell phones - what are you risking?

Organic milk is healthier!

A new study in the Journal of Dairy Science confirms once again that organic milk is healthier than non-organic milk, containing more beneficial omega-3 fats and conjugated linoleic acid. Researchers at Newcastle University studied 22 different milk brands over different years and found omega-3 levels averaged 60 percent higher in organic milk and CLA levels 30 percent higher. They said the differences are due to the grass-centered diet of organic cows. (Dairy Reporter)

 Is there an "organic" label on that fish you bought?

Did you know? The percentage of 95% of ingredients must be organically produced in order for a food product to be labeled "organic." The one exception to this is seafood - the USDA does NOT have standards for fish products, so an organic label on these foods means nothing. Check out Greenpeace for a list of toxin-laded fish and sustainable fish.

 What do aniseed oil and fishermen have in common?

Anise oil  or otherwise called Aniseed Oil has been used by fisherman since history was written and tales were told. You can use a couple drops on your fingertips before adding your bait or use this recipe here. You can also check out our already made Hunters and Fishermen's products that use aniseed oil.

 Jasmine instead of Valium?

Well, yes, according to a study published in the Journal of Biological Chemistry. Injected and inhaled jasmine caused a definite change in behavior by relieving anxiety and promoting sleep. The study showed that the Jasmine worked just as well as traditional sedatives but with fewer side effects. To quote:  "Applications in sedation, anxiety, excitement and aggression relieving treatment and sleep induction therapy are all imaginable. The results can also be seen as evidence of a scientific basis for aromatherapy."

 Lean and green, from the inside out!

"Today's fashion is driven by the look of natural beauty and lighter cosmetics. The healthier our body becomes, the more we obtain clear skin, shiny hair, strong nails, bright eyes, and more energy.  Our skin is our largest organ, and its health reflects the purity of our body on the inside. Eating healthy raw foods will give you the shine of glowing skin and the radiance of overall vitality and natural beauty." - Ani Phyo

 Calcium from milk is NOT your best answer for osteoporosis!

Did you know that fracture rates are significantly higher for those that drink 3 or more cups of milk daily? (Harvard Nurses Study).  190,000 men & women were evaluated over an 18 year period.Studies concluded, “Neither milk nor a high-calcium diet reduces osteoporosis.”Consume a diet rich in fruits and vegetables, especially high-calcium leafy greens such as spinach, kale, Swiss chard and broccoli. Leafy green vegetables such as kale and spinach contain higher calcium values than milk. One cup of kale has 350mg of calcium!

Quality essential oil production: 

Production of essential oils is a risky business - just as any farming endeavor - the distillers depend on Mother Nature along with their own ethical and knowledgeable practices. Did you know that even just the time of the year and/or the time of day the plant is actually harvested can be crucial according to Sue Clarke, "Essential Chemistry for Aromatherapy".  Just to give you two examples: Jasmine should be picked in the evening, rose in the morning before the dew dries off. That's why we search very diligently to find suppliers for our essential oils.

Vitamin D3 is not vegan!

Did you know that Vitamin D3, the more easily absorbed and recommended form of vitamin D supplementation, is usually derived from lanolin, the oil in sheep's wool. Vegans should opt first for sunshine and then for the D2 form.

Cancer prevention and raw food!

"More than 200 studies show that raw vegetables have the most powerful potential to protect against cancer." - Dr. Fuhrman

Vitamin D and hunger pains.

Did you know that when your vitamin D levels are low you will "feel" hungry all the time? Why is that? According to studies, when our vitamin D levels are low this interferes with Leptin in the blood that tells your brain you should be full. Did you know 2/3's of the American population have low levels of vitamin D? Optimize your nutrients and you will optimize your body according to Dr. Amen.