Video - Natural Remedies to Ward Off a Cold

Here is a very quick video with a couple of quick ideas for warding off colds and surviving the flu season ahead, without resorting to drugs and chemical solutions. If you haven't already, you may start to see a barrage of ads for flu shots, as it seems we are inundated with these more every year. However, remember that most of these illnesses can be prevented by good hygiene (frequent hand washing), staying away from sick people (as much as possible), and most importantly, strengthening your immune system (more on this soon), and you don't have to subject your body to these expensive and artificial potions.

Natural Remedies & Cleanses : How to Cure Sore Throat & Cough Using Natural Products
A sore throat and cough can be treated naturally by using zinc lozenges, gargling with salt water or lemon juice and drinking the juice of exotic fruits, such as panellia or loquat. Find natural remedies for cold-like symptoms, catching early symptom...

Related Articles on Natural Remedies for Cold and Flu:

• Natural Cold and Flu Remedies (webmd.com)
• Stay Healthy This Winter With All Natural Flu Remedies (bigsexymedia.com)
• Treating Flu at Home: 10 Natural Remedies (webmd.com)

Skip Artificial Chemicals, and Use Natural Aromatherapy

Aromatherapy oils are oils that are created from natural elements. They’re also called essential oils. They range from lavender to grapefruit and everything in between. They offer a number of therapeutic benefits, cleaning help and even health benefits, and they are MUCH healthier to use around your home than the toxic "air fresheners" that are so popular these days. (I call them "air poisoners," as they smell so noxious to me, and I can't stand breathing them in.)

Here Are Nine Smart Ways of Using Aromatherapy Oils in Your Home

Image via Wikipedia#1 Water Diffuser and Room Freshener.
Add six to eight drops of your favorite scent to a bowl of water. If the water is warm, it will help spread the scent more quickly. You could place the bowl on a table or counter. If you’re really in need of a quick freshening, simply add the drops to a pan of boiling water. Choose your essential oils based on your mood or need. For example, if you want to freshen up your home lemon, verbena, orange or other light scents are ideal. If you’re looking to relax, try lavender or sandalwood.

#2 Room and Linen Deodorizer.
Add a few drops of essential oil to water in a spray bottle. Keep a bottle in your bathroom. Spray near pet areas. Or use the spray to freshen linens. Lavender spray in your bedroom is a great way to add a relaxing scent. A MUCH better choice than the chemical-filled Febreze-type fabric sprays.

#4 Sachet and Closet Freshener.
Add a few drops of essential oils to cotton balls and place in drawers or your closet. Lavender, cedar or sandalwood are nice choices.

#5 Heat Diffuser.
Place a few drops of essential oils on a cotton ball or wool ball and place inside a heating vent. When your furnace kicks on the blower will help spread the scent throughout your home. (Caution: Don't try this with a hot radiator!)

#6 Sinus Remedy.
If you’re ill or struggling with congestion, put a few drops of eucalyptus oil in hot water and place it near your face for a few minutes so you can breathe in the steam. You may consider placing some oil in a hot water vaporizer at bedtime as well.

#7 Refrigerator Deodorizer.
Place several drops of orange, mint or lemon oil in a bucket of warm water. With a clean sponge, use the water to clean out your refrigerator.

#7 Counter Cleaner.
Add lemon, thyme, basil or even geranium oil to equal parts distilled white vinegar and water. Use to clean countertops in your kitchen and bathroom. Cleans just as well as chemical cleaners, and leaves a fresh scent!

Image via Wikipedia#8 Light bulb room freshener.
Here is a nifty and cheap way to freshen a room. Place a drop of your favorite oil on your light bulbs. Make sure to add the oil when the bulbs are cold. When the light is on and the bulb heats up it will heat the oil and fill the room with scent. Consider placing lavender oil on bedroom light bulbs to relax, and invigorating grapefruit or other citrus scent in your home office. All it takes is a drop!

#9 Furniture polish.
Add four to six drops of lemon essential oil to half a cup of olive oil. With a clean dry rag, use the oil to polish wood furniture. Not only will your furniture look beautiful, but your wood will not be releasing toxic chemicals back into the air over time.

Essential oils fill your home with fresh and natural scents. You can be sure you’re providing your loved ones with a safe environment free from harmful chemicals when you use aromatherapy oils to clean and deodorize your home.

Natural Herbs to Cure Indigestion

Indigestion can ruin a good day. It often pops up unexpectedly and usually at the worst times. Over the counter remedies don’t always help. Worse, they often put harmful chemicals into your body, and cause your digestive system to work even harder, which can lead to more problems down the road. If you suffer from occasional or chronic indigestion you can use natural herbs to find relief. Try some of these tried-and-true remedies.

Image via Wikipedia#1 Peppermint. Peppermint has long been used to cure stomach illness. It quells nausea, and can also help soothe indigestion. You can utilize peppermint in a number of ways. Often simply inhaling peppermint oil can help calm an upset stomach. You can also drink peppermint tea. If you have peppermint oil on hand you can place a drop of oil in a glass of water. Drink the water to help with indigestion.

Make your own indigestion tea by combining 1/3 tsp. dried peppermint leaves, 1/3 tsp. chamomile and 1/3 tsp. peeled and grated ginger into a tea ball. Bring water to a boil, drop ball into hot water and steep tea for ten to twelve minutes.

#2 Ginger. Second to peppermint, ginger is another common indigestion cure. Simply chewing on a small piece of candied, pickled or raw ginger can help soothe an upset stomach. You can also add ginger juice to boiling water. Add a little honey and drink it as an indigestion tea.

#3 Anise. Anise, which tastes a lot like black licorice, helps cure indigestion. The most basic preparation requires you to crush one to two teaspoons of seeds and steep for ten minutes in boiling water. Use a tea ball or bag to avoid having to strain the seeds from the water. You can also chew on a few seeds, which freshens breath as well as aiding digestion.

Image via Wikipedia#4 Parsley. Parsley is often eaten after a meal to help squelch bad breath. You can also use it to ease indigestion. You can chew on few leaves after a meal. Or you can juice a bunch of parsley and drink the juice, or add it to a smoothie.

#5 Cinnamon. Cinnamon has been commonly used to aid digestion. It aids in liver function and helps boost metabolism. It also helps indigestion. Instead of taking a teaspoon of dried cinnamon orally, consider taking capsules. A teaspoon of dried cinnamon can be very difficult to consume. It doesn’t taste too good in such large quantities.

Finally, consider drinking a warm glass of water with lemon when you’re suffering from indigestion. Green apples, fennel, dandelion, and chamomile can all be used to cure indigestion too.

Indigestion is a common ailment. It’s often the result of eating foods that aren’t good for you. However, healthy foods can cause it too. Instead of running to the pharmacy, consider opening up your refrigerator or spice cabinet. You probably have a great natural cure already in your home.

Note: If you are having severe stomach pain, cramps, nausea or other issues that continue, see a doctor promptly before trying any of these remedies above.

Video - MSG - How it Works in Your Body

Here is a good video about MSG. Rather than trying to scare you, it explains how the chemical works in your brain, and why food manufacturers like to use it (Hint: it makes you eat more of the food!). I like how he says everyone reacts to it - you just acclimate to it - and how he mentions looking at the behavior of children to notice its effects. Also listen to the part about soy - very interesting - I did not know this!

Check it out, and educate yourself on this common toxin.

The Truth about MSG Monosodium Glutamate Clinical Nutrition
Be My Friend - www.myspace.com The Truth about MSG Monosodium Glutamate Clinical Nutrition What effects does MSG have on diet, obesity, health and food cravings? Because MSG is absorbed very quickly in the gastrointestinal tract (unlike glutamic acid...

 

Related Articles on MSG:

• "yummy" is bad (geneticake.wordpress.com)
• The Many Health Hazards Of MSG (healthinmotion.wordpress.com)
• Processed Food Pitfalls: Top 10 Toxic Food Ingredients! (thelifestylechanger.wordpress.com)

MSG - Are You Eating It Without Knowing?

MSG or monosodium glutamate is an extremely common food additive. It’s used to add or enhance flavor in a variety of prepackaged and restaurant foods. Unfortunately, while the US government and other countries deem it "safe," it can cause a number of health issues for sensitive people. The most commonly reported health issue is migraine headaches. However people can suffer from stomach distress as well. Some theorize that MSG causes obesity, neurological problems, and even cancer and diabetes.

Image via WikipediaWhile none of this has been proven scientifically many people still prefer to avoid this chemical. Unfortunately one of the problems with MSG is that it can be very difficult to tell if it’s in your food or not.

While some labels do outright list MSG as an ingredient, many food manufacturers label MSG as “artificial flavors” in the ingredient list. This can certainly be deceiving. You can also find MSG in the following food ingredients:

* -Hydrolyzed vegetable protein
* -Hydrolyzed protein
* -Hydrolyzed plant protein
* -Plant protein extract
* -Sodium caseinate
* -Calcium caseinate
* -Yeast extract
* -Textured protein
* -Autolyzed yeast
* -Hydrolyzed oat flour

Additionally, you’ll find MSG in malt extract and malt flavoring, bouillon, broth and stock and anything that’s labeled “Flavoring,” “natural flavoring,” or “artificial flavoring.” It can even simply say “seasoning” or “Spices.” As you can see, it’s tough to know if you’re eating MSG or not. The safest bet is to assume if the food label says anything about seasonings or flavorings it has MSG.

Finally, sometimes certain additives contain MSG but are not labeled specifically so it’s tough to make a decision. Your food label might say it has: Carrageenan, Enzymes, Soy Protein Concentrate, Soy Protein Isolate or Whey Protein Isolate and be 100% free of MSG, or contain it. The problem is there is just no way to know. It’s not required to be listed specifically on food labels.

Common Foods with MSG

Image via WikipediaThere are many foods where you can assume they have MSG unless the label specifically says it does not. These foods include but are not limited to:
* Soups
* broths,
* sauces,
* gravies,
* Spice blends.
* Salad dressing blends
* canned and frozen meats,
* ready-to-eat food,
* salad dressings,
* ketchup,
* soy sauce,
* many snacks including snack mixes chips and crackers
* some processed cheeses,
* Instant noodles or noodle dishes

The best way to avoid MSG is to steer clear of processed foods, eat fresh produce, and cook your own meals from scratch. Fresh vegetables, fruits and unflavored meats generally do not contain MSG. If you must purchase packaged or prepared foods make sure to read the label very carefully. MSG is often hidden under a variety of names. Unless a package specifically says MSG-free you are safer to assume it contains MSG.

How to Fight Inflammation Naturally

Inflammation is your body’s reaction to injury - but it can also be caused by many toxins, which irritate your body and cause inflammation to occur. You can have external inflammation, for example a twisted ankle will swell. You can also experience inflammation internally. For example your arteries can become inflamed.
Inflammation, while it is a natural response, can be dangerous too. If your arteries are inflamed and stay inflamed then you can suffer a heart attack.

There are many medications that help fight inflammation. For a sprained ankle you might take an NSAID to reduce the swelling. For inflamed arteries you might take a Image via WikipediaStatin drug. These drugs, whether prescription or over the counter, have side effects. NSAIDs for example can cause liver damage or stomach distress. And new and an alarming study reported in the September 6 issue of the Canadian Medical Association Journal shows that regular use of NSAIDs even in small doses can DOUBLE the chances of miscarriage for pregnant women. And Statins have some of the highest numbers of dangerous side effects of any drug out there. The  more we learn about these drugs, the more we seem to find that they are actually making us sick more than they are making us well.... The good news is that there are many things you can do today to fight inflammation naturally.

Five Ways to Fight Inflammation Naturally

#1: Omega threes. Omega three fatty acids help reduce inflammation in your body naturally. You can find omega threes in many whole grains, fish and nuts. However, most people don’t get enough omega threes in their diet. The healthy ratio of Omega 3 to Omega 6 in the human diet should be somewhere between 1:1 and 1:4, but the typical American diet provides more like 1:20 - FAR from the ideal balance. A simple solution is to take a fish oil or omega three supplement. But additionally, you need to decrease the amount of man-made trans fats you’re eating (pretty much any standard type of vegetable oil, as well as margarine, is mainly trans fats). These types of fats contribute greatly to inflammation in your body. (For more on healthy and unhealthy oils, visit http://nhlcookingfromscratch.blogspot.com/2011/04/cooking-with-fats-oils-healthy-tips.html.)

#2: Decrease sugar consumption. Sugar is a prime source of inflammation. It causes free radical damage to your cells. This damage is an “injury” which causes inflammation. After consuming too many sweets or junk food you may notice you look Image via Wikipediapuffy. This is inflammation at work. What you cannot see is the inflammation inside your body. Take a look at how much sugar you consume and create a plan to cut back. You’ll notice a drastic difference in how you feel - and maybe even how you look - and definitely in your long-term health. Many good natural sweeteners are readily available today - from Stevia extract to Xylitol, and even good old-fashioned honey. But don't go overboard - our bodies really weren't meant to consume huge amounts of sweets. Just stick to fruit if you can!

#3: Turmeric. Turmeric is an herb commonly used in mustard and many curries, and it’s a great natural anti-inflammatory. If you don’t eat a lot of curry or mustard consider taking a turmeric supplement. They are easy to find and quite affordable, and can reduce inflammation both externally and internally.

#4: Exercise. Exercise actually helps your body reduce inflammation, and flush out toxins that can cause inflammation. It doesn’t have to be vigorous exercise either. Simply walk for thirty minutes a day. This simple step drastically reduces inflammation.

#5: Sleep. Good sleep is imperative for good health. Studies have shown that people who do not get enough quality sleep suffer from inflammation. They’re at a higher risk for obesity and heart disease. Sleep is when your body heals itself, including inflamed areas. Without this repair time, inflammation can build up in the body over time. Restless or impaired sleep, or simply not enough of it, can take a huge long-term toll on your overall health. Take a look at your sleep habits. What can you do to improve them?

There are several other simple steps you can take to reduce inflammation naturally, such as: Reduce alcohol intake. Stop smoking if you smoke. Lose weight.

If you have an injury, like a sprained ankle, consider using natural arnica gel to treat it. Add green tea to your diet and cut back on saturated and trans fats.

Simple steps to live a healthy life also fight inflammation naturally. Take a look at your existing habits. How do they support inflammation? What can you do to change your lifestyle and fight inflammation naturally?

How to Make Funky and Inexpensive Curtains Out of Dish Towels

To wrap up "D.I.Y week", here is a nifty money-saving re-use idea.

You can reuse your old dish towels to make funky, unique curtains. If you don't have any used ones, look at your local antique store or check out your local yard sales. These curtains can make great gifts, or use them in your own home. You don't even have to sew! Here's how.

Image via WikipediaMaterials:

* Dish towels of your choice. Determine how many by measuring your window and using towels that fit the dimensions. Thin dish towels work best - avoid the thick, terry cloth ones.

* Curtain clips, about 6 clips per curtain/towel. (These come in various styles, but always involve a ring with a clip attached. Choose whatever works for your decor and taste.)

* Tension rod or traditional curtain rod.

Directions:

* Iron your towels.

* Slide the curtain clips onto the tension or curtain rod.

* Lay the tension rod on the floor.

* Attach the towels to the curtain clips. Start and end right at the towel's top two corners.

* Put up the tension rod.

Your towel curtains will slide open and closed. You can use two towels to get a panel effect, or just one. If you like, use funky cloth napkins or ribbons to make creative tie-backs.  Get creative, and make something fun and eco-friendly for your home! (This can also be a fun one to have the older kids involved in.)

A Couple of Related Articles:

• Cool Idea: Dish Towel Curtain (casasugar.com)
• 5 DIY Curtains for the Kitchen (sweepsewstir.wordpress.com)

How to Make Homemade Eco-Friendly Laundry Detergent

You might be surprised to learn that you can make your own laundry detergent. What a great way to save time and money. But even better, you can make your own eco-friendly laundry detergent. Good for you - good for the planet.

Here’s how to make homemade eco-friendly laundry detergent.

First, you actually have two options here. You can make powder detergent or liquid detergent. The instructions for both are included below, so it's your choice.

Liquid Detergent Ingredients:
* Cheese grater (Sturdy food processor with a grating attachment or a blender can work well too)
* Large saucepan (needs to hold at least six cups of water)
* 8 oz. soap (glycerin or other natural soap works best; Dr. Bronner's is good.)
* 2 cup washing soda – you can find this at your local home store or supermarket
* 2 cup borax
* Large bucket. Needs to hold approximately two gallons.
* Water
* Storage container

Directions:
Step One: Grate 8 ounces of your soap (about one cup)
Step Two: Turn burner on to medium low. Heat six cups of water in large saucepan. Slowly add soap flakes. Let them dissolve before adding more.
Step Three: Add washing soda and borax. Continue stirring. Mixture will thicken. Remove from heat.
Step Four: Add four cups of hot water to your bucket. Pour soap mixture into the water. Stir to combine.
Step Five: Add another gallon of water to the mixture. If you’re using a two gallon bucket simply fill the rest of the bucket up with water. Stir well. Let sit overnight.
Step Six: Pour mixture into your storage container. When you’re ready to do laundry, use ¼ cup of detergent per load.

Powder Detergent Ingredients:
* 1 cup borax
* 1 cup washing soda
* 2 cups soap flakes (use glycerin or other natural soap grated with a cheese grater or food processor)
* 1 Large bowl or bucket for mixing
* Storage container

Directions:
Making powder eco-friendly detergent is easy. Simply combine the ingredients in a large bowl. Store in your container of choice. When ready, use approximately 1/8 of a cup of detergent.

Note: The ration for powder detergent is one borax to one washing soda to two soap flakes. So you could easily double, triple or quadruple the recipe. Just keep the proportions equal.

As you can see, making eco-friendly laundry detergent is easy. You can find all the ingredients you need at your supermarket. You’ll find the ingredients at a much lower cost than buying a jug of manufactured detergent. Plus, a homemade batch will last you quite a long time. It’ll save you money and it’s much better for the environment.

Stuff You'll Need:
         

Green Alternatives to Dry Cleaning

Dry cleaning uses a harmful chemical called Perchloroethylene or PERC for short. This chemical is petroleum based and has shown to cause severe health problems. It’s been labeled a probable carcinogen” by the International Association for Research on Cancer. While many dry cleaners are switching to more green alternatives.

One such green alternative is using a pressurized CO2 process. It can be more expensive than using PERC however, the cost to your health and the environment are significantly reduced. You can also take significant steps to clean your sensitive fabrics at home. This also eliminates the need for plastic or wire hangers which often end up in the landfill, as well as plastic covers to keep your clothing clean. Again these plastic covers usually end up in the garbage. Home cleaning is much more environmentally friendly.

Here are some tips to try:

#1: Don't buy clothes that need dry cleaning. Yes, it’s a simple solution - however it’s also an effective one. Dry cleaning is expensive, time consuming and the clothes tend to cost more money too. Natural fibers can be cleaned at home (even silk and wool) and they feel better on your skin.

#2: Hand wash. Wool, cashmere, angora, and even silk and rayon can be gently hand washed. Use a mild soap designed for hand washing. Woolite or Castile are both still effective and there are earth friendly detergents too. Make sure the water is warm, not hot. You should be able to comfortably place your hands in the water.

Fill a sink with warm water, approximately 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Use the mild detergent. Allow the garment to soak. Gently agitate with your hands. Then rinse the garment. Experts recommend adding a bit of distilled white vinegar to the rinse water. Reshape and dry flat on a towel placed on a flat surface. If you’re washing silk the water can be a touch warmer – 115 degrees Fahrenheit.

#3: Get a garment steamer and other accessories. With silk and other items that will wrinkle when they are dry, use a garment steamer to remove the wrinkles. Additionally, the heat from the steam will kill bacteria. A linen brush or a soft bristled brush can be used for some items to brush away any debris or caked on mess. If there’s no stain left behind or no sign of dirt a steamer can finish the job. There’s not always a need to wash something with soap and water.

Also remember that clothing doesn’t need to be washed every time you wear it. Unless there’s a stain, an odor, or visible dirt, most items can be worn several times before they need a cleaning. It also helps the clothing last longer.

Cleaning at home saves you time, money and the environment. You eliminate harmful chemicals from being put into our soil and water supply. You also reduce the risk of exposure to toxins like PERC. It’s good for you and good for the planet.

Greener Cleaning Solutions:
    

Assessing Energy Efficiency In Your Home

Remember that the two great factors which you can change in order to enhance your quality of life are your lifestyle and your home. If you want to modernize your home, you have to make significant decisions regarding your household appliances. In today’s world, we are faced with a wide range of appliance styles, sizes, configurations and technologies.  Evaluating your household appliances can help a lot in your aim to save home energy.  The following are the factors that can help you compare and assess your home appliances:

Image via WikipediaEnergy Efficiency:  It is always good to carefully weigh the energy efficiency of the appliances in your home. With some household devices, you may have a choice between electricity and natural gas as the source of power. The energy efficiency can also be based on the materials the machine or appliance is made of. Various materials can be cooled and heated at different rates. Choose Energy Star appliances where possible, as these are made specifically to be energy-efficient.

Size:  Having an appliance with the right size for your home and the area where it will be used is significant. Speed can also be a factor. Generally, the faster an appliance finishes its task, the less energy it uses, compared to longer usage of a slower appliance.

Features:  Assess first the features of an appliance before purchasing it and think carefully how these features can improve your lifestyle, and whether you truly need the appliance at all. If you really don't need it, don't purchase it.

Another advisable tip is to come up with a home energy conservation plan.  There are various approaches which you can use in developing such plan and these include:

• Identification of the places where home energy is used inefficiently or lost
• Prioritizing said areas and finding out how much energy is being wasted
• Correcting said problems systematically depending on your home energy improvement budget

As you come up with your home energy conservation plan, you should first identify the problem areas. It is good to start in the area where the highest amount of energy is used because that area can also be the best place to gain potential savings. With the above mentioned home energy conservation tips, you can free up more bucks and also benefit the environment by conserving energy (aka fuel) use.

Examples of Energy Star Rated Appliances:
     

Home Energy Conservation Tips

Every year, interest rates are increasing and the cost of electricity is definitely going up. And whether we admit it or not, we sometimes find ourselves running out of money. However, if you compare an average house to an energy-efficient residence, you’ll find out that it is very possible to lessen your annual energy consumption to almost 40 percent. There are lots of ways to conserve home energy which consequently lower your energy bills. And most of the changes that you can do for your home are also helpful to the environment.

Here are some ways to conserve energy in your home:

Image via WikipediaHeating and Air Conditioning

1.  If you’re going to be out of an air conditioned room for a long time, be sure to turn off the A/C unit - similarly if  leaving on vacation, set your A/C to a lower setting, or even turn it off altogether if there aren't plants or pets or other things inside that may suffer due to heat while you're gone.
2.  Rooms that are not used often should have sealed (or at least closed) vents.
3.  You can also install ceiling fans that are remote controlled than have a built-in heater.
4.  When the room is occupied, put the thermostat at a comfortable setting.
5.  When the fireplace isn’t used, close the damper in the fireplace

Laundry Appliances:

1.  Avoid using your washing machine in partial loads. It is better if you meet the capacity of the machine.
2.  Very dirty clothes may be pre-soaked before washing. This will prevent you from running your machine twice.
3.  For the garments that aren’t very dirty, use a smaller quantity of detergent and put your machine to a lighter wash setting.
4.  Electric driers consume the most energy in your laundry tasks, so if you do have a clothesline, use it! The sunlight can also help kill bacteria, and your clothes will smell fresh too.
5.  Ironing clothes should be done all at one time and during off-peak hours. 

Refrigerators and Freezers:

1.  Refrigerators and freezers should be defrosted regularly.  Frost build-up can increase the load of the compressor motor. (Many newer Energy Star appliances have a self-defrosting feature, so you won't have to worry about this. But do keep the vents unblocked to allow proper air circulation to keep your food cold.)
2.  Inspect your refrigerator door and keep an eye out for a leaking gasket. If you can feel cold air leaking around the seal, it's definitely time for a new fridge.
3.  Avoid constant opening and closing of the refrigerator’s door because it can contribute to ice or frost build-up, and also causes the appliance to run more. When taking a number of things from the fridge, take them all out at once.

Kitchen Appliances:

1.  Don’t boil water in an open pan. A pan that’s covered will boil the water faster, and also keep more water in the pan for your use.
2.  Keep stove burners, range top and reflectors clean. It can help generate more heat and consume less energy.
3.  When the food you’re cooking starts to boil, turn the electric stove to low mode.
4.  Put smaller pans or pots on small burners or heating elements. If the burner is larger than the bottom of the pan, you are wasting a lot of energy, and the heating won't be as efficient. Always match burner and pan size whenever possible.

Image via WikipediaLighting:

1.  Switch off unused lights as well as other appliances that use electricity when not in use.
2.  Utilize low wattage yet efficient lamps.
3.  Replace your incandescent bulbs with fluorescent. These are available everywhere nowadays, at much lower prices than they used to be, and they can last 10 times longer (or even more) than traditional incandescent bulbs.

Those are just handful of tips to lower your energy bills.  There are many other factors which can also guide you in conserving your home energy. Check back Friday for some tips on choosing efficient appliances, and assessing your home energy usage.

Reduce the Use of Toxic Drugs with Homeopathy

Many conventional drugs are very toxic, and contribute to your toxic load (just listen to some of the side-effects listed in just about any medical ad you see on TV these days - scary stuff!). Many are now looking for alternative remedies that are safer and less harmful to the body. One method that is gaining in popularity is homeopathy, or homeopathic medicine. Homeopathy is an alternative form of medicine that has been used for thousands of years to treat everything from life threatening illnesses to the common cold.  While many people used to modern medicine may find it suspicious, it is still one of the most used types of medical treatment worldwide and is steadily gaining popularity in the western world.

Image via WikipediaHomeopathic medicine is based on three basic principles.  The biggest principle of homeopathy is that like treats like.  Instead of treating based on the disease doctors think you have, treatment is done based on the symptoms you know you have.  The second principle is that there is only one treatment, not two or even ten like a traditional doctor might give you.  The third principle is that everything is given in extremely small doses.

To treat yourself homeopathically, you must figure out all the symptoms.  Once you know your symptoms, you find a substance that causes the exact same set of symptoms and take a small amount of it.  Because you are only taking a very small amount, the substance not only doesn’t harm you, it’s said to cure you, generally long term or even permanently. 

When most people hear about homeopathy, their initial reaction is “no way!”  Treating symptoms with something that causes your symptoms seems totally counterintuitive, but it’s a concept that’s used in modern medicine as well as more ancient cures.  Shots commonly used to treat allergies contain a small amount of whatever you’re allergic to.  Many vaccines contain a small amount of the disease they’re designed to protect against. 

While homeopathic medicine is not only considered effective, it has many benefits over modern medicine.  Like many other natural medical treatments, most homeopathic remedies are totally natural.  While this doesn’t necessarily make them safe, these remedies tend to cause fewer side effects, have little drug interactions, and are generally better for your overall health.

Image via WikipediaHomeopathic medications are also considered better for your body because they work with it. Many modern medicines work to suppress symptoms like fever or coughing. These symptoms are the body’s natural ways to get rid of disease.  Instead of suppressing symptoms, homeopathic medicine works to cure the problem itself while addressing the specific symptoms.

When the right treatment is found, homeopathy is considered very effective.  The big problem is that just like there are thousands of prescriptions and over the counter drugs, there are also thousands of homeopathic remedies as well.  And if you don’t pick exactly the right one, it won’t work. 

While you can buy homeopathic remedies over the counter (in fact, even some main-stream large grocery stores now carry them), just like herbal and other alternative medicines, that doesn’t mean it’s 100% safe to treat yourself.  If you’re serious about this treatment you should speak to a doctor who has experience in alternative medicine or even see a specialist in the area.

Learn More About Homeopathy:
    

Video - Super Foods You Should Know About

Here is a great video on super foods...but these aren't your typical super foods you may have heard of, like beans and broccoli. These include some really cool foods from around the world that have amazing benefits for boosting your immune system, removing toxins from your body, and providing great amounts of nutrients. You may have seen the names of some of these before, but not been quite sure what they were. This video explains them for you, as well as where they come from, and what they can do for your health. Yummy and amazing for your body, these may sound a bit foreign, but they are easier to find than ever.

Check 'em out!

Super Foods! - Nutrition by Natalie
Be My Friend - www.myspace.com Nutrition by Natalie Super Foods In this video Natalie talks you around the world to learn about some of the most nutrition foods that exist. Some of these were actually discovered in region where the inhabitants have e...



You Can Even Find Some of These Super Foods on Amazon.com: