A Natural Solution 4 You

Notification to Readers of "A Natural Solution 4 You"

2007-04-16T13:24:00.000-07:00

Hello Readers!

This newsletter publication has been discontinued.

Email subscribers were given an option to roll into a new publication entitled, "Health Tip & Weekly Specials."

If you were receiving this by RSS feed, that option was not made available to you and we just realized that, so we are sending out this last post to notify you.

If you would like to be on the new mailing list, please visit our home page and subscribe on either side bar.

Thank you for your interest!

Randal J. Watkins, Editor

A Natural Solution 4 You - 12/09/06

2006-12-08T16:00:00.000-08:00

A NOTE FROM RANDAL

We've been experiencing colder weather here in central Virginia. All of the leaves are off the trees now and I continue to vac up the leaves to use them as mulch.

I eat Kale just about 5 times a week in the breakfast drink I make in our Vita Mix. Kale is a healthy vegetable and I have included a recipe below if you are interested in making a warm soup during this cold period that most of us are experiencing. If you do make it, let me know I might try some cooked for a change too.

We appreciate your continued use of our products and service and really appreciate it when you spread the word to your friends and family too.

Till next time,
Randal

HEALTH NEWS AND TIPS

Writing About Your Stressful Life Events Makes a Difference In Your Health

Non-drug treatments with little patient cost or risk are useful supplements to drug therapy in the treatment of patients with chronic illness. Research has demonstrated that writing about emotionally traumatic experiences has a surprisingly beneficial effect on symptom reports, well-being, and health care use in healthy individuals.

There was a trial done with the objective being to determine if writing about stressful life experiences affected the disease status in patients with asthma or rheumatoid arthritis. The results determined it definitely was.

So ... if we think that stuffing our emotions or bad life experiences will make them go away, the results are quite opposite. Even if you just write about them, it appears you take a load off of what you carry around and what is affecting your health.

Read the entire study here:
http://jama.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/abstract/281/14/1304

Decrease of US Women Smoking

For the first time in 40 years, less than 20% of women smoke (one third of women smoked in 1965).

Wanna quit? Free help line (800) 784-8669.

FEATURED TOPIC

Dr. Whitaker’s Formula to Prevent Cataracts

"Since free radical damage is the key mechanism in the development of cataracts, it makes sense that increased levels of antioxidants would protect against them, and the research bears this out. Several studies involving thousands of people have found that long term use of multivitamins, vitamins A, B-complex, C, and E, and carotenoids (particularly lutein and zeaxanthin) reduces risk of cataracts."

And of course, green leafy vegetables including broccoli, tomatoes, melons, and citrus fruits are beneficial.

Source: Dr. Whitaker’s Health & Healing

Editor's Note: A good overall nutritional support for your eyes is called Perfect Eyes

FEATURED PRODUCTS

Natural Solution For Head Lice

Although they may sound gross, lice (the plural of louse) are a very common problem, especially for kids ages 3 years to 12 years (girls more often than boys). Lice are highly contagious and can spread quickly from person to person, especially in group settings (schools, child-care centers, slumber parties, sports activities, camps, and even playgrounds).

You may wonder if Fido or Fluffy may be catching the pests and passing them on to your family. But rest assured that pets can't catch head lice and pass them on to people or the other way around.

A child's doctor can recommend a medicated shampoo, cream, or lotion to kill the lice. These may be over-the-counter or prescription medications, depending on what treatments have already been tried. It isn't uncommon for treatments to be unsuccessful. It's important to note that these products are insecticides so they have many cautions. Applying these medications too much or too frequently can increase the risk of causing harm.

Paw Paw has properties that kill lice without the dangers of insecticide. When you read about the ingredients used in the following recipe you will find benefits for each of them to be helpful in other ways also.

Get the head lice recipe here:

NATURAL HEALTH CONSULTANT FOR YOU

Due to the high traffic of our website, we can't answer individual questions, so we recommend this natural health specialist that can help you. The offer is a free 30-minute consultation.

Meet Our Natural Health Consultant

NUTRITION IS A CHOICE

The Link Between Violence and What We Eat

There is a striking correlation between violence and nutrient in the diet. A clinical trial at the US government's National Institutes for Health and earlier studies involving people with violent records found that those given supplements have been able for the first time to control their anger and aggression. The causes of increase in violent crime in the last decades may well be decaying pathways of the brain deadened by the lack of nutrition in the stomach.

There was a story in the Guardian recalling an earlier study of prisoners from 2002 which gave striking results. Surprisingly the discovery caused little stir in the media and no perceivable action from government. Read the story in the Guardian here: www.guardian.co.uk/science/story/0,,1924153,00.html

A revolution has turned around Central Alternative High School in Appleton, Wisconsin, and its 'problem kids', sent there from twelve area schools. Respect, achievement, and discipline prevail where once kids packed weapons, took drugs, and exhibited "terrible rudeness." Could a change in diet really accomplish this?

Read the entire story here: www.goodnewsnetwork.org/content/view/485/224/

Kale Soup with Black-Eyed Peas

Serves 8

A hearty soup is the perfect way to warm the body and soul, and this soup just happens to be gluten-free. Satisfying enough to serve as a meal, this soup is a great "take along" dish when eating at a friend's home-just reheat on the stove and serve.

1 Tbs. olive oil
1 medium onion, chopped
1 rib celery, chopped
1 large carrot, peeled and chopped
1 tsp. paprika
1 bay leaf
4 cups low-sodium vegetable stock or water
1 14-oz. can diced tomatoes, drained
3 cups chopped kale
3 cups cooked or canned black-eyed peas, rinsed if canned
2 Tbs. wheat-free tamari
3 cups cooked brown rice
Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

In large pot, heat oil over medium heat. Add onion, celery and carrot. Cover and cook 5 minutes until softened. Add paprika, bay leaf, stock or water, tomatoes and kale and cook, uncovered, until kale is tender, about 15 minutes. Add peas and tamari, and simmer 5 minutes.

Just before serving, add rice and heat through. Season with salt and pepper, and serve.

LAUGHTER IS GOOD MEDICINE

Snake Glasses

An old snake goes to see his Doctor. "Doc, I need something for my eyes, I can't see very well these days."

The doctor fixes him up with a pair of glasses and tells him to return in 2 weeks.

The snake comes back in 2 weeks and tells the doctor he's very depressed. The doctor says, "What's the problem? Didn't the glasses help you?"

"The glasses are fine doc, but I just discovered I've been living with a water hose the past 2 years."

For more great laughs visit the CleanLaugh List

ABOUT ESSENTIAL OILS

Shop for Essential Oils & Accessories
Essential Oil Kits
Tell Me About Essential Oils
What About Quality and Purity
Essential Oil Recipes
Email Newsletter: "Essential Oil Recipes and More"

INFORMATION FOR CHILDREN

Natural Health Information for Parents
Herbasaurs Supplements for Kids
Research Health Topics for Children

NATURAL HEALTH LINKS FOR YOUR PETS

Pet Supplements by Health Topic
Pet Success Stories Using Nature's Remedies
Flint River Ranch Oven-Baked Pet Foods
Healthy Pet Foods & Supplements
Free Natural Pet Newsletter
Herbal Heartworm Programs

FREE NATURAL HEALTH CLASSES

Learn how your body works one system at a time or with a health topic class. Knowledge is essential in making wise health decisions. Take the entire course or choose a system you want to know more about (i.e. digestive, glandular, intestinal, etc.). View the class topics here.

PLEASE PASS IT ON!

If you enjoyed what you read today, please forward this newsletter to your friends by clicking on the white envelope below or if you're at the blog, cut and paste the web link to this page and send it on.

COPYRIGHT AND REPRINT INFORMATION
© 2006 Randal J. Watkins

The stories, suggestions, and information in this newsletter are not meant to diagnose or prescribe for you. If you have a medical problem, you may want the advice and recommendations of a medical doctor. All stories, recipes, information, etc. that are passed along in this newsletter are for informational purposes only and are not necessarily endorsed by the businesses of Sunshine Life Center, Inc. This is a personal publication by Randal J. Watkins. The ideas and information expressed in it have not been approved or authorized by anyone either explicitly or impliedly. In no event shall Randal J. Watkins or Sunshine Life Center, Inc. be liable for any damages whatsoever resulting from any action arising in connection with the use of this information or its publication, including any action for infringement of copyright or defamation.

Forwarding and Use of This Newsletter
You may forward this newsletter in its entirety or use this copyrighted newsletter on a website if you include the following link or credit: www.theherbsplace.com

A Natural Solution 4 You - 11/08/06

2006-11-02T11:50:00.000-08:00

A NOTE FROM RANDAL

Last week my wife took a call and talked to a young girl in her 20's that was interested in cleansing and called to place an order. She was elected to be the test subject by her friends because she's been interested in eating healthier. If all went well with her, then they were to do a Clean Start cleanse also.

Donna told me about the call because it was so refreshing to talk to a young person interested in preventing health problems. It's certainly a true saying that "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure." She'd been having headaches and fatigue and feeling like her meals were sluggish in her stomach. Her instincts told her that she should clean house since she'd eaten a lot of junk food growing up.

Our instincts do tell us a lot if we listen to them. There are some things that just make sense if we allow ourselves to think about them. This issue's featured topic is cleansing. Since the Clean Start cleanse includes a fiber drink, which not all people want to drink, we are featuring the Chinese Tiao He Cleanse, a 15-day cleanse for the entire body.

We can't prescribe, but cleansing is something that Donna and I do on a regular basis. As good as our diet is, we still live in a toxic world.

Till next time,
Randal

HEALTH NEWS AND TIPS

Want To Prevent Colds? Start Exercising!

A long-term moderate exercise program can reduce the risk of colds among older women. In the first randomized clinical trial to investigate the impact of moderate physical activity on the common cold, researchers found that post-menopausal women who worked out regularly had about half the risk of colds as those who did not exercise.

The study involved 115 overweight, post-menopausal women who had not been exercising before the trial. The exercisers were told to do moderate physical activity such as walking on a treadmill, cycling on a stationary bicycle or rapid walking outside. Over the course of a year, the women filled out questionnaires every three months to report the number of times they had allergies, colds or other problems.

Read the entire story here:
news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20061026/hl_nm/colds_dc

Black Tea Soothes Away Stress

The BBC reports that scientists found evidence behind what many tea drinkers already know - a regular cuppa can help you recover more quickly from everyday life stresses. The study of black tea - instead of green or herbal varieties - found it helps cut levels of the stress hormone cortisol circulating in the blood. They found people who drank tea were able to de-stress more quickly than those who drank a tea substitute. Read the entire article at this site: news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/5405686.stm

Help for Childhood Obesity

The Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM) has a website to get kids healthy and out of obesity. Doctors and laypersons working together for compassionate and effective medical practice, research, and health promotion. PCRM promotes preventive medicine through innovative programs. Statistics show that people who maintain a healthy weight throughout life stay well and live longer than those who are overweight. The lifestyle habits that help keep us slim - exercise and a healthy diet - also cut our risk of diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, and some cancers.

This site has helpful tips, hints and resources to help with childhood obesity. Get a free booklet by mail or download the PDF version of it on the site. Visit Kids Get Healthy now.

FEATURED TOPIC

Why Should I Cleanse?

Millions of us suffer from disease, sickness and pain because we simply don't know this truth about our own health: our bodies are not properly eliminating poisons and environmental toxins. The colon's job is to hold waste before it is evacuated from the body and to reabsorb water from the waste. Years of poor eating habits, low-fiber diets, sedentary living and other lifestyle choices can slow the digestive processes. If waste sits in the colon too long, toxins build up there and are eventually absorbed back into the body. A toxic colon eventually leads to a toxic liver, which pollutes the tissues and the bloodstream, making a person very sick.

Get more information on symptoms indicating a cleanse may be helpful and find a list of toxins that reside in the colon and reason to keep the colon clean by reading the article, Why Should I Cleanse.

What Do Stools Tell Us?

From your stool you may be able to get clues about your diet, your gastrointestinal health, and even whether your stress, anger, or anxiety levels are too high. Stools can reveal a lot about your health. Find out what your stool can tell you.

FEATURED PRODUCTS
Chinese Tiao He 15-Day Cleanse

This nutritional program is designed to help the body achieve balance and harmony. It combines Chinese nutritional and Western herbal experience. The Tiao He Cleanse is designed to support the cleansing mechanisms of the body by targeting the intestinal, digestive and circulatory systems.

More info on the Tiao He Cleanse

Bifidophilus Flora Force

The normal, healthy human intestinal tract contains billions of flora that live in a delicate balance with each other and in symbiosis with us. We provide them with a home and in turn they break down our food into easily absorbable nutrients and help maintain our overall health.

But, factors such as stress , environmental conditions or use of certain substances can affect the natural balance of friendly microbes. Bifidophilus Flora Force provides billions of beneficial intestinal micro organisms, which offer a whole range of health benefits.

After a cleanse, we like to follow-up with populating our intestinal tract with the beneficial bacteria that it should have to keep our immune system healthy. With the cold and flu season coming in, this would be a wise addition to any supplement program, especially after a cleanse. More info on Bifidophilus Flora Force

NUTRITION IS A CHOICE

Hospitals Serving Organic Food

Hospitals are serving all-natural all-organic foods in their cafeterias to satisfy not only their mission to promote health but the appetites of visitors and workers who rave about the fresh fruit smoothies, wild salmon, and homemade pies with antioxidant-rich dried cherries.

Not only does the organic food taste great, but the hospitals' budgets are benefiting, because more people are buying the food.

No longer does the cafeteria staff worry about which patient needs low-salt and which needs low-fat. Everybody gets the same healthy, lean, and tasty food. In just a year one hospital rid its menu of all trans fats and major additives.

Here's the entire article: msnbc.msn.com/id/14987885/

LAUGHTER IS GOOD MEDICINE

Fast Driver

My mom has a lead foot, so I was not surprised when a state trooper pulled
us over as we were speeding through Georgia.

Hoping to get off with a warning, Mom tried to appear shocked when the
trooper walked up to the car.

"I have never been stopped like this before," she said to the officer.

"What do they usually do, ma'am," he asked, "shoot the tires out?"

For more great laughs visit the CleanLaugh List

ABOUT ESSENTIAL OILS

Aromatherapy in Well-Known Cancer Treatment Center

Imagine this: a bubble bath that improves your memory a kitchen cleaner that wards off nausea and energizes you a scented handkerchief that calms your jangled nerves.

Usually, people from throughout the world come for treatment to Houston's M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, ranked by U.S. News & World Report as the country's top hospitals for cancer care. So you probably wouldn't associate something alternative like aromatherapy with a internationally known cancer facility, especially when the world is so filled with skeptics.

Learn the uses, healing properties and how-tos of using aromatherapy to heal and get stress out of your life, courtesy of one of the world's best known cancer centers. Read the entire article here: www.nubella.com/content/view/2166/

Shop for Essential Oils & Accessories
Essential Oil Kits
Tell Me About Essential Oils
What About Quality and Purity
Essential Oil Recipes
Email Newsletter: "Essential Oil Recipes and More"

INFORMATION FOR CHILDREN

Natural Health Information for Parents
Herbasaurs Supplements for Kids
Research Health Topics for Children

NATURAL HEALTH LINKS FOR YOUR PETS

Pet Supplements by Health Topic
Pet Success Stories Using Nature's Remedies
Flint River Ranch Oven-Baked Pet Foods
Healthy Pet Foods & Supplements
Free Natural Pet Newsletter
Herbal Heartworm Programs

FREE NATURAL HEALTH CLASSES

Learn how your body works one system at a time or with a health topic class. Knowledge is essential in making wise health decisions. Take the entire course or choose a system you want to know more about (i.e. digestive, glandular, intestinal, etc.). View the class topics here.

PLEASE PASS IT ON!

If you enjoyed what you read today, please forward this newsletter to your friends by clicking on the white envelope below or if you're at the blog, cut and paste the web link to this page and send it on.

COPYRIGHT AND REPRINT INFORMATION
© 2006 Randal J. Watkins

The stories, suggestions, and information in this newsletter are not meant to diagnose or prescribe for you. If you have a medical problem, you may want the advice and recommendations of a medical doctor. All stories, recipes, information, etc. that are passed along in this newsletter are for informational purposes only and are not necessarily endorsed by the businesses of Sunshine Life Center, Inc. This is a personal publication by Randal J. Watkins. The ideas and information expressed in it have not been approved or authorized by anyone either explicitly or impliedly. In no event shall Randal J. Watkins or Sunshine Life Center, Inc. be liable for any damages whatsoever resulting from any action arising in connection with the use of this information or its publication, including any action for infringement of copyright or defamation.

Forwarding and Use of This Newsletter
You may forward this newsletter in its entirety or use this copyrighted newsletter on a website if you include the following link or credit: www.theherbsplace.com

A Natural Solution 4 You - 10/08/06

2006-10-03T16:35:00.000-07:00

A NOTE FROM RANDAL

It's nice to be back again. Donna likes a lot of variety in life so I'm always happy to accommodate. I know you enjoyed having her as editor of this newsletter and I certainly hope you will enjoy my publications also.

If you're not on Donna's other publications, you can still stay in touch with her through these newsletters she is still doing:
A Healing Moment
A Touch of Nature

We've truly been enjoying the weather here in central Virginia. Fall has hit the air and the chilly nights have added a blanket to my side of the bed. The days have been lovely for gardening, but so lovely that we've taken off for the mountains a number of times to enjoy God's gardening.

Let me know if you have any requests for the newsletter. I'll be happy to consider all suggestions.

Till next time,
Randal

HEALTH NEWS AND TIPS

Dogs Used to Detect Cancer

According to a study conducted by researchers at Amersham Hospital in England and reported in the British Medical Journal, dogs with no special training were able to detect the urine specimens that came from bladder cancer patients when placed alongside specimens from healthy patients. Their combined success rate was calculated at more than twice that of random selection. The dogs that were most successful were three-and-a-half times more likely to correctly identify samples from bladder cancer subjects than random choice.

Perhaps the most astounding outcome of the study involved a sample provided by a subject that tested negative for cancer on multiple evaluations. All of the dogs selected this person’s sample as positive for cancer. As a result, doctors conducted further tests and were able to locate a previously unnoticed life-threatening kidney tumor.

The issue under investigation now is how to implement a system that incorporates this amazing canine ability.

Source: Healthy Pet Newsletter.

Lift Your Spirits with Lemon Essential Oil

During long voyages, seafaring men often found themselves seized by a debilitating illness they called “scurvy.” It was a most unpleasant and sometimes fatal condition. Symptoms ranged from spongy gums and loosened teeth to bleeding in the soft tissues. Random experimentation by these world travelers uncovered a simple remedy. The ingestion of citrus fruits, mainly limes and lemons, proved to be a miracle cure. Just like the sailors of old, you too can tap into the miraculous revitalizing power of citrus with Lemon Essential Oil.

For many of us, the color and fragrance of a lemon bring to mind freshness and vitality. While the uses of lemon and lemon juice are countless and varied, perhaps the strongest effect Lemon Essential Oil has to offer is that of lifting our spirits, particularly when we face mental fatigue.

Lemon Essential Oil helps the body face physical and psychological weariness, most strongly influencing the mind by supporting concentration and the ability to memorize. In Japan, a test showed a 54 percent decrease in typing mistakes when lemon oil was diffused into an office area. If your concentration needs a lift, order a bottle of Nature's Sunshine Lemon Essential Oil at the link below.

The Essential Facts
Lemon Essential Oil is a powerful antiseptic. Not only has it been used to clean contaminated surfaces, such as a butcher’s cutting block, but it has a powerful antibacterial and antiviral effect attributable to its limonene content.

Lemon Essential Oil also contains antifungal compounds. Some people have even used lemon to disinfect questionable drinking water. Because of its vitamin content, Lemon Essential Oil offers strong support to the immune system.

Rather than exhibit an extreme acidic quality, Lemon Essential Oil works as an excellent stabilizer of the body’s acidity-alkalinity content. Its astringent qualities make lemon oil useful in the home for many conditions, including insect bites, fever and skin conditions.

The Acid Test
Make sure your essential oils are pure. We use and sell Nature's Sunshine Lemon Essential Oil. It is certified organic and cold-pressed from lemon rind. Extracting this precious substance from the lemon peel is costly and time-consuming. The peels of about 1,500 lemons are required to produce one pound of lemon oil. In our competitive market, some companies may be tempted to add synthetic ingredients to their lemon oil, such as those created to approximate a lemon scent in commercial detergents and soaps, but that won't happen with Nature's Sunshine. Purchase 100% Pure Lemon Essential Oil

FEATURED TOPIC

Bladder Spasms - Customer Success Story

"Can I tell you how much better my bones and bladder feel? I had a real scare a month ago and thought I was going to have to go to the hospital. I never told anyone, just took like 30 Horsetail and Cornsilk a day for a week and it got better, but I was in horrible pain. I knew it was self-inflicted and I thought to myself, "well, you can keep this up and end up at a urologist one day where they have to do surgery to your bladder or put you on drugs for the spasms, or ... you can take care of yourself." I decided I liked the latter. I want to go through my whole life without having to have surgery on anything...smart choice eh? I have lost 10 lbs in one month by leaving off pop, coffee and desserts.

I wake up with energy, instead of that horrible fog and I can urinate again. How nice. My biggest help was when Louise gave me a program when we were in Charleston and Horsetail and Cornsilk are what really works. I have to take a lot, about 10 a day for maintenance, but I have long pretty nails and my bones like it too. Isn't it nice getting those side-effects that are great instead of those that are awful from drugs?"

Happy from Chicago

Editor's Note: This is not meant to prescribe since this customer used an unusually high number of herbs. It does provide information on two products that may be of benefit to somebody, but quantities always vary between people.

NUTRITION IS A CHOICE

Nutrition Journal Hid Contributors Ties to Food Industry

Supplement Published in Journal of the American College of Nutrition Pooh-Poohs Salt Intake Recommendations

WASHINGTON A nutrition journal published by the American College of Nutrition failed to tell readers that a special supplement on salt intake was written and edited by consultants to the salt industry. The editors also failed to inform the National Library of Medicine (NLM), which included the abstracts from the supplement in MEDLINE. NLM rules state MEDLINE will not carry abstracts from sponsored supplements unless conflict-of-interest disclosure statements are prominently featured in the supplement.

This blatant failure by the Journal of the American College of Nutrition (JACN) to adhere to its own conflict of interest disclosure policies and federal guidelines was revealed in Integrity in Science Watch, a weekly alert from the nonprofit Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI).

The "guest editor" of a June supplement in JACN that focused on sodium and human health was Dr. Alexander G. Logan, a paid consultant to the salt industry. He also serves as scientific advisor to the sodium committee of the industry-backed International Life Sciences Institute (ILSI), which funded the supplement. The regular editors of JACN also allowed ILSI's sodium committee, which includes Frito-Lay, Heinz, Kraft, and Proctor & Gamble, to name Logan to edit the special supplement. This fact was not revealed to readers.

No articles in the supplement, most of which downplayed

For more of this article go to this website - Center for Science in the Public Interest

LAUGHTER IS GOOD MEDICINE

Nutritious Eating

According to a recent article I just read on nutrition, they said eating right doesn't have to be complicated. Nutritionists say there is a simple way to tell if you're eating right. Colors. Fill your plates with bright colors. Greens, reds, yellows.

In fact, I did that this morning. I had an entire bowl of M&M's. It was delicious! I never knew eating right could be so easy.

I now have a whole new outlook on life.

ABOUT ESSENTIAL OILS

Shop for Essential Oils & Accessories
Essential Oil Kits
Tell Me About Essential Oils
What About Quality and Purity
Essential Oil Recipes
Email Newsletter: "Essential Oil Recipes and More"

INFORMATION FOR CHILDREN

Natural Health Information for Parents
Herbasaurs Supplements for Kids
Research Health Topics for Children

NATURAL HEALTH CONSULTANTS FOR YOU

Due to the high traffic of our website and FDA/FTC rulings, we can't answer individual questions. However, we have two friends and business associates with the expertise to help you, so we refer to them. Look over the information about them on the websites shown and be sure to place your order through them to get a free 30-minute consultation.
For People - Dianne Frase
For Pets - Robin Sockness

NATURAL HEALTH LINKS FOR YOUR PETS

Pet Supplements by Health Topic
Pet Success Stories Using Nature's Remedies
Flint River Ranch Oven-Baked Pet Foods
Healthy Pet Foods & Supplements
Free Natural Pet Newsletter

FREE NATURAL HEALTH CLASSES

Learn how your body works one system at a time or with a health topic class. Knowledge is essential in making wise health decisions. Take the entire course or choose a system you want to know more about (i.e. digestive, glandular, intestinal, etc.). View the class topics here.

PLEASE PASS IT ON!

If you enjoyed what you read today, please forward this newsletter to your friends by clicking on the white envelope below or if you're at the blog, cut and paste the web link to this page and send it on.

COPYRIGHT AND REPRINT INFORMATION
© 2006 Randal J. Watkins

The stories, suggestions, and information in this newsletter are not meant to diagnose or prescribe for you. If you have a medical problem, you may want the advice and recommendations of a medical doctor. All stories, recipes, information, etc. that are passed along in this newsletter are for informational purposes only and are not necessarily endorsed by the businesses of Sunshine Life Center, Inc. This is a personal publication by Randal J. Watkins. The ideas and information expressed in it have not been approved or authorized by anyone either explicitly or impliedly. In no event shall Randal J. Watkins or Sunshine Life Center, Inc. be liable for any damages whatsoever resulting from any action arising in connection with the use of this information or its publication, including any action for infringement of copyright or defamation.

Forwarding and Use of This Newsletter
You may forward this newsletter in its entirety or use this copyrighted newsletter on a website if you include the following link or credit: www.theherbsplace.com

A Natural Solution 4 You Newsletter

2006-09-07T16:15:00.000-07:00

A LAST NOTE FROM DONNA

This will be the last issue of A Natural Solution 4 You that I will be creating. Randal will be taking over, and for those of you who have been with us for years, you know we've switched back and forth a number of times. I love variety and I've gotten a few too many publications to keep up with, so I will continue writing A Healing Moment and A Touch of Nature.

I'm getting involved with some volunteer time here in our community to benefit the wildlife, so I'm cutting my work hours and turning some of my duties over to others who work with and for our corporation. It's amazing how the online environment offers such a wide range of opportunities to use people's skills and talents and they don't have to be "parked" in our office space. We are blessed with wonderful and talented people.

If you're not on one of the mailing lists shown above, I hope you'll join me there to stay in touch. Each of our subscribers is very special to us. Being able to communicate with you makes me feel like I have a huge family out there in the virtual world.

I celebrated my 56th birthday on Sunday. Of course, I wanted to be near the Blue Ridge Mountains. We are blessed to be only 45 minutes away and the drive there is as exciting as getting there. We had a nice brunch at a place that had a pond and some great butterflies and flowers. You can view the photo album of my birthday at our site. If you have problems there, would you please take the time to make a comment at the bottom of this blog or reply to this if you receive it by email. We're troubleshoooting some site and server problems and would appreciate your input.

I took a walk about in our gardens here at Bluebird Cove yesterday morning. Things have grown so much since last year. I took lots of photos, so if you'd like to make a virtual visit to our place, you're welcome to drop by! :-)

Hugs and Blessings!
Donna

HEALTH NEWS AND TIPS

Eating Wild and Natural

Randal and I have been vegetarians for almost 30 years, but we realize there are people who will never give up their meat. So, the next best alternative is to at least provide information for meat-eaters to choose humane sourced meats, so they won't be buying factory-farmed products.

The Eat Wild website is the most comprehensive website on grass-based farming, providing information about the animal welfare, human health and environmental benefits of grass-fed husbandry. On this website you can also locate grass-based farmers by state from which to buy grassfed beef, veal, bison, poultry, pork, eggs and milk.

Select the "Shop for Meat, Eggs & Dairy" tab on the left side of the page, then your state, for a list of farmers in your area. Some farmers will ship products directly to your door, so look at neighboring states also. Visit Eat Wild now.

Back Pain?

Consumer Reports says that 4 out of 10 people with back pain said deep-tissue massage made them feel "much better." That's more relief than offered by prescription drugs.

Perhaps a massage lotion made from olive oil and some muscle relaxing essential oils would help to ease the pain away. Massage from loving hands can impart more than just the benefits of essential oils. The love of a wife or husband added to the lotion can impart some therapeutic value also.

Lavendar Essential Oil is only one thing mentioned in an article about back pain on the Mother Earth News site. There are a lot of articles there on natural alternatives for health problems.

The Meatrix and The Meatrix II

These animated films, a humorous spoof on the Matrix, take a look at the gap between our illusions of where food comes from and the reality of industrial food production. Find out more about healthy buying alternatives to meat and dairy products. Organic, pasture-fed food sources are now becoming more readily available. With the internet as a resource to locate your options, you have a chance to make sure your family makes the right food choices for health. View both films here.

You're Not Getting Enough Nutrients From the U.S. Depleted Soils

The USDA's recommended daily amount of fruits and vegetables has risen from 3 to 9-11 servings per day. Why? Because our soils are dying. In 1992, the Earth Summit reported that North America's soils are 85% less potent than they were 100 years ago and that we lead the world in soil depletion.

Sick soil means sick people. Medicine Today Journal reports that spinach has 60% less iron than it did 50 years ago, broccoli and carrots have 75% less magnesium and watercress has 93% less copper.

Can excessive soil depletion be one reason we lead the world in degenerative diseases?

Congress finds that there is a link between the ingestion of food supplements and the prevention of chronic diseases such as heart disease, osteoporosis and the Big C. The importance of nutrition and benefits of dietary supplementation to disease prevention has been documented n scientific studies.

Dr. Bernard, the doctor who performed the first open heart surgery, said that if he knew then what he knows now, instead of surgery he would have worked to prevent heart disease with food supplements and lifestyle changes in his patients.

There are more than 20,000 medical journal articles that promote the benefits and use of nutritional supplements. Hippocrates said to let food be your medicine and your medicine be food.

Read more about the importance of supplementation and choose a basic supplement plan for yourself and your family.

Source: Echo, September 2006

FEATURED TOPIC

Nature Makes Us Happy and Heals Our Bodies

Intuitively, we know something in us responds to nature, even as most of us live our workaday lives further and further removed from flora and fauna. Learn why contact with animals, plants and nature may be a potent antidote to stress, distracting us from worrisome thoughts, depression, reducing anxiety and lowering blood pressure. Gathering some facts from these articles will send you running to the nearest green space you can find.

Inviting the Outdoors In
www.nwf.org/nationalwildlife/article.cfm?issueID=107&articleID=1347

Take Two Hikes and Call Me in the Morning
www.nwf.org/nationalwildlife/article.cfm?issueID=73&articleId=1048

Don't miss this one since it relates to the Fall season that is now approaching.

The Value of Autumn
www.nwf.org/nationalwildlife/article.cfm?issueid=20&articleid=669

If you'd like to know more about the wonders of nature, join my "A Touch of Nature" newsletter list. It's a twice-monthly mailing. Get more information and subscribe.

NUTRITION IS A CHOICE

The 10 Worst Foods to Eat & Healthy Alternatives

1. Quaker Oats & Honey Granola
Does Mother Nature want you eating half a cup of oats coated with three teaspoons of sugar and laden with more artery-clogging fat than you’d get in a McDonald’s hamburger? No doubt she’d prefer you eat low-fat, low-sugar, whole grain or bran cereals like Grape-Nuts, Wheaties, Kellogg’s All-Bran, Post 100% Bran, shredded wheat, oatmeal, or Wheatena. If you’re stuck on granola (and sugar), at least choose a product like Healthy Choice Low Fat Granola, Nature Valley Low Fat Fruit Granola, or Quaker 100% Natural Low Fat Granola with Raisins.

2. Bugles
What’s so bad about Bugles? The highly saturated coconut oil that General Mills fries them in —oil that’s about twice as saturated as lard. (Chips are usually fried in corn, soy, or canola oils.) One serving (just over a cup) of these fried wonders will give you 40% of your daily limit of saturated fat. If you’re looking for a low-fat snack, give Baked Bugles a shot, or try baked low-fat tortilla chips made by Tostitos or Guiltless Gourmet.

3. Buitoni Contandino Alfredo Sauce
Why not melt a third of a stick of butter on your pasta? You might as well if you fall for Contadina’s refrigerated Alfredo. On the other hand, you could choose Classico Spicy Red Pepper, Tomato & Basil, Fire-Roasted Tomato & Garlic, or any sauces from Healthy Choice or Ragú Light instead. All are lower in everything but taste.

4. Pizza Hut's Big New Yorker Pizza
Pizza Hut brags that The Big New Yorker plain cheese pizza weighs about three pounds before baking. But when it comes to pizza, bigger isn’t better. Even if you split this monster with three other people, your two slices will end up with almost a full day’s saturated fat (17 grams) and sodium (2,200 mg), and 790 calories. That’s without sausage, pepperoni, or anything else. Down an entire Healthy Choice Supreme French Bread Pizza, on the other hand, and you’ll get only 1.5 grams of saturated fat, 580 mg of sodium, and 330 calories.

5. Entennmann's Rich Frosted Donut
How can one doughnut have as much artery-clogging saturated and trans fat (10 grams) as nine strips of bacon? That’s what happens when you completely cover a doughnut in chocolate. Try Entenmann’s Light Donuts instead. With anywhere from six to nine grams of fat per doughnut (no more than three of them saturated), they’re not health foods. But if you’ve got to have a doughnut, they’re a lot better than the regular version.

6. Nissin Cup Noodles with Shrimp
What could be wrong with a cup of steaming-hot noodles? Well, because the noodles are pre-fried in artery-clogging palm oil, a serving of this soup looks like one-and-a-half cups of whole milk to your arteries. Try Fantastic Foods Chicken Free Ramen Noodles instead.

7. Burger King French Fries
Burger King makes some of the worst french fries you can buy at a fast-food restaurant. Thanks to the salty coating that allows more oil to be absorbed, a King Size order of their fries packs 590 calories and 30 grams of fat — 12 of them artery-clogging. That’s worse than McDonald’s Super Size Fries — and more than half the “bad” fat you should get in an entire day.

8. Campbell's red-and-white-label condensed Soup cans
They’re brimming with salt. Half a can averages more than 1,100 mg of sodium. That’s about half your ideal quota for an entire day. Try brands like Healthy Choice and Campbell’s Healthy Request, which have less than half as much sodium as Campbell’s regular soups. You can also check out lower-sodium dried soup cups by Fantastic Foods or Health Valley.

9. Frito Lay's Wow! Potato Chips
These chips, like Fat Free Pringles, are fried in Olean (olestra), the indigestible fat substitute. Olean doesn’t provide any calories, but in many people causes gastrointestinal symptoms — some people have said they suffered such severe cramps or diarrhea that they had to go to the emergency room. Olean also prevents the body’s absorption of carotenoids. These products won’t do much to help you lose weight or reduce your risk of heart attack, but might cause you a lot of misery. Instead buy baked potato or tortilla chips.

10. Denny's Grand Slam
This belt-buster breakfast (2 eggs, 2 sausage links, 2 strips of bacon, and 2 pancakes) may seem like a great deal to your wallet, but it’s no bargain for your waistline or arteries. It’ll sock you with three-quarters of a day’s total fat (50 grams) and saturated fat (14 grams), nearly a full day’s sodium (2,240 mg), and one-and-a-half day’s cholesterol (460 mg) — not to mention 800 calories. If you’re craving a hearty breakfast, try Denny’s Slim Slam instead. It slashes the calories to 600, the fat to 12 grams, the saturated fat to 3 grams, and the cholesterol to a mere 35 mg.

This information is from the Center for Science in the Public Interest. This organization has been a strong advocate for nutrition and health, food safety, alcohol policy, and sound science.

LAUGHTER IS GOOD MEDICINE

Talking Dog

A guy is driving around Wadsworth, Ohio and he sees a sign in front of a house: "Talking Dog For Sale." He rings the bell and the owner tells him the dog is in the backyard.

The guy goes into the backyard and sees a Labrador retriever sitting there. "You talk?" he asks.

"Yep," the Lab replies.

"So, what's your story?"

The Lab looks up and says, "Well, I discovered that I could talk when I was pretty young. I wanted to help the government, so I told the CIA about my gift, and in no time at all they had me jetting from country to country, sitting in rooms with spies and world leaders, because no one figured a dog would be eavesdropping. I was one of their most valuable spies for eight years running."

"But the jetting around really tired me out, and I knew I wasn't getting any younger so I decided to settle down. I signed up for a job at the airport to do some undercover security wandering near suspicious characters and listening in. I uncovered some incredible dealings and was awarded a batch of medals. I got married, had a mess of puppies, and now I'm just retired."

The guy is amazed. He goes back in and asks the owner what he wants for the dog.

"Ten dollars," the guy says.

"Ten dollars? This dog is amazing. Why on earth are you selling him so cheaply?"

"Because he's lying, he never did any of that stuff."

ABOUT ESSENTIAL OILS
Shop for Essential Oils & Accessories
Essential Oil Kits
Tell Me About Essential Oils
What About Quality and Purity
Essential Oil Recipes
Free Email Newsletter: "Essential Oil Recipes &amp;amp; More"

INFORMATION FOR CHILDREN
Natural Health Information for Parents
Herbasaurs Supplements for Kids
Research Health Topics for Children

New Kids Website on Farm Animals and Vegetarianism

If you're trying to get your kids to accept a vegetarian diet or you just want your children to know more about farm animals, a new website called Farm Sanctuary Kids is a site where children can learn about farm animals, vegetarianism, play games, share writing and artwork and more. Learn about animal behavior, biology and social structures and take quizzes to test knowledge. Visit the Creation Station, a special place where children can share your stories, drawings, essays, paintings, and poems with other kids who care about animals. Website: www.farmsanctuarykids.org/creation_station.htm

NATURAL HEALTH CONSULTANTS FOR YOU
Due to the high traffic of our website and FDA/FTC rulings, we can't answer individual questions. However, we have two friends and business associates with the expertise to help you, so we refer to them. Look over the information about them on the websites shown and be sure to place your order through them to get a free 30-minute consultation.
For People - Dianne Frase
For Pets - Robin Sockness

NATURAL HEALTH LINKS FOR YOUR PETS
Pet Supplements by Health Topic
Pet Success Stories Using Nature's Remedies
Flint River Ranch Oven-Baked Pet Foods
Healthy Pet Foods & Supplements
Free Natural Pet Newsletter

FREE NATURAL HEALTH CLASSES
Learn how your body works one system at a time or with a health topic class. Knowledge is essential in making wise health decisions. Take the entire course or choose a system you want to know more about (i.e. digestive, glandular, intestinal, etc.). View the class topics here.

PLEASE PASS IT ON!
If you enjoyed what you read today, please forward this newsletter to your friends by clicking on the white envelope below or if you're at the blog, cut and paste the web link to this page and send it on.

COPYRIGHT AND REPRINT INFORMATION
© 2006 Donna L. Watkins

The stories, suggestions, and information in this newsletter are not meant to diagnose or prescribe for you. If you have a medical problem, you may want the advice and recommendations of a medical doctor. All stories, recipes, information, etc. that are passed along in this newsletter are for informational purposes only and are not necessarily endorsed by the businesses of Sunshine Life Center, Inc. This is a personal publication by Donna L. Watkins. The ideas and information expressed in it have not been approved or authorized by anyone either explicitly or impliedly. In no event shall Donna L. Watkins or Sunshine Life Center, Inc. be liable for any damages whatsoever resulting from any action arising in connection with the use of this information or its publication, including any action for infringement of copyright or defamation.

Forwarding and Use of This Newsletter
You may forward this newsletter in its entirety or use this copyrighted newsletter on a website if you include the following link or credit: www.theherbsplace.com

A Natural Solution 4 You - 8/8/06 - by Donna

2006-08-15T16:32:00.000-07:00

A NOTE FROM DONNA

I've been making our herbal mouthwash for a couple months now and it's been fun to switch flavors from one batch to the next. It's amazing how cheap it is since it's only water, glycerin for sweetness, and essential oils. I like being able to use essential oils that keep gums healthy.

Here's one of the recipes I've used in an empty 8 ounce bottle with a flip top lid (mine is from Frozen Lemon Juice). I add 7 ounces of purified water, 2 teaspoons of glycerin (optional for sweetness), and for essential oils for healthy gums, I used 7 drops Rosemary Essential Oil and 7 drops of Peppermint Oil. You can find the glycerin at a drugstore. In our area it was one of the family-owned ones.

This photo is one of the sunrises at Bluebird Cove shining through the wind chimes that we got for our anniversary in April. We have looked at them for over 5 years since we moved here and finally decided to invest in them. They have brought so much peace to my heart as I am in the garden. Hearing their soft music lifts my spirit to heavenly things.

I'm finally getting somewhere on the Bluebird Cove Chronicles blog. I wanted to do the story leading up to Bluebird Cove, especially since this will be a virtual diary for me to remember all the times that God carried me through the troubles of life .... and all that He shows me in His Creation here at Bluebird Cove. If you haven't subscribed to emails of that blog, you can subscribe to Bluebird Cove Chronicles here. I will be ready to get into the day-to-day shortly. There's been a lot going on outside that I want to share with my virtual Bluebird Cove friends. I've added a bunch of photos to our online gallery. We've had a mama deer and two fawns regularly visiting so I took a sweet photo of one of the fawns looking right at me. I also took a walk-through of the garden to have a digital record of how things are growing.

Until next time, make it a happy and healthy day!
Donna

HEALTH NEWS AND TIPS

The FDA Formed 100 Years Ago - Are We Safer Because of It

A century ago, in an era of snake-oil salesmen, dangerous medicines, and horrifying conditions in the meatpacking industry, Congress created the Food and Drug Administration. Consumers’ health and safety has improved remarkably since then. Yet problems with our food and drugs today echo the very reasons the FDA was established.

Congress and some states are considering legislation to require that drug companies make public their clinical trial results. And measures in Congress would empower the FDA to require drugmakers to complete any requested follow-up safety studies once their products are on the market, so patients and doctors know about harmful side effects. But the bills languish, fought by a pharmaceutical industry that flourishes in the status quo. Read the entire article here at Consumer Reports.

Study Shows Laughter Helps Blood Vessels Function Better

Using laughter-provoking movies to gauge the effect of emotions on cardiovascular health, researchers at the University of Maryland School of Medicine in Baltimore have shown for the first time that laughter is linked to healthy function of blood vessels. Laughter appears to cause the tissue that forms the inner lining of blood vessels, the endothelium, to dilate or expand in order to increase blood flow.

When the same group of study volunteers was shown a movie that produced mental stress, their blood vessel lining developed a potentially unhealthy response called vasoconstriction, reducing blood flow. That finding confirms previous studies, which suggested there was a link between mental stress and the narrowing of blood vessels. Read the entire story.

FEATURED TOPIC
The ABCs of Defense

It's time for school supplies and getting your children prepared for another year of school. Don't forget to include the supplies you need to keep them healthy. Keeping their immune systems working at peak efficiency will prevent colds and flu from gaining ground.

Here's a great article that will help you to have some direction in keep your kids healthy. They don't have to be sick. Read Defending Kids Against Disease by Brian Gill.

FEATURED PRODUCT

Milk Thistle Combination

Our livers have a big job and with all the pollution in our air, water and foods, a little bit of herbal help would prove to be wise. Our forefathers always did Spring tonics for the liver and blood because they knew that keeping their livers healthy had a lot to do with feeling good.

This powerful formula provides nutrients that must be present for the liver to perform its 500 or more functions. It contains Vitamin A & C, milk thistle extract (80% silymarin, 175 mg.), dandelion root (150 mg.), choline bitartrate (60 mg.), and inositol (60 mg.).

Milk Thistle consists of three powerful liver-protective flavonoids. These flavonoids, silybin, silydianin, and silychristin, are usually referred to as silymarin. The effects of silymarin are well researched, showing protection against such hepato-toxins as alcohol, carbon tetrachloride, pesticides, heavy metals, and acetaminophen overdose. Not only can silymarin protect liver cells, it can regenerate already damaged ones. Additionally, silymarin was shown to increase liver, stomach, and intestinal glutathione. Read more about Milk Thistle.

NUTRITION IS A CHOICE

Egg Replacements

There are plenty of egg substitutes available for baking or preparing a dish that calls for eggs. Ener-G Egg Replacer is a reliable egg substitute for use in baking. It is available at health food stores and most grocery stores.

Tofu: Tofu is great for egg substitutions in recipes that call for a lot of eggs, like quiches. To replace one egg in a recipe, purée 1/4 cup soft tofu.

In Desserts and Sweet, Baked Goods: Try substituting one banana or 1/4 cup applesauce for each egg called for in a recipe for sweet, baked desserts. These will add some flavor to the recipe, so make sure bananas or apples are compatible with the other flavors in the dessert.

Other Egg Replacement Options

• 1 egg = 2 Tbsp. water + 1 Tbsp. oil + 2 tsp. baking powder
• 1 egg = 1 Tbsp. ground flax seed simmered in 3 Tbsp. water
• 1 egg white = 1 Tbsp. plain agar powder dissolved in 1 Tbsp. water, whipped, chilled, and whipped again

Information from VegCooking.com

LAUGHTER IS GOOD MEDICINE

On Aging .....

When an eighty-year-old woman was asked if there were to be candles on her cake, she responded curtly, "No, it's a birthday party, not a torchlight procession."

A man's death was mistakenly noted in the local paper's obituary section. The "corpse" hastened to the editor to protest. "I'm awfully sorry," the editor replied. "But it's too late to do much about it. The best thing I can do for you is to put you in the "Birth Column" tomorrow morning, and give you a fresh start."

ABOUT ESSENTIAL OILS
Shop for Essential Oils & Accessories
Essential Oil Kits
Tell Me About Essential Oils
What About Quality and Purity
Essential Oil Recipes
Free Email Newsletter: "Essential Oil Recipes & More"
INFORMATION FOR CHILDREN
Natural Health Information for Parents
Herbasaurs Supplements for Kids
Research Health Topics for Children

NATURAL HEALTH CONSULTANTS FOR YOU
Due to the high traffic of our website and FDA/FTC rulings, we can't answer individual questions. However, we have two friends and business associates with the expertise to help you, so we refer to them. Look over the information about them on the websites shown and be sure to place your order through them to get a free 30-minute consultation.
For People - Dianne Frase
For Pets - Robin Sockness

NATURAL HEALTH LINKS FOR YOUR PETS
Pet Supplements by Health Topic
Pet Success Stories Using Nature's Remedies
Flint River Ranch Oven-Baked Pet Foods
Healthy Pet Foods & Supplements
Free Natural Pet Newsletter

FREE NATURAL HEALTH CLASSES
Learn how your body works one system at a time or with a health topic class. Knowledge is essential in making wise health decisions. Take the entire course or choose a system you want to know more about (i.e. digestive, glandular, intestinal, etc.). View the class topics here.

PLEASE PASS IT ON!
If you enjoyed what you read today, please forward this newsletter to your friends by clicking on the white envelope below or cut and paste the web link to this page and send it on.

COPYRIGHT AND REPRINT INFORMATION
© 2006 Donna L. Watkins

The stories, suggestions, and information in this newsletter are not meant to diagnose or prescribe for you. If you have a medical problem, you may want the advice and recommendations of a medical doctor. All stories, recipes, information, etc. that are passed along in this newsletter are for informational purposes only and are not necessarily endorsed by the businesses of Sunshine Life Center, Inc. This is a personal publication by Donna L. Watkins. The ideas and information expressed in it have not been approved or authorized by anyone either explicitly or impliedly. In no event shall Donna L. Watkins or Sunshine Life Center, Inc. be liable for any damages whatsoever resulting from any action arising in connection with the use of this information or its publication, including any action for infringement of copyright or defamation.

Forwarding and Use of This Newsletter
You may forward this newsletter in its entirety or use this copyrighted newsletter on a website if you include the following credit: The Herbs Place

A Natural Solution 4 You - 7/24/06 - by Donna

2006-08-15T16:27:00.000-07:00

A NOTE FROM DONNA
Welcome new visitors and subscribers and thanks to all of you who share this newsletter with others!

If you enjoyed my updates about Bluebird Cove, where we live, visit the Bluebird Cove Chronicles Blog. Bookmark the site and stop by often.

Now that I don't need this space to talk about my life here at Bluebird Cove, I can chatter a bit about some health topic of interest to me.

I promised you links to the photos from the arboretum Randal and I visited over in the Shenandoah Valley. Well, they have been deleted from the camera. I was having a problem and during my "fix" I deleted those photos before I downloaded them to the computer. Too bad. Guess I will have to go back to take more.

Many of you still inquire about Squeek, our little black kitty that was diagnosed with FIV. Although the vet did not expect her to live out that week in February, she's been doing really well and we are thrilled. She takes her daily herbs and vitamins on her food and doesn't complain. Maybe she knows she needs them. I've had other pet owners tell me that. The animal balks at the food and doesn't want to eat it but it is left for them as the only food to eat ... and they do. Then after a few days it's like they crave the herbs.

We had a Rottweiler "client" years back at the store. He was a hyper dog and the owner had a home embroidery business. When customers would come to pick up their order, the dog would run to greet them. Very friendly dog, but most people didn't take it that way. She was torn between the dog's freedom of the house and her customers' fears. Since she was already a client of ours, she scheduled an appointment for the dog.

Being a dog, they had no problem getting the herbs down by tossing them into his mouth. He didn't mind swallowing anything. The funny thing was that after a few days, any time they opened a bottle of herbs, he came running for his. I guess he knew he felt better and wanted them.

Until next time, make it a happy and healthy day!
Donna

HEALTH NEWS AND TIPS
Women’s Sleep Habits Predict Weight Gain
Skimping on sleep may mean greater weight gain for women. That’s the finding of a study presented in San Diego at the American Thoracic Society’s International Conference.

Data came from 68,183 healthy women who took part in the Nurses’ Health Study. The Nurses’ Health study started in 1976, when women were 30-55 years old. In 1986, the women reported how much sleep they usually got per night. They reported their weight every two years for the next 16 years.

Women who reported sleeping five or six hours per night gained more weight than those who got seven hours of nightly sleep, the study shows. The researchers included Sanjay Patel, M.D., of Cleveland’s Case Western Reserve University. Read the rest of the story

Spoiled Meat Looks Fresh 8 Weeks After Sell-by Date
From Consumer Reports
Attention, meat shoppers: Your supermarket may be selling ground beef and steaks packaged with gas that keeps it looking red for a month or longer. Our tests found that meat packaged using that method stayed red even if it was spoiled.

The process, used in factory-wrapped (or case-ready) meat, replaces most of the oxygen in the package with other gases. Those include tiny amounts of carbon monoxide, which react with the pigment in meat, producing a red color.

Consumer Reports decided to do limited testing to check whether carbon-monoxide-packaged meat can stay red even when spoiled. Since there’s no requirement that the process be listed on meat labels, we called manufacturers to verify that the brands purchased were packed with carbon monoxide.

We tested 10 samples of locally purchased ground beef and steaks from three companies. We found that the meat appeared red even if it was spoiled or had bacterial counts that were close to indicating spoilage. By their use- or freeze-by date, seven samples were fresh but two packages of ground beef from one company were spoiled; an additional sample was on the brink of spoilage a day before the stamped date. Get more information and find out what you can do at your grocery in the complete article here

FEATURED TOPIC
Walking. Yes, you've heard it again and again how beneficial it is, but ...... Personally, I've tried to do the daily walk thing on asphalt and it's too routine for me. I get tired of the hard surface and the same old route. For Randal, it's a different story. He loves routine and walks every weekday at exactly 6:45 AM with a neighbor. A measured two-mile route. I knew I wasn't getting in enough exercise gardening and doing housework on most days, but I also knew that routine didn't work for me, because I'd tried it several times.

The AARP magazine came (yep! I'm over 50 so I qualify) and in it there were some interesting challenges for walking. Now I'm excited and have joined the walkers. I've chosen the Appalachian Trail, well virtually. The soles of my feet won't be touching the trail, but they will be taking more steps because I'm mentally walking the trail and virtually seeing my progress online. I began in Maine and am now about to exit Vermont.

Yesterday I folded laundry while stepping away in place. I love the challenge of getting my step counter to what I need to finish the trail in 70 days. I'm even hoping I'll get to enjoying it so much that I might be able to make a round trip in the 70 days. Hey! I'm out there in the middle of nature .... I can dream can't I? :-)

Here's some information in case you want to join me on the trail. Let me know if you take the challenge too. It will be fun walking the trail with you. Of course, you may choose another optional trail depending on how many steps you want to do a day ... and you can even change trails at any time to match your stepping ability, so there's no failure here! Go for it! The step counters are only $9 if you are an AARP member. Here's the info:

Join Us on a Walk on The Appalachian Trail
Want to make exercise fun? Track your virtual path along famous trails like the Appalachian Trail, or the Lewis and Clark, Alaska Highway, or Highway 50. "Step Up to Better Health" is a motivating 10-week walking program designed to boost daily activity. Wearing a step counter and tracking your steps online, you’ll be inspired to move more as you enjoy the benefits of an active lifestyle. You’ll have access to health and fitness articles, healthy recipes, and health-related resources on the web.

If you own a step counter you can begin tomorrow morning. If you don't, you can order one at a reasonable price from AARP and get an informative booklet with a section you can log-in your miles until you get to enter them online. Members pay only $9. Get More Info On The "Step Up to Better Health" Program

How About a Program Based on Timed Exercise Instead?
Get Fit on Route 66
If you'd rather not count steps but want a physical activity adventure designed to inspire you to be more active, trace the famous route of this virtual highway by exercising. Whatever physical activity you enjoy doing - tennis, jogging, swimming, biking, softball, or something else, this is a fun way to motivate yourself into keeping fit.

Your goal is to "travel" from Chicago to Santa Monica (2,448 miles) by recording your physical activity minutes. You'll record your minutes of exercise online, where our program will convert the minutes to miles; one minute equals one mile. You set the pace, whether it's ten or sixty miles a day. Find out more about this free program here

NUTRITION IS A CHOICE
Food Labeling - Beware of Marketing Come-Ons

Ignore the hype on the front of the package. This part of the label is designed by the food processor's marketing and advertising departments. It will contain whatever trendy words will help sell the product. While the meanings of many of these terms are regulated by law, it's still easy to be deceived by them. The food may not be as good for you as these large and colorful words want you to believe. Manufacturers cannot legally lie on a food label, but they can stretch the truth a bit. Be wary of these tricky terms:

Consider the word "pure." Everyone wants to eat food that's pure. You would not want to put contaminated food into your body. But "pure" has no regulated, agreed- upon meaning in food labeling. It tells you nothing about what's in the package that perhaps should not be there.

"Natural" is probably the least trustworthy of all the label terms. While the term "natural" sounds appealing, it really says little about the nutritional quality of the food, or even its safety. In reality, "natural" is empty of nutritional meaning. Consumers believe that "natural" means the food is pretty much as Mother Nature grew it, but this is seldom the case. And even then, "natural" is not the same as nutritious, or good for you. The fat marbling in a New York strip steak is "natural," but it's not good for your arteries.

"Made from" simply means the food started with this product. For example, the claim "made from 100 percent corn oil" may be technically correct, yet it is misleading. Consumers are led to believe they are eating 100 percent corn oil. They think of fields of corn under a clear blue Iowa sky. But a lot can happen to corn oil before it gets to the grocery store. The label really means the processor started with 100 percent corn oil, but along the way may have diluted or hydrogenated it, changing it into a fat that will clog your arteries, not one that flows free and golden. Another common label lie is "made from natural..." This simply means the manufacturer started with a natural source, but by the time the food was processed it may be anything but "natural."

"Made with real fruit" is a good example of a misleading claim. The law does not require the label to say how much real fruit is in the product. This boast is particularly prevalent in snacks for children, which may contain a grape or two in a snack that is otherwise mostly sugar. "Made with whole grains" is another little, "white" label lie. The consumer is led to believe that this is a whole-grain cereal or waffle, yet the package label is not legally required to say how much "whole grain" is in the product. Its main ingredient could be refined flour with just a small amount of whole wheat added. So, the food won't contain all the fiber and other nutrients associated with whole grains. "Made with vegetables" is another misleading term, which sounds healthy, but says nothing about how much nutrition is really in the box.

Understand the real meaning of "fat free" on a label. For example, suppose a food is labeled 95 percent "fat-free." This means that five percent of the total weight of the food is fat, (which may not seem like much), yet a single gram of fat contains nine calories compared to four calories in a gram of protein or carbohydrates. Five grams of fat in 100 grams of ground or dark-meat turkey represents one-fourth of the calories in that serving.

is a tip-off that something bad was done to the food, requiring another process to put some of the good stuff back in. Enriched flour or enriched white bread are not as healthy as their whole wheat counterparts.

"Smoked" legally describes the flavor of the food, not how it was smoked. The consumer imagines the food is smoked in a backyard barbecue or an old-fashioned smokehouse. Really, the food could be artificially or chemically smoked and/or just contain smoked flavoring and still legally be labeled "smoked."

Beware of fruit "drinks," which may contain little or no real fruit juice. Look at the ingredients to find out what's really in there. "Drink" on the name of the product tells you that it is not 100 percent juice. It may, in fact, be mostly sugar and water, with added vitamin C. This enables the manufacturer to say the product is "high in vitamin C," even if it's a long way from being real orange juice.

Experienced label-readers look right past the banners and big hype on the front of the package and look for the facts in small print on the back.

Source: www.askdrsears.com
Read the entire article.

LAUGHTER IS GOOD MEDICINE
Two elderly gentlemen from a retirement center were sitting on a bench under a tree when one turns to the other and says, "Ted, I'm 83 years old now and I'm just full of aches and pains. I know you're about my age. How do you feel?"
Ted says, "I feel like a newborn baby."
"Really? Like a newborn baby?"
"Yep. No hair, no teeth, and I think I just wet my pants."

ABOUT ESSENTIAL OILS
Shop for Essential Oils & Accessories
Essential Oil Kits
Tell Me About Essential Oils
What About Quality and Purity
Essential Oil Recipes
Free Email Newsletter: "Essential Oil Recipes & More"

INFORMATION FOR CHILDREN
Natural Health Information for Parents
Herbasaurs Supplements for Kids
Research Health Topics for Children

NATURAL HEALTH CONSULTANTS FOR YOU
Due to the high traffic of our website and FDA/FTC rulings, we can't answer individual questions. However, we have two friends and business associates with the expertise to help you, so we refer to them. Look over the information about them on the websites shown and be sure to place your order through them to get a free 30-minute consultation.
For People - Dianne Frase
For Pets - Robin Sockness

NATURAL HEALTH LINKS FOR YOUR PETS
Pet Supplements by Health Topic
Pet Success Stories Using Nature's Remedies
Flint River Ranch Oven-Baked Pet Foods
Healthy Pet Foods & Supplements
Free Natural Pet Newsletter

FREE NATURAL HEALTH CLASSES
Learn how your body works one system at a time or with a health topic class. Knowledge is essential in making wise health decisions. Take the entire course or choose a system you want to know more about (i.e. digestive, glandular, intestinal, etc.). View the class topics here.

PLEASE PASS IT ON!
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COPYRIGHT AND REPRINT INFORMATION
© 2006 Donna L. Watkins

The stories, suggestions, and information in this newsletter are not meant to diagnose or prescribe for you. If you have a medical problem, you may want the advice and recommendations of a medical doctor. All stories, recipes, information, etc. that are passed along in this newsletter are for informational purposes only and are not necessarily endorsed by the businesses of Sunshine Life Center, Inc. This is a personal publication by Donna L. Watkins. The ideas and information expressed in it have not been approved or authorized by anyone either explicitly or impliedly. In no event shall Donna L. Watkins or Sunshine Life Center, Inc. be liable for any damages whatsoever resulting from any action arising in connection with the use of this information or its publication, including any action for infringement of copyright or defamation.

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