Sarah Reilly

It’s that time of year again.  The official launch of the holiday sugar craze season begins with Halloween.  It’s a tricky time because we think it only comes around once a year.  However the trickiness of sugar intake gets sticky because often times it can lead to a cascade of "sweet treats" consumption.  If you are like me you may find yourself making excuses to consume tempting forms of sugars and “treats” convincing yourself, “Oh, it’s Halloween, just one snickers won’t hurt me, and besides they are so small!" 

Well, unfortunately, the trick is on us because most of the candies floating around pack a negative punch on our immunity, blood sugar regulation and waistline.  Why?  Well, most candies these days are filled not only with high amounts of refined sugar but also with High Fructose Corn Syrup.  This is a false form of sugar and your body can’t process it efficiently so it puts excessive strain on your liver and is likely stored as fat.  On top of that, the high sugar content weakens your immunity making you more susceptible to the common flu or cold bug floating around.  Additionally, most candies are filled with some form of Genetically Modified soy, wheat, trans fats and various food colorings and preservatives.   All those factors combined are what I call “spooky”!

So, instead of settling for the average spooky Halloween treat this year here are a few fun and healthy alternatives to make a healthy treat into a fun treat.

1. Hand out Emergen-C KIDZ packets at the door.  These are deliciously flavored high dose Vitamin C powders to make tasty beverages.  Vitamin C boosts your immunity unlike sugars that deplete it.
2. Go for raw organic dark chocolate.  Raw dark chocolate is loaded with antioxidants and magnesium and can satisfy that Halloween sweet tooth that hollers for chocolate.
3. Make baggies of homemade “Healthy Kettle Corn Popcorn”.  It’s super easy and you can see a video of me and my niece whipping up our own here.  The video is a bit wobbly at the beginning, but you'll get the gist of just how good this popcorn is - kids love it!

Well, those are just a few quick tips for you this Halloween season to take the “spookiness” out of your sweet treats.

Have a healthy & happy Halloween!
Sarah

Do you wake up exhausted feeling like you ran a marathon overnight in your sleep?  Even your morning caffeine doesn't quite clear the fog of fatigue?  Do you have a constant ache in your muscles that comes and goes with no rhyme or reason?  Are you tired of feeling like no matter how well you eat or how much you exercise you still feel puffy and pudgy with that stubborn extra weight around your belly.  Ugh! At this point, it all just feels like an uphill battle and it all feels out of your control because no matter what you do, you still feel tired, achy and fat.

I get it.  I have been there myself.  I had chronic  headaches, muscle/joint pain and a fatigue that hung over me like a persistent fog that just wouldn't clear.  And no matter what I did, my belly weight felt like it was stuck - meaning it just wouldn't change despite my diet, my sit ups and my excessive working out, So, I just thought, "Well I guess that is just the way things are and I need to deal with it."

It wasn't until my physical pain became so bad that things changed.  I started noticing that my symptoms kicked up after I would eat.  I literally kept food journals for 3 years trying to piece together a possibility of what was causing my painful symptoms. Could it possibly be the foods I am eating?  But I was eating such a healthy diet!   I even had allergy tests done which weren’t really conclusive.

So, jump to now, after years of studying nutrition and functional medicine.   I developed a 5-step program that helped me rid my diet of the foods (deemed healthy) that were causing me to be tired, achy, fat and bloated AND to heal my intestines.

Now I feel lean, clear, pain free AND I have a flat belly. 

This program I created has 5 Steps.  One of the steps involves removing the hidden food frauds in your diet that are causing you to feel tired, achy, fat (and even bloated and gassy). Another step focuses on rebalancing  the health and healing of your intestines so you don't have to deal with any more with these annoying symptoms.  Most people don’t connect fatigue and muscle/joint pain to the foods they eat.  Most  people also don't know just how bloated they really are.  They think that the little pooch on their stomach below the belly button is supposed to be there.  Look down at your belly. Does it stick out a little?  This may be a sign that foods you are eating are inflaming your intestines AND your body!

As I mentioned, one of the 5 steps of this program is to remove foods that are causing you to feel tired, achy and fat.  One of the most powerful things you can do in this step is to remove gluten from your diet.  There are other parts to this step, but this one is a biggie. Gluten is a protein that is found in grains such as wheat, barley, rye and spelt.  Gluten is found in breads, pastries, pastas and cereals to name the main ones.

So, give it a try and remove gluten for a few weeks, just as an experiment. See how you feel.  At first you may have withdrawal symptoms for a few days (headaches, runny nose) but then you may notice that your brain fog, fatigue and bloating significantly decreases or maybe even disappear!

Then after a few weeks of having NO gluten in your diet, add LOTS of gluten containing foods back in to your diet for ONE DAY  and then track your symptoms for 3 more days and see how you feel.  If you feel any muscle/joint pain, headaches, brain fog, irritability or stomach bloating/cramping, you know that gluten containing foods don't agree with your body and they are only going to make you feel fat, tired, foggy and achy when you eat them.

If you are stumped with what to eat instead, there are other gluten free grains you can cook such as Rice, Quinoa, Amaranth, Buckwheat and Millet.  Additionally, there are also a lot of gluten free products available and grocery stores that even have entire gluten-free sections.

Again, that is just part of ONE of the 5 steps of the program I created, but it is a part that can have profound impact on how you feel and look.

Imagine if you could drop belly weight, double your energy and be free of aches, bloating, gas and brain fog by simply eating more of the right foods and taking OUT the foods that don't serve your body.  Imagine how you could think more clearly, how you could fit into your favorite clothes, how you could have energy at the end of a long stressful day to still spend time with and enjoy family and friends.

On the contrary, what if you did nothing and just continued on the same path you have been on - just hoping something will change.  Hoping your brain fog and fatigue will lift.  Hoping you will be able to button your pants tomorrow.  Hoping the new "diet plan" your friend told you about will work.

Instead of hope – how about taking action?  I have given you something here to think about and an opportunity to turn your hope into action today to help ease your lagging energy, stubborn belly weight and joint/muscle pain.  As I mentioned there are 5 Steps to this process, however I only have time here to share just a PART of ONE of the steps. However, I would be happy to share the other 4 steps with you in a 20 minute conversation by phone where I could personally help you resolve your lagging energy, stubborn belly weight and joint/muscle pain.  Just CLICK HERE to sign up for an “Optimal Health Strategy Session” and I will call you at your allotted time.  

May you be well and thrive!

Sarah



 

As our hearts go out to the victims of the recent catastrophic events in Japan, back here at home we are experiencing the world is smaller than we realize.  With the Nuclear Power Plant reactors releasing controversial amounts of radioactive material, that could reach the Western US, we are discovering we are not so far from our neighbors thousand of miles across the pacific. 

Along with this concern, has also come an enormous amount of fear about how to protect ourselves from potential radiation exposure. People are calling me telling me to take potassium iodide, NOW.  Load up!  Load up!  However, this is where I must step in and say, "STOP and BREATHE". 

Potassium Iodide is NOT the answer NOW. So, let’s look at the big picture nutritionally and WHEN exactly IS the best time to take Potassium Iodide and how to nutritionally support our own detoxification system in the mean time to gently excrete the radiation if we do have an exposure.

It is important to know that In addition to radioactive iodine, toxic substances such as plutonium, cesium, and strontium are other forms of radio active substances that are at risk of being released. 

Also, it is not just about the thyroid. The thyroid is only one organ that is affected by radioactivity (and by only one isotope-Iodine 131 known as radioiodine). Many other organs such as your lungs, skin, sexual organs, bones, and even your DNA are also at risk.  So, it is important to take a whole body approach to increasing your resilience to toxic exposure. 

This document will guide you with ideas to prepare your body in the event of radiation exposure and to help you have the resilience to detoxify and eliminate toxic substances. 

Diet/Nutritional Recommendations

The following recommendations are for informational purposes only.  It is not recommended you take ALL of the items covered below, but to incorporate them the best you can. 

About Potassium Iodide
Now is NOT the time to be taking Potassium Iodide.  The 130 mg Potassium Iodide recommended dose for radiation exposures is dangerously high unless called for.  Potassium Iodide IS NOT your daily RDA of 150 mcg’s of Iodine.  Potassium Iodide is a very powerful substance (especially at the levels recommended for radiation exposure) and can cause more harm than good if taken outside of necessary circumstances such as a “Federal Notification” that radiation levels have reached a specific level. At that point Potassium Iodide is a supplement that is to be taken in a ONE TIME dose upon exposure or just before or during exposure to radiation that has been confirmed by public officials.  At that point Potassium Iodide is NOT an ongoing supplement to be taking. 

*Note – Iodine is not for everyone.  Some people are sensitive to it and some people have thyroid conditions that iodine will make worse (ie, Graves & Hashimoto’s).  LISTEN to your body.  If you take iodine in any form whether it be in a supplement or food and you feel worse then STOP.  Better yet, get your Thyroid tested.  90% of all hypothyroid cases in the US are Hashimoto’s so keep that in mind if you have hypothyroid.  Contact me here to learn more about getting a complete thyroid panel.

Supplemental Iodine
Daily average dose is around 150mcg.  This is usually found in a high quality multi-Vitamin.

About Diet

Keeping a glycemically balanced, alkalized, antioxidant, nutrient and mineral rich diet is essential.  It is just good dietary practice whether we are fearing a radiation exposure or not.  Remember, there is a significant amount of non-ionizing radiation in our environment everyday from cell phone use to the use of microwave at home, to wireless routers, cell towers, Smart Meters and much more.  So, even though we are potentially dealing with a unique radiation exposure, the recommendations below are good for everyday healthy living in today’s toxic world.  The content below will show you how to focus on a diet rich in:

• Antioxidants
• Minerals
• Fiber
• Sulfur
• Iodine
• Sodium Alginate
• High Nucleotides

Antioxidant Rich

As living cells get exposed to radiation it triggers the production of free radicals, which then leads to the breaking of chemical bonds and different forms of cellular damage. Antioxidants are substances that scavenge the free radicals before they can do much cellular or molecular damage, and allow repairs to take place to the original damaged molecules.

• Good Sources of Antioxidants: Colorful fruits and Veggies with rich dark pigmets (ie, green, red and orange).  Think leafy greens, carrots, tomatoes, artichoke, broccoli, cauliflower, brussel sprouts, etc....
  

•  Herbs - ground cloves, cinnamon and oregano, cilantro, turmeric, ginger
  

Mineral Rich

Many minerals can help with radiation protection and help repair the body after radiation exposure. When your body is mineral deficient, the absorption of radioactive material is more likely.   Thus, it is best to have a high mineral diet upon radioactive exposure.

• Good sources of Minerals are: algae, sea vegetables, leafy greens and nutrients mentioned below. Selenium in particular, has been shown to protect human DNA from radiation damage and helps prevent skin damage, too. Selenium protects DNA from radiation damage.

• Good sources of selenium: shellfish, green and black teas, and garlic, brazil nuts, Swiss Chard as well as various mushrooms.   An example of a good daily dose is 2 cups/500 ml of nettle infusion, one-half ounce/15 g kelp, 2 ounces/60 g cooked burdock root, or 1 cup/250 ml organic yogurt daily.  The best sources however are nettles (2200 mcg per 100 grams), kelp (1700 mcg/100 g), burdock (1400 mcg/100 g), ginseng, Siberian ginseng, and astragalus.

Fiber Rich

To prevent absorption of radioactive particles and improve their excretion.  It is essential to stay well hydrated with a clean water source to benefit from a high fiber diet.  Fiber binds to toxins in the colon and helps excrete them out of the body.

• Leafy Greens
• Ground Flax Seed
• Chia Seed
• Psyllium
• Apple Pectin

Sulfur Rich

Sulfur helps the mitochondria in cells resists radiation, helps repair DNA molecules, and prevents the absorption of radioactive sulfur-35.  These foods help detoxification and to eliminate radioactive elements. 

• Brassica Veggies & Cabbage Family - Cabbage, watercress, broccoli, cauliflower, brussel sprouts, kale, collards, arugula, turnips, spinach, kelp,  radishes, mustard greens, bok choy.
  

• Garlic, onions
• Ginger 
• Clean, lean protein - Chicken, Turkey  & eggs (duck, goose or chicken), Grass Fed Beef
• Whey Protein - Contains Cysteine which helps produce glutathione and boost immunity.  Helps counteract the effects of     several different types of radiation in animal studies.

Iodine Rich

Sea Veggies - Nori, Dulce, Kombhu, Arame, Hijiki, Kelp are rich in bio-available minerals and iodine.  Just a ¼ cup provides 415 mcg of iodine. 

Foods also high in iodine:

• organic yogurt
• organic eggs (with yolk)
• organic poultry
• organic cows milk

*Note – eggs, and dairy are common allergens.  So, again, if you feel worse eating these foods, stop!

Sodium Alginate Rich

Sodium alginate selectively binds radioactive strontium and eliminates it from the body.  Sodium alginate binds tightly to such substances as strontium, calcium, barium, cadmium and radium.  Must be in combination with a high fiber diet!  See below...

• Sea vegetables - Nori, Dulce, Kombhu, Arame, Hijiki, Kelp

• Miso - Miso contains “Zybicolin”, which acts as a binding agent to detoxify and eliminate radioactive elements (such as strontium) and other pollutants from the body.

To give a boost to the protective qualities of miso soup put 1/4-ounce (5 grams) of dried kelp seaweed into the soup.

High Nucleotide Rich

Nucleotides are the building blocks or sub-unit molecules that make up RNA and DNA, which carry your genetic code.  Helps to expedite healing from radiation exposure.

• Sources of High Nucleotide Foods: Cilantro, Spirulina, Chlorella, Algae, brewers yeast, anchovies, oysters, mackerel, lentils, beans, and animal liver, vegetable/leafy green juicing and SeaCure supplement. 

Other Supportive Food Nutrients

• Leafy Greens – provide minerals, fiber and hemoglobin like factors for the blood.  

• Kale, Collard Greens, Swiss Chard, Spinach, mustard greens, basil.  Basil helps to protect DNA from radiation

• Healthy Fats/Oils – help cell membrane integrity. 
  
• Olive oil, coconut oil, avocado, cod liver oil

• Nuts and seeds – high in minerals and fiber, healthy fats that promote healthy cell membranes.  Raw, soaked nuts such as: walnuts, pecans, almonds, Brazil nuts.  Nuts contain enzyme inhibitors that prevent the uptake of minerals into the body.  Soaking them overnight will remove the enzyme inhibitors and not impact mineral balance.  Remember optimal mineral levels in the body are essential to ward off absorbing radioactive material.
  

• Seeds
• Flax seeds, chia seeds, hemp seeds. 

• Vegetables high in Beta Carotene-  Aid in boosting immunity and protecting mucus membranes.
  
• Kale and all greens, carrots, spinach, pumpkin and winter squash, beets, sweet potatos, yams, melons, apricots, and other yellow, and orange, and red fruits and vegetables.

• ECGC based herbal teas  - contain antioxidants to help counteract oxidative stress from radiation. 
  
• Green Tea, Black Tea
  

• Rooibis tea - Contains the flavonoid compound luteolin, also helps the body withstand radiation.  It protects DNA from radiation-induced free radicals.
  

Avoid

Sugars and sweets, white breads, wheat, white rice, white flour products, processed foods, fast foods, junk foods, sodas, alcohol and artificial sweeteners.  These all suppress the immune system and promote an acidic environment in your body.

Sugar depletes calcium from your body. Calcium has a similar atomic structure to Strontium-90 in particular , which means your body will pull Strontium-90 into your bones in place of calcium if there is any shortage of calcium. 

Additionally, sodas, soft drinks, which are both high in sugar and phosphoric acid, aggressively rob calcium from your body and make you more susceptible to Strontium toxicity.

Summary of Pro-Active Radiation Protection Diet

• Miso soup

• Spirulina, chlorella and the algaes (kelp, etc.)

• Brassica vegetables and high beta carotene vegetables

• Beans and lentils

• Potassium, calcium and mineral rich foods

• High Sulfur foods such as Cruciferous Veggies, poultry,  clean lean animal protein

• High nucleotide content foods to assist in cellular repair including spirulina, chlorella, algae, yeast, sardines, liver, anchovies and mackerel

• High fiber diet with lots of vegetables to assist elimination of toxins

• Healthy fats
  

• A good multivitamin/multimineral supplement

• Avoid sugars, sweets, refined grains, wheat, alcohol, artificial sweeteners

****Upon exposure, increase consumption of sulfur-containing vegetables, protein, kelp, and cysteine antioxidants (whey protein, alpha lipoic acid, NAC, Glutathione)

Supplementation

• Comprehensive Multivitamin – Contains foundational vitamins and minerals

• B-Complex - Many B-Vitamins (especially pantothenic acid) help to decrease the effects of radiation, support     detoxification and stress. The various B vitamins have different effects and should be taken together.     Take recommended dose on bottle
  

• Vitamin C+Bioflavonoids

Protects against intercellular damage from radiation. VERY IMPORTANT supplement for decreasing side     effects of radiation.  Normal dose: 2-5 grams...but can take up to bowel tolerance (i.e. when you start having diarrhea back off 500 mg.)

• Coenzyme Q10 & vitamins E in rice bran oil – helps protect your mitochondria from oxidative stress

• Full Spectrum Antioxidant – To help support body from oxidative stress.

• Alpha Lipoic Acid – Supports the recycling of antioxidants of Vitamin C and CoQ10.  In above supplement.

• Milk Thistle – Helps the liver deal with the effects of toxicity of radiation poisoning. Milk Thistle is a powerful herb for detoxifying the liver by promoting the flow of bile and protecting hepatocytes.  Take: 1-3 dropperfuls of tincture per day.

• Whey Protein – provides cysteine to help produce glutathione stores and increase immunity
  

• Holy Basil (also known as Tulsi) - Helps protect against the detrimental effects of low-level radiation. It also increases glutathione and superoxide dismutase (important mediators in the liver in helping the body deal with radiation.)
  

• Toxin Mobilizers - These help mobilize toxins in your body
  
• Cilantro, Spirulina, Chlorella, and Algae
  

• Toxin Binders - These help bind toxins and carry them out of your body. Can help remove any long term radioactive isotopes such as cesium and strontium that make their way into your food supply.
• Apple Pectin
• Montmorillonite Clay
  

Detox Baths

Sea Salt and Baking Soda Baths
Add 1 pound of sea salt and 1 pound of baking soda and soak in chlorine-free water for 20 minutes. Then rinse with cool water. You can also add 1 pound of betonite, or other clay, to the sea salt and baking soda when soaking which increases the removal of radiation.  For high levels of radiation you can use this method three times a week for one month.  However, remember, we are NOT experiencing HIGH levels of exposure.

Gentle Mineral Soak
1 Cup Mineral Sea Salts or Epsom Salt in hot bath water.  This can aid in detoxification and promote excretion of radiation from your body.  Soak in hot bath for 20 minutes with a hot wash cloth over your chest until water cools. 

Remember to sip on an alkalizing filtered water beverage while in the bath to rehydrate and assist flushing toxins from your body.  Example, Lemon water.

Note – to decrease chlorine in your bath use a ball ball like this one here.

To lessen your overall toxic burden:

• Focus on organic produce and animal proteins. 
• Use non-toxic body products – lotions, shampoos/conditioners, makeup
• Use non-toxic house cleaners and detergents
• Reduce your cell phone use and ONLY use it with a headset or on speaker. (Bluetooths don’t apply- they are a source of wireless radiation)
• Reduce/eliminate the use of microwave oven in home
• Use stress management tactics such as breathing exercises.  Stress is also a toxin that your body has to detoxify.  Breathing exercises will help induce an anti-stress affect on your body.

Remember, we are exposed to toxins and radiation everyday.  Our need for nutritional support does not just pertain to potential disasters.  We need effective nourishment DAILY that supports our natural ability to detoxify and be resilient in the face of countless toxins in our everyday environment AND to help protect us in the event of a disaster.

If you would like to learn more about a specific detox plan designed just for YOU to detoxify safely and effectively on a daily basis, I invite you to join me for a complimentary "Optimal Health Strategy Session" (Value 97$).  Just click here to schedule your session.

May you be well & thrive!

Sarah

Did you know that your amount of energy on a given day is a window into your health?   Often time’s people don’t really know WHY they are tired.  Even with adequate sleep, people are waking up tired and going through their day tired. 

These low energy reserves are really a messenger about a serious imbalance going on behind the scenes in a person's body.  Here are 5 general reasons someone may be experiencing lagging energy and what they can do about it.  It goes way beyond just being fatigued!

Adrenal Fatigue

Adrenal fatigue is one of the most common reasons for fatigue in modern society.  From the modern day deficient diet to the toxic environment to the common high strung lifestyle, people’s adrenals are simply overtaxed.

The adrenal glands are 2 walnut sized glands that sit above the kidneys.  They supply a variety of steroid hormones in addition to what are called catecholemines.  The adrenals are your first responders to stress.  When you get stressed, you release Cortisol.  In times of early man, this was beneficial as the release of Cortisol and other stress hormones propelled the “flight or fight” response in occurrences of potential threat.  So, it was a safety mechanism for survival that was induced only on occasion.  Switch to modern day and people are in constant adrenal activation in response to endless demands and stressors.  Thus their adrenals become fatigued

Not only that, but your adrenals are huge players in blood sugar regulation and insulin activity.  Every time your blood sugar goes low, your adrenals rally to secrete Cortisol to send a message to mobilize stored sugars from your muscles and liver.  So, your Cortisol goes up, then your blood sugar goes up, THEN your insulin goes up.  This can lead to a down regulation of insulin receptor sensitivity followed by Insulin Resistance.

 Most people don’t know HOW stressed they really are.  A simple saliva test can show you exactly where your adrenal health is and how to take steps to remedy it. 

Anemia

When someone has anemia, this prevents their body from supplying oxygen to their cells, including their brain!  This is a serious but often overlooked factor of fatigue.  If you are not getting adequate oxygen to your brain and tissues, you are seriously compromising the function of your body on a variety of levels.  Other areas of health cannot be optimized until this is taken care of.

Technically, anemia is a deficiency in the size and number of red blood cells or in the amount of hemoglobin they contain that limits the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide between the blood and tissue cells. 

There are a variety of anemia’s ranging from actual low iron stores to being based on a B12/folic acid deficiency.  Appropriate functional blood chemistry analysis can assess IF and WHAT kind of anemia you have AND what to do about it.

Kreb’s Cycle

The Kreb’s Cycle (also known as Citric Acid Cycle) is located in your mitochondria and this is where your energy is generated from proteins, fats and carbohydrates.  The citric acid cycle is part of a complex metabolic pathway involved in the chemical conversion of carbohydrates, fats and proteins to generate a form of usable energy.   This complex cycle has many nutritional needs for it to work efficiently.  Often times people are lacking in those very nutrients essential to produce energy in the Krebs cycle and they end up fatigued.   Specific Functional Lab Testing can identify specifically what nutrients your are deficient in for producing energy.

Additionally, toxins are a biggie when it comes to our krebs cycle.  Toxins such as heavy metals and phthalates not only deplete the nutrients needed for the kreb's cycle to function, but hey slow down the function of the kreb's cycle.  This in turn can create fatigue.

 Hypothyroid

The thyroid is a complex delicate gland that sits at the front of your throat.  The thyroid controls how quickly the body uses energy by secreting specific hormones.  These hormones regulate the rate of metabolism and affect the growth and rate of function of many other systems in the body.  Hypothyroid is commonly known as when someone is not producing adequate thyroid hormones.  However, recent research also shows that that someone can have hypothyroidism secondary to high stress, high cortisol, high inflammation and high estrogen.  The most common form of hypothyroid is “auto-immune thyroid” called Hashimoto’s.  90% of all hypothyroid cases are Hashimoto’s.  A Comprehensive Thyroid Panel Analysis should be performed on the thyroid to determine actual thyroid function and the potential for Hashimoto’s.

Chronic Infections

Infections can wear a person down.  Ever had a cold or the flu? This is an acute example of an infection at work and how it can zap your energy reserves.  Well, a chronic infection is trickier.  Day in and day out chronic infections are active in your body behind the scenes living off of YOUR energy reserve.  This may be in the form of a virus, a bacteria or a yeast – or ALL 3!  Not only do they make you tired, but they can also give you brain fog, irritability and joint/muscle pain.   The craziest thing is it is nearly impossible to put your finger on what is causing the looming fatigue.  The fatigue may wax and wane, but it is always there, hovering over you as you are living behind what feels like a fog.  The best way to get a behind the scenes peek to see if you have a chronic infection is to have a Functional Blood Chemistry Analysis performed.  Then this lab will guide you to what other tests you need to have done, if necessary.

Food Allergies

Did you know that  your favorite food may be your “foe”?  You can be sensitive to ANY food.  In fact, it is very common for people to become sensitive to food they commonly eat.  Over time this puts a huge demand on your body.  When the food is consumed it creates an inflammatory response, so your body has to secrete Cortisol to quench the inflammation.  Overtime this will lead to not only blood sugar dysregulation, but also to adrenal fatigue both of which will make you feel TIRED. Common foods that people are sensitive to are dairy, wheat (gluten), corn and soy.  However, you can develop a sensitivity to ANY food.  A great way to get a inside look at food sensitivities is to do an elimination diet or a Food Sensitivity Panel. 

As you can see, there are many factors that can lead to fatigue.  If you have chronic lagging energy and want to get to the REAL reason WHY, I invite you to sign up for a 30-Minute Optimal Health Strategy Session by phone (97$ Value).  In this session  I can help you uncover the root cause of your fatigue and specific next steps for you to take to remedy it!  Click here to schedule your complimentary 30-Minute Optimal Health Strategy Session.

May you be well & thrive!

Sarah

Sound a little far fetched?  Well, in actuality it is not.  Excess weight around the belly is not a vanity issue or just about aesthetics anymore.  In fact, it is a major warning sign of serious health issues brewing behind the scenes in someone’s body.  When I first meet people, I admit it, I can’t help it, but I look at their belly.  I don't stare, I just take a quick glance to see if their belly exceeds their waistline.  Why?  Because it is one of the most simple health predictors going.  In fact, recent science indicates that excess belly fat is one the greatest predictors of diabetes, cardiovascular disease, various cancers and Alzheimer’s. Look around. Start noticing people and their belly.  No, it’s not being rude, you are just making an observation.  And you will realize that we have an epidemic among us.

Unfortunately, most people don’t realize the serious hazard of excess belly fat.  Yet, it comes with serious health consequences.  What is considered excess?  For women, if their belly exceeds their waistline and or/exceeds 35 inches.  For men, if their belly exceeds their waistline and/or exceeds 40 inches.

Belly fat is unlike other fat in your body.  It is charged with fat and inflammatory “switches”.  Ready and waiting at any moment to make fat AND inflammation.   These messages from your belly fat communicate to the rest of your body creating problems that result in chronic inflammation leading to chronic disease.  Inflammation in the belly fat can mean inflammation in any other part of the body – including your brain.

There can be a variety of causes of excess belly fat including, chronic stress, environmental toxins, gut bacteria imbalances, infections, hormonal imbalances, blood sugar imbalances, poor food choices, alcohol, artificial sweeteners, high sugar diet, lack of sleep and much more.

If you or a loved one would like to discover clear goals and an action plan for turning off the ticking time bomb of belly fat, I invite you to join me for a free 30-minute “Beyond Belly Fat & Fatigue" Breakthrough Session (Value $80).  Contact me here to get started!

Be Well & Thrive!

Sarah

• Do you wake-up unrested, struggling to get out of bed?
• Inability to fall asleep? 
• Unexplained Blood Sugar Symptoms?
• Do you have chronic aches, pains and headaches?
• Do you feel an inability to handle stress?
• Do you go through the day with sluggish energy?

You May be suffering from high body voltage where you sleep.  Sound far fetched?  Well, it is not!

We are electrical beings.  Even though we often forget and neglect that we are, our bodies are in great need of being connected to the earth and it’s healing vibrations.  This may sound a little woo-woo but here is what this means.  We are literally meant to be connected to the earth and thus protected by the earth’s negative ions.  When this connection is interrupted, physiological disruption and dysregulation ensue resulting in symptoms such as stress, pain, unrest sleep, blood sugar dysregulation, fatigue, etc.

With the advent of rubber soled shoes and enhanced sleeping areas with raised beds that have wire springs and metal frames, also came the “electrical age” with the invention of electricity and the light bulb.  As a result, we slowly and consistently became more and more out of touch with the earth and it’s powerful source of negative electrons that protect us from the excitatory and invisibly disturbing flow of electricity all around us.  Despite these advances that enhanced quality of life in so many ways, there was an invisible consequence to human physiology.

• The rubber-healed shoes became a barrier to receiving the earth's energy through our feet during the day. 

• The raised beds with wire springs and metal frames disconnected us from the earth’s powerful flow of negative electrons at night.   Night being an especially critical time because it is when the body is repairing and rejuvenating.  This the crux of the impact.

Now, with the saturation of electrical household appliances and electrical based gadgets, we live not only separated from the earths protective electron source, but we are simultaneously surrounded and overloaded by a web of electrical frequency (not mention the immense saturation of wireless frequencies).

Resent research proves that when the human body maintains physical contact with the earth, this maintains the body at the natural electrical potential (voltage) of the earth.  When the body is electrically coupled with the earth, the DC electrons of the earth and its related electric fields then reside on the surface of the body.  This absorbs the excessive electrical fields, thus protecting the body by offsetting the electrical field from the body (has a limited supply of electrons) to the earth (has an infinite supply of electrons).  When the body is shielded with the DC of the earth, the electrons of the body are protected from aggravation.

Receiving the earth’s supply of electrons essential to prevent and heal disease. When inspections were made of ill patients homes, inspectors found that 90% of the time the sleeping area was an issue.  In 90% of those cases, the most significant pollutant in the sleeping area was the man-made AC electric fields.

To learn more about how high Body Voltage could be making you achy, tired, stressed and sick AND what you can do about it, please contact me, Sarah Reilly at http://getnourished.tv.

Ever drank out of a plastic water bottle? 
Ever heated your food in a plastic container? 

It is not breaking news that plastic has become an environmental hazard.  Plastics are filling our oceans, rivers, backing up landfill areas and contaminating wildlife. It is no secret that plastics have become ever present in modern times.  It is more than obvious that plastics pose a monumental threat to our environment from land, air to sea.  Not to get even more depressing, but to be honest they are also impacting YOU!

However, this is not your fault.  We were not warned when the plastic craze came about:  First with storing our food, then body products, then with the plastic bottled water craze to avoid chemicals in our tap water.  It is a sad affair how detrimental plastics have become to our environment and the continued excessive dependence on plastic.  However, less obvious has been the impact of plastics on human health.  In the last few years research has been emerging and is gaining momentum.  It is undeniable that phthalates have a detrimental impact on human health.

What are phthalates

Phthalates are in plastic. Phthalates are a chemical that help to make plastic pliable, bendable.  Ever squeezed in a water bottle and felt it give and take.  Well, phthalates are making that possible. 

Phthalates are also hidden in body products (makeup, moisturizers, hair products, etc.) and most things with a scent (perfumes, Glade Plug Ins).  They are what the scent binds to for staying power.

Unfortanately, phthalates don’t just stay  put.  They seep into the water you are drinking from plastic bottles, leach into food when even slightly heated, get absorbed into your skin, and respiratory system.  The result?  They end up in you and stay in you!

Why the worry?

1. Well, phthalates don’t just go into your body and then leave.  They are “lipid soluble”.  That means they love fat.  So they hang around for waaay too long – in your fat.  While they are hanging around for lord knows how many years they trigger your body to make more fat.  They can degrade something called your insulin receptors, this can lead to insulin resistance.  Insulin resistance is marked by abdominal weight and is a precursor to prediabetes, cardiovascular disease and various cancers.
2. They create “oxidative stress” in your cell’s mitochondria.  Oxidative stress is toxic so your body has to use it’s own antioxidants the fight the oxidative stress.  The mitochondria is where we produce energy.  The mitochondria is then unable to produce adequate energy.  The result, your energy cycle is decreased.
   
3. Our brain is one of the most mitochondria intense environments in our body.  When our brain’s mitochondria are fighting oxidative stress, the mitchondria get very tired, lose their vitality and can die. 
   
4. They are xenoestrogens.  This means that they replicate the action of estrogen and can trigger excess weight gain and estrogen sensitive breast cancers.
5. Phthalates get passed on with reproduction.  Babies are being born with high phthalates from their parents exposure preconception.  This is setting their stage for endocrine and obesity issues. Scary.  What a wake up call for preconception.  
6. Additionally, they decrease testosterone, steroids and impact the production of your happy hormone, serotonin.
   

So, that is just a snapshot of how phthalates could be making you feel fat, foggy and fatigued.  Have no fear, there IS something you can do about it.

Tips for Phthalate Reduction in your life

1. Don't let phthalates seep into what you eat!  Store food in glass containers NOT plastic.  Check out this site for durable glassware for storing food.  http://www.anchorhocking.com
2. Avoid plastic water bottles.  Get a Klean Kantine or glass bottle to store your filtered water. http://www.kleankanteen.com
3. Don't lather yourself in phthalates. Check your body products to make sure they don’t contain phthalates and other harmful chemicals.   http://www.cosmeticsdatabase.com
   

Find out if you are Phthalate toxic

If you are concerned that phthalates could be making you feel fat, foggy and fatigued don’t be alarmed.  You can do something about it.   You can get tested.  In my practice I run the gold standard test for assessing phthalates.   It is a very simple urine test that you do at home.  It will show you if you have high phthalates, and how you are detoxifying them and how those phthalates are impacting your ability to burn fat and create energy.  In my practice I  create a detoxification and nutrition program tailored to your unique test results and needs to help you get rid of the toxins and repair your metabolism. If you would like to learn more about this, please write me at www.getnourished.tv to set up a consult time. 


May you be well and thrive!
Sarah

Ever wonder what makes your body age?  Or what makes your body create disease?  Well, once again science has pointed at the same implicating factor of aging. This most resent research follows the discovery of three different genes which all significantly increase the chances of living past 100.   These genes indicate the implicating factor of aging is the sensitivity of our cells to "insulin".

The human body and brain require a steady amount of glucose throughout the day.  Glucose comes from the foods we eat. Insulin is a powerful hormone produced by the pancreas that regulates the level of glucose (sugar). Here is how it works:

• Insulin opens the door to your cells for sugar to get in. So, basically, insulin keeps our blood sugar under control.
• When blood glucose levels are high, insulin stimulates cells in the liver, muscles, and fat. These cells combine glucose into something called glycogen, which essentially stores energy for later use.
• BUT, if someone has too much sugar and carbohydrate intake over a long period of time insulin WILL get very tired of hearing the message over and over to store MORE sugar into the cells and it won’t be able to store the sugar anymore in the cells to be used for energy.
• The result is Insulin Resistance.  
• Insulin Resistance is when insulin can not open the door of your cells for the sugar to be burned.  Too much sugar begins to damage the tissues of the body and is also stored as fat and Triglycerides.  Insulin is a fat storage hormone.  It is also one of the most potent growth hormones that can generate cancers.
• Excess Insulin also wears down our “telomeres”.  Telomeres are like socks at the end of our DNA that prevent our DNA from degrading.  Too much insulin over a long period of time degrades (and ages) your DNA.
  

Insulin Resistance is a very serious matter and growing rampant in this country and around the world.  It has been shown to increase systemic inflammation, degrade collagen (increase wrinkles), cause mismanagement of lipids (increase bad cholesterol & Triglycerides), increase risk of cardiovascular disease, cancer and neuro-degenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's.  In other words, insulin (unmanaged) causes aging.

If you are confused and tired of trying to figure out “when what and how" to eat, contact me at www.getnourished.tv for a free 30 minute strategy session where I will share with you the latest in nutritional science, that will help you balance your blood sugar and prevent insulin spikes, all the while eating yummy, satiating meals.  Through my simple diet and lifestyle strategies you can discover effortless weight loss, increased energy and focus, regulated blood sugar and less aches and allergies too.  Healthy lifestyle habits and eating nutrient dense, glycemically balanced meals (and snacks!) are the foundation to preventing chronic disease and premature aging.

In the meantime, here are a few tips to incorporate into your life TODAY.

1. Sleep - Get AT LEAST 7-8 hours of solid sleep per night.  Recent research shows that just ONE night of LESS than 7 hours of sleep, increases your risk of insulin resistance.  Yep, sleepless nights increases insulin AND lowers your growth hormone which keeps you young.
   
2. Stress - Manage your stress.  Research shows that high stress increases insulin.  Try deep breathing exercises when feeling overwhelmed.  Breath in for a count of 8 and out for a count of eight. 
   
3. Exercise - And I don't mean for long arduous hours of aerobic exercise.  I mean exercise EFFECTIVELY with "burst" exercise. Short burst of about 30 seconds of all out effort (running, biking or walking) followed by a recovery for twice as long, ie. one minute.  This decreases insulin.  Long arduous aerobic actually raises our stress hormones thus raising insulin.  Result = you gain fat.
4. Glycemically balanced meals - Simple as this - 

• clean, lean protein
  
• lots of low starch veggies
  
• limited starchy carbs
  
• Healthy fats (ie, olive oil, hemp oil, avocado, nuts and seeds) 
• Super Foods - green powders,  nuts and seeds, sea veggies (nori, dulse, etc)
  

 For a quick overview of glycemically balanced meals, sign up for my 5-Day Free Video Report Series on my home page. 

Here's to you and your success to Get Nourished, be well and thrive!

 Sarah

www.getnourished.tv

While thinking about sweets for my sweetie this Valentines Day I began looking at what kind of sweetener I was going to use in my straight from the heart, homemade, yummy chocolate treats.    I want the best for my sweetie.  He loves chocolate but there will be NO "refined" sugar or "natural and raw" sugar for this man.  "Refined" and yes, "natural and raw"  sugar are toxic to the body for 2 reasons.

(Side step and FYI - I won't even go into the artificial camp of sweeteners here (ie. Aspartame, Equal, NutraSweet, Splenda.  Bottom line they are neuro-toxic....this means they damage your brain neurons - NOT good!)

Ok, on with the prelude.  First, sugar lowers the ability of our immune system to fight disease.  After consuming sugar your white blood cells (the warriors of your immune system that quench pathogens) are literally crippled for about 6 hours after consuming sugar containing beverages and foods. This leaves you vulnerable to infection......lord knows we need all the support we can get these days to fight sneaky bugs.  Secondly, it results in a damaging sequence that stresses your pancreas, brain, adrenals, not to mention waistline.

So, now on with my dramatic discovery....actually not MY discovery, this is actually well documented, known by many healthy practitioners, written up in scientific journals AND it has been bugging me for a long time! 

So, in my pursuit of "healthy" chocolate recipes, they all contained Agave Syrup.  Annoying.  Agave is everywhere! It is being touted as the lone star to save the day as a healthy sweetener, which couldn't be further from the truth.

Agave Syrup - the High Fructose Cactus Syrup

I may be bursting your bubble here but Agave Syrup is NOT all it is cracked up to be.  Yes, it is hailed as the super ultra healthy, low glycemic, safe for everyone, especially Diabetics, kind of sweetener......but this stuff is really just High Fructose Cactus Syrup.

 Blood Sugar Buster

Speaking personally as a very "glycemically sensitive person" this stuff can really land me on my face.  In my gut (not to mention pancreas) I know there is a serious glycemic response.  This symptom of feeling like I’ve just downed a bunch of sugar after eating (or drinking) Agave led me to look behind the scenes at why this stuff has been given the low glycemic vote of approval. To my surprise it is not the sweet savior to refined sugar we have been led to believe.

 The Process Busted

Yes, it is true – Agave is low glycemic.  But we must understand WHY it is given that title.  It is due to the fact that it has 90% fructose compared to the small amount of glucose (10%).  This ratio of fructose to glucose does not occur  naturally anywhere else in nature.  So, why does it occur with Agave?   Well…. the sap of the Agave plant is collected and then heated to concentrate the liquid into a syrup AND to develop the sweetness.  When the Agave sap is heated, it becomes FRUCTOSE. The fructose-rich solution is then filtered to obtain the desired products that range from dark syrup with a characteristic vanilla aroma, to a light amber liquid with more neutral characteristics.  So basically, Agave is just hydrolyzed fructose.  Yuck.  Why yuck? Well, liken it to High Fructose Corn Syrup where they have manipulated the molecules to create a dangerous, artificial substance.

Harboring High Fructose

High Fructose Corn Syrup (HFCS) is a HUGE nightmare in the current food industry dilemma and accounts for much of the increase in obesity over the last 10 years.  It lurks silently in numerous products such as sauces, juices, enhanced waters, breads, crackers, cereals, protein bars, etc.   (HFCS) in soda contains an even less concentration of glucose to fructose ratio at 55% (HFCS) than compared to Agave at 90%.  Even though fructose is low on the glycemic index, there are numerous problems associated with the consumption of fructose in such high concentrations as found in concentrated sweeteners.  Here are some examples:

• Fructose makes you age faster!.  Research indicates that fructose induces oxidative stress.  Scientists found that rats given fructose had more cross-linking changes in the collagen of their skin than other groups fed glucose.

• Fructose actually promotes disease more readily than glucose. This is because glucose is metabolized by every cell in the body but fructose must be metabolized by the liver.  This makes fructose convert to fat and  increases triglycerides (blood fats) significantly as well as the potential for a fatty liver.

•  Fructose may make diabetic conditions even worse.  It reduces the sensitivity of insulin receptors which are essential for glucose to enter the cell and be burned for energy.  This can lead to insulin resistance and diabetes.

So, the moral of this story is to beware of any substitute sweetener, read between the lines and be a conscious consumer, even if it does claim to be all natural and low glycemic.  Get the facts!  If you want to add sweetness to something try using Xylitol or Stevia.  Xylitol is antibacterial and actually helps you burn fat.  Stevia is derived from an herb and is NON-glycemic AND it helps to regulate blood sugar.  One of my favorites is Stevia Sweet Leaf.  It even comes in little pouches you can carry with you and have on hand.  They also have drops in a variety of flavors. 

Here's a simple recipe to help you on your way...

Chocolate Pudding to Knock Your Valentine’s Socks Off!

Gluten Free, Sugar Free……and full of nutrition & LOVE!

This nutrient dense treat contains super stars such as:

• Coconut milk – antimicrobial , healthy fats that don’t make you fat
• Avocado – loaded with vitamin E and more healthy fats that don’t make you fat
• Raw Organic Chocolate – high in Magnesium and powerful antioxidants
• Stevia – a natural sweetener that is non-glycemic and will help keep your blood sugar balanced.
• Whey Protein Powder – The most bio-available form of protein which enhances energy, immune function and detoxification.
• Walnuts – heart healthy fats
• Raspberries - a tasty low glycemic fruit that contains fiber, manganese, Vitamin C, flavonoids, B vitamins & ellagic acid.

Directions

• ½ Cup of Coconut Milk (canned)
• 2 TBS filtered water
• ¼ Avocado
• 2 TBS water
• 1-2 TBS of raw Cocoa Powder
• 2 drops of liquid Stevia
• 1 scoop of Whey Protein Powder
• 1 TBS of chopped Walnuts
• 1/4 Cup Raspberries

In a blender add coconut milk, avocado, water, cocoa and stevia.  Blend until smooth.  Then add protein powder and blend to desired consistently.  Top with chopped walnuts and raspberries. Refrigerate for 30 minutes or eat ASAP!

Enjoy, be well & thrive!

Sarah

Trecking out of the post office today I looked up to the FINALLY blue sky.  A patchwork of puffy white grayish clouds and a soft blue sky hanging like a silken canvas.  I closed my eyes, breathing in deeply as though on the edge of the shore, thinking how nice it was to smell this fresh clean post storm air.

Then to my surprise - I suddenly thought I was choking - nose burning - stomach turning.  The smell of gas burning around me. Good God I thought, what on earth?! 

Low and behold, I had walked into the parking lot as a car was pulling out of the parking lot......leaving me enveloped in a cloud of exhaust.  Probably doesn't sound like a big deal.  However, if you could see the chemicals that were in this invisible air behind the vehicle you might think again.    I quickly made a 180 and went back inside the post to regain my breath.

As my nose continued to burn I thought about those specific chemicals in exhaust.  As I stood there people passed in and out, especially many women -  with manicured nails with fingernail polish.  It was then I remembered how the chemical makeup of fingernail polish and exhaust have some similar counterparts........chemicals such as Styrene, Benzene and Toluene.  And there I sat to pause for a moment thinking of all the people  that have NO idea that they are putting seriously toxic stuff on their their nails.  So, I did a quick look for the latest "environmentally friendly" nail polish.....

(Sidestep - this takes me back to the time that a friend had just put on her "organic toe polish"  I mean, it was sold at Whole Foods and was labeled "environmentally friendly" - - so it should be ok - right???  Wrong!!!  First of all,  I nearly keeled over after being with in 2 feet of her and her sparkly, still wet toe nails.  Secondly, it is not as "safe" as you might think.)

Ok, back to my research on the "safe enviro toe nail polish"......Agasp!  It still contains Styrene!  What is the big deal? Well, Styrene is a potential carcinogen and causes oxidative stress in our mitochondria.  Our mito-what??  Our mitochondria.   This is like the furnace in our cells where we we create energy.  And once this stuff gets in - it is hard to get it out!  This can slow down what is called our Krebs Cycle.  The Krebs Cycle is this amazing energy creating process that takes place in our mitochondria. 

As for the conventional toe nail polish, well it contains a very long list of toxic chemicals, including Formaldehydes Benzene, Toluene and Styrene - which are also in exhaust.  All toxic.  All potential carcinogens.

Who'd have thought that breathing in a bunch of exhaust would have led me to this blog of toe nail polish!  Well, no surprise I guess.  I don't know about you, but they BOTH make my nose burn and make me want to hold my breath!  

So how did I get nourished to remedy this little blip that felt like it depleted me.  I came home and took a slug of my MonaVie.   MonaVie?  This is a phenomenal whole food tonic that contains amazing Antioxidants that will help neutralize those free radicals that are caused by exhaust inhalation.  Sure enough, a few minutes later, I was feeling perky, clear and back to normal!  

Well, this blog just of rolled out of me....had no intention of writing about nail polish....I don't even paint mine!  Haven't for years now.....just going a la natural:)  I hope this has helped someone our there!

May you be well & thrive!

Sarah

Do you use a cell phone?  Do your children? Do your loved ones?  Well, it's time -  high time, to take the time to catch up on the latest science about the consequence of cell phones.  I know it is hard to imagine.  They are so convenient, and the consequence seems so  invisible.  So, how could there be a problem?  Well there is a problem - a very BIG one.  Recently released is yet another scientifically validated study that confirms cell phones DO in fact harm human health.  

A landmark paper by Igor Belayev's team at Stockholm University has
reported that very low intensity microwave radiation from mobile phones
inhibits DNA repair processes in human stem cells.  THIS IS HUGE!!!

So, what does this mean?  It means that cell phones damage your DNA.  What is DNA?  It is the blueprint for every cell in your body.  DNA controls every message of your cells to create, repair and function.  The consequence of damaging DNA? Well, to put it bluntly - Disease and death of cells.  This could manifest in such ways as  inflammation, chronic pain,  premature aging and disease, especially cancer.   

In the authors' words, "this represents a direct mechanistic link to epidemiological data showing an association of Mobile Phone exposure with increased cancer risk."  The data obtained from human stem cells is of "utmost relevance for assessment of possible health risks of exposure from mobile phones."  Most, if not all adult tissues and organs including blood, skin and brain contain stem cells.

 Children are especially at more risk.   A recent report proved that children are more at risk from mobile phone use than adults.   The risk of glioma is more than 5-fold in children but just more than 2-fold in adults.  This is not just skepticism.

The author went on to say "In children,  almost all organs and tissues possess stem cells and stem cells are more active in children (since their bodies are growing at rapid rates).   The possible relationship of chronic exposure and various types of tumors and leukemia especially in children should be investigated."

This issue is very close to my heart.  Speaking from personal experience, I have encountered health issues from wireless technology.  Had I not had the sever symptoms I did from wireless technology, I would not be as keenly aware of the devastating impacts. I am not against cell phones.  Yes they can be helpful in times of emergency.  However, I am all for DISCRETION.  Currently there is no discretion regarding the use of cellphones.  People have no clue.  We MUST be conscious consumers and users of this powerful technology.  For information on how you can protect yourself from the invisible impact of wireless technology (ie cellphones), please contact me at www.getnourished.tv.

May you be well & thrive,

Sarah

Finally, the EPA is stepping up to the plate and testing chemicals suspected of being Endocrine Disruptors.  What is an Endocrine Disruptor???  They are chemicals that mimic the action of Estrogen. 

Why is this important? Many cancers and disease processes  are estrogen dependent and MANY of these chemicals are abundant in our environment today.  To put it in perspective, over 600,000 new chemicals/year are put into use.  However, they are not adequately tested for safety measures.  To read about this hot off the press issue, go to http://www.epa.gov/endo/.

A few examples of Endocrine Disruptors are:

• Pesticides

Pesticides are toxic chemicals sprayed on agriculture and residential areas to kill insects, destroy weeds and potential fungus.  Non-organic food contains pesticides.  If you use Round Up to kill weeds or even RAID to kill Ants in your home - those are pesticides.

Solution:

1) Eat Organic!  Most grocery stores have an organic sections now, however if yours does not,  try the following:

Check out your local farmers markets for the freshest organic produce and meat http://www.localharvest.org/farmers-markets/If you don't have organic choices, go to the following site for a handy cut out wallet guide to help you with choosing the least chemical covered produce www.foodnews.org.

2)Avoid Home Pesticide Use

There are many alternatives now to keeping bugs at bay in and around your home. Did you know something as simple as cinnamon can keep ants at bay? You can access handy alternatives here: http://www.avianweb.com/safepesticides.html.

• Plastics
  

Do you store your  food and water in plastic containers?  Or heat your food in plastic or even leave your plastic bottle water in the car?  Stop!  Plastic is an Endocrine Disruptor.

Solution: 

1)Store your food in glass containers.

2)Carry your water in a Clean Canteen http://www.kleankanteen.com/

3)Avoid using a microwave - it zaps the nutrients in your food!

• Body Care products

Solution:

1)Buy organic body care products and then.....see below.

2)Check to see if your products contain unsafe chemicals .  Just go to  Cosmetic Safety Database by the Environmental Working Group.  Just go to http://www.cosmeticsdatabase.com/index.php?nothanks=1

All the above are actions YOU can take to reduce your exposure to chemicals that are known to be Endocrine Disruptors. 

If you have further questions or would like to schedule a complimentary consultation to learn how these chemicals may be affecting your health, please contact me (Sarah Reilly) at www.getnourished.tv.

Here's to a healthy, vibrant you!

Sarah

That’s what I called it last night.  I was so nervous.  Heart pounding.  What would they think?  I was attending a class where the week before I was sitting under Compact Fluorescent Lights for 3 hours.  My body burned the whole time and I wanted to crawl out of my skin.  I went home with a brutal headache, and my bones and flesh felt like they were on fire.  I had to complete this course, but I didn’t know how to remedy this situation.   I had to tell the instructor that I couldn’t do the class in that building with the Compact Fluorescent Light bulbs (CFL’s).   My first thoughts were, "Oh God, what is she going to think?  What will the whole program think?"  So she asked me to tell the students my circumstance in the next class and ask if we could turn most of those lights off so we still had enough light. 

So, fastforward to last night.  Prior to class I was nauseated and I was scared.  What would they think?  What would I say?  So I told them.  “I have Electrical Sensitivity and I am very sensitive to the light from Compact Fluorescent Light bulbs.  It makes my body burn and gives me a brutal headache.”  The response? Looks of shock and amazement - wide eyed shock.  No looks of doubt, just incredible empathetic open hearts - and willingness to turn off the CFL’s.

I was touched with their sensitivity to my issue. This has often times not been my experience in the past, so I have learned (in a sad way) to be quiet about this condition.  Many people have judged me, calling me paranoid and psychosomatic.  That is not the case.  Silently, I have kept quiet about this issue as though I am the only one.  I know I am not the only one.   I know I am not.  I know you are out there…….those of you that  experience your body burning, headaches, fatigue, anxiety or joint and muscle soreness after being under CFL’s. Maybe at this point you have not connected the dots between source and symptoms when you are at work, school or home.  Or maybe you have, but still think, naaaah, that couldn’t be possible.  Well, it is possible.  The world’s premier researcher on this very issue, Magda Hava has identified and proven – YES proven  there is a scientifically validated link between CFL’s and adverse symptoms.

Yes, I know CFL’s  are touted as being the “ecological choice”.  However they come with a hefty backlash of an implication.  The visually obvious is they are filled with Mercury, that hello, if one breaks, that is a disaster in itself and they are difficult to recycle.   The not so obvious is that they produce a type of frequency, also known as “dirty electricity”.  These of dirty electricity frequencies are biologically active and produce symptoms of inflammation as well as blood sugar dysregulation.   Give Mada Havas and CFL’s a Google, and you’ll see what I mean.   In fact, check out this YouTube video for a quick over view…. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-3YrEMlmE9E.  It is well worth the 3 minutes.

To learn more about this issue and how I work with people through Holistic Nutrition to help them mediate the unpleasant symptoms’ of Electrical Sensitivity contact me at: www.getnourished.tv

Until next time, thrive and be well,

Sarah at Get Nourished.TV