Making Your Holidays Merry & Bright

Day 1: Clear Defense Hand Sanitizer

Am I seriously posting about hand sanitizer?
Yes, Yes I am.

I am because I absolutely loathe public restrooms and I want to avoid any “bug” that could potentially interfere with my immune system. Keeping hands sanitized can help prevent colds and flu.
Clear Defense is 97% plant based, kills 99.99% of germs while moisturizing. Plus, it smells absolutely amazing. This is my first line of defense when holiday shopping and for all my holiday plans.
$2.39

OSTEOARTHRITIS vs RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS 

Ever wondered how osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis differ? Both can cause joint pain and stiffness, but they have distinct causes and treatment approaches. Understanding these differences is key to managing symptoms effectively BUT knowing the proper nutrition path can help one live a life free of pain and discomfort.
When one is first diagnosed with a disease, it’s easy/normal to feel weak, to feel like a victim, to question “why me”. But when I discovered the huge role that nutrition plays when it comes to fighting and overcoming disease, I felt inspired. This knowledge, this truth of proper nutrition can allow you to truly take charge of your health once and for all.

If you have a medical diagnosis that requires treatment, please know your doctor most likely will NOT give you a protocol of proper nutrition to go alongside it. WHY? Because ….. 

  • They were never educated on nutrition
  • They treat you the way the insurance industry tells them to treat you 
  • The insurance company does not want nutrition to be part of their protocol because they don’t make any money on that!

I can’t give medical advice but I certainly can help build a plan of attack to boost your immune system and address symptoms.
If you need assistance, please ask! I’m only a zoom away and you’d be shocked at how much you can learn that will positively impact your future health!

You’d Be Surprised By What’s In Your Everyday Products!

When you learn what’s actually hiding in most “everyday” products, it changes everything.

Let’s talk about three big ones: Parabens, Phthalates, and Formaldehyde.

  • 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐛𝐞𝐧𝐬 are used to keep products from going bad. The problem is, they can act like estrogen in the body and have been linked to hormone disruption. They’ve even been found in breast tissue samples.
  • 𝐏𝐡𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬 are what make scents and plastics flexible. They’re common in fragrance heavy products like lotions, candles, and cleaning sprays. The issue is that they’ve been tied to fertility problems and developmental issues, especially in children.
  • 𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐥𝐝𝐞𝐡𝐲𝐝𝐞 is sometimes added directly or released slowly from preservatives in shampoos, baby soaps, and cosmetics. It’s a known carcinogen and can irritate your skin, eyes, and lungs over time. In fact, it was in Johnson & Johnson’s Baby Shampoo until 2016!

The crazy part is that these ingredients are still allowed in so many “trusted” brands. Most likely, you’ll find several of them under your counters and in your bathroom drawers.

As consumers, it’s important that we educate ourselves on trusted ingredients, brands and stores. We all need safer ingredients that actually work.

Once you learn what’s in most products, you realize switching isn’t extra… it’s essential. Personally, I found that making the switch to healthier brands didn’t have to cost me more money; I actually saved money. Imagine that.

Be a smart and savvy consumer—pay attention to ingredients and switch when and where necessary

Gratitude and Living a Long Life 

This Florida woman, Mildred Kirschenbaum, is going viral on social media with this piece of life advice. 

“I want to share a thought about attitude. I recently turned 100 years old. And yet, I have friends who are 15-20 years younger, and their attitudes are going to cause them not to survive to my age. 

They’re not grateful for anything. Their attitude is, ‘I don’t see my kids more than once a week’ or ‘the food I was served was cold and bad.’ Their attitude is not acceptable. 

If the food isn’t quite right, so have an extra dessert! If you hear from your children once a week, that’s fine. They call you once a week, you call them once a week. And be grateful that they are enjoying life. 

Change your attitude. Look at the positive side of life. I think THAT is what got me this far. I try my best not to sweat the small stuff and to have a positive attitude.” 

Mildred, 100 years old, lives alone, drives, pays her bills online, texts loved ones on her iPhone and never misses happy hour. She has become an internet sensation for her advice on living a long and active life. 

Forgiveness is another concept Mildred discusses. 

“At this point in my life, I’m 100. When I go to bed, I may not wake up again. Why carry an unnecessary burden? Why wake up in the morning and, even though you don’t think about it, you’re angry at somebody? They don’t deserve your anger. If they’re not important to you, just shelve it. If they’re important to you, reach out.” 

Some of Mildred’s videos appear on the lighter side, including one she shared about getting tech-savvy, no matter your age. 

“We live in a computer world. Either you go with the flow or you fall off the train. This is a tech world. If you have a computer and don’t know how to use it, there’s a book called “Computers for Dummies.” Don’t say, ‘I don’t know how to retrieve emails.’ There’s no such thing as, ‘I don’t know.’” 

Mildred has an iPad, an iPhone, and a Microsoft computer to help her stay in touch with people, get information she needs, play an occasional game of Words With Friends, film her videos, and do her banking.

“The only checks I mail are birthday gifts,” Mildred said. “Everything else is online.” 

Other topics Mildred discusses are navigating the road at 100 years old, why she chooses to live alone, the safest way to get up if you fall at home, and directions for her chicken soup recipe which was requested over and over.

“Taste it. If you don’t have enough salt, add it. Don’t be afraid to improvise.”

One key to longevity, Mildred said, is getting out and about — being social. 

She enjoys playing bridge or canasta to keep her mind sharp and stay connected with others. But one of her favorite ways to be social is attending happy hour at her community clubhouse or a favorite local restaurant. 

“I do enjoy happy hour. There’s usually no one there even close to my age but that’s no problem whatsoever.” 

We could all take Mildred’s advice .

This Thanksgiving…

May your table be surrounded by loved ones and your heart with blessings.

Does Diet Impact Hair Loss?

Absolutely.

Certain dietary habits can worsen hair loss:

  • Sugar
  • Alcohol 
  • Zinc and Biotin (B7) Deficiencies
  • Insufficient Protein (This is common among women)

Also having Covid or the Flu can cause temporary hair loss. But there are foods and nutrients you can consume to hair promote hair growth.

  • Quercetin: promotes blood flow in the scalp
  • Vitamin D: 5 studies found higher levels protective against hair loss. 2000 IU’s/daily minimum
  • Iron: supplementation improved growth in women; absorption is best when paired with vitamin C; dietary sources include spinach, lentils, and almonds. 
  • Cruciferous vegetables: (e.g. broccoli, cauliflower, kale, sprouts, etc) have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory phytochemicals, especially sulforaphane. 
  • Soy: Especially edamame and tofu

Remember, women lose 50 – 100 strands of hair per day which is part of the natural growth cycle.

A change in Mindset

I used to think the products I grabbed off store shelves were safe—because why wouldn’t they be?
But once I started digging into the ingredients, I realized I was bringing harmful chemicals into my home without even knowing it.
The good news? Switching to safer, better-quality products was as simple as changing where I shop.

Then: I used to grab whatever dishwasher detergent was at the store—until I learned many contain chemicals that stick to our dishes.
Now: I use an enzyme-powered formula that cleans without the harsh residues.

Then: I used to think All-Purpose cleaners were all the same—until I saw how many contained hormone disruptors and asthma-triggering chemicals..
Now: I use a botanically-powered disinfectant that’s safe enough for food surfaces.

Then: I used to buy big-name magnesium supplements—until I learned most don’t absorb well.
Now: I use a bioavailable formula with patented technology that actually benefits my body.

Then: I used to grab drugstore mouthwash—until I realized it was full of alcohol, fluoride, and artificial dyes.
Now: I use a cleaner alternative with essential oils that does the job without the junk.

Then: I used to overpay for essential oils..
Now: I get a powerful, high-quality blend for nearly half the price

I could keep going, but you get the idea. Every time I swap, I save money, get a better product, and feel good knowing I’m using safer options.

This 40-year-old, debt-free, privately owned store has completely changed the way I shop. Fast shipping, better ingredients, and no middlemen driving up prices. All this for ONLY $19 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒊𝒓𝒆 𝒀𝑬𝑨𝑹!—which includes 30-50% off the everyday essentials you’re already buying, $100 𝒊𝒏 𝒍𝒐𝒚𝒂𝒍𝒕𝒚 𝒅𝒐𝒍𝒍𝒂𝒓𝒔 to start, unbeatable customer service, and a 𝒇𝒖𝒍𝒍 𝒎𝒐𝒏𝒆𝒚-𝒃𝒂𝒄𝒌 𝒈𝒖𝒂𝒓𝒂𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒆 on everything!
No risk, just peace of mind. I’ll never go back.

R3

Thankful for a program that helped me get back on track! It can help you too!

What does it mean when you hear someone say “I suffer from autoimmune”?

It’s such a broad statement. For instance…..

  • In rheumatoid arthritis, the immune system targets the joints, causing pain, swelling, and stiffness.
  • In lupus, it can damage many parts of the body, including joints, skin, and kidneys.
  • In type 1 diabetes, it destroys insulin-producing cells in the pancreas.
  • In multiple sclerosis, it attacks the protective sheath around nerve cells, causing issues with communication between the brain and body. 

But they can share the same symptoms: Fatigue, fever, muscle aches, joint pain, skin problems, and digestive issues.

Most autoimmune are chronic, meaning it is ongoing with no cure. Those that suffer are told by the medical community that it’s their cross to bear as they manage their symptoms with medicationBut here’s what I have experienced and witnessed dozens of times over:

Nutrition plays a HUGE part in not only managing the symptoms but also addressing root cause. Traditional medicine will tell you that autoimmune diseases are caused by genetic and environmental conditions, and I would agree that they can play a role. But I also believe that since the medical profession is not trained in nutrition, that is why they throw their arms up in the air and prescribe medication.

I’m not anti-medication, but understand that medicine is a risk/reward situation. They ALL come with warnings and/or side effects. Nutrition does not and that’s always my first line of offense AND defense.

Do you suffer from an autoimmune and want to take better control of your health?
Let’s talk.
Solutions could be lying right under your nose.

To learn more about autoimmune disease, click here.

Did You Know…

That when you see a little “e” on your skin care products, that means they meet European Beauty and Health Standards.
Why is that important?
In Europe, they’ve banned over 1300 ingredients in personal care products because of health concerns, while here in the US, only eleven ingredients are off-limits.

And get this……
Many companies make two versions of the same product: a safer, European-standard version and a cheaper, less-regulated American version. (Your cleaning products too!) Turns out, it’s not about our health, it’s about their products.

I purchase my personal care products purposefully. Yes, I want the highest quality, clean ingredients that will perform AND I need to make sure they are manufactured by a company that does not compromise my health!