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Colic is a mysterious, frustrating and exhausting condition for both infants and parents. Months or years spent raising a colicky child are fraught with sleepless nights and nearly endless screaming. You may think it will never end, but here are some colic remedies that may help.

The exact causes of colic in infants is controversial and the condition is thought to be aggravated by a variety of things, including:

• Food allergies (especially to dairy and soy formulas)
• Underdeveloped gastrointestinal tract
• Emotional stress
• General fussiness
• Vaccinations

The best way to figure out if your childs discomfort is caused by a food allergy is to use an elimination diet.

If the baby is switching to solid food for the first time this can be rather simple, if you are breastfeeding it may take some more effort. In order to use the elimination diet you have to remove all dairy and wheat products, some vegetables (legumes) and fruits, and all sugars. Once you have removed all of these foods for 30 days you can slowly start adding foods back in to see if the symptoms come back.

Of course if you believe that the colic is being caused by an inability to digest lactose or other particular group, then the obvious solution is to reduce your infant’s intake of foods in that group (or yours, if you are breastfeeding). The elimination diet is inconvenient and can be expensive, if you end up throwing out 90% of your pantry, but it is the most effective way of eliminating discomfort that comes from a food allergy. Luckily, this is only one of many colic remdies you can try for your infant or toddler.

Continue reading: “Natural Remedies for Colic in Infants”

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Betaine Hydrochloride is an organic compound and vitamin-like substance found in many different foods such as sugar beets, grains and spinach. It is currently being recommended by both naturopaths, as well as medical doctors, as a supplemental source of hydrochloric acid in the stomach.

Studies show that this compound can profoundly benefit individuals suffering from digestive upsets such as hypochlorhydria, a deficiency of stomach acid production.

Normally, healthy stomachs can produce enough gastric acid to kill off bacterial and parasitic infestations. But when people experience deficiencies in producing stomach acid, they are more likely to have bacterial and intestinal infections, as well as the increased presence of intestinal parasites.

Betaine HCL also has the ability to help the stomach to break down fats and proteins in the food we eat. It also assists the general detoxification processes in the body. It is an essential component for metabolizing and absorbing food, and is particularly needed for assimilating proteins, vitamin B12, calcium and iron.

Continue reading: “Betaine Hydrochloride: How it helps with Digestion & Detoxification”

Recently there has been some e-mails circulating online regarding the use of onions for reducing or preventing flu symptoms. I have been asked to comment on this and give my opinion on the validity of this remedy. So here is what I have found.

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What centuries of grandmothers have instinctively known is now being confirmed by everyone from modern scientists to naturopathic doctors. Onions may have the ability to ward off and relieve symptoms of the common flu. And in a world where, according to the CDC, many Americans will get the seasonal flu every year, the simple method of boiling onions into a drinkable broth may be a good practice to return to.

Moreover, the outbreak of H1N1, commonly known as swine flu, has caused many people to consider getting flu vaccinations that, in my opinion, will do more harm than good. Prevention is the best method, and the following post will offer some insight into this ancient technique of using onions for flu prevention.

How Onions Help with the Flu

The idea that onions could ward off disease through their potent medicinal properties hails back thousands of years. Ancient Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine revered onions for their anti-inflammatory and congestion-relieving properties. The Ancient Greeks rubbed onions on sore muscles and the Native Americans used them to ward off the common cold and flu.

Continue reading: “Will Onions Help Fight the Flu?”

Although we can find many foods in the supermarket that have been fortified with a synthetic form of Vitamin D, there are only a select number of foods containing vitamin D in them naturally.

Normally, our body takes in Vitamin D in the form of sun-synthesis through the skin. But in our modern times, where many of us spend countless hours inside houses, cars and shopping malls, our actual exposure to the sun is limited. This fact may be a principle cause of many ailments, including depression. For this reason, it is extremely important to have a diet high in Vitamin D or take a vitamin D supplement.

This is my ‘List of Foods Containing Vitamin D’, as well as some of the great potential benefits of the vitamin. (In no particular order)

Continue reading: “10 Foods Containing Vitamin D”

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Since the early 1930’s our government has been “protecting” us from the “dangers” of whole, raw milk. How do they do this? By actually killing the whole, raw milk by pasteurizing it! Interestingly, pasteurization also increases the shelf life of milk, making it much easier to mass-market, maximizing profits for the dairy industry.

Real milk comes from real goats or cows that are allowed to graze in toxin free pastures. Besides tasting great, raw organic milk is a precious, life-giving food. But extreme temperatures used to pasteurize (”cook”) the milk can actually render it life-depleting.

Pasteurization destroys almost all of the nutritive value of cow’s milk. The milk everybody drinks today is far from a whole food, and in my research is not fit for human consumption.

Pasteurization also destroys beneficial bacteria found in raw milk. It kills the natural enzymes and destroys the chemical make-up of calcium in raw milk. Calcium is vital to the growth and health of children. Pasteurization has been implicated in everything from allergies to heart disease to cancer. Truly, the resulting product after pasteurization is not raw and living, but rather “killed and dead.”

Raw Milk: Why the Fuss?

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The fuss about raw milk has to do with pathogens – organisms that can cause diseases such as Salmonella. But whether or not raw milk carries pathogens depends totally on the way the milk is produced, how the animals are fed, and the care that’s taken to keep the milk clean during production.

Today’s pasteurized milk comes from cows crammed in cages loaded with synthetic hormones and antibiotics. Homogenizing purposely destroys raw milk’s natural butterfat in an effort to separate and hide the cream from the consumer. European studies show that this is dangerous and may cause heart disease. Of course our FDA disputes this. Homogenized milk is quite unnatural!

Back in the 20’s Americans could buy raw, clean, grass-fed milk and cheese – and at that time milk-borne diseases were rare. Can you believe that suppliers of organic, raw milk today are required to display the words “Not fit for human consumption”? It’s true!

I firmly believe that true health starts in the colon. Raw milk contains the milk sugar “lactose” in its purest form, and lactose aids in digestion and elimination. And organic, raw milk is the only food that has it in a usable form! I personally am not a animal milk drinker, but if I was I would only consume raw organic goats milk.

Continue reading: “Pasteurized vs. Raw Milk: Which One Is Healthier for You & Your Family?”

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While we should always try to avoid getting a sunburn, at times the power of the sun can sneak up unexpectedly on our skin. From redness, irritation, peeling, pain, swelling, to unsightly blisters, sunburns can last from three to seven days, and can be highly uncomfortable. When we get a sunburn, what we are actually suffering from is an acute inflammation of the skin cells, caused by the powerful ultraviolet rays of the sun.

Many people are unaware that the chemicals they put on their skin can cause sun exposure to produce inflammation of the skin as well. This is particularly true in the case of products which are full of chemicals, such as perfumes, facial creams, chemical deodorants, etc. When sunburn does occur, nature offers us many cooling, soothing remedies to take the sting and bite out of a red sunburn.

Natural Remedies for Sunburn:

The following are my favorite natural remedies for providing relief for mild sunburn.

Continue reading: “13 Natural Remedies for Sunburn”

So we’ve seen what we can do inside the house to make a difference on the environment, see my previous blog post “Going Green inside your home“. Now let’s see what we can do on the outside. And let me tell you, if you have kids or a green thumb, some of these are going to be a lot of fun.

1) Composting

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Composting is one of the easiest and greenest ways to help out the environment. A compost bin doesn’t cost too much, or you could even build your own, but even then they’re not necessary, when a nice heap will do fine.

Pretty much anything will go into a compost pile, from your lawn clippings to raked up leaves to last night’s dinner. If you like to drink coffee, add in your used coffee grounds to increase the overall nitrogen balance.

Not only does composting keep your garbage scraps out of the everyday waste, but it also creates a great food for your garden. Wait for your compost to really degrade, and then you have some seriously healthy dirt to start planting your new veggie garden.

2) Start a Vegetable Garden

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A lot of the stuff you can do outside is going to have a green thumb about it. If you have your own compost pile, as well as having your own veggie garden, the circle of nature is just beautiful.

Imagine growing your own food, right outside your kitchen window, and never forgetting those last minute herbs or vegetables you need for dinner. And when all is said and done, all of your scraps go out into the compost bin, to one day help grow more vegetables.

Starting a garden isn’t just something for those with a huge backyard either. Anyone can grow their own vegetables, whether you have a backyard or not. Container gardening is a great way to grow your own vegetables, if you don’t have enough yard space. Everything from tomatoes to lettuce to peppers and herbs, all right out in the small courtyard in front of the kitchen.

Continue reading: “6 Tips for “Going Green” Outside Your House”

When it comes to detoxing your body, there are many techniques you can follow and supplements you can take. But, the best way, is to eat lots of foods that detox the body. Below is a list of detox foods that I thought would be an great addition to everybody’s diet.

1. Fruits

Fruits are extremely high in liquid-content, helping the body wash out toxins. They are also very easy to digest and are high in antioxidants, nutrients, fiber and many important vitamins like vitamin C.

2. Green Foods

When you are ready to detox your body, fill your refrigerator with blue green algae, barley, wheatgrass, kale, spinach, spirulina, alfalfa, chard, arugula or other organic leafy greens. These plants will help give a chlorophyll-boost to your digestive tract.

Chlorophyll rids the body of harmful environmental toxins from smog, heavy metals, herbicides, cleaning products and pesticides. They also aid the liver in detoxification.

Continue reading: “10 Foods That Detox The Body”

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Which of these two scenarios sounds more vibrant for overall quality of life and health?

The wind on your face, the sun on your skin, you talk with a local farmer about the size and taste of this year’s harvest of peaches, as you pop a slice in your mouth. After tasting several different varieties, you choose your favorite one, walking away with a great memory of the farmer in your mind.

Or… You stand shivering in the freezer section at your local mega-mart, your eyes begin to glaze over from the halogen lights and the neon-colored cardboard boxes containing substances claimed to be food products? You decide on the one with the least amount of additives and make your way to the self-check-out line, excited to get in your car and out of the supermarket.

Clearly, most of us would agree that the first scenario, at the local farmer’s market, is much more appealing than a trip to a big chain grocery store. But what, besides the aesthetic factor, are some of the other benefits of supporting your local farmers market? Here are ten reasons why I believe you should shop at your local farmers market.

Continue reading: “10 Reasons to Buy Your Fruits & Veggies at Your Local Farmer’s Market”

One of our in-house favorites, Ozonated Olive Oil is a powerful natural remedy for a variety of health concerns, most of which involve the lack of health and radiance of the skin. I wanted to write up something, in order to provide you with an overview of just exactly what this healing oil is, and how it works.

What is Ozonated Olive Oil?

To make ozonated olive oil, you must take high-quality, organic, extra-virgin, cold pressed olive oil and put it through a process of “ozone injection.” This is done by bubbling ozone into the liquid for an extended period of time. Most companies producing this use a coronal discharge ozone generator. This is the cheap method and can lead to contamination. For purity and quality a cold plasma ozone generator should always be used.

When searching for a high quality source of ozonated olive oil you should ask the company if they are using a coronal or cold plasma unit. A reactive gas, ozone is very hard to stabilize, but by passing it through the oil, contained within an ozone resistant container, the ozone gas begins to interact and stabilize within the oil. As it is continually processed, the ozone slowly begins to turn the liquid form of the oil into a off-white colored paste. This paste is then used for many natural benefits.

Continue reading: “The Benefits of Ozonated Olive Oil”