5 Ingredients to Avoid in Cosmetics

By Laura Michelle Powers: Celebrity Psychic, Author, and host of Healing Powers Podcast.

Recently I have started to learn the importance of checking out ingredients in cosmetics for toxins. Sadly, the cosmetics industry in the United States is one of the least regulated industries. So, if you are buying products thinking they are safe for your body, you may be assuming incorrectly. I have noticed sensitivities to certain additives that I have determined through a process of elimination and decided to share my findings with you.

Since many cosmetic products have a long list of ingredients, it can be tough to research each ingredient and learn about it. Luckily there are some great resources for learning more about the safety of various products and services. One popular website is the Environmental Working Group’s, Skin Deep Cosmetics Database. There are also several handy apps that allow you to research products and ingredients including Healthy Living by the Environmental Working Group, Think Dirty, Good Guide, and Detox Me.  I have found that not all products are in each app so sometimes I end up looking one product up in multiple places before I find the information I need.

Just a note to say that there are plenty of other toxic ingredients and these are just a few that I have found it best to avoid. On the Think Dirty app, for example, I have found that products above a 0-2 safety rating tend to give me a reaction so that my eyes water. I have also noticed that not all products by the same company are similar in terms of toxicity rating. For example, one brand may have a product that has a 7 rating on the toxicity scale while others have a 0-2 rating. So, I have learned not to assume that all products by a brand name are created equally. A lot of companies have started “greenwashing” their products, by describing them as green, or eco and body-friendly, even when they really aren’t. Doing research and empowering yourself as a consumer is really the best way to ensure you are using clean products. Another great benefit of buying and using non-toxic products is that it encourages the companies that make them to manufacture more of them. This is good for consumer choice and the environment because what is toxic for us is usually destructive for the planet as a whole as well.

An additional reason I decided to write this post is that cosmetics are primarily applied to the head and face on the skin which is highly absorbent and very near the brain. Since the brain is made mostly of fat and a lot of toxins are stored in fat, keeping toxins away from the brain is of paramount importance for overall health.  Personally, I want to keep products off of my skin that are toxic and keep my brain as toxin-free as possible.

Talc

Many consider talc a safe ingredient though there are conflicting reports of its safety. Some talc is contaminated with asbestos, a known carcinogen (cancer causer). While most believe that asbestos-free talc is fairly safe, there have been issues with the reliability of data on the confirmation that the talc used is in fact, free of asbestos. Recently there was a scandal involving makeup sold by Claire’s boutiques that was lab tested and found to contain asbestos, despite claims that the talc contained was asbestos free. You can read more about that in this article. There are also numerous studies linking talc to ovarian cancer, lung cancer, lung disease, respiratory problems for infants and children. You can read more about those studies and findings here. I have found that when I use eye-shadows or powders with talc in them that my eyes water and are irritated. Since many of the cosmetic products that contain talc are in a powder form, this is concerning since inhaling talc has been shown to cause lung cancer and lung disease. Talc is incredibly prevalent in cosmetic products and even brands that tout themselves as green and non-toxic still use talc.

Aluminum

I believe that the use of Aluminum in our cosmetics will be viewed by future generations comparable to the use of lead in cosmetics to us now. Aluminum is a common ingredient in foundation, face-powders, eye-shadows, blushers/bronzers, deodorant, and dry-shampoos. This is an ingredient that is controversial in terms of toxicity with some believing it to be safe while others believe it to be highly toxic. It is incredibly prevalent not only in cosmetics but in food and household goods. When a large amount of aluminum is present in the body, symptoms can include confusion, bone pain and deformities or weakness, seizures, speech problems, muscle weakness, and slow growth in children. When aluminum toxicity becomes systemic and long-term, it can lead to the following diseases: cancer, bone disease, reproductive problems, brain disorders, nervous system dysfunction, reproductive issues, and possibly Alzheimer’s disease. I would be particularly cautious about using aluminum in any cosmetic form in which a large quantity is put on the skin or inhaled. Many popular dry shampoos include large amounts of aluminum starch. This is bad on two fronts as you can inhale the aluminum so that it goes into the lungs and then it can settle on the skin where it can be absorbed into the body. Since there are alternatives to aluminum, you can find plenty of products that do the job without the aluminum in them.

Mineral Oil/Petrolatum/Petroleum Jelly

Mineral oil is a relatively inexpensive oil and can be found in lotions and many products including surprisingly eye-shadows and face powders or various kinds. Mineral oil is problematic for a few reasons and one of the main reasons is it can be contaminated with metals and other toxins which are known to cause cancer. Mineral oil is a petroleum by-product. This product is also known as comedogenic which means it clogs and enlarges pores, which can lead to breakouts. Additionally, there are no benefits to mineral oil and there are plenty of other oils which have similar properties that are not toxic and don’t clog pores. Mineral oil can also be called mineral paraffin or paraffin oil.  

Fragrance

Fragrance can include many different chemicals and in order to protect trade secrets, manufacturers are not required to list what it is in fragrances. This means that the term fragrance can include many different substances including synthetic petrochemicals. So, the term fragrance could include dozens of secret ingredients that are not listed in the ingredients. According to this Huffington Post Article, 95% of  synthetic fragrances are made from petrochemicals. Many of these ingredients are known to cause cancer, allergies, birth defects, and problems with the nervous system.  Basically this is bad news! This seemingly innocent label of fragrance can hide a whole host of toxic ingredients.

Magnesium Stearate

Magnesium stearate is an additive in many powdered cosmetics as well as supplements. While many sites state that magnesium stearate is safe, I have found that my body reacts to it very poorly. To look further into magnesium stearate, lets look at what exactly it is. It is a synthetically created additive made from stearic acid with added magnesium ions. Synthetic ingredients are often not recognized by the body and can cause cumulative health issues when ingested or used topically. If you want to read more about Magnesium Stearate, you can read this article which has extensive information on what it is and how its made. This particular additive makes my eyes water profusely and once I learned how unnatural it was, I was not surprised. Like aluminum, there are other ingredients that will fill the bill and it seems that one of the main reasons this ingredient is because it is cheap. While natural cosmetics are sometimes (and not always) more expensive, when you factor health concerns, are they really a better value?

I know it can feel overwhelming to avoid these ingredients, but it is possible to find great products with these ingredients. I’ll be working on a blog post of non-toxic cosmetics and would love to hear your favorites!

Sources

Bewell – 3 Key Reasons to Avoid Mineral Oil

CBS News – Study finds asbestos in Claire’s makeup products marketed to teens

Dr. Axe – Talcum Powder Risks

Environmental Working Group – Skin Deep Database

Environmental Working Group - Talc

Huffington Post – 10 Toxic Beauty Ingredients to Avoid

Huffington Post – Five Must-Knows About Synthetic Fragrance

Hello Glow – 12 Ingredients to Avoid in Makeup and Skincare

Nutrigold – Why Say No to Magnesium Stearate in Supplements

Positive Wellness – The Ultimate List of Makeup Chemicals You Should Avoid

Scientific American – Toxic Perfumes and Colognes

Safe Cosmetics – US Laws

Safe Cosmetics – Chemicals of Concern – Petroleum

Signs You May Have Parasites and What to do About it

By Laura Michelle Powers: Celebrity Psychic, Author, and host of Healing Powers Podcast.

I recently interviewed a parasite expert, Dr. Todd, on my podcast and honestly was just curious about parasites. After listening to him however and doing a bit of research, I came to believe that I had parasites. And here is the truth, if you are alive, you probably have parasites. If you are American, it is estimated that you have a 50% chance of having parasites. That said, having less is better, and some are worse than others. That led me on the journey of a parasite cleanse and it has been a wild ride! Having parasites is obviously creepy but it doesn’t have to be scary. I decided to write this post to share some basics about parasites. How to know if you have them and what to do about it if you think you do.

Symptoms of Parasites

The symptoms of parasites are quite broad and very depending on the parasite but here are a few of them:

·       Allergies

·       Anxiety and/or depression

·       Brain fog

·       Breakouts

·       Constipation or diarrhea

·       Eczema

·       Floaters or spots in eyes

·       Food sensitivities

·       Getting sick all the time

·       Good cravings

·       Grinding teeth

·       Headaches

·       Indigestion

·       Inflammation

·       Insomnia

·       Itchy skin

·       Joint pain

·       Skin crawling feeling

·       Sugar addiction

·       Thinning hair

·       Weak hair/brittle nails

Over the long term, having parasites can cause pretty severe problems like: arthritis, infertility, cancer, MS, nutrition deficiencies immune problems, leaky gut syndrome, kidney stones, chronic fatigue syndrome, and skin problems like Crohn’s disease, and chemical sensitivities among others.

One of the reasons that serious problems can occur when you have long-term parasite infection is that the immune system and body as a whole is under constant stress and strain, causing other problems to develop.

Why do I have Parasites?

Parasites show up for a variety of reasons. You are likely to have parasites if you have heavy metal toxicity, eat a lot of processed foods, travel to countries with less food safety, eat or have ever eaten pork (pork is highly likely to have parasites), or swim  or have swum in natural bodies of water. If you are heavy metal toxic, and many people are, parasites will often show up as some parasites feed on and use heavy metals in their biofilm. If you’d like to learn more about heavy metals and how to heal from them you may find the Heavy Metal Summit helpful.

To sum up likelihood of parasites increases if you:

·       Have toxic metals in your system

·       Have travelled a lot internationally to places with low food safety standards

·       Have swum in natural bodies of water that are unchlorinated

·       Eat pork

·       Eat raw meats or seafood

·       Have been on antibiotics

·       Eat a lot of sugar and processed foods

·       Struggle with candida

How to Clear Parasites

In order to clear parasites, it is important to deal with the body holistically. Reducing or eliminating sugar, grains, dairy, and inflammatory foods is important. It is also important to reduce stress and make sure you are getting a lot of sleep so that your body is strong and your immune system has the strength to fight off the parasites. Anti-parasite supplements can help as well.  I have been taking three supplements designed to kill parasites, kill the eggs, and absorb toxins released by the parasites. It is important to kill the parasites as well as the eggs or they will keep coming back. As the parasites die-off, they release toxins and metals so it is important to address the toxins or you will start to feel very sick. You may also feel anxiety or depression as you go through the parasite cleans as your body clears itself of toxins and parasites. For me, the first week was the worst and it has gotten progressively easier as I have gotten farther along in the process.

If you’d like to try the anti-parasite supplements I have been taking, you can go to: https://tinyurl.com/clearparasites. If you take these supplements, then you will want to take Formula 1 which will kill the eggs (features cloves and other powerful anti-parasitics), Mimosa Pudica, which kills the parasites themselves, and the Active Carbon Plus which acts as a binder and helps absorb the toxins that parasites release when they die off. I also recommend taking activated charcoal overnight to absorb extra toxins.

Doing an anti-parasite protocal is intense but the benefits are worth it! I already am feeling more peace of mind and less fatigue after being on the supplements for just a few weeks. Another great and unexpected benefit is that my skin is clearer and my cuticles are softer (really!).

Best of luck on your healing journey!

Supplements to clear parasites:

https://tinyurl.com/clearparasites

Sources

Dr. Axe

Kitchen Stewardship

Paleo Hacks

Wellness Mama

Channeled Message From Robin Williams

By Laura Michelle Powers: Celebrity Psychic, Author, and host of Healing Powers Podcast

I am working on a book of channeled messages from the other side. I got to share one of them with you here. The book Celebrity Channeled Messages From the Other Side will be out later this year. Here is a message from Robin Williams, I hope you find it helpful. 

Robin Williams

"Hi everyone. I am here and I am good. I am actually better than good, I am great. I wanted to talk to you about depression. So many of you struggle with this. Most of you who do are actually very psychic and you are picking up on stuff from others around you. Almost all of the time, if you are feeling sad or depressed, you have picked it up from someone or something else. I was being affected all the time but didn’t know it. Then I tried to self-medicate with drugs. Many people choose alcohol. I understand this, sometimes it is the best we can do. I want you to know that there is a better way though. Learn about this stuff, take care of yourself, and let go of toxic people and situations. Sometimes it’s the very things we think we want that are the most poisonous for us so pay attention to how you feel, not how good something is supposed to be. If you struggle with drugs or alcohol, that is not really the problem. You are trying to feel better. But if you understand why you aren’t feeling good, it will all go so much better for you. I want you to know that I love you all and I want nothing but laughter, and love, and life for you all. Go after your dreams, pay attention to how you feel and don’t give up. If you don’t feel good, don’t try to shove it down or drown it out, try to find out why. Drinking or doing drugs is like putting a band aid on an infected wound. You have to take care of it. Find out what is causing the infection. I am here for you. Ask me for help. I am here and you are not alone. Also know that you are not bad or wrong for feeling depressed. So many struggle with it. Talk about it, learn about it. Get help and pray for help too. Prayer really is the most powerful help you can get. Oh yeah, and watch a comedy, nothing breaks up pain like laughter. Why do you think I was a comedian? I was trying to stop the pain. I understand so much better about all of it now which is why I am trying to share with you. Laugh but dig deep and find out why you are so sad. Face it, know it. When we don’t face it, it consumes us. Ok enough serious stuff, back to the party over here. Until next time. I’ll be back."

Partial Solar Eclipse, New Moon, and Chinese Year of the Dog

This coming New Moon and Partial Solar Eclipse lands right after Valentine’s Day this year! This particular eclipse falls in Aquarius and aligns with the planet Mercury so themes of love, partnership, and wellness/health will be featured. It is a great time to focus on changes you want to make and plant seeds for the future, particularly in areas related to love, partnership, and health. This eclipse is also bringing up similar themes that came up from the last round of eclipses in August and September time so thinking back on the themes that were coming up for you then can bring clarity on themes for review right now.

The new moon and eclipse happens on the eclipse on February 15 at 2 pm Mountain Time.

February is an interesting month astrologically as there is no full moon! The last time this happened was in 1999! This happens about 4 times a century. When this happens, both January and March have two full moons so the 3 month stretch between January and March is especially powerful with eclipses the unusual full moon schedule. This is a great time for manifesting and releasing that which does not serve so that you can bring in what you truly want.

This new moon is also starting the Chinese New Year – The Year of the Dog. The year of the Dog will likely feel more stable and reliable than the year of the Fire Rooster we are leaving. Rooster years often come with social unrest and big surprises.

Here are a few things you can do to shift maximize the impact of this powerful astrology:

·       Set ideas and intentions for what you want to do and create.

·       Meditate to get clarity on your direction and focus.

·       Reflect on what is working in your life and what is not.

·       Journal, create a vision board, or visualize your desires for greater impact.

·       Light a white candle and ask the angels to help support and bless your desires.

·       Stay positive and optimistic during this powerful astrological time.

How to Bring in More Love During This New Moon:

·       Treat yourself to a massage, bath, meditation, or other relaxing “me” time.

·       Visualize and feel the energy of love coming in and send it out to others you care about as well.

·       Spend time with people you love and care about.

·       Watch a movie or listen to music which create loving, joyful, and positive feelings for you.

·       Think about qualities you want in a relationship or partner and set intentions for this to manifest in your life.

Taking time to focus on your desires and plant seeds can have a huge impact on what manifests for you this year. Do take some time, even if it is only a few minutes to take advantage of this super-charged energy. I also recommend asking your angels, and any spirit guides you connect with for support, in making any beneficial changes and nurturing your desired manifestations. Then listen to spirit and watch the magic happen!

The Super Blue Blood Moon and What It Means for You?

This super moon, which also happens to be a blue moon (2nd full moon in the month) and a blood moon (it’s on a lunar eclipse) is so rare that the last one with all of these factors occurred in 1866. So this is for most, a once-in a lifetime opportunity to experience and witness this phenomenon.

The full moons as a whole are usually associated with powerful energetic and emotional release that may feel exhausting and triggering or exhilarating depending on the specifics of that particular full moon, how it hits your chart, and what you have going on in your life at that time. With the extra power of the blue moon and blood moon for this particular full-moon, it is sure to be super-charged. This means that you will likely feel the full moon more than usual. Because this is a lunar eclipse, and eclipses often trigger big changes and shifts in our lives. In fact, right after eclipse, we may have big, unexpected changes or perspective shifts. Areas of our life that are out of alignment will be pointed out and we may course-correct. It can be intense, but it can also be an incredible time of growth and expansion.

This full moon is in Leo which represents being fierce, proud, and taking charge. So there will be more dynamic and extroverted and showy energy for this full moon than others. Step into your power and your vision for what you want in your life. That said, don’t be surprised if it’s a bit of an emotional rollercoaster and you powerfully release and try to step forward at the same time.

This full moon eclipse is visible over the United States and wherever an eclipse is visible, it’s impact is believed to be stronger.  While this full moon will affect those on the entire planet, those in the United States who can witness the eclipse first-hand will likely feel its impact the most and those in the western states will have the best view of all.

The eclipse will begin at 5:51 Eastern Time and will set before the end of the eclipse will be visible. In Mountain Time, the peak of the eclipse will be around 6:30 am. Even if you are asleep during the eclipse, you will still feel the impact of the eclipse and experience the results in your life throughout the day. Do not be surprised if you feel extra sensitive, frustrated, joyful, and excited, all in the same day.

It is a great time to set intentions for what you want to bring in and release as your intentions will be super-charged with this extra-powerful full moon. During a lunar eclipse, the sun appears to go through the entire monthly cycle from full moon to new moon to full moon again in less than a couple of hours. Think of it as an entire month of energy going into a very short period of time. This is a special, magical, once in a life-time type of energy so use it well and remember how special it is to be alive right now.

Peace and happy manifesting (and releasing) to you all on this super powerful blue, super, blood moon!

Sources

Bustle,  Express News, NPR, Siddhayoga

Cadmium Toxicity and How to Heal It

Guest post by Wendy Myers

Click here to listen to the recent podcast interview with Wendy on Healing Powers Podcast!

Cadmium is a heavy metal that is incredibly toxic to the human body and ever-present in our environment. It targets many systems of the body and can cause a multitude of different symptoms. Cadmium toxicity almost always goes undetected by most traditional physicians.

Cadmium toxicity occurs when high levels of the element are accumulated in the body, whether it’s through the ingestion of food or drink, inhalation or direct exposure. Cadmium is involved in all of the major diseases of our time, including cancer, diabetes, arthritic syndromes, heart disease, kidney disease, depression, adrenal burnout, and others. The Environmental Protection Agency has classified Cadmium as a known carcinogen due to the dangerous effects it can have on human health (5).

You can also learn more about how cadmium and how other heavy metals impact health on the heavy metals summit or on a Healing Powers Podcast.

Sources of Cadmium

Cadmium is an incredibly toxic metal and is ever-present in our environment primarily due to industrial dumping. Cadmium is a metal that also occurs naturally in the environment. It accumulates in the body through food and water, but also through the air we breathe and the environment in which we live.

Cadmium can be found in such things as (1, 6, 8, 9):

·  Air pollution (from the incineration of rubber tires, plastic and paints)   ·  Artist’s paints   ·  Auto exhaust 

·   Batteries and corroded batteries in dumps   ·  Burning coal   ·  Candy    ·  Ceramics   ·   Coffee

·  Cigarettes and cigarette smoke (tobacco and marijuana)   ·  Congenital intoxication   ·  Contaminated drinking water

·  Copper alloys   ·  Dental alloys   ·  Dental materials like crowns   ·  Electroplating    ·  Fertilizers   ·  Fungicide

·  Food grown on cadmium contaminated soil (sewage sludge, chemical fertilizers, and contaminated irrigation water)

·  Galvanized pipes    · Hydrogenated oils    ·  Incineration of tires, rubbers, and plastics    ·  Instant coffee

·  Iron roofs   ·  Large ocean fish – tuna, cod, haddock    · Marijuana   ·  Metal coatings    ·  Motor oil    ·  Pigments

·  Occupational exposure  (through things such as the manufacturing of batteries, semiconductors, dental materials)

·  Plastics    ·  Plated containers   ·  Processed and refined foods    · Refined grains, flours, cereals    · Rubbe

·  Rubber carpet backing   ·  Seafood (cod, haddock, oysters, tuna)    ·  Sewage   ·  Sellfish     ·  Silver polish

·  Smelters   · Soft water   ·  Solder (including in food cans)    ·  Tap water    ·  Vapor lamps    · Welding material

·  Water (city, softened, well)

Mineral deficiency plays a role in contributing to cadmium toxicity. When one is nutritionally deficient in calcium, iron, protein, and/or zinc, cadmium is absorbed by the body to fill these “nutritional gaps.” (6)  Cadmium replaces the deficient nutrients to keep the body running.  Over time, as more and more cadmium is accumulated, toxicity symptoms will begin to present.

Toxic elements, like cadmium, replace nutrient minerals in enzyme binding sites. When this occurs, the metals inhibit, over-stimulate, or otherwise alter thousands of enzymes. An affected enzyme may operate at 5% of normal activity. This may contribute to many health conditions. Toxic metals may also simply deposit in many sites, causing local irritation and other toxic effects (7).

Toxic metals may also replace other substances in other tissue structures. The replacement weakens these tissues, such as the arteries, joints, bones, and muscles. Cadmium replaces zinc in vital enzyme binding sites. When there is a deficiency of zinc, the body is forced to use cadmium for repair. This can include the arteries, skin and other areas of the body where zinc is used for repair.

As you can see, the symptoms of cadmium toxicity are in direct correlation to a lack of the healthy minerals they replace (iron, calcium, and zinc).  This is why mineral balancing is so important!

Symptoms of Cadmium Toxicity

Cadmium poisoning has a vast variety of symptoms. It can affect a multitude of systems in the human body.  Toxicity of this element is known to show its presence in the Nervous, Cardiovascular, Digestive, Endocrine, Respiratory, Excretory, and both the male and female Reproductive Systems. (1) It even affects our energy levels and the chemical makeup of our brain.

Cadmium is a powerful stimulant to the adrenal glands. It irritates and boosts adrenal activity, although it does this in the unhealthy way that stimulants do, not a healthful manner. In fact, many need their cigarettes and coffee, and even marijuana, to give them their daily boost to their adrenal glands. Cadmium is one of many stimulants in these substances.

Dr. Lawrence Wilson believes that Cadmium hardens and toughens the tissues, and ages the body.  He says that it is associated with hardening of the arteries, hardening and destruction of the kidneys, and of all the organs, in fact.  This hardening can actually feel good, as though one is getting stronger and tougher, which is true, but it does so in a manner that actually weakens the entire body and opens it up to more cancers, and particularly heart disease. (7)

Some of the symptoms associated with cadmium toxicity include (1, 5, 6, 7):

·  Abdominal pain    ·  Aches   ·  Ages the skin   · Alcoholism   · Alopecia   · Anemia   ·  Arteriosclerosis

·  Arthritis (osteo and rheumatoid)    · Bone disease   ·  Bone pain in middle of bone(s)   · Cardiovascular disease

·  Cavities and tooth deformities   ·  Cerebral hemorrhage   ·  Cirrhosis   ·  Cramps  · Depression     · Diabete

·  Diarrhea   ·  Digestive disturbances    · Enlarged heart     · Fragile bones   · Growth impairment    ·  Headaches

·  Flu-like symptoms such as chills, muscle weakness, and aches (again, when breathing in cadmium polluted air

·  High cholesterol  · High blood pressure   · Hyperkinetic behavior   · Hyperlipidemia   · Hypertension

·  Hypoglycemia    ·  Impaired bone healing    · Impotence   ·    Inflammation   · Infertility    · Joint pain

·  Kidney disease (cadmium is very toxic to the kidneys)    · Learning disorders    · Liver damage   · Lung disease

·  Low energy    · Low sperm count      ·  Lung disease  · Memory loss/brain fog    ·  Migraines    · Muscle weakness

 ·  Nausea   ·  Nerve cell damage   ·  Prostate dysfunction     ·  Reduced fertility/reproductive disorder

·  Shortness of breath    ·  Smoker’s cough     ·  Schizophrenia   · Strokes    · Vomiting

·  Swelling of the nose, pharynx, and larynx (when chronically inhaling cadmium)

Health Conditions Caused by Cadmium

Cadmium Toxicity affects multiple parts of the body. This is why it can be almost impossible to diagnose cadmium toxicity and is frequently overlooked by traditional medical practitioners. Cadmium affects the following systems in the following ways (1,7):

·       Cancer: Cadmium is a very toxic metal and usually associated with the development of cancers.

·       Nervous System: Cadmium inhibits release of acetylcholine and activates cholinesterase. This results in a tendency for hyperactivity of the nervous system. Cadmium also directly damages nerve cells.

·       Energy: Cadmium causes strong inhibition of essential enzymes in the Krebs energy cycle.

·       Bones and Joints: Cadmium alters calcium and phosphorus metabolism, thus contributing to arthritis, osteoporosis and neuromuscular diseases. The findings of one study, conducted by the Division of Laboratory Medicine, Department of Toxicology, at the Medical University of Silesia, showed that cadmium has both a direct and indirect toxic effect on bones (3).

·       Cardiovascular System: Cadmium replaces zinc in the arteries, contributing to brittle, inflexible arteries.

·       Digestive System: Cadmium interferes with production of digestive enzymes that require zinc.

·       Reproductive System: In men, low sperm counts, prostate problems and impotence can result from cadmium-induced zinc deficiency. In women, cadmium can cause reduced fertility.

·       Endocrine System: Zinc is required for growth and insulin release. Cadmium can contribute to failure to thrive, delayed growth development, and diabetes.

·       Excretory System: Cadmium accumulates in the kidneys, resulting in high blood pressure and kidney disease.

·       Dental: Alterations in calcium and vitamin D activity, caused by cadmium toxicity, can result in cavities and tooth deformities.

·       Psychological: Cadmium toxicity is associated with learning disorders and hyperactivity. This may be due to zinc deficiency, or to inhibition of acetylcholine release in the brain.

·       Reproductive Health: Birth defects often are related to cadmium, when it replaces zinc and other metals in vital genetic functions and in the DNA and RNA of the body.  This causes defective genetic expression, which is not the same as defective genes. (7)

Some of the many adverse health conditions caused by cadmium include (1, 2, 5, 6):

·  Alopecia (hair loss)   ·  Adrenal fatigue   ·  Anemia   ·  Atherosclerosis    ·  Arteriosclerosis    ·  Arthritis, osteo

·  Arthritis, rheumatoid    ·  Aging    ·  Birth defects    ·  Bone repair, inhibited    ·  Cancer, pancreatic and others

·  Cardiovascular disease    ·  Cerebral hemorrhage     ·  Cirrhosis of the Liver    ·  Decreased fertility    · Diabetes

·  Elevated cholesterol     ·  Emphysema     ·  Enlarged heart    ·  Failure to thrive syndrome     · Hyperactivity in children

·  Hyperlipidemia (high levels of fat in blood)    · Hypertension    ·  Hypoglycemia    ·  Lung damage    ·  Inflammation

·  Kidney damage   · Migraines    · Osteoporosis     · Prostate function lowered     ·  Schizophrenia    · Strokes

· Testosterone levels (change in)    ·  Reduced sex drive    ·  Vascular disease

How to Detox Cadmium

An antagonist is an element that can help to push or detox cadmium out of the body. The following are antagonists of cadmium (1, 7):

·  Calcium   · Zinc   · Copper   ·  Vitamin D    ·  Vitamin C     · Iron    · Manganese   ·  Protein

You can identify the presence of this toxic mineral in your body with a hair mineral analysis and detox it with a Myers Detox Protocol program. I detoxed quite a bit of cadmium on this program and am very happy it’s out of my body!

You can also learn more about how cadmium and how other heavy metals impact health on the heavy metals summit or on a Healing Powers Podcast.

References

1. Analytical Research Labs, Inc. “Mineral Information”. http://arltma.com/Mineral_Information/Cadmium.html.

2. Borné Y, Fagerberg B, Persson M, Sallsten G, Forsgard N, Hedblad B, Barregard L, Engström G. “Cadmium exposure and incidence of diabetes mellitus – results from the Malmo Diet and Caner Study”. Department of Clinical Sciences in Malmö, Lund University, Skåne University Hospital, Malmö, Sweden. PLoS One. 2014 Nov 13;9(11):e112277. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0112277. eCollection 2014. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25393737.

3. Brodziak-Dopierała B , Kwapuliński J, Sobczyk K, Wiechuła D. “Analysis of the Content of Cadmium and Zinc in Parts of the Human hip Joint”.  School of Pharmacy, Division of Laboratory Medicine, Department of Toxicology, Medical University of Silesia, 4 Jagiellonska, Str, 41-200, Sosnowiec, Poland.  Biol Trace Elem Res. November 15, 2014 Nov 15.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25398542

4.  Díaz MD, González N, Gómez S, Quiroga M, Najle R, Barbeito C. “Effect of a Single Dose of Cadmium on Pregnant Wistar Rats and Their Offspring”.  Reprod Domest Anim. 2014 Oct 17. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25322905.

5. Global Healing Center. “The Health Dangers of Cadmium”. January 9, 2013; Updated May 16, 2013. http://www.globalhealingcenter.com/natural-health/health-dangers-of-cadmium/

6. McCoy, Kirsha MS “Cadmium Toxicity (Cadmium Poisoning)”. NYU Langone Medical Center. Reviewed February 2014. http://medicine.med.nyu.edu/conditions-we-treat/conditions/cadmium-toxicity.

7. Wilson, Lawrence, Dr. “Cadmium, the Pseudo-Masculine Mineral and a Death Mineral”. The Center for Development, Inc. October 2012. http://www.drlwilson.com/Articles/cadmium.htm

8. Wilson, Lawrence, Dr. “Toxic Metals and Detoxification”. The Center for Development, Inc. July 2014, http://www.drlwilson.com/articles/TOXIC%20METALS.htm.

9. Zhang X, Chen H, Jiang H, Lu W, Pan J, Qian Q, and Xue D. (College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, 310036, China). “Measuring the Damage of Heavy Metal Cadmium in Rice Seedlings by SRAP Analysis Combined with Physiological and Biochemical Parameters.” J Sci Food Agric. 2014 Oct 9. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25359308.

New Year, how you can make it great!

Guest Blog Post by Mary Silver

2018 will be a time of new beginnings!  Literally, we stepped into 2018 with a Full Super Moon on January 1 or 2nd, depending on where you were located.  This is the 2nd consecutive Full Super Moon's and it won't be the last!  There will be another Full Super Moon on January 31st!  That means we will have experienced 3 consecutive Full Super Moons stringing together the final moments of 2017 and the very beginning of 2018.  This is a message from above asking you to SEE your greatness.  Look at your desires and see how you can bring them forward into the light.  Your dreams are illuminated now, big time!  This is the time to implement any plans that bring your dreams into reality!

The numerology of 2018 gives even more insights.  2018 is an 11 Universal year.  That number reduces to a 2.  The Universal energy of 2018 will be fused with the double ones of the 11 and blend them with the 2 energy to form a beautiful partnership.  January is a 12/3 Universal month.  This energy is one of intuition, connection while standing on your own two feet, joy, and deep spiritual truths.  It is forward moving energy with the 1, 2, 3 code being represented.  If you have had any uncertainty over the past year, you will get the clarity you seek in 2018!  Your insights and intuition will be spot on all through out 2018.

To break it all down into bite size steps so you can make 2018 your best year yet:

1.  Take note of your greatness - write down 5 of your greatest accomplishments and give yourself praise and gratitude for completing them.

2.  Pay attention to your insights and intuition - get a journal and write down anything thoughts you get and feel into which ones light up your passion.  Then keep a list of those so you can develop a plan around how to work with these in 2018.

3.  Trust that you are here to co-create a beautiful partnership while standing in your own light and power - take note of business partnerships you may desire and look at your romantic partnerships.  Are they what you want them to be?  If not, get clear on what you do want them to look like and work towards that, as partnerships is a major theme for 2018.

4.  Feel into any blocks or stuck emotions - get in touch with your feelings and release any unwanted emotions through self-care and exercise.  Allow yourself to feel all of your emotions so you can release them once and for all!

5.  Focus on what you want - focus on your dreams, your desires, act in positive and loving ways, infuse joy and happiness into your plan, structure your days in order to support your dreams so that they manifest in physical form, quickly!

6.  Stay grounded and work from a schedule - get a calendar and schedule out your plan of action.  This is not a year to fly by the seat of your pants.  Write out your goals, make a step by step plan, and take action each day!  

This is the year for you to create all you desire in your career, your love life, and your overall prosperity! 

Wishing you an amazing 2018!

A Message from Barachiel - Angel of Blessings & Abundance

Archangel Barachiel

Name meaning: Blessings of God

Channeled message:

Expect good things and miracles to happen. If you need help with faith and hope, I am there. I know sometimes the heaviness of life wears on you and I am here to help. Often we are clearing out old unhealthy patterns and feel really miserable. If we can keep moving forward, the miracle will occur. Do not give up right before the miracle happens! If you need faith and need a miracle in your life, call on me. Watch out for roses or rose-petals as I send them to people to let them know I am helping them. Think of the beauty and wondrousness of the rose. The rose is beautiful, smells wonderful, and continues the cycle of creation. I chose the rose as my symbol because life can be beautiful and effective. Allow me to help beautify your life. You are beautiful and blessed, dear one; do not allow anyone to ever let you believe otherwise.

 Stories about the angel: It was not until I was writing this book that I learned that Archangel Barachiel is associated with lightning. I started writing and a storm quickly came through with a lot of thunder and lightning. I think it was just Barachiel saying hello. This makes sense as storms often serve to clear and flush out old energy and bring in fresh energy. I believe in this case it was Barachiel saying hello!

Specialties and depictions: Blessings, miracles, family, married life, children, prosperity and abundance

Associations: Roses, a single white rose, rose petals, overflowing bread basket, unexpected gifts, the scent of roses, laughter and humor, lightning, lucky charms, the color green

Invocation: Archangel Barachiel, please help me experience and believe in the blessings and miracles that are headed my way!

Other comments: Barachiel oversees all the guardian angels so you can work with him to connect more with your own personal guardian angel. Some say that he is an archangel and some say that he is a Seraphim.

Don't Give Up - The Importance of Perseverance

Don’t Give Up                                              

The message I am getting over, and over again, is the importance of persevering in your dreams or goals. When we see people, who have reached massive success, it is tempting to think that it just came easily to them when in fact, just the opposite is often the case. Walt Disney declared bankruptcy before achieving massive success and world-wide recognition. He’s not he only uber successful man to declare bankruptcy before achieving success and financial freedom. Milton Hershey (of Hershey chocolates, H. J Heinz (ketchup anyone?) and Henry Ford, all declared bankruptcy and struggled for a long time before achieving success.

Of course, there are many different kinds of struggles that successful people have overcome. I was listening to the Tony Robbins podcast and he was interviewing one of the founders of Airbnb about their struggles getting the company off-the-ground. At one point, the company founders talked with 10 different Silicon Valley investors who all said no. Thankfully they didn’t let that stop them from continuing to move forward – btw they are now a $30 billion company. It’s totally possible to get rejected by experts and have them be wrong. 

Other examples include J.K Rowling’s infamous rejection by multiple publishers for her Harry Potter transcript – don’t you bet those publishers are regretting that choice! Thankfully for her and for us, she persevered and did eventually get that book deal and the rest is history. She is now worth a $1 billion herself and her famous book series become a movie series, and there is even a theme-park based on the books.

There are so many of these kinds of examples so whatever you are hoping to achieve – success often comes after it seems elusive so don’t give up! If you want something, and you work at it long enough, it can be yours.

If you hit a wall and feel like you want to give up, here are some tips to help you move through the frustration and continue to move towards your vision for a better life:

·        Baby Steps: take small action steps, even 15 minutes a day on task for something you want can make a huge difference.

·        Break: If you are feeling burnt out, do something fun that you enjoy. We all need a mental break sometime.

·        Inspire: Do something that inspires you and surround yourself by inspiring people. They will rub off on you!

·        Body: Get moving literally! When we feel stuck, physical movement can help the energy flow and release endorphins so our outlook on just about everything improves.

·        Brainstorm: Think about some possible solutions to any obstacles in your way or things you can do to move forward.

·        Envision: Visualize yourself having the life and success you desire. Don’t just see it, but feel what it will be like when you achieve this.

One day, if you try one of these things and it doesn’t help, try another. This also keeps you from focusing on the problem – feeling stuck, and keeps your energy focused on what you want.

Stay positive and strong and keep moving forward. As long as you don’t give up hope, your dreams can come true! I realize this all sound rather hokey so hopefully I don’t sound too much like Jiminy Cricket. But I will say it again, your dreams really can come true!

New Moon In Libra October 2017 and Prince Of Heaven Date

Guest Post by Mary Silver

New Moon In Libra: October 19, 2017

The New Moon is a time to plant new ideas or recalibrate the direction you are headed.  With this New Moon we are looking at how to maintain balance and justice, while honoring our own desires of love, success, and wealth.  The New Moon is occurring in Libra at 26° on October 19th.  There are many layers to this particular New Moon.

First, the New Moon is happening on October 19th.  We are in a 1 Universal Year.  October is an 11 Universal month.  The 19th reduces into a 1 Universal day.  As you can see the number 1 is being triggered many times on this day.  The number one asks us to step up and be the leader we are meant to be.  It is about innovation, intuition, inspiration, and using our own unique ideas to be who you are meant to be in life.  Every person is an expert at something.  This is the time to bring it out of you and share it.  The New Moon is directing you to plant this idea firmly into the final quarter of the year.  Put your ideas and inspirations into a plan that will help you manifest love, wealth, and success.  This is your birthright!  The Universal energies are reminding you that you are here to experience joy, balance, and peace through expressing the bright side of courage. 

With the Sun being in Libra and the New Moon happening in Libra, we see an intensification of the energy needing balance and bringing forth love, justice, peace, wealth, and harmony.  Libra loves beauty and is always looking for the win/win situation.  Venus rules Libra.  Venus is also will also be in her home sign of Libra at 6° during the New Moon.  This is a complete link to love, abundance, beauty, wealth, and success.  The number 6 represents the nurturing energy that a dream needs to become real.  It is the mother energy of love, service, health, and harmony.  There is compassion and love oozing into the atmosphere.  The density of prosperity is easily tapped into at this time.  Be courageous.

Building wealth, and success through courage is another message being sent out at this time.  This is reflected in the number 19, (October 19th).  The number 19 is referred to as “The Prince of Heaven”.  The Prince of Heaven is symbolized by the Sun.  The Sun represents you, your unique gifts, and how you present in the world.  You are the "Prince of Heaven" by experiencing victory after disappointments or past failures.  The vibration of this number holds energy of rising to the top.  It is a masculine energy.  It is sometimes associated with Archangel Michael.  He is the protector, the warrior, and the clear communicator.  This energy is being presented to you for you to embody and use confidently in moving into your leadership position.  You will be protected and guided by the Divine.  Listen to your gut and be brave.  The energy is supporting you in all ways at this very moment!

Love, wealth and success are clearly part of this energy.  This is reflected in the position of the Moon at 26°.  The Sun is sitting directly in alignment with the New Moon at the same degree, 26.  The number 26 reduces to the number 8.  This is the number of great manifestation of wealth and success through action.  The 2 and the 6 are reflecting balance and service, compassion, and love.  Build your dreams while balancing your energy.  Be of service to others by sharing your expertise.  Send your light out to others with love and compassion.  It is part of the prosperity you are here to experience. 

Let’s pull it all together.  The message is clear, make a plan and take action on those ideas.  Use your intuition and step up and be the leader you are here to be.  Allow your shining moment to manifest bring in abundance.  You are supported and protected when you infuse your message with a win/win attitude.  Your shining moment is here.  Express your compassion and lead with love.  Allow the wealth, harmony, love, and success to be a part of your life.  This New Moon allows you to use the energy to direct the final quarter of 2017 in the way you desire.  Step forward and let your light shine bright!

For more information on Mary Silver, go to https://www.marybaileysilver.com/

Archangel Chamuel: A Channeled Message and More

This is an excerpt from Laura Powers’ forthcoming book on Archangels and Ascended Masters!

Channeled message:

So many of you are going through challenging experiences now. It is often difficult to release that which is no longer serving us. Know that what challenges us, does make us stronger. Do not fear this change. Imagine yourself like metal that is forged through the fire. All that is not essential is burned away to reveal the strength and beauty within. You are all so much stronger than you think you are. Know that you are never sent anything you cannot handle. Lean on us for strength when you need it.

Name meaning: He who sees God

Specialties and depictions: Clearing dark energy, finding lost items (especially wedding rings), forgiveness, romantic love, inner peace, catharsis, life purpose, strength, and tough love

Associations: Fire, the color pale green, initiations

Invocation: Archangel Chamuel, please help me find what I have lost, and find what I need in myself to heal and feel inner peace. Please assist me in healing my relationships and having the strength to follow my true path.

Other comments: When I see Chamuel, he is often on fire. Not a dangerous fire, but a cathartic fire which helps to clear away the superfluous and strengthen us. Call on him if you feel you are going through trials and need strength.

Stories about the angel: He really is good at finding wedding rings. A few years ago, a good friend asked me if her wedding ring was truly gone. It had been missing for a year. I got psychically to ask Chamuel to help find it. A few weeks, later she got a phone call from someone who had found it.

Mercury Retrogrades

Dates: Retrograde 8-12-17, Forward Motion 9-5, Out of Retrograde Shadow 9-18-17, Next Retrograde 12-22-17

When a planet goes on retrograde, it means the influences from that planet are reduced. When a planet goes retrograde, it appears to move backwards in the sky, from the earth’s perspective. Some planets go retrograde more often and for shorter periods of time whereas some planets go into retrograde infrequently. Knowing what each planet represents and when it is retrograde can help prevent frustration and have more peace of mind in dealing with the issues that are brought to the surface during that retrograde.

This past month there have been several planets in retrograde. On the one hand, it may have felt especially challenging and triggering, on the other hand, this means that it was a great time to see what was working and what wasn’t and make modifications.

Mercury rules communication, transportation, and technology and deals with anything related to expression. When mercury is in retrograde, it seems to us that there are problems or delays with technology, communication, travel and in general, trying to move forward on plans. It is not a great time to make big commitments, launch new programs or projects, and sign contracts as things may not be as they seem to be during the retrograde period. It may also not be the best time to travel or if you do, give yourself extra time to get to and from places and do not be surprised if there are travel delays or necessary changes made to travel plans. Even going to and from appointments may seem like more of an ordeal during mercury in retrograde periods with traffic jams, construction delays, or other problems. It is a great time to slow down, not to overcommit yourself and wrap up or tidy loose ends with old projects. I personally like to go through my closet and belongings and clear out anything that isn’t bringing me joy or I am not using anymore. Most of the frustration during mercury in retrograde periods happens when we fight the tide so to speak, trying to go out when the tide is coming in, etc.

So now that you are reading this, we are out of the shadow period for Mercury and the next one isn’t until December 22 of this year. I recommend putting it on your calendar now so you can plan to slow down, not overcommit and wrap up old things during the next retrograde cycle.

Sources:

Café Astrology

Find Your Fate

The Eclipse, Mercury Retrograde, and Astro Update

Guest post by Mary Bailey Silver

It's here!  The big solar eclipse everyone has been talking about is happening!  Let's take a look at how the energy of the eclipse will affect you.

The eclipse happens on Monday August 21st for those in the USA.  August is a 18/9 Universal month.  The number 9 is showing us that the past 9 years cycle of our life needs to be let go.  A shift needs to take place so when we start the next 9 year cycle, we are starting with a clean slate.  It's a time for reflection and release.  Take some time to reflect on what needs to change in all areas of your life.  The past is the past, it's time to let it go and create a future full of passion and abundance!  

August 21 is important as the number 21 is known as "The Crown of the Magi", which is the Universe and all the gifts it has to offer.  It is showing us that after the long 9 year struggle we have gone through, abundance and the Universal gifts are here for us to claim!  We all have the right to abundance and these numbers reflect that through joy, happiness, and true self-expression we will receive the gifts we have been seeking.  

This solar eclipse is happening in the sign of Leo.  Leo rules the sun!  Leo also rules the heart!  This is showing us that what is in our hearts is the focus now.  We are to look inside our hearts and find what has been needing release and transformation.  Now is a time to make a change.  Leo is a fire sign and loves to be in the spotlight.  It is a powerful sign that asks us to light the fire inside ourselves and initiate desire!  Let what is in your heart come alive and be expressed!

There is a new moon happening at the same time of the eclipse.  This is asking us to set our intentions to move forward and create all we desire.  New beginnings are going to create lasting change.  Look inward and find your inner light.  What makes you happy?  What brings you joy?  Use this time to get really clear so when September comes you are ready to take action and make these changes.  Remember, Mercury is in Retrograde, (direct on September 5) so wait to make these changes until after it is over to lessen any communication issues that could pop up.

This is a time to release, set new intentions, get fired up, and follow what our hearts truly want!  This energy will have lasting effects.  Eclipse energy is extremely potent and the effects are felt for a year to two years after one has happened.  Make this time work in your favor and be a conscious creator in love and prosperity!

Laura’s Gluten Free, Paleo, and Egg Free Bread Recipe

I decided to experiment with baking because I couldn’t find any commercially made bread that was grain, sugar, and dairy free. Thankfully it is possible to make bread that is all of things and in my opinion still tasty. No, it doesn’t taste like wheat-bread but it is still tasty and best of all – doesn’t make me sick! It’s also very high in fiber, which is something most people don’t get enough of and is high in healthy fats.

You can modify the recipe by using sunflower seeds to make it nut-free. If you prefer to substitute butter or eggs you can do that as well. For a firmer bread, use cocoa butter as the shortening. For a texture that is less solid, sub the cocoa butter for coconut oil.

Once baked, I personally like to put almond butter on it though it also tastes great with a coconut spread or vegan cheese. If you have a sweet tooth – I am sure that honey or jam would be great on it too.

Happy Baking and Bon Appetit!

Grain Free and Vegan Bread Recipe

Ingredients

1/2 cup whole psyllium husks (whole)

1 cup boiling filtered water

2/3 cup almond flour (for not free, use sunflower seed flour)

1/3 cup coconut flour

1 teaspoon cream of tartar

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup cocoa butter (can also use coconut oil, butter, or ghee if preferred)

3 tablespoons melted virgin coconut oil 

Optional: add cinnamon, carob or other additive for flavor

Instructions

Preheat oven 350°F. Blend all the dry ingredients in a bowl. Heat shortening to melting point. Bring water to boil or near boiling and combine with dry ingredients, stirring to combine evenly. Once completely combined, add the melted shortening and blend thoroughly.


Pour dough into a greased 8 x 6 or 8 x 4 inch loaf pan and make sure it is spread evenly throughout.

Bake at 350°F for about 40-50 minutes, until top is browned and center is solid.

Best if consumed within a few days or frozen for later consumption.


 

Summer Eclipses and What They Mean for You

This coming full solar eclipse is getting a lot of buzz! It’s the biggest solar eclipse that North America has seen since 1918! Eclipses bring change, and often times unexpected turnarounds. Astrologically, the eclipses come to help us clear out things that are holding us back.

Coming Eclipses

There is a partial lunar eclipse is coming on August 7/8 around noon Mountain time that will be viewable from Europe and Asia. Then on August 21 is the big event at 12:30 pm Mountain Time.  The eclipse will be most visible around Portland, Oregon which has inspired a lot of people to go there to see the eclipse. But don’t worry, you don’t have to see the eclipse for it to impact you and you will likely be able to at least one of the eclipses from your location if you want to make memories of this historic event.

What Happens During an Eclipse

During a lunar eclipse, the earth is between the moon and the sun which means the moon is not getting the light from the sun. Think of a lunar eclipse as like an uber full moon! Lunar eclipses are always on full moons and they usually indicate endings of some kind in our life.

During a solar eclipse on the other hand, the moon blocks the sun from the earth’s perspective. Astrologically speaking, it’s like an uber new moon because solar eclipses always happen on new moons.

What it means for you

Eclipses often show up as the wild cards to shake up areas in our lives that need shaking up! They often bring about unexpected events and sometimes make us do a 180-degree turn. Though this can be challenging, it is always for our highest good and in order bring us something better and shift us into new levels of consciousness.

By knowing which house the eclipse falls in your chart you can get a better sense of how you will be impacted. Whether or not you look into this in advance, just be aware that the eclipses will bring change, likely quite rapidly. Rather than fight it, think of riding the wave of change and it will go a lot more smoothly. Just like the tide, the change cannot be stopped, only dealt with.

So, hold onto your hats and enjoy the ride!

Sources

Astrology Zone

Well Being

Timeanddate.com

Timeanddate.com

The Healing Power of Sleep

It has come to my attention recently just how important sleep is for our health, mental state, and success. We also are living in a society that often views sleep deprivation as a sign that you are hard-working and determined. I have been getting a lot of messages from my angels and spirit guides lately that going without sleep is not something we should push ourselves to do. I do understand that there are times when this must happen short-term, however sleep deprivation can have serious health consequences. I hope that reading this you will allow yourself to get the rest that you need without feeling guilty or judged.

What happens when you sleep

Your immune system is replenished. Specifically, when you sleep your body repairs cells, blood vessels and even your heart. Your brain also creates neural pathways which help with the processing and retention of knowledge from the previous day. It is for this reason that if you are doing a lot of learning, you remember and retain more knowledge when you sleep a full night. Sleep also has a big impact on weight and helps you regulate your blood sugar. There is also a connection between rest and beauty as getting a good amount of sleep translates to vibrant and healthy-looking skin and overall appearance – hence the term “beauty sleep.”

What happens when you don’t sleep

Sleep-deprivation has been linked to suicide, depression and making poor decisions. Because sleep is connected with healing cells and the circulatory system, chronic sleep deficiency can increase the risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, and stroke. Since your blood sugar is not being regulated, those who don’t get enough sleep are usually heavier than their counterparts who are getting enough sleep.

When you don’t get enough sleep, it’s also bad for beauty: skin conditions get worse due to increased inflammation. It also leads to visible problems like darkness or bags under the eyes, dull skin and red eyes.

When you don’t get enough sleep, you brain also tries to accommodate by going into micro-sleep. Micro-sleep is what happens when your brain essentially goes to sleep or goes into autopilot when you are awake, such as when you drive somewhere and don’t remember doing it. So, driving while sleep-deprived is similar to driving drunk in terms of impairment. Not sleeping for as little as 17 hours can be the same as being drunk.

Another negative aspect of not getting enough sleep is that your brain actually clears away neurons when you don’t get enough sleep which leads to cognition and memory problems and, over time, leads to a much greater risk of dementia and Alzheimer’s. You can watch a great TED talk about that here.

To sum up, chronic sleep deprivation leads to increased risk of:

·        Weight gain

·        Diabetes

·        Depression and suicide

·        Memory problems and poor knowledge retention

·        Heart disease, stroke, and high blood pressure

·        Alzheimer’s and dementia

·        Accidents (auto and falls)

·        Lowered libido and attractiveness

Additionally, lack of sleep creates inflammation which speeds up the ageing process and makes us sick and look tired.

How to get better sleep

If you feel guilty for letting yourself go to sleep, there are some tools that can help you clear that. I am a fan of tapping to help release unhealthy beliefs or patterns. You can read my blog post on how to tap and watch a brief instructional video here.

Good sleep habits can really help too. Turn off bright lights a few hours before sleep and minimize interaction with electronic devices. Create a nighttime, relaxing ritual. This can include reading a book, taking a bath, meditation, journaling, drinking a relaxing herbal tea, or relaxing yoga. Create a time for you to wind-down and get your body and mind time to prep for sleep. Do not do intense exercise or do stressful activities or use electronics (no checking email) 2-3 hours before sleep. This can really help with making sure that you mind is not wired but tired.  To get good quality sleep, it’s also extremely helpful to have a comfortable sleep environment. Make sure there are no flashing lights on in your room or anything else stimulating. If you struggle with traffic or other outside noises a white noise machine or playing nature sounds can help you fall asleep. I also recommend turning on “airplane mode” or “do not disturb” on your phone as notifications and even the signal itself can stimulate you and make it difficult to go into deep sleep.

Here is a summary of how to ensure you get better sleep:

·        Eliminate or reduce light sources in your room

·        Put electronics in airplane mode and turn off notifications or reminders

·        Create a nighttime ritual to relax

·        Stay off electronics 2 to 3 hours before bed

Hopefully this article helps you work understand why sleep is important and you found some tips to help you sleep. Sleeping is one of the best things we can do for our health and peace of mind.

Sources

EduBirdie

Every Day Health

Harvard School of Public Health

Health Spirit Body

Health Line

Lisa Genova TED Talk

Science Alert

Beneficial Uses for Activated Charcoal

Recently while feeling sick I learned about the benefits of Activated Charcoal. I started to do some research and was amazed by what I learned about activated charcoal and how handy it can be.

What is activated Charcoal?

Activate charcoal is charcoal that has gone through a special heating process that creates lots of nooks and crannies in the charcoal. It is extremely porous and attracts positive ions to itself. This allows the activated charcoal to absorb lots of yucky stuff. Activated charcoal is sold as a powder, liquid, or in capsules. I am a fan of the capsules because you can swallow them and avoid the mess or you can open up them up for many of the uses I describe below. Please note that activated charcoal and the charcoal you use for the barbeque are not the same thing. Charcoal for grilling has lots of chemicals and should not be used for any of the purposes outlined below. Also charcoal of any kind can stain surfaces or clothing so be aware of that and be careful when using it.

For poisons

Because activated charcoal can absorb toxins, it is used in emergency rooms all over the world to deal with poisons and drug overdoses. It is an incredibly potent detox tool so a little bit goes a long way.

Clearing Out Toxins from Food Poisoning or Food Borne Illness

I have learned first-hand how effective activated charcoal can be for this. When I was traveling in Ukraine in College, I got a bad campylobacter bacterial infection. I quickly became sick while on a train and they stopped it despite there being hundreds of passengers to get me a doctor. They then gave me activated charcoal to soak up the toxins. This patched me up until I could fly home. It was literally a life-saver for me. To date, that is the only time in my life I have ever thought I was going to die. This kind of bacterial infection can be deadly or cause permanent damage and luckily I ended up being okay in the long term.

I later experienced more benefits when I was having a bad reaction to chlorine and fluoride in the water. After taking activated charcoal, I stopped feeling extremely sick. I now travel with activated charcoal and always have it on hand and home for this reason alone. You never plan to get food poisoning so when you get sick, trying to get medicine can be problematic. Luckily you can easily put a handful of capsules in a small baggie or pillbox and take them with you.

Cleaning and Whitening Your Teeth

It may seem strange since activated charcoal is clearly black but it actually whitens teeth. You can use the contents of one capsule or simply get a container of the loose activated charcoal to use for this purpose. Just be aware that charcoal can stain certain surfaces or fabrics so be careful when handling it. Put a little bit from the capsule into your mouth or dip your toothbrush into the powdered charcoal and then brush your teeth gently since charcoal can be abrasive if brushed hard regularly. Afterwards, rinse with water until clear. This whitens teeth, freshens breath, and helps kill bacteria.

*If you have veneers or crowns, it may stain them. Also discontinue this if tooth sensitivity occurs.

As a skin mask for beautiful skin

Activated charcoal is also great for cleaning out your skin through a gentle mask. You can mix the contents of one capsule or use a pea-sized amount mixed with two teaspoons of moisturizer, aloe vera gel, or mud mask. If using a mud mask, you might want to add a drop or two of water to get the right consistency. Spread the mixture onto the face and then rinse it out. Dirt, toxins, and bacteria will bind together and help you get clear and glowing skin.

Spot treatment for bug bites and breakouts

For use with bug bites or stings, mix the content of one capsule of activated charcoal or a pea-sized amount nd mix with coconut oil. Apply to the affected area and reapply every 30 minutes until the itching or burning stops. Use a band aid or bandage to protect the bite and prevent the staining of your clothes or furniture. This can also be used for skin exposed to poisonous plants such as poison ivy.

For breakouts, make a concentrated treatment similar to the facial mask but use one capsule of activated charcoal with 1 teaspoon of aloe vera gel, moisturizer or skin mask. Double the recipe for use on a larger area.

Treating Alcohol Poisoning or to Help Prevent Hangover

Activated charcoal can help remove the toxins from the body that contribute to a hangover or alcohol poisoning. In addition to toxins from the alcohol, drinks with mixers may contain chemicals including artificial sweeteners and colors or other additives. Activated charcoal can help your body clear out these toxins as well.

While activated charcoal does not absorb alcohol, it does help quickly remove other toxins from the body that contribute to poisoning. Alcohol is rarely consumed in its pure form; mixers that include artificial sweeteners and chemicals are common. Activated charcoal removes these toxins and helps minimize the effects ofhangover.

Conclusion

When using activated charcoal, it’s important to note that charcoal used for lighting fires and activated charcoal is not the same thing. The uses I’ve listed are for activated charcoal specifically.

These are just a few uses for activated charcoal. Because it’s so handy, I always keep it in my natural first aid kit as well as with my toiletries for beauty. Another great thing about activated charcoal is that it is economical, and since it’s so versatile, it’s highly likely that you can use it on a regular basis. If you’ve never tried it, there are many other uses in addition to the ones I’ve listed here.

Sources:

Dr. Axe

David Wolfe

Wellness Mama

Listening To Your Body

Recently I was traveling in Austin for SXSW and I started feeling sick. I wasn’t just feeling a little sick but a lot sick and was a bit puzzled because I eat well and it didn’t feel like food poisoning or the stomach flu. But I felt pretty badly and so I tuned in psychically and got that it was from chemicals including chlorine and fluoride in the tap water. I generally do drink spring water but when I travel, I would sometimes drink tap water at restaurants. Since I was at a festival and out and about a lot, I was drinking more tap water than usual (but probably still no more than 3 glasses a day). So, I was a little surprised that I was feeling so sick, after all, I was only drinking a little bit of tap water. I started to do some research on chlorine and fluoride and learned that its highly toxic, and that the kind of fluoride in water is much more toxic than the kind in toothpaste (though I still avoid it in toothpaste as well).

I read several articles and blog posts and a few books on water fluoridation including The Case Against Flouride: How Hazardous Waste Ended Up In Our Drinking Water and the Bad Science and Powerful Politics that Keep It There. I was amazed at what I read but here are a few points to consider regarding water fluoridation.

• The fluoride that is in tap water is a completely different kind of fluoride than the type toothpaste that is actually a chemical byproduct. Pharmaceutical grade fluoride is what is in toothpaste, the kind in water which is byproduct from the phosphate industries.

• Many countries including China (a country not-known to be toxic and pollution free) do not allow fluoride in water because they consider it too toxic.

• The amount of fluoride in a glass of water is enough to cause an 8 point IQ drop (enough of a different to move you from the normal to dull range). A 5-point reduction on average of IQ doubles the number of people considered mentally retarded so this is a significant statistic.

• There is a financial aspect to IQ loss as it relates to a person’s ability to make better money.

• Flouride collects in the pineal gland (believed to be the 3rd eye is housed in the brain) and can increase hypothyroidism and create goiters.

• There is also evidence of increased cell death, arthritis, dementia, bone fractures, and cancer.

After learning all this stuff, it’s really no surprise that fluoride was making me sick. Once I switched to drinking spring water or water that was purified to remove fluoride (most purified water does not), I felt much better.

               I wanted to share about this experience because it’s very important for all of us to honor what feels good in our bodies. Even though many will tell you that fluoride is good and safe, it was not feeling good in my body. Pay attention to what feels right for you and do your research. The more you pay attention to and honor what feels right for you, the better you will likely feel.

               On the plus side, as a part of this experience, I really learned the benefits of using activated charcoal to help absorb toxins and start to feel better. I will be writing about that soon so stay tuned.

Sources:

http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2011/10/11/dr-bill-osmunson-on-fluoride.aspx

http://wilderdom.com/intelligence/IQWhatScoresMean.html

The Case Against Flouride: How Hazardous Waste Ended Up In Our Drinking Water and the Bad Science and Powerful Politics that Keep It There

http://www.mystatesman.com/news/local/austin-will-continue-fluoridating-city-water/8u9XjeyCHzJ1bxzoqSKtaM/  

Clearing the Chakras

The Chakras are energy centers in the body. When these energy centers are flowing, we are healthy and vibrant and feel peaceful. When they are blocked, clogged, or malfunctioning, they negatively impact our health and mindset. This is why working on the chakras is so powerful. Heal or help the chakras and you can help both your physical, mental, and emotional health. Taking even a little bit of time to focus on chakra clearing work can have profound effects on multiple areas of your life. Yoga works to heal and help the chakras as well. I will never forget when I was going through a big purging phase and went to yoga. After just a short time of yoga, I felt extremely nauseated and almost threw up. I now understand this is because my chakras were being cleared out through the yoga stretches. Since I was already doing a lot of purging and had recently left a toxic relationship, my chakras were very clogged and there was a lot of clearing to do.

It is not uncommon to go through big physical shifts when our chakras are clearing. I have been known to feel nauseous when my solar plexus chakra is clearing and feel intense heart pain when the heart chakra is clearing. If this is happening to you, do not over-exert yourself. Do relaxing things, drink lots of water, and allow yourself to have extra rest if you feel you need it.

The chakras are arranged at the center of the body with the first chakra sitting at the base of the spine going all the way to the crown chakra at the top of the head. In my book Angels and Manifesting, I created a chakra chart to go over the different chakras, what they represent, their colors, and associated emotions and blocks. You can read that here.

Per client request, I also created this chakra meditation. You can get comfortable and listen to this meditation to help identify issues and blocks and then work to heal them. This is a very powerful way to effect change and healing in the body and in your life. Even a little bit of time spent doing this work can have profound effects and doing the meditation regularly can help you speed up your shifting and healing.

As they say in yoga, Namaste.

Tapping to Clear Blocks

What is Tapping?

Tapping is a great tool that allows us to clear or release emotional blockages in the body for relief. It operates behind a similar principle as acupressure or acupuncture. Essentially there are energy meridians in the body and we can release or reduce emotional triggers or patterns by tapping key points on the body. It sounds quite simple but I have found it to be quite profound in its impact and one of the amazing aspects of it is that it happens fast!

I’ve gone through detailed instruction in this article however if you’d like to see a video with demo tapping, you can watch that here or on itunes. 

Identity the Issue

The first step is to identify the issue. This could be an unhealthy belief pattern or habit or even a physical pain. Because many physical pains have an emotional block at their root, it can work for physical problems too. The issue could be feeling blocked financially or frustration from lack of opportunities. It could be not feeling supported emotionally or anger at a particular person. It might also be related to dissatisfaction related to some aspect of your physical health or an addiction. Often when we release the blockage, it gives us more ease in dealing with the practical aspects of the issue as well as releases the negative emotion which increases our vibration and allows us to manifest bigger and better things and experiences. I’ve included some sample tapping phrases to get you started and of course feel free to create your own.

·       I do not feel supported (optional to include specifics in terms of individuals or life areas such as health, finances, at work, by partner, children, etc.)

·       I want to be in better shape.

·       I do not have the financial freedom I desire.

·       I am overwhelmed with stress.

·       I am having a hard time of letting go of my addiction.

Again, choose one issue at a time and run through all the points tapping on the same phrase. Whichever phrase is the most triggering for you is a good one to start on.

Rate the Issue

The next step is to rate yourself on a scale of 1 to 10 on that particular issue. In others words, how bad is it with 10 being the worst and 1 being the best? You can do this just by checking in with yourself and see what number pops up in your mind.

Drink a Glass of Water

This might seem like an extraneous step but water helps to flush out your system of toxins and unhealthy or blocked emotions are toxic to our bodies and must be cleared through our bodies’ detoxifying system as well. Water supports that through its natural cleansing properties.

Identify the Tapping Points

The tapping points include points on the hand (karate chop points) as well as several points on the face and head, and several on the torso. I have included an image below for you to help identify the tapping points. I recommend tapping with either the first two or the send two fingers ensuring you are covering the tapping points each time you tap. If this feels uncomfortable, tap with just your pointer finger.  

Use the diagrams to reference the points below. You can tap on just one side or both sides of the face or body.

Tap the Phrase You Have Chosen to the Tapping Points

I recommend choosing one phrase at a time to focus on.  Once you have determined your rating, let’s say it’s a 3, then start tapping in the phrase using the following format.

I typically tap the karate chop point followed by the eyebrow, corner of eye, under eye, under nose, chin, collarbone, underarm, and sore spot with the top of head point last. Say the phrase through at least one time per point. 

“Event though, (insert issue), I completely love and accept myself.”

Here are a few examples:

“Even though I do not feel supported, I completely love and accept myself.”

“Even though I am angry at ______ for doing _________, I completely love and accept myself.”

“Even though, I wish I was in better shape, I completely love an accept myself.”

“Even though I am afraid of failure, I completely love and accept myself.”

“Even though I am afraid of success, I completely love and accept myself.”

“Even though, I am addicted to _______, I completely love and accept myself.”

Rate Yourself and Reassess

After one or two rounds of tapping, stop and pause to rate yourself. Has it gone down? If it has but has not gone down very far, keep going. Stop either when you rate zero or when you feel the need to stop. Sometimes we need some time to integrate the energy shifts and may feel overwhelmed if we try to clear too much at a time. That said, it is possible to clear blocks very quickly and relatively easily using this technique!

Keep Going and Tap Related Issues    

This work is very effective however it can be like the layers of the onion. Once you work on one phrase, there may be a related phrase or topic which pops up to clear. Keep working on them but be assured that you can make big progress with just a little bit of time and focus on this work.

You can also watch the instructional video that Laura made about tapping on iTunes or YouTube.