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Three Quick Winter Tips

12/17/2015

 
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Did you know?

1.  Oregano oil is a natural remedy for colds and other winter ailments?

Recent research documents that as many as 80% of all chronic sinus, ear and lung problems are due to mold and fungal infections.  Even skin disease particularly dermatitis, eczema, and psoriasis are due to fungus.  Oregano has been found to be the most powerful for halting the growth of fungi.
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By putting a few drops of this essential oil on the soles of your feet and/or your tailbone this powerful oil gets right into the bloodstream and starts to clean the body.  I use oregano every day starting the end of October until the middle of March on the soles of my feet. I am happy to report I have not had the flu or cold in 5 years.  You can pick a bottle up at my office the next time you stop in.

2.  You should never warm your cold hands in warm water? 

In these cold winter months our hands and fingers can quickly get that uncomfortable numb feeling when we have been outside in the cold too long. The best and safest way to warm your hands and fingers is to place them under your armpits! Seriously! This allows the tissue in your hands to gradually warm up to your normal body temperature.  Sounds a bit smelly but it works!
 
3.  Drinking water at specific times can boost your health?

Drinking water at a certain time maximizes its effectiveness on the body. Try this:
Two glasses of water after waking helps activate internal organs.
One glass of water 30 minutes before a meal helps digestion.
One glass of water before taking a bath helps lower blood pressure.
One glass of water before going to bed helps to avoid stroke and heart attack. Water at bedtime also can prevent leg cramps. 
 
I hope you are having a happy and healthy holiday season!
 
To your health!
Gail Grieger


Scary Sugar Substitutes

12/7/2015

 
We all know that too much sugar can pack on the pounds – especially during these winter months when our activity levels tend to drop off. Add in the holidays with all of those tempting foods and sweets and suddenly the clothes are fitting a little tighter! To cut down on sugar many people look to sugar substitutes to satisfy their sweet tooth. But beware. Some of those sweeteners might be more harmful than the sugar you are avoiding! Below are three to avoid. But be sure to read all the way to the bottom for a natural sugar substitute that tastes good but without all of the bad side effects.

Aspartame: This chemically produce product, up to 22 times sweeter than sugar, is commonly found under the brand name NutraSweet and the most widely used artificial sweetener in the country.  According to sweetpoision.com, aspartame can-unlike saccharin-break down as it is digested and can deposit itself in any tissue.  More than 90 adverse side effects have been linked to aspartame, including blindness, hearing impairment, severe tremors, personality changes, high blood pressure and nausea.

Saccharin: Around since the early 1950’s, saccharin can be up to 500 times sweeter than sugar and is commonly found in toothpaste and dietary foods.  It has been banned by some countries after lab tests indicated it could cause bladder cancer-but is still available in the United States.

Splenda: Also known as sucralose, Splenda is made through the chlorinization of sucrose, is four times sweeter than aspartame, and can be used in baking.  An ingredient in diet Coke and in at least one Starbucks offering {its Frappuccino light blended coffee line} sucralose has been criticized by some as possibly causing long-term health problems, such as chronic immunological and neurological disorders.

The healthy choice:

Stevia:  Extracted and processed from herbs and shrubs in Latin America, this darling of many in the health-food industry is about 200 times sweeter than sugar.  It has been widely used in Japan for more than a quarter-century. Studies have shown it is acceptable for use by diabetics, can lower blood pressure and has been known to reduce one’s appetite for tobacco and alcohol.  In 1995, the FDA gave its approval for use solely as a dietary supplement and there are now several stevia products on the store shelves. Just look for it next to the sugars and sweeteners in the baking aisle of your favorite grocer.

To your health!
Gail Grieger

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    Welcome to my Blog!

    Thanks for checking out my blog. I have had a life-long interest in all things related to health and wellness, which is part of the reason I became a massage therapist. I am constantly on a mission to increase my knowledge and I like to share what I learn with others. My hope is that these posts will be interesting and provide you with information and tips that can improve your health. If I can ever answer a question or if you think you might benefit from therapeutic massage, please give me a call or send me a note.

    Gail Grieger, CMT, CFH

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