Recent Blog Posts

  What Dangers Can Perfumes & Other Fragrances Pose to Your Health?   We have all been there. You are in a movie theater, on an airplane or in some other closed quarters that, for whatever reason, you are required to remain in. Then in walks that man or woman wearing way too much of the strongest -- and usually worst smelling -- cologne or perfume. Of course, they usually sit right next to you. At best, this is an annoyance. But especially for those with chemical sensitivities, and also for everyone else, perfumes, colognes and other fragrances can actually harm your health. The chemicals in your favorite fragrance may be making your friends, coworkers and family sick. What are Fragrances Made Of? About 95 percent of the chemicals used in fragrances are synthetic, petroleum-based compounds. For people with allergies or multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS), these chemicals can lead to allergic reactions like sneezing, itchy watery eyes, wheezing and headaches. Other health conditions that can be exacerbated by fragrances, according to Tracie DeFreilas Saab, M.S., author of a comprehensive discussion, [...]

  How to Prevent Alzheimer's: The Most Effective Ways to Avoid this Rapidly Increasing Disease   Alzheimer's disease already affects 4.5 million Americans--more than twice the number that were affected in 1980--but that number is expected to grow significantly. By the year 2050, it's estimated that 11.3 million to 16 million Americans may develop the disease, according to the Alzheimer's Association. Alzheimer's disease affects the brain, progressively destroying a person's ability to: Learn and reason Make judgments Carry out daily activities Walking and other exercise can improve your mental ability even as you get older. It may also change the person's personality and result in anxiety, suspiciousness, delusions and hallucinations. There is currently no known cure. The causes are also unknown, but one major risk factor is age. The majority of people with Alzheimer's are over the age of 65 -- an age after which the chances of developing the disease double every five years. But, of course, just because you age or get older does not mean that you will develop Alzheimer's, and there are, in fact, known methods [...]

  Is Your Teenager Starting College? 10 Tips to Cut Back Costs Big Time While 56% of students attend four-year colleges or universities that charge tuition of less than $9,000 a year, 9 percent attend colleges with tuition of $33,000 or more a year. Paying for college tuition is one of the biggest expenses that many parents encounter. About 56 percent of students attend four-year colleges or universities that charge tuition and fees of $9,000 a year or less, 38 percent attend institutions that charge between $3,000 and $6,000 in tuition and fees, and about 9 percent attend colleges with fees totaling $33,000 or more per year. And this year, despite the economy, many families are footing the bill for their child’s education. A survey conducted by the Gallup organization for Sallie Mae (the largest U.S. student loan provider) found that 58 percent of families paid for college for the school year without loans. This is a large expense to come out of your income and savings … and as any parent of a college student already knows, the costs [...]

  Is Your Liver Making You Fat? How a Toxic Liver Seriously Affects Your Weight and Health   Over the past 30 years, Americans have become more obsessed with finding a miracle cure for losing weight and increasing energy. The irony of this newfound preoccupation is that, even though we have more diet food and energy drinks than ever, the nation is, sadly, more obese, toxic and inactive than ever. One of the most overlooked contributors to weight gain, and associated problems like fatigue and low energy, is your diet and lifestyle’s impact on your liver. A fundamental part of our nation’s weight and health problem lies in how we view our food. Though many low-fat food and energy drink companies would like you to believe their products are the ‘solution’ to all your health issues, what you may not realize is that these products are more apt to make the conditions that you so desperately want to get rid of, much, much worse. The truth of the matter is: a healthy body doesn’t consist of low-fat, chemical-laden food and [...]

  Too Much Sitting May Increase Your Risk of Chronic Disease … and Premature Death These days you likely hear a lot about sedentary lifestyles, and how this inactivity can lead to obesity and all of its related problems. But what you may not realize is that the word “sedentary” comes from the Latin word “sedere,” which means “to sit.” Sitting too much can interfere with your metabolism and weight, and may contribute to heart disease. Being sedentary could actually be described as any behavior during which energy expenditure is low, which always applies to prolonged periods of sitting at home, at work, during your commute and even during your leisure time. Now, as with all sedentary activities, the evidence is increasing that shows sitting is, in fact, a risk factor for not only chronic disease but also premature death … a worrying finding considering how long the average American spends sitting each day. Just how long is it? Well, American adults spend an average of more than eight hours each day in front of screens, including televisions, computer monitors, [...]

  43 Natural Highs to Make You Feel Good Right now you may be feeling stressed out. You probably have any number of challenging circumstances that you’re trying to work though. We all do. But please take a few moments to remind yourself of the parts of life that make it, well, worth living. This is by no means a complete list. Please do add your own "natural highs" at the end of this page … Falling in love. Laughing so hard your face hurts. A hot shower. No lines at the supermarket. A special glance from an admirer (or a stranger). Getting mail. Taking a drive on a pretty road. Hearing your favorite song on the radio. Lying in bed listening to the rain outside. Hot towels fresh out of the dryer. Chocolate milkshake (vanilla or strawberry). A bubble bath. Giggling. The beach. Finding a $20 bill in your coat from last fall or winter. Laughing at yourself. Looking into their eyes and knowing they Love you Midnight phone calls that last for hours. Running through sprinklers. Laughing for [...]