As parents, we always have our kids’ safety in mind. We rarely hand something over to our children without thinking of how it could potentially harm them. Will he be able to pull parts off that car, put them in his mouth, and choke? What happens if she eats that Playdough?

While we do take the time to analyze various aspects of a toy, we probably don’t put enough thought into it. Does the toy have hidden chemicals and toxins? Did its production harm the environment?

Let’s look at several factors parents should take into consideration before hitting the toy store.

1. Repurpose First

Before buying anything new, take a good look at what you have at home. Has your son been begging for a drum set? Maybe the pots and pans would be a satisfactory alternative. Is your daughter determined to have that hot pink playhouse? A refrigerator box with a custom paint job might do the trick.

Here are some great ideas. Otherwise, google phrases like “toys from trash.”

2. Broaden the Age Range

See if you can adapt toys to fit different age ranges. The longer you can use a toy, the longer it will stay out of the landfill.

For example, all you need to do to make “old kid” toys more age appropriate for a younger crowd is bend the rules a little. For example:

• Move the foul line closer when playing cornhole and tossers so little arms can play, too.
• Don’t worry about forming words with the Scrabble tiles; use them with preschoolers who want to learn their letters.
• Use the Twister game board to help kids sort toys by color.
• Rather than use a big, heavy soccer ball, let younger kids play with a balloon (by the way, this makes it a great inside game for rainy days).

3. Phase Out Dangerous Things

Sort through your kids’ toy box. Take a look at what is already in there. You probably have several things that are no longer safe—toys with broken or missing parts.

You might also have toys that are unsafe because of the products used for their construction.

Rather than throw these toys out and contribute to landfill waste, repurpose them. There are lots of creative ways to make use of discarded toys (you can find examples here and here).

4. Buy Natural When Possible

The best toy construction materials are all-natural. Look for toys made out of sustainably logged, solid wood. Toys sans finish are best; otherwise, look for options with a non-toxic finish (vegetable, water-based, or beeswax).

Avoid any toys made of pressed woods (plywood or particle board). These woods often have toxic chemicals in the glue.

Other natural materials that make great toys include felt, wool, silk, hemp, organic cotton, and bamboo.

5. Buy High Quality Items

You might have to spend a little more, but high quality toys are worth the investment. These toys are preferable for several reasons:

• Quality toys are less likely to break, meaning sharp or dangerous parts won’t be an issue.
• The better the toy, the longer it will last. Several children—sometimes multiple generations—can play with a single quality toy.
• It is much easier to sell used toys if they are quality. Other parents won’t be interested in purchasing (repurposing) your second-hand toys if they aren’t in great shape. That means they could potentially end up in the landfill.
• Higher quality toys are more likely to be made with safe products—sans unwanted chemicals.

6. Buy Local

Reduce greenhouse gas emissions by buying local. The shorter the distance the item needs to travel between manufacturer and consumer the better.

If there aren’t eco-friendly toy makers in your area, see if you can convince someone to give it a try. Ask a local carpenter to make wooden blocks. Ask someone crafty to make eco-friendly dolls and stuffed animals.

7. Be Smart about Imports

If you do buy an imported toy, make smart decisions. Not all countries abide by the same regulations when it comes to making consumer products. Therefore, the country of origin can greatly influence the chemicals included in the toy.

Buy safer toys from Japan, Canada, or European countries.

8. Encourage Creativity

Open-ended toys (ones that can be used in a variety of different settings) inspire the most creativity. Not only is this good for your child’s cognitive development, it also means a single toy can have more uses—meaning fewer toys will need to be purchased.

Great examples of open-ended toys include

• A sand box (or sand and water table for inside play)
• Art supplies
• Wooden blocks
• Dress up clothes

9. Avoid High Risk Toys

While many toys pose a low-level threat, other toys are extremely dangerous because of the chemicals they contain.

Cheap plastic jewelry and cosmetics specifically designed for kids are especially dangerous. These often have lead and known carcinogens. Avoid these at all costs!

While it is impossible to avoid plastic altogether, you can make smart decisions about which plastics make it into the shopping cart. A good way to tell if a plastic product is safe is to check the recycling label on the bottom. If it is safe (free of the most dangerous chemicals), the item will have a number 1, 2, 4, or 5 inside the arrow logo.

10. Get Recall Notifications

Subscribe to recall notifications and find out as soon as possible if a toy you purchased is labeled unsafe. The email alerts from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission would be the best resource for toys.

You can also sign up for recalls from the Food and Drug Administration, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the National Highway Traffic Safety Authority (for safety information related to tires, child restraints, vehicles, and school buses).

11. Don’t Buy Anything!

In the end, your child probably doesn’t really need a new toy. Simplify your child’s toy box. Your youngster’s creativity, your wallet, and the environment will thank you!

What are your favorite eco-friendly toys?

Editor’s Note

We don’t really buy toys for our two year old son. Most of the time when people have given us toys for him, he was not interested. He likes to play with what we use. For instance, we prepare virtually all of our own food, so he loves to mimic us and pretend to cook. We give him pots and pans to play with. Add a few spatulas and a some water and he’s set for at least 30 minutes. Big cardboard boxes are always awesome, we cut them out and make forts. I am convinced that letting him play in this way helps boost his creativity, and it certainly saves us a lot of money!

Sources:

• Natural Toy Care Instructions, by Bannor Toys
• Bringing up baby with safe and green toys, by CNN
• Cornhole for Kids, by Custom Corntoss
• 10 ways to reuse board games, by Mother Nature Network
• Go Green With Eco Friendly Toys, by Health Guidance

Most people aren’t gardeners, and even fewer are bona fide farmers. All of us, though, eat.

For this reason, food producers around the country — and around the world — are faced with a high demand for their products, a demand that might become unattainable in the future. In order to ensure a greater sense of food security, it’s time for us all to consider cultivating our own gardens.

You might be scratching your head if you live in an apartment, urban environment, or any other place that doesn’t have the green space for a garden. Fortunately, green thumbs before you have come up with the idea of a vertical garden. You can hang plants, put them on shelves, or simply put them in pots with trellises so that they can grow onward and upward.

You, too, can grow onward and upward if you start your own vertical garden. Aside from improved food security, below are six more reasons home gardens are the way of the future.

It’s Good for the Environment

Imagine the journey the vegetables you buy in a grocery store must go through to get there. They’re often picked in another state or country and transported for miles to reach you. That effort requires a ton of resources that your backyard garden can eliminate. Your own fresh fruits and veggies will produce less waste, help prevent soil erosion, and stave off future droughts.

It’s Healthier for You

You’ve heard — or you might know from sampling them yourself — organic fruits and veggies typically taste better than their pesticide-laden counterparts. Naturally grown produce also boasts more vitamins and minerals, especially if it’s locally grown and bought as fresh as possible. Imagine how flavorful and beneficial your vertical garden will be: freshly picked vegetables and fruits can go directly into your cooking, no middleman or nutrients lost.

Many home gardeners also get creative, growing produce that might otherwise be hard to come by or expensive in stores. This daringness has health benefits, as your body craves dietary diversity. New fruits and vegetables without steep price tags or miles of travel? Sign us up.

It Keeps Water Cleaner

As previously mentioned, many farmers rely on chemically based products to keep insects and other plant-eating pests at bay. These might be helpful to the farmer and improve overall yield, but they’re not good for us or for our water supply.

Perhaps it rains or the farmer waters his plants after spraying on a layer of pesticides. Where does the run-off go? According to the Environmental Protection Agency, it often goes into our groundwater, and more than 35 states have contaminated groundwater because of this cycle. Your home garden can help cut down on this, and you can drink from the tap with a little more confidence.

It Cuts Down on Energy Usage

You probably don’t think about farms as places where a massive amount of energy is used, but think again: modern farming uses more petroleum than any other industry. This figure includes the production of synthetic pesticides, which actually account for more energy usage than the planting and harvesting of natural crops. If you say “yes” to gardening — and “no” to synthetic pesticides — you can help reduce this number.

It Boosts Biodiversity

Crop fields are often dedicated to, well, one type of crop. This makes the farmer’s life easier, for sure, but it doesn’t do much for the environment. It saps nutrients from the soil and allows pests to become smarter in their attack on our food supplies; that’s why fertilizers and pesticides have become commonplace.

By planting your own garden with a bunch of different plants, you’ll be doing your part to mix it up. Even if you don’t have a plot of land to improve with your green gardening, your vertical garden can attract bees and other helpful insects that might not show up to tired farmlands. They’re vital to the biodiversity of an area, too, because of their role in pollination.

It Bulks Up Your Wallet

This one might not necessarily save the world, but it might mean the world to you and your family. A vertical garden can help you save grocery money.

You can also use scrap wood and recycled containers, rather than buying new supplies to start your vertical garden. It doesn’t take much: seeds, soil, and some basic power tools can transform an unused corner of your patio or apartment into a tiny farm.

You can also create your own compost in order to fertilize your plants for free. Once your garden starts yielding produce, you’ll save money at the grocery store, too. You’ll avoid rising food costs, help the environment, and eat more flavorful meals. Who said saving the world had to be hard?

If you want to contribute to sustainable lifestyles and grow your own food, vertical gardening is a great solution! Nearly anyone can do it; you just need the right inspiration.

What vertical gardening strategies could you use in your home? I’d love to hear about them in the comments section below!

Further Reading:

• How to Start a Vegetable Garden – How to Grow Vegetables
• Planting a Fall Garden
• DIY Solutions for the Garden
• Medicinal Herb Garden – What To Grow and How To Keep It Growing All Winter
• 12 Organic Ways to Keep Your Garden Free of Slugs
• Planning Your Organic Garden
• 5 Reasons Small Scale Gardening Could Save the World

Sources:

• Growing A Vertical Vegetable Garden – Gardening Know How
  
• Power Tools – Hermance
• Top 10 Reasons To Grow Your Own Organic Food – Food Matters
  
• How to Start a Vegetable Garden – How to Grow Vegetables – Organic Lifestyle Magazine

Does Size Matter?

How many times have you heard that size doesn’t matter? I’m sure you’ve heard it a lot. I’m sure you’ve heard it a lot more if you aren’t particularly well endowed. But come on boys, let’s be honest. Size does matter – but not how you think.

What matters is your size compared to her size. Women have a size, too! Vaginas vary in depth and width. We don’t come one size fits all, any more than men do. It’s how a man and woman fit together that matters. If one is larger than the other, finding positions to enhance pleasure can be a challenge. Make it a fun one.

The average penis size when the penis is relaxed is 2.5 to 4 inches in length. The average size when erect is 5-7 inches. Smaller penises tend to expand in size more than larger ones.

The idea that women are only satisfied by lovers with a large penis is just plain wrong. Great sex is a combination of great communication, patience, caring, and a desire to please your partner. It’s what you do with your mouth, your hands, and your entire body as well as your penis. It’s an entire experience. If you are a little large for her or she’s a little large for you, find the positions that allow for maximum pleasure without pain.

Wash and Care For Your Penis or Your Child’s Penis

When showering, wash the penis and testicles with warm water and soap. Adult intact males should pull back the foreskin to wash and rinse to prevent a buildup of smegma.

If your baby or your child has not been circumcised, do not pull back the foreskin. Foreskin in infants and children naturally adheres to the head of the penis. This is normal and natural. The foreskin may remain adhered through puberty and beyond. Again, this is perfectly normal. Do not force the foreskin to retract. A good stream of urine provides all the cleaning needed until the foreskin can be easily be retracted.

Penile Health

Of course you should examine your penis and testicles on a regular basis (at least once a month) for lumps or sores. Check with your health care practitioner if you have any pain or a discharge of any kind. And never, ever, decide a condom is not needed unless or until you are a part of a committed, exclusive relationship and both of you have been tested for STD’s.

Erectile dysfunction is generally the greatest concern facing men as they age. Many will start to notice changes in both the appearance and the behavior of their penis by the time they reach the age of 40. While some of these changes are normal, some can be mitigated or reversed with proper nutrition and detoxification.

If you want your penis to be healthy, keep your cardiovascular system healthy. That’s the bottom line. If your blood flow is diminished, it will affect erections. It is also good to note that it is a use it or lose it situation. An erection a day is a good way to keep things working right.

First of all, Eat Right

What not to eat

• Artificial flavors
• Artificial colors
• Preservatives
• MSG
• GMOs
• Trans fats
• Conventional sugar
• Artificial sweeteners
• Limit caffeine and gluten

What to eat

• A large variety of organic, fresh, raw vegetables and fruits
• If you eat meat – only organic
• Essential omega fatty acids (oily fish, flaxseed oil, krill oil, etc.)

If you smoke, stop. It constricts your blood vessels. If you drink too much, stop! Alcohol toxifies the blood and makes it sluggish. It definitely does not encourage blood flow!

The key to good health, including sexual health, is living a healthy lifestyle. Eat right, exercise, eliminate stress, and detox at least twice a year.

Detoxing has become essential in our day and age because we are exposed to so many toxins on a daily basis, both in our food and in our environment. Many of these toxins are hormone disrupters.

Male Energy Formula Recipe (or purchase here)

• 2 Cups American White Ginseng
• 2 Cups Korean Ginseng
• 2 Cups Chinese Ginseng
• 3 Cups Yohimbe Bark
• 3 Cups Damiana Turneria Aphrodisiaca
• 3 Cups Siberian Ginseng
• 2 Cups Sarsaparilla Root
• 1 Cup Saw Palmetto Berry
• 1 Cup Oat Seed (Green Immature)
• 1 Cup Kola Nut
• 1 Cup Ginger Root

Blend all together using your 50 – 50 Blend of Alcohol and distilled water.

Recommended Supplements:

• Shillington’s Male Energy Formula
• Shillington’s Blood Detox

Further Reading:

• The Power Of Our Hormones and How To Balance Them

Sources: 

• Is my penis the right size and shape? – NHS choices
• 6 Penis Problems That Happen With Age – Alternet

When chemicals added to processed foods earn a bad rep for causing disease and disability, one would hope the food manufacturers would remove them from their products or the FDA would protect the American people by banning them, but neither seems to be the case – not when big money is at stake. Instead the food manufacturers either launch dis-information campaigns claiming their additives are either healthy or benign, or they confuse and deceive the consumer by using a different name for the same additive. For example, according to The Truth in Labeling Campaign, MSG can be found in food under 50 different names.

With this history of deceit, it comes as no surprise to learn that we now have to look for high fructose corn syrup and aspartame under new names.

High Fructose Corn Syrup

Dr. Mark Hyman has spent more than ten years studying high fructose corn syrup (HFCS), reading and interviewing “most of the ‘medical and nutrition experts'”.

He states the following reasons why we should never eat HFCS and why eating it may kill you.

1. “Sugar in any form causes obesity and disease when consumed in pharmacologic doses.” Both are dangerous to the body in the amounts eaten by the average American.
2. “HFCS and cane sugar are NOT biochemically identical or processed the same way by the body.” HFCS not only spikes insulin since it goes right into the bloodstream, it also goes right to the liver triggering the production of triglycerides and cholesterol. New research finds that it is a common cause of leaky gut syndrome. “High doses of free fructose have been proven to literally punch
   holes in the intestinal lining allowing nasty byproducts of toxic gut
   bacteria and partially digested food proteins to enter your blood stream
   and trigger the inflammation that we know is at the root of obesity,
   diabetes, cancer, heart disease, dementia, and accelerated aging.”
3. “HFCS contains contaminants including mercury that are not regulated or measured by the FDA.” Mercury was discovered. Other contaminants were also detected but as yet are unidentified.
4. “Independent medical and nutrition experts DO NOT support the use of HFCS in our diet, despite the assertions of the corn industry.” The industry takes comments out of context and passes them off as supportive to their products when they are not.
5. “HFCS is almost always a marker of poor-quality, nutrient-poor disease-creating industrial food products or “food-like substances”.” Surely we all know by now that nearly all processed food is garbage.

Add to this impressive list the fact that most of the corn in this country is genetically modified. Do you ever want to put this in your body?

So now that the truth about high fructose corn syrup is more readily available, Chex cereal has decided to rename it – calling it fructose. Even while their packaging states that the product does not contain HFCS (which is 55% fructose), instead it contains HFCS-90, (note it is high fructose corn syrup with 90% fructose) and they are calling it fructose.

Aspartame

The makers of aspartame use the argument that orange juice is natural and good for you and all they did was take two of the amino acids from orange juice to make their product. What could possibly be wrong with that?

You can easily find arguments on either side of aspartame safety from a nutritionist with a PhD listing 92 reasons aspartame is dangerous and should be completely avoided to articles claiming test after test has proven it’s safe. It is interesting that those articles always say something about the level ingested. The fact that aspartame changes into formaldehyde in the body is enough for me. I’ve smelled it. Have you?

Again, this is big business with lots of money at stake. So now a rebranding is underway. Aspartame is now aminosweet. Consumer beware.

Though you can save yourself a lot of time and trouble deciphering labels and trying to figure our what the food industry is hiding. Eat – real – food! It’s simple. Check out the 80% Raw Food Diet. If you’re looking for an inexpensive and healthy replacement for HFCS laden beverages, check out this cranberry lemonade recipe.

Further Reading:

• High Fructose Corn Syrup – A Not So Sweet Surprise
• 4 Types of Food to Avoid to Decrease Your Risk of Depression

Sources:

• Hidden Sources – Truth In Labeling
  
• Corporations Renamed High Fructose Corn Syrup – Natural Society
• 5 Reasons High Fructose Corn Syrup Will Kill You – Dr. Mark Hymen

As we move forward in the twenty-first century, more people than ever are concerned about preserving the environment and our natural resources. This concern has been carried over into the world of business, which means that an increasing number of businesses are going green in a variety of ways.

Running a green business is similar to running a traditional business, though there are a few additional perks and pitfalls for eco-friendly owners. Here are a few secrets to make your green business even more successful.

1. Look for government incentives for green businesses.

Whatever your motives for running a green business, the U.S. government wants to sweeten the deal by offering a variety of incentives for businesses to use renewable and more efficient energy.

The Database of State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency (DSIRE) offers a complete list of incentives available to business owners. Here are a few highlights:

• Corporate Tax Incentives: If your business invests in eligible renewable or energy-efficient equipment, you may be eligible for special tax deductions, credits, and exemptions. The exact incentives vary by state, and some states have a minimum requirement before the incentive can be applied.
• Green Building Incentives: Chances are you have heard of LEED certification, but other organizations can also issue green building certifications that qualify your business’s building for a government incentive. Typically this incentive applies to proposed buildings and, if approved, the permit fees are greatly reduced or even waived. Green businesses that are erecting new buildings should capitalize on their environmental efforts with this incentive.
• Sales Tax Incentives: Businesses that purchase a renewable energy system or other energy-efficient goods can have the sales tax from such a purchase waived or refunded. If your business is thinking about getting a new energy system, then don’t overlook this valuable opportunity.

2. Choose green power for your business.

During the twentieth century, businesses had little choice but to use the energy supplied by the local electricity company. Now, however, most businesses can choose to get their energy from a green utility company.

Depending on your business’s location, it could be feasible to switch your power supply from traditional sources to more eco-friendly sources–such as a green electricity company.

You can look on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s website to locate a green power center near you, after which you have to take a few simple steps such as identifying your annual power usage and signing a Green Power Partnership agreement.

Once your business is identified as a Green Power Partner, the EPA will provide you with tools, expert advice, and certifiable credibility for the green nature of your business.

3. Apply for grants and loans for your green business.

Depending on your business’s product, you may qualify for a government grant. Listed below are several types of industry-specific grants that may apply to your green business.

• Energy Development: Whether your business is working on developing renewable energy or more efficient energy production methods, there are grants available to support your mission and minimize your costs. The Department of Energy and the Environmental Protection Agency both offer grants for these types of businesses.
• Real Estate: Developers who improve polluted real estate qualify for Brownfields Grants for their eco-friendly efforts. These grants can also be applied toward assessing polluted property, cleaning it up, and training staff on environmental matters.
• Pest Management: Traditional pesticides wreak havoc on the environment, which is why the Environmental Protection Agency partnered with PestWise to promote Integrated Pest Management programs. Businesses and schools that focus on developing more eco-friendly approaches to pest management qualify for grants to support their work.

4. Use caution when advertising your eco-friendly ways.

While the previous tips are potential perks for green businesses, one pitfall to avoid is falsely advertising the eco-friendliness of your business. Since many consumers tend to prefer doing business with a green partner, it is important that you do not falsely advertise your business, lest you draw the wrath of consumers or law enforcement.

If your advertising is false or misleading, consumers can take actions such as submitting a complaint to the Federal Trade Commission or filing a chargeback against your business. The FTC can start an investigation on or even issue sanctions against your business, which will hurt your reputation. Consumer chargebacks can put your credit processing privileges in jeopardy and hurt your business’s bank account as well.

The bottom line for green businesses is that there are many more potential benefits than costs associated with doing business in a more eco-friendly way.

If you currently run a green business, tell us some of your insider secrets—we’d love to hear them!

 Sources:

• Environmental Grants & Loans, by U.S. Small Business Administration
• Advertising FAQ’s: A Guide for Small Business, by Federal Trade Commission
• What is a Chargeback?, by Chargebacks911
• Guides Against Bait Advertising, by U.S. Government Publishing Office

I was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) in March 2014. Today, 11 months later, my symptoms are virtually gone. Not only are my MS symptoms gone, I am no longer taking medication for the other disease symptoms that I suffered with for more than 30 years, like asthma and migraines. I’m 98% well. I can’t credit essential oils with getting me well, I owe my renewed health to the changes I made in my diet first and foremost. But while getting well, and every now and then once wellness has been achieved, it’s nice to have access to an all natural, side-efect free type, chemical free treatment.

When I Experience Symptoms

I still occassionally experience breakthrough symptoms, especially if I eat something I shouldn’t. Symptoms can also reappear due to stress, environmental triggers, or exposure to toxins. When I do experience symptoms, I have found essential oils work well for me, whether I am experiencing wheezing, muscle cramps, or something else. It’s important to note here that every person is different and the source of his or her symptoms will vary. Oils can only do so much to treat disease. The foundation of health must start with a clean, plant based diet.

Trial and error is necessary to discover which oils work for you. Sometimes it takes a while to to find the right oil or combination of oils that will do the trick. It’s crucial to start with quality, therapeutic grade oils. Be sure your essential oils do not contain filler oils, like olive oil, which will dilute the strength and effectiveness of your essential oil. If the oil requires you to dilute it in another oil, you want that option to control the strength and the choice of the carrier oil. If you don’t find relief with an essential oil, try a different oil, a different combination of oils, or another brand.

The Oils That Helped Me

The MS symptom that was the most severe for me (other than the paralysis) was the muscle spasms. They prevented me from sleeping, and we all know how tough life can be when you haven’t sleep for a few days in a row. It’s life altering.

Basil oil first provided me some relief from my leg spasms. Sandlewood and frankincense oil helped as well. After awhile, I found Shillington’s Deep Tissue Repair Oil (a blend of wintergreen, menthol and cayanne oils). I have used this oil for spasms ever since.

I’ve been an asthmatic for as long as I can remember. Now, when I feel my chest get tight or sense a slight wheeze, I no longer reach for my “Puffer” (Proventil rescue inhaler). Now I grab an oil belend called “Breathe”. I put a drop or two into my hands, rub them together (like Mr. Miyagi did in Karate Kid), and place them in front of my face. I take 5 slow, deep breaths and every symptom of asthma immediately goes away. If I feel any allergy symptoms, I put a five drops of lavender, lemon, and pepperment oil in a vegetable capsule and swallow it. I haven’t used my puffer for more than 6 months.

For migraines, I use lavender oil and then add pepermint oil. I also use a blend of frankincense, sandlewood, ylang ylang, and pepermint. This amazing blend is known for for cell regineration and specifically neuron (brain cell) repair. It helps both my MS symptoms (weakness and imbalance) and migraines.

How to Apply Essential Oils Topically

The symptom will determine how you apply the oils. Essential oils can be difused into the air or otherwise inhaled, applied directly to the skin (topically) as well as taken internally. When you apply oils topically, you can either apply them straight (directly to the skin from the bottle) or use a carrier oil. A good rule to follow is if you are trying to apply the oils to a large surface area (back, legs, etc) use a carrier oil first. When I am treating my muscle spasms, I apply organic coconut oil to my leg first. This helps the essential oil spread evenly, and not soak into one spot. Then I drop the essential oil into my hands and spread it on top of the coconut oil. You can “stack” oils, too. Rub one into your skin and then place another one on top of it.

When I feel a migraine coming on I use the oils (lavendar and pepermint) straight, and stack them. I place them directly on the pressure points at the base of my neck. I also place them on my temples, and the skin behind my ears down to my jaw line.

The soles of the feet, wrists, and the space behind the ears down to the jaw line are all great places to put any oil for fast absorbtion. The skin in these areas is thin, so the therapeutic benefit of the oil can quickly absorb into the bloodstream and go to work.

Other Oils I Use

In addition to the oils I’ve already mentioned, I also use oils like melaluca (tea tree), lemon, oregeno, and grapefruit oils daily. Most oils have amazing antiviral, antimicrobial, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties.

I’ve used melaluca to treat everything from a bacterial vaginal infection to a sore throat to foot odor. Just make sure to dilute this oil well with a carrier oil (coconut or olive oil) if you are applying it topically. Melaluca, like cayenne oil, needs to be diluted well before being placed on the skin (especially in the nether regions). It won’t physically damage your skin, but it can cause a strong burning sensation.

I also use melaluca or lemon oil to clean my house. Put 5 drops in a spray bottle, fill it with water and go to work. Just a note: the oils can clog the spray nozzle. To prevent this just dissolve the oils into some grain alcohol and add the mixture to the water and you are ready to clean. Lemon oil works great for cleaning mirrors.

Oregano oil helps with toothaches and skin infections; grapefruit oil helps reduce the appearance of cellulite (due to its diuretic properties) and it has strong antidepressant properties.

I mix a few drops of grapefruit oil with coconut oil and use this to moisturize my whole body every morning. After I moisturize, I feel uplifted and am ready to face the day. These are some of my favorite uses for essential oils. What are yours?

Shillington’s Deep Tissue Repair Oil – recipe (or click here to buy)

This formula is awesome, and I have found it to be beneficial for arthritis patients, torn ligaments, pulled muscles, and maladjusted vertebrae. Suprisingly, it will sometimes get rid of a headache almost instantly if you put a drop on both of your temples and rub it in. Used in conjuction with the BF&C (below), and you can create miracles of healing in the damaged area.

32 oz. Wintergreen Oil
16 oz. Cold Pressed Organic Virgin Olive Oil
12 oz. Menthol Crystals
8 oz. DMSO
2 cups Arnica Flowers (Dry)
2 cups Calendula (Marigold Flowers)
1 cup Ginger Root
1/2 cup Cayenne (Hottest you can find = Habanero)

Blend on high for 2 minutes and store for two weeks. Add the DMSO after you have pressed the tincture. Do not get this formula near water in any shape or form or your mixture will mold. Also see, How to Make A Tincture.

Shillington’s Bone Flesh and Cartilage – recipe (or click here to buy)

It’s called BF&C (Bone, Flesh and Cartilage) and I recommend using it with my Deep Tissue Repair Oil (above). It is the Dynamic Duo for Broken Bones, Torn Cartilage, and Bruises ETC.

• 6 parts Comfrey Root
• 6 parts Oak Bark
• 3 parts Gravel Root
• 3 parts Mullein
• 1 part Lobelia
• 2 parts Wormwood
• 3 parts Marshmallow Root
• 1 parts Skullcap
• 2 parts Walnut Bark

Remember, when I discuss a “part”, I am always talking about “volume”. If I use another measurement such as cups ETC., I always say so.

Further Reading:

• Naturally Treat Multiple Sclerosis – Therapies, Diet, Pain Management, Alternative Medicine
• Being Diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis and Refusing To Live With It
• 80% Raw Food Diet
• Cheap and Easy Detox Diet Plan
• How to Make A Tincture

Recommended Supplements:

• Shillington Deep Tissue Repair Oil
• Shillington’s Bone, Flesh, and Cartilage Formula
• Essential Oils – Green Lifestyle Market

This”Natural Flavor” Is Not So Natural

Even if you’ve never had a college course in chemistry, you’re likely familiar with the acronym. MSG stands for monosodium glutamate. In the modern era, this food additive is found in nearly every processed food, and you may not realize it due to its many, many names.

The Origins of MSG

According to the FDA, MSG has been used “throughout history”. If by throughout history they mean in Japan for the last hundred years, then yes, but recorded history goes back 10,000 years, not only one hundred.

Kombu dashi is a traditional Japanese broth that has been made for centuries. In 1908, chemist Ikeda Kikuanae isolated the ingredient in kombu dashi’s sea kelp that gave the dish its flavor- MSG. The product that ultimately originated from Ikeda’s work was patented in the U.S., France, and Japan. In Japan, he dubbed the flavor enhancer umami, which means tasty. When Ikeda partnered up with the Suzuki Chemical Company, umami was marketed under a different name, Ajinomoto, which means the essence of taste.

Initially, the Suzuki chemical company struggled to turn a profit selling MSG. For the first four years, MSG was unprofitable in Japan. Ultimately their marketing strategies shifted from targeting food manufacturers and restaurateurs to housewives. This shift in marketing turned a profit for the company. Over time, MSG became a commonly used household ingredient in Japan. Restaurants and food manufacturers later adopted its use and the flavor enhancer came into widespread use throughout Asia and the Western world.

What is MSG?

Monosodium glutamate escaped extensive testing because it is derived from an amino acid, glutamate, one of the building blocks of protein. There are twenty such amino acids; many of which our bodies can produce on their own, while some of them our bodies cannot.

Our bodies naturally produce glutamate. The body not only uses glutamate as a constituent of protein, it also uses it as a neurotransmitter. Our bodies manufacture just enough of the amino acid at a time to maintain brain function. Too much is toxic to our nerve and brain cells. The excess of free glutamate in MSG causes excitotoxicity, a pathological condition that excites nerve cells and brain cells to the point of death.

How Much Is Too Much?

That is what the debate is all about.

MSG is often found in foods that have been heavily processed. Even if MSG is not listed on the label, it is often a by-product of processing food. Enzymes added to processed foods will break down the proteins until MSG or the free form of glutamate is created in the food. Anything hydrolyzed creates the same cause and effect. Health conscious consumers, who are trying to avoid MSG, must take care to learn the different names of ingredients that are high in MSG if they wish to avoid it. MSG is even found naturally in some foods.

Glutamate/glutamic acid comes in a bound form and a free form. The free form of glutamate or glutamic acid is found naturally in small amounts in foods such as cheese, dairy, tomatoes, fermented soy products and seaweed. The bound form of glutamate has not been known to cause adverse reactions in people, except in rare circumstances.

The majority of MSG in the American diet is not of natural origin. The majority of MSG that Americans consume is added to processed foods or created as a by-product of the processing itself. It is also found in much of the food that is served in restaurants. The amount of MSG is particularly high in low-fat foods, canned goods, soups, and gravies.

Until recently, the easiest way to avoid MSG was to avoid processed foods, but in the late nineties, MSG became even harder to avoid. In 1998 the EPA approved the use of sprays containing free glutamic acid to be used on fruits, vegetables, and other plants. Consumers have no way of knowing how much spray has been used, how much free glutamic acid the plant has absorbed, or how much is left as residue on the plant. The spray most commonly used is AuxiGro. At present, consumers can avoid MSG sprayed produce by buying organic produce, but the industry has been requesting permission to use MSG sprays on organic produce as well. So far, organic produce is not sprayed with MSG.

How much is too much MSG? Our research and experience recommends that all MSG that is not of natural origin be avoided.

How Bad is MSG?

MSG sensitive individuals can experience these symptoms within an hour of consuming only three grams.

MSG Side Effects

• Stomach cramps
• Nausea/vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Migraine headaches
• Heart palpitations
• Rapid heartbeat
• Sharp rise in blood pressure
• Rapid drop in blood pressure
• Blurred vision
• Joint pain
• Stiffness in joints
• Achiness all over body
• Dizziness, & loss of balance
• Light headed
• Depression
• Frequent need to urinate
• A numbing or burning sensation in the mouth
• Swelling of the face
• Pain or tightness in the chest
• Shortness of breath

In studies with lab animals, research has conclusively confirmed that consuming high doses of MSG causes lesions in the hypothalamus. What is the hypothalamus for? The hypothalamus controls vital functions like heart rate, breathing, body temperature, appetite, thirst, and sleep. The hypothalamus also influences emotions and impulses like anger, fear, love, compassion, empathy, depression, and libido.

In studies with lab animals, young animals that were fed diets high in MSG showed numerous health problems. These problems persisted throughout the animals’ life. Problems like obesity, malformed organs, abnormal reproductive systems, infertility, unprovoked rage, overt aggression, antisocial behavior, impaired cardiovascular responsiveness, and high triglycerides, cholesterol, and VLDL. Many of these animals also showed signs of an impaired immune system. These animals showed abnormal hypothalamic function. These results were duplicated in many different animals, not only with lab mice.

MSG also forces the pancreas to release insulin. This causes the blood sugar to drop and typically makes one very hungry. This is why it is commonplace for individuals to become hungry only an hour or so after consuming foods high in MSG.

MSG also wrecks havoc on our hormones and causes sleep disorders and strong PMS symptoms.

What the Food Industry Does Not Want You To Know

Although the FDA requires that the ingredient monosodium glutamate be listed on food labels, it does not require ingredients that contain MSG to be listed as MSG. If we are to avoid MSG, we must avoid the following ingredients as well. The food industry does not want you to know about these ingredients…

Ingredients That Always Contain MSG

• Ajinomoto
• Autolyzed yeast or autolyzed yeast extract
• Calcium caseinate
• Calcium glutamate
• Gelatin
• Glutamate
• Glutamic acid
• Hydrolyzed oat flour
• Hydrolyzed plant protein
• Hydrolyzed protein or
• Hydrolyzed anything else
• Magnesium glutamate
• Monopotassium glutamate
• Plant protein extract
• Sodium caseinate
• Soy sauce extract
• Textured protein
• Torula Yeast
• Umami
• Vetsin
• Yeast extract
• Yeast food
• Yeast nutrient
• Or anything enzyme modified

Ingredients That Usually Contain MSG

(or MSG is created during their processing)

• Artificial flavors and flavorings
• Barley malt
• Bouillon
• Brewer’s yeast
• Broth
• Carageenan
• Citric acid, citrate
• Cornstarch
• Enzymes
• Enzyme modified ingredients
• Malt extract
• Malt flavoring
• Malted barley
• Maltodextrin
• Monoammonium glutamate
• Natrium glutamate
• Natural flavors and flavorings
• Oligodextrin
• Pectin
• Powdered milk
• Protease
• Protein-fortified ingredients
• Seasonings
• Soy protein
• Soy protein concentrate
• Soy protein isolate
• Soy sauce
• Spices
• Stock
• Ultra-pasteurized ingredients
• Whey protein
• Whey protein concentrate
• Whey protein isolate

Unfortunately, this is not an exhaustive list. MSG is truly one of the best-hidden ingredients on the market. As you can see, it has many guises. Consumers are given other information such as cholesterol, calories, and sugars. But the degree of neurotoxicity (the amount of MSG) is mysteriously hidden on the label.

MSG does not change the actual taste of foods the way substances that are sweet, salty, bitter, or sour do. Instead it alters the taste of food by stimulating the sensation of taste. It is added to foods in the hope that consumers will become addicted. It is added to foods in many different ways, listed as many different ingredients, in the hope that we will not take the effort to learn its many names.

Neuroscientists overwhelmingly agree that MSG is toxic. It kills neurons by exciting them until the neurons die. MSG is an excitotoxin, so it is toxic for everyone, some more than others. Newborns are four times more sensitive to MSG than adults, and individuals with Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, or multiple sclerosis are more sensitive than people without neurodegenerative diseases.

Anyone who is sick and trying to heal naturopathically (which, incidentally, is the only way to actually heal), will have to stop eating MSG. Any parent with a child who exhibits behavior problems needs to find those hidden sources of MSG in their child’s diet and get their kid off of MSG (and every other additive). You’ll see a difference in two weeks or less. The bottom line is this: do you want to eat a food additive that kills your brain cells in addition to doing other damage throughout your body? Do you want to feed it to your child, ever? For any reason?

The FDA assures us that MSG is safe, but a neurotoxin, in any amount, is never fit for human consumption.

Sources:

• Names of ingredients that contain processed free glutamic acid (MSG) – Truth in Labeling
• Colbert MD, Don. The Seven Pillars of Health. Lake Mary, Fla.: Siloam, 2007.
• Dr. Russell Blaylock: Excitotoxins, The Taste That Kills – lecture – YouTube 
• Blaylock MD, Russell. Excitotoxins: The Taste That Kills. Santa Fe: Health Press, 1997.