Dying Softly - Dangers of Fabric Softener

The facts on fabric softeners are undeniable, yet millions of people still use this dangerous product. 

Some people are simply ignorant, they have no idea about the harmful chemicals they're exposing themselves to. Other people ignore the danger saying, "I want my clothes to be soft." 

It breaks my heart to think anyone would chose "soft" clothes over protecting their families' health from carcinogens and toxins.

Unfortunately, they aren't the only ones who suffer from this unhealthy choice. 

- I feel the effects of my neighbor's fabric softener almost daily as it flows from her dryer vent through our front and back yards. 

- Children who have no idea of the dangers are wearing toxic clothes faithfully laundered with fabric softener. 

- People who work in hospitality industries are exposed to these toxic products daily. 

So if fabric softener is so dangerous, why is it still sold everywhere? Where is regulation, you ask? I can't answer why so many toxic products are still approved for sale, but I can assure you that the research has been done and the facts are clear. 

Fabric softener contains known carcinogens (cancer-causing agents), respiratory irritants, toxins that cause nervous system disorders, as well as substances that are listed on the EPA's Hazardous Waste list. 

For more details, here's an excellent article by Jordan Rubin highlighting only 9 of the dangerous chemicals found in fabric softener. 

Fabric softener is a toxic cocktail that becomes even more dangerous when heated, and which is made to last a VERY long time. It absorbs into the skin (through clothes and bedding) and wreaks all kinds of havoc in the body. 

There are a lot of unavoidable toxins in our environment. Let's not add anything unnecessarily to that load. Let's keep spreading the word so that more people can make healthy choices instead of dying softly.

I hope by now I've either convinced you to avoid this harmful product, or inspired you to share the facts with others you know who still use fabric softener. 

One of my friends said that after quitting fabric softener, her asthma improved dramatically! Do you have a testimony or success story you can share? We'd love to hear about it in the comments! 

Keep Moving Forward

How was your first week of this new year? I've actually felt a little worse lately as I've been detoxing some old infections.

I know it's tempting to be discouraged as time passes and we still haven't reached the goal of being "well." So I just wanted to encourage all of us to focus instead on "moving forward." 

Whatever being "well" looks like for you, keep that as your long-range goal. However, day by day try to just think about what you can do to keep moving forward.

No matter how sick you may be or how healthy you are, I believe there's always something we can each do to keep working toward good health. 

Over the last three and a half years I've added various things to my personal health program (lymphatic massage, supplements, physical therapy, etc.). This year my goal is to start exercising again. I think my body is ready to benefit from a gradual exercise program.

What about you? What one thing can you do this week, this month, this year, to keep investing in your health?

Have you tried lymphatic massage? 

What about an anti-fungal diet?

Choosing to use less toxic products?

Can you do stretches daily or deep breathing?

Drink more water?

Maybe you can just practice smiling every day. =)

There are a lot of good things we can do to help our bodies in the healing process. Whatever your condition, I pray you'll find something beneficial you can do today. 

Even if it's slow, may we all keep moving forward toward better health!

New Year, New Attitude

Welcome to 2013! 

I've learned to enjoy the start of a new year - reviewing the past year with its ups and downs, and then thinking about all the possibilities for the coming year. 

But for many years past, January 1st was a difficult time for me. It only reminded me of all the things I couldn't do, all the dreams that were still on hold, all the challenges I was still facing. 

So if that's where you find yourself today, I want to encourage you. You may not be able to change your circumstances or remove your challenges, but you CAN choose the attitude you want to develop in the midst of them.

Perhaps you can choose this year to focus on gratitude. There is always much to be thankful for, no matter how difficult life is. Practicing gratefulness every day makes a huge difference in how we experience life, even the painful times.

Or maybe you'd like an attitude of determination, to never give up! One thing I've learned is the value of hope. And I can testify that even for those who are severely ill, there really is help available. Don't give up! 

Or an attitude of courage, patience, finding joy in simple things, etc, etc. 

There are many positive attitudes we can pursue that will benefit us. Even if it seems like nothing is changing in our situation, God is still at work to change US! And ultimately that is the most important thing, right? 

So what attitude will you adopt and pursue this year? 

Personally, I'm asking God to help me practice an attitude of fearlessness. Whatever comes my way this year, I pray I'll face it fully confident in Jesus!

May God strengthen and encourage each of us to live this new year with a new attitude!

Fighting Colds & Flus

This time of year there are always a lot of bugs going around. This month I actually had about 10 good days in a row - praise God! Then I got a nasty sore throat/cold that I've been fighting the last few days. 

So I thought I'd share some tips for fighting these bugs:

- lots of rest and plenty of water, of course =)

- extra vitamin C
- eat some fresh organic fruit if you can - oranges, tangerines, apples, or berries, which are full of vitamins, enzymes and anti-oxidants
- avoid sugar (if you aren't already), because it suppresses the immune system

- detox baths (I use a mineral powder, but there are other things you can use as well, depending on what works best for your body - baking soda & epsom salts, essential oils, etc.)

- foot baths (with whatever substance mentioned above that works best for you)

- rub organic coconut oil on your feet, also I've been rubbing it on my throat and sinuses since that's where the pain was

- drinking 1/4 tsp of baking soda in a glass of water often helps settle an upset stomach

- hold an onion in your right hand (if you have a bacterial infection) or a garlic clove (if you have a fungal infection) - for around 5-10 minutes 

- gargle with mild salt-water for a sore throat

- watch a funny movie and at least smile even if you can't laugh =)

- get lots of hugs =)

As far as supplements, there are some helpful ones. Just remember that it's best to only start one new supplement at a time. Always check ingredient labels, and remember that some supplements work better for some people than others. Each body is unique, so find what works for you.

Here are some suggestions:

- Olive leaf extract can help fight infections

- Quercetin is a good antioxidant

- zinc can help the immune system

- sometimes extra B-vitamins can help during an infection

- extra probiotics may also be helpful

Well, I hope some of these ideas are helpful for you. I'm sure there are many other good things to do to fight infections. Please share any additional tips you have in the comments. Thanks! 

And I hope you have a healthy New Year!

Joyful Christmas

I know a few of you have already read this, since I included it in my Christmas letter. But my mom encouraged me to go ahead and post it here anyway.

I know how challenging this time of year can be. I hope and pray these thoughts will encourage you today. 

May you have a truly Joyful Christmas! 

Sorrow & Joy -

I've been thinking about the strange coexistence of sorrow and joy in this life. 

We think of Christmas as a happy time. Yet for many people this Christmas will be anything but happy. And I think we've all experienced Christmases that were less than "merry." Even the first Christmas was not without sadness.

Luke 2:33-35 says, The child’s father and mother marveled at what was said about Him. Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, His mother: “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel...And a sword will pierce your own soul too.” 

The first Christmas was a joyful time, as angels sang and shepherds worshipped. Mary and Joseph marveled at this special event. 

And yet, Jesus' birth was also greeted with this painful prophesy of His future. The child's life would not be one of ease and comfort. And Mary's own heart would be pierced with grief.

The joy of Christmas was in a sense shadowed by the sorrow of the cross. Yes, the Savior had come, but He came to die. 

At the same time, for those of us who know the whole story, the sorrow of the cross pales in light of Jesus' resurrection! 

After the most painful sorrow, Mary experienced (I believe) the greatest joy! The joy of seeing her son raised to life must have eclipsed even the joy of giving Him birth.

And that same joy is ours today! Regardless of whatever sorrows we experience, the glory of the resurrection is even greater! 

The resurrection tells us that there is more than just this life. 

It reminds us that in the end God's goodness will fully triumph over evil. 

And it assures us that the God who loved us enough to die for us, is WITH us through every moment.

So even if this isn't a very merry Christmas for you, I pray it will be a truly Joyful Christmas!

You Know You're An E.I. at Christmas Time When...

I love Christmas time! Yet I know how challenging this time of year can be for those with E.I. So here's a little humor to (hopefully) bring you some Christmas cheer. =) 

You Know You're An E.I. at Christmas Time When...

*You use red and green cotton T-shirts to make Christmas "art" and "decorate" your house.

*You tape old Christmas cards on the outside of your window so you can see them from the inside.

*You take your neighbors sweet potatoes from your garden instead of Christmas cookies.

*You heat water in a Christmas mug and pretend it's hot chocolate. 

*You make your own Christmas cards using 3x5 notecards, a pencil, and stick-figure art.

*You wrap presents in aluminum foil instead of wrapping paper.

*You watch the same PBS Christmas specials over and over.

*You give your family and friends vitamins, supplements or other healthy products for Christmas.

And, *You know how to celebrate in your heart the real meaning of Christmas - the gift of JESUS!

May you have a joyful Christmas in spite of life's challenges! =)

What would you add to this list? Have fun with it! =)

Tri-salts for Allergies

In 2008 my mom and I went to the Environmental Health Center in Dallas looking for answers. Sadly, it turned out not to be a helpful place for me. However, while there we did learn about one product that has been very useful - Tri-salts.

Tri-Salts is a powdered supplement that you can take to help reduce allergic reactions. Immediately when you feel a reaction starting, you can put some tri-salts in a little water and drink it. (I think the recommended dose is 1/2 - 1 teaspoon of tri-salts, though I usually only need 1/8 - 1/4 tsp) This has worked really well for me in heading off reactions before they get worse. 

Many people, when they feel a reaction coming on, often try to ignore it or hope it goes away. The usual result is that the reaction only gets worse. Instead of waiting, if you take the tri-salts immediately, it can help to stop the reaction in its tracks. (Of course, it also helps if you identify the allergen and remove it.)

Years ago I used the Alka-seltzer Gold product in a similar way. (But I believe it contains corn ingredients, so the tri-salts are better.) Thankfully, once I learned to use tri-salts immediately for a reaction, I didn't have to resort to Benedryl nearly as often. 

Tri-salts are a combination of calcium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate and potassium bicarbonate. They help to alkalize the body, which I believe is what helps to stop the reaction. (Because they are alkalizing, it's important to stay within the recommended dose on the label of each specific product, or you can upset your pH balance.)

For me tri-salts are helpful for food reactions as well as reactions to chemicals and other allergens. I always carry some with me so I can take it if I run into something troublesome. 

Here's the brand I use. Depending on your situation (assuming you're not allergic to the ingredients), tri-salts may be a helpful tool for you.

Question: What products have you found helpful for dealing with allergic reactions?