I'm sorry it's been a while since I've posted anything. Detoxing has been pretty rough lately. So I'll keep this post short. Just wanted to say a word about toxins.
Recently in my research I came across this disturbing quote:
"The first principle of toxicology is 'the dose makes the poison.' It's the AMOUNT of a potentially hazardous chemical, not its presence or absence, that determines the potential for harm."
(from - http://www.technewsworld.com/story/68569.html?wlc=1269807786)
Now, at first this might sound reasonable, and if we were talking about ONE toxin in ONE product, it could possibly be an acceptable statement.
HOWEVER, the reality is that we're talking about dozens of toxins in literally thousands of products, both for daily use and commercial use.
A toxin is still a toxin, and a poison is still a poison, no matter how much or little of it is present! Yes, our bodies have the ability to 'detox' toxins and poisons, but they are still not GOOD for us. If they were good for us they wouldn't be called toxins or poisons.
Yet, our government operates under the same attitude as the person who made the above statement. They have labeled those thousands of products as "safe" becuase the AMOUNT of toxins/poisons is considered "small enough."
Maybe if they were bankers instead of politicians they'd understand the concept of compounded interest. One product with "safe" amounts of toxins probably wouldn't cause much damage. But when you compound hundreds of prodcuts that contain "safe" amounts of toxic chemicals (including the food we eat, the water we drink, the houses we live in, the fragrances we wear, etc, etc, etc.) there is no way you can avoid an overload of toxins/poisons.
Am I the only one who thinks this both ridiculous and scary?
The government may label thousands of products as "safe," but that doesn't mean they really are safe for you and me. We cannot rely on the government or profit-motivated companies to protect us from toxic exposure.
Take responsibility for your own health. Educate yourself. Read labels. Change your buying habits. Make your voice heard.
And don't buy into the theory that a "small" amount of toxins/poisons is "safe."
May God have mercy on us.
.
Friday, April 9, 2010
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Slaves or Partners?
Unfortunately, I think most people today treat their bodies like slaves. They do whatever they want to them (bad eating habits, little sleep, etc.) and then expect their bodies to still do everything they tell them to. If their bodies try to protest it is ignored. They give very little time to taking care of their bodies or considering what they really need.
It's sad.
I can say this, because I used to be like this. I used to think my body was supposed to do what I wanted it to and not bother me. I didn't listen to my body, I didn't consider its needs. So it crashed. Then I learned to pay attention.
So if you're reading this and your body hasn't crashed yet, this would be a good time to evaluate your thinking toward your body and maybe make some changes.
God said our body is HIS temple, His dwelling place (Eph. 2:22, 1 Cor. 6:19-20). It is not our slave. I like to think of my body more as my partner. Without my body functioning properly I am limited in what I can do, thus limited in what God can do through me.
Over the last several years I've learned to listen to my body. It may sound a little weird to you, but it's true that your body will try to communicate to you when it needs rest, water, healthy food, exercise, etc. The hard part is learning to listen and then to act. Make your health a priority, not for selfish reasons, but because you want to be a good steward or caretaker of the body God has given you.
Now it's true that we shouldn't let our bodies rule our lives (1 Cor. 6:12-13). If we learn how to work with our bodies and how to be prayerful about what we do, I don't think we'll have to worry that. I believe God will give us the strength we need to do the things He's called us to, and that includes taking GOOD care of our bodies.
Your body is a gift from God. Learn to treat it like one.
It's sad.
I can say this, because I used to be like this. I used to think my body was supposed to do what I wanted it to and not bother me. I didn't listen to my body, I didn't consider its needs. So it crashed. Then I learned to pay attention.
So if you're reading this and your body hasn't crashed yet, this would be a good time to evaluate your thinking toward your body and maybe make some changes.
God said our body is HIS temple, His dwelling place (Eph. 2:22, 1 Cor. 6:19-20). It is not our slave. I like to think of my body more as my partner. Without my body functioning properly I am limited in what I can do, thus limited in what God can do through me.
Over the last several years I've learned to listen to my body. It may sound a little weird to you, but it's true that your body will try to communicate to you when it needs rest, water, healthy food, exercise, etc. The hard part is learning to listen and then to act. Make your health a priority, not for selfish reasons, but because you want to be a good steward or caretaker of the body God has given you.
Now it's true that we shouldn't let our bodies rule our lives (1 Cor. 6:12-13). If we learn how to work with our bodies and how to be prayerful about what we do, I don't think we'll have to worry that. I believe God will give us the strength we need to do the things He's called us to, and that includes taking GOOD care of our bodies.
Your body is a gift from God. Learn to treat it like one.
Thursday, March 4, 2010
"Bottom 5"
You've heard of the "Top 10" list. This is the "Bottom 5" list, in honor of the fact that I have now survived 9 whole months of detoxing!
Now, you probably won't experience all these things as you detox, but for me here are the 5 worst things about detoxing:
1. "Toxic nightmares" - whenever I'm detoxing something especially nasty like pesticide or mercury, I tend to have really awful dreams all nght, sometimes so bad that I have to wake up and turn on lights and praise music. At least I know they are "toxin-induced" though and not because I'm crazy. =)
2. Being allergic to my clothes - the toxins are literally pouring out of my skin so that my clothes are so full of them, my mom has to wash them at least 3-4 times before I can wear them again without having a reaction. It's nuts.
3. An annoying rash that comes and goes whenever and wherever it pleases. - it especially likes to itch the worst in the middle of the night. Not fun.
4. All the detoxing symptoms - depending on what I'm detoxing, the symptoms can range from nausea, brain fog, or a metallic taste in my mouth, to trouble breathing, joint and muscle pain, headaches, etc.
5. Feeling like this detoxing will never end - no matter how many toxins my body gets rid of, it seems there's always more just waiting to come out. I get really tired of feeling "toxic."
There you have it. Now aren't you excited to start detoxing? =)
Here's a quick addition to my "You know you're detoxing..." list, from my friend Sam, who also suffers with E.I.
"You know you're detoxing...when a mosquito lands on your arm, bites into your skin, and expires."
Just think, it could be a new method of mosquito control! =)
Now, you probably won't experience all these things as you detox, but for me here are the 5 worst things about detoxing:
1. "Toxic nightmares" - whenever I'm detoxing something especially nasty like pesticide or mercury, I tend to have really awful dreams all nght, sometimes so bad that I have to wake up and turn on lights and praise music. At least I know they are "toxin-induced" though and not because I'm crazy. =)
2. Being allergic to my clothes - the toxins are literally pouring out of my skin so that my clothes are so full of them, my mom has to wash them at least 3-4 times before I can wear them again without having a reaction. It's nuts.
3. An annoying rash that comes and goes whenever and wherever it pleases. - it especially likes to itch the worst in the middle of the night. Not fun.
4. All the detoxing symptoms - depending on what I'm detoxing, the symptoms can range from nausea, brain fog, or a metallic taste in my mouth, to trouble breathing, joint and muscle pain, headaches, etc.
5. Feeling like this detoxing will never end - no matter how many toxins my body gets rid of, it seems there's always more just waiting to come out. I get really tired of feeling "toxic."
There you have it. Now aren't you excited to start detoxing? =)
Here's a quick addition to my "You know you're detoxing..." list, from my friend Sam, who also suffers with E.I.
"You know you're detoxing...when a mosquito lands on your arm, bites into your skin, and expires."
Just think, it could be a new method of mosquito control! =)
Monday, March 1, 2010
Lymphatic Massage
As I mentioned in my last post, I believe lymphatic massage is the best way to begin detoxing and the key that unlocks your body's natural detoxing system so that other methods become even more effective for you as well.
Lymphatic massage is so powerful because it works with your body, instead of pushing your body. It assists your body's natural detoxification process.
Sickness, stress, lack of exercise, etc. cause our bodies to tense up. As the muscles get tighter the lymphatic system is basically choked. Doing the massage relaxes the muscles and opens up the flow of the lymph, which is a fluid that moves the toxins out of your body.
The really amazing thing about lymphatic massage is that as you continue to do it, your lymphatic system will actually pull toxins out of the places where they are stored (in organs, tissues, glands, etc. So you don't have to do chelation or take a bunch of supplements to dig out the toxins buried deep in your body. Your body will do it naturally if you keep the lymphatic system moving well.
Basic lymphatic massage is pretty simple. Just start with gentle stroking or gentle pressure, whichever feels good. When I first started, my mom could barely touch me because I was so toxic that even my skin hurt. Gradually as the toxins came out she was able to rub a little harder, use a little more pressure, etc. Just remember that it's supposed to be a relaxing massage, not painful like a deep-tissue massage. And always massage toward the heart/torso.
My naturopath recommends using oil on the skin for the massage since it cuts down on the friction. I'm sensitive to any kind of oil, so that didn't work for me. I think it works ok without the oil. If you do use oil, try to find something natural like organic coconut oil or something that will not harm your body since it will be absorbed into your body through the skin.
When my mom feels a tense place or a kind of 'lump' under my skin she'll often just place her hand on top of it for several seconds and let that heat sort of "melt" the lump. Then she can gently rub it out. This happens most often in my feet. For some reason they always have lumps in different places.
The following website has some brief video clips that show how to do different parts of the massage as well as where the major lymph nodes are, and more more.
http://www.ehow.com/videos-on_4277_expect-lymphatic-drainage-massage.html
Just remember, go slow. When I first started I could only handle about 10 minutes of massage. After that I'd feel nauseated and weak. As my body got rid of more toxins I could handle longer massages. If you do too much massage or too often, your body will be dumping a bunch of toxins at once and you'll deinitely feel worse because of it. Always pay attention to your body and listen to what it's telling you. A little at a time is better than a whole lot at once. =) And don't forget to drink LOTS of water after a massage, to help move the toxins out quickly.
There's plenty of information about lymphatic massage online if you want to learn more. These websites have information about what it does and why it's helpful.
www.massagetherapy.com
http://ezinearticles.com/?Lymphatic-Massage---The-Benefits&id=283527
Here's a sample paragraph from the second website -
"The lymphatic system has no central pump and depends on muscle contraction through deep breathing, exercise and manual manipulation to move fluid.
Lymphatic massage utilizes a very light pressure combined with soft pumping movements in the direction of the lymph nodes. Immune system function can be significantly increased, improving metabolism and helping the body to eliminate waste and toxins."
I think my naturpath would say that lymphatic massage is good for everyone. However, the above websites do list a caution for people with certain health issues.
"For the most part lymphatic massage is safe. However as with all massage therapies there are some contra indications. For lymphatic massage specifically, these include acute inflammation, malignant tumors, thrombosis and major heart problems."
"Lymph massage is a type of massage which is designed to promote the healthy flow of lymph, the clear fluid which supports immune system function by flowing through the body and sequestering foreign material like viruses. Practitioners of lymph massage believe that the massage eliminates blockages in the lymphatic system, while also helping to pull out toxins. This type of massage is generally very gentle, but there are some serious contraindications, because massage work around the lymphatic system can make some medical conditions worse. Therefore, it is important to talk to a doctor before booking an appointment for lymph massage.
You may hear this type of massage called lymphatic massage, lymphatic drainage, or manual lymphatic drainage. People with inflammations and current infections should not get lymph massage, because the massage can encourage the spread of the infection. Lymph massage is also contraindicated for people with tumors and undiagnosed lumps, as well as people with clotting issues and heart problems. Lymph massage can make all of these conditions worse."
My best advice (as long as you don't have any of the above conditions) is just give it a try and see how it feels. It's made a huge difference for me! My naturopath discovered this when he was struggling to recover from chronic fatigue. He's very healthy now and still has a massage once a week.
If you have any questions, please let me know. Anyone can post comments on this blog now, so feel free! =)
Lymphatic massage is so powerful because it works with your body, instead of pushing your body. It assists your body's natural detoxification process.
Sickness, stress, lack of exercise, etc. cause our bodies to tense up. As the muscles get tighter the lymphatic system is basically choked. Doing the massage relaxes the muscles and opens up the flow of the lymph, which is a fluid that moves the toxins out of your body.
The really amazing thing about lymphatic massage is that as you continue to do it, your lymphatic system will actually pull toxins out of the places where they are stored (in organs, tissues, glands, etc. So you don't have to do chelation or take a bunch of supplements to dig out the toxins buried deep in your body. Your body will do it naturally if you keep the lymphatic system moving well.
Basic lymphatic massage is pretty simple. Just start with gentle stroking or gentle pressure, whichever feels good. When I first started, my mom could barely touch me because I was so toxic that even my skin hurt. Gradually as the toxins came out she was able to rub a little harder, use a little more pressure, etc. Just remember that it's supposed to be a relaxing massage, not painful like a deep-tissue massage. And always massage toward the heart/torso.
My naturopath recommends using oil on the skin for the massage since it cuts down on the friction. I'm sensitive to any kind of oil, so that didn't work for me. I think it works ok without the oil. If you do use oil, try to find something natural like organic coconut oil or something that will not harm your body since it will be absorbed into your body through the skin.
When my mom feels a tense place or a kind of 'lump' under my skin she'll often just place her hand on top of it for several seconds and let that heat sort of "melt" the lump. Then she can gently rub it out. This happens most often in my feet. For some reason they always have lumps in different places.
The following website has some brief video clips that show how to do different parts of the massage as well as where the major lymph nodes are, and more more.
http://www.ehow.com/videos-on_4277_expect-lymphatic-drainage-massage.html
Just remember, go slow. When I first started I could only handle about 10 minutes of massage. After that I'd feel nauseated and weak. As my body got rid of more toxins I could handle longer massages. If you do too much massage or too often, your body will be dumping a bunch of toxins at once and you'll deinitely feel worse because of it. Always pay attention to your body and listen to what it's telling you. A little at a time is better than a whole lot at once. =) And don't forget to drink LOTS of water after a massage, to help move the toxins out quickly.
There's plenty of information about lymphatic massage online if you want to learn more. These websites have information about what it does and why it's helpful.
www.massagetherapy.com
http://ezinearticles.com/?Lymphatic-Massage---The-Benefits&id=283527
Here's a sample paragraph from the second website -
"The lymphatic system has no central pump and depends on muscle contraction through deep breathing, exercise and manual manipulation to move fluid.
Lymphatic massage utilizes a very light pressure combined with soft pumping movements in the direction of the lymph nodes. Immune system function can be significantly increased, improving metabolism and helping the body to eliminate waste and toxins."
I think my naturpath would say that lymphatic massage is good for everyone. However, the above websites do list a caution for people with certain health issues.
"For the most part lymphatic massage is safe. However as with all massage therapies there are some contra indications. For lymphatic massage specifically, these include acute inflammation, malignant tumors, thrombosis and major heart problems."
"Lymph massage is a type of massage which is designed to promote the healthy flow of lymph, the clear fluid which supports immune system function by flowing through the body and sequestering foreign material like viruses. Practitioners of lymph massage believe that the massage eliminates blockages in the lymphatic system, while also helping to pull out toxins. This type of massage is generally very gentle, but there are some serious contraindications, because massage work around the lymphatic system can make some medical conditions worse. Therefore, it is important to talk to a doctor before booking an appointment for lymph massage.
You may hear this type of massage called lymphatic massage, lymphatic drainage, or manual lymphatic drainage. People with inflammations and current infections should not get lymph massage, because the massage can encourage the spread of the infection. Lymph massage is also contraindicated for people with tumors and undiagnosed lumps, as well as people with clotting issues and heart problems. Lymph massage can make all of these conditions worse."
My best advice (as long as you don't have any of the above conditions) is just give it a try and see how it feels. It's made a huge difference for me! My naturopath discovered this when he was struggling to recover from chronic fatigue. He's very healthy now and still has a massage once a week.
If you have any questions, please let me know. Anyone can post comments on this blog now, so feel free! =)
Monday, February 22, 2010
Detoxing 101
Hello. Yes, at long last I'm finally writing about detoxing! =)
First I want to say that I do not consider myself an expert on this subject. So far I haven't met anyone who is. I'm simply sharing what I've learned from experience, both good and bad, and what works for me.
There are many different methods for detoxing out there, including - detox supplements, herbal and homeopathic remedies, coffee enemas, chelation, sauna therapy, etc.
My personal opinion is that most of these things are actually stressful for the body, thus not the best or most effective methods. You definitely need dr supervision for chelation and sauna therapy. They can be powerful detoxers, but also can be risky.
I tried different ways to detox, including foot baths (with a special machine that pulls toxins out of your feet), rebounding, and supplements, but they either didn't work or made me feel much worse. One dr even told me that maybe my body wasn't capable of detoxing. (There are genetic studies about that and everything.)
Then God brought a dr along who taught my mom and I about lymphatic massage. What I learned amazed me! I've been doing lymphatic massage for about 9 months now and I'm very satisfied with the results. I think it's not only the best way to detox, but also the key that unlocks the body's natural detox system so that everything else you do to detox will be more effective.
I'll write a separate post about the massage next time.
Once I started doing the massage, my body was finally able to detox. So my detox program at the moment includes the following things:
* 2-3 massages a week, foot massages every day if possible (my mom does this for me, the techniques are not hard to learn)
If you don't have anyone who can massage you, then I recommend dry skin brushing. I haven't actually tried it myself yet because I've been doing the massage. But I have heard many good things about it. This website has great information and instructions for it -
http://www.naturalhealthtechniques.com/healingtechniques/Dry_Brushing_Technique.htm
* a detox bath every day (for most people 1-3 baths a week is probably enough)
There are different ways to do this. I use a mineral powder from my naturopath that helps pull toxins out through the skin. You can also use equal amounts of epsom salts and baking soda (1/4 cup each up to 1/2 cup each) or just epsom salts (1/2 cup) in a full tub of water, as hot as is comfortable for you, for 10-30 minutes depending on how you feel. The bath should feel good. If you start to feel uncomfortable it probably means the water is too hot or you've been in long enough. Rinse off well with a shower afterwards.
An important note - taking a bath (or shower) is like drinking a full glass of that tap water because the water is absorbed into your skin. So unless you have clean well water, it's vital to have a whole house water filter (you can get them at Lowes for about $50) or a shower filter (you can order them online at needs.com), or even both. If you don't filter out the chlorine and other chemicals in your tap water then taking a detox bath will actually cause you to absorb the chemicals from the water.
* rebounding (helps the lymphatic system also)
This is basically bouncing on a mini-trampoline or you can just bounce up & down on the balls of your feet. I only do about 1 minute of rebounding at a time, but I try to do it 2-3 tiimes a day. It depends on how it feels. If you start to feel sick after doing it, then decrease how long or how often you do it.
* exercise/sweating
Any exercise will help you detox, and sweating is a great way to get toxins out. Just remember to get a shower immediately after sweating. If you let the sweat dry on your body your skin will simply reabsorb the toxins that are in your sweat.
* stretching
You always hear about exercise but seldom about stretching. It's very important to help keep muscles, ligaments, etc. loosened up and not choking the lymphatic system. I do a simply stretching routine every day that takes about 3 minutes. I put it together using things I learned from aerobics, P.E., and my physical therapist. Find some stretches you're comfortable with put also push you a little. Then stick with it and try to add new ones now and then.
Well, there you have my recommendations for starting a detoxing program. The nice thing about these methods is that anyone can do them, at home, with little or no expense, not requiring a doctor (though having a dr who is knowledgeable about detoxing is always beneficial!) and with good results.
The last thing I want to say is just remember to listen to your body. When it comes to detoxing, pain is NOT gain. If it feels awful or painful - don't do it! Start slow. Don't push your body. Work with it.
If you are genuinely detoxing you will feel a little worse after your massage, bath, exercise, etc. because the toxins are coming out. But you shouldn't experience pain while doing those things. If you do, then slow down, back up, and do less. Give your body time to work out those toxins before you start the next detoxing step. Remember that it took years for toxins to build up in your body. It will take time for your body to push them out.
Please let me know if you have any questions. I've adjusted the settings on my blog so anyone can post comments now, even if you don't have a blogger id.
I really want this blog to be helpful, informative, and encouraging. I hope it is for you.
Happy Detoxing! =)
First I want to say that I do not consider myself an expert on this subject. So far I haven't met anyone who is. I'm simply sharing what I've learned from experience, both good and bad, and what works for me.
There are many different methods for detoxing out there, including - detox supplements, herbal and homeopathic remedies, coffee enemas, chelation, sauna therapy, etc.
My personal opinion is that most of these things are actually stressful for the body, thus not the best or most effective methods. You definitely need dr supervision for chelation and sauna therapy. They can be powerful detoxers, but also can be risky.
I tried different ways to detox, including foot baths (with a special machine that pulls toxins out of your feet), rebounding, and supplements, but they either didn't work or made me feel much worse. One dr even told me that maybe my body wasn't capable of detoxing. (There are genetic studies about that and everything.)
Then God brought a dr along who taught my mom and I about lymphatic massage. What I learned amazed me! I've been doing lymphatic massage for about 9 months now and I'm very satisfied with the results. I think it's not only the best way to detox, but also the key that unlocks the body's natural detox system so that everything else you do to detox will be more effective.
I'll write a separate post about the massage next time.
Once I started doing the massage, my body was finally able to detox. So my detox program at the moment includes the following things:
* 2-3 massages a week, foot massages every day if possible (my mom does this for me, the techniques are not hard to learn)
If you don't have anyone who can massage you, then I recommend dry skin brushing. I haven't actually tried it myself yet because I've been doing the massage. But I have heard many good things about it. This website has great information and instructions for it -
http://www.naturalhealthtechniques.com/healingtechniques/Dry_Brushing_Technique.htm
* a detox bath every day (for most people 1-3 baths a week is probably enough)
There are different ways to do this. I use a mineral powder from my naturopath that helps pull toxins out through the skin. You can also use equal amounts of epsom salts and baking soda (1/4 cup each up to 1/2 cup each) or just epsom salts (1/2 cup) in a full tub of water, as hot as is comfortable for you, for 10-30 minutes depending on how you feel. The bath should feel good. If you start to feel uncomfortable it probably means the water is too hot or you've been in long enough. Rinse off well with a shower afterwards.
An important note - taking a bath (or shower) is like drinking a full glass of that tap water because the water is absorbed into your skin. So unless you have clean well water, it's vital to have a whole house water filter (you can get them at Lowes for about $50) or a shower filter (you can order them online at needs.com), or even both. If you don't filter out the chlorine and other chemicals in your tap water then taking a detox bath will actually cause you to absorb the chemicals from the water.
* rebounding (helps the lymphatic system also)
This is basically bouncing on a mini-trampoline or you can just bounce up & down on the balls of your feet. I only do about 1 minute of rebounding at a time, but I try to do it 2-3 tiimes a day. It depends on how it feels. If you start to feel sick after doing it, then decrease how long or how often you do it.
* exercise/sweating
Any exercise will help you detox, and sweating is a great way to get toxins out. Just remember to get a shower immediately after sweating. If you let the sweat dry on your body your skin will simply reabsorb the toxins that are in your sweat.
* stretching
You always hear about exercise but seldom about stretching. It's very important to help keep muscles, ligaments, etc. loosened up and not choking the lymphatic system. I do a simply stretching routine every day that takes about 3 minutes. I put it together using things I learned from aerobics, P.E., and my physical therapist. Find some stretches you're comfortable with put also push you a little. Then stick with it and try to add new ones now and then.
Well, there you have my recommendations for starting a detoxing program. The nice thing about these methods is that anyone can do them, at home, with little or no expense, not requiring a doctor (though having a dr who is knowledgeable about detoxing is always beneficial!) and with good results.
The last thing I want to say is just remember to listen to your body. When it comes to detoxing, pain is NOT gain. If it feels awful or painful - don't do it! Start slow. Don't push your body. Work with it.
If you are genuinely detoxing you will feel a little worse after your massage, bath, exercise, etc. because the toxins are coming out. But you shouldn't experience pain while doing those things. If you do, then slow down, back up, and do less. Give your body time to work out those toxins before you start the next detoxing step. Remember that it took years for toxins to build up in your body. It will take time for your body to push them out.
Please let me know if you have any questions. I've adjusted the settings on my blog so anyone can post comments now, even if you don't have a blogger id.
I really want this blog to be helpful, informative, and encouraging. I hope it is for you.
Happy Detoxing! =)
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Sponges
Well, I promised you I'd write about detoxing this month, but I think first I need to say a few words about toxins.
A toxin basically is a poison or something that is harmful. You cannot begin to imagine how many toxins are in our environment today. And many of them are hidden or unpredictable. Just last week I found out that the "natural" coconut oil I've been using is processed using petroleum products. No wonder I always seemed to react to it! I also read recently that certain kinds of baby formula have an ingredient that is the same one used in rocket fuel! If that doesn't scare you, I'm not sure anything will.
(I got that information from ewg.org - an excellent resource for learning more about what toxins are around you.)
There are toxins in the air we breathe, the food we eat, the water we drink, the buildings we live and work in, and in almost every product we use on our bodies.
The worst part about all this is that our bodies are not made of metal or plastic. They are more like sponges. We can't walk around thinking we have an indestructible shield around us. We are, in fact, absorbing every toxin we encounter into our bodies.
Thankfully, God created our bodies with a built-in detoxing function - the lymphatic system. However, the level of toxins in our environment is so much higher than it was even 20 years ago, that it's becoming next to impossible for our bodies to keep up. More toxins are coming in than the body can filter out. Picture yourself as a sponge, soaking up toxins all day long until you're dripping wet. Your body works hard to wring out a little water at a time, but at the end of the day, you're still dripping. That's when health problems begin to show up.
For a concrete example, let me give you a short list of some of the things I have detoxed in the last 9 months. (We've determined these things through symptoms like the taste in my mouth, smell of my sweat, etc. as well as through muscle testing.)
So far I've detoxed:
lead, mercury, copper, aluminum, silver, cadmium, asphalt, formaldehyde, acetone, epoxy, paint thinner, phenol, chlorine, hydrogen peroxide, pesticide, herbicide, 5 kinds of antibiotics, at least 5 other medications, childhood vaccinations, crude oil and petoleum produts, smoke, perfume, lotion, shampoo, castille soap, propane, natural gas....
The list could go on, but I think you get the idea.
If you eat it, drink it, breathe it, wear it, or put it on your skin, it becomes part of you. Then your body has to work extra hard to get it OUT.
Maybe you're feeling a little overwhelmed by all this. I HOPE so! Until you realize how toxic your body probably is, you won't be able to help it.
The first step is simple. Sit down with a piece of paper and pen. Think through your day from start to finish and write down as many things you can think of that you encounter each day that are toxic, or harmful, to your body. Remember, if it's not something God created, you can be pretty sure it's toxic. (And even some "natural" products have hidden toxins.)
Next, mark those things on your list that you can give up, avoid or replace with a natural alternative. -- If this part seems too hard, just think about the money you'll save by giving up certain products. =) (You can also read my "Fragrance-Free Challenge post from January for more info on household toxins and natural replacements.)
Finally, prepare your mind for action! It's time to start a detoxing program. Consdering that there are SO many toxins you won't be able to avoid, your body needs all the helpl it can get.
Next time I'll write about how to get started detoxing.
Thanks for reading, my dear "spongy" friend. May you have a "dry" day today. =)
God bless.
A toxin basically is a poison or something that is harmful. You cannot begin to imagine how many toxins are in our environment today. And many of them are hidden or unpredictable. Just last week I found out that the "natural" coconut oil I've been using is processed using petroleum products. No wonder I always seemed to react to it! I also read recently that certain kinds of baby formula have an ingredient that is the same one used in rocket fuel! If that doesn't scare you, I'm not sure anything will.
(I got that information from ewg.org - an excellent resource for learning more about what toxins are around you.)
There are toxins in the air we breathe, the food we eat, the water we drink, the buildings we live and work in, and in almost every product we use on our bodies.
The worst part about all this is that our bodies are not made of metal or plastic. They are more like sponges. We can't walk around thinking we have an indestructible shield around us. We are, in fact, absorbing every toxin we encounter into our bodies.
Thankfully, God created our bodies with a built-in detoxing function - the lymphatic system. However, the level of toxins in our environment is so much higher than it was even 20 years ago, that it's becoming next to impossible for our bodies to keep up. More toxins are coming in than the body can filter out. Picture yourself as a sponge, soaking up toxins all day long until you're dripping wet. Your body works hard to wring out a little water at a time, but at the end of the day, you're still dripping. That's when health problems begin to show up.
For a concrete example, let me give you a short list of some of the things I have detoxed in the last 9 months. (We've determined these things through symptoms like the taste in my mouth, smell of my sweat, etc. as well as through muscle testing.)
So far I've detoxed:
lead, mercury, copper, aluminum, silver, cadmium, asphalt, formaldehyde, acetone, epoxy, paint thinner, phenol, chlorine, hydrogen peroxide, pesticide, herbicide, 5 kinds of antibiotics, at least 5 other medications, childhood vaccinations, crude oil and petoleum produts, smoke, perfume, lotion, shampoo, castille soap, propane, natural gas....
The list could go on, but I think you get the idea.
If you eat it, drink it, breathe it, wear it, or put it on your skin, it becomes part of you. Then your body has to work extra hard to get it OUT.
Maybe you're feeling a little overwhelmed by all this. I HOPE so! Until you realize how toxic your body probably is, you won't be able to help it.
The first step is simple. Sit down with a piece of paper and pen. Think through your day from start to finish and write down as many things you can think of that you encounter each day that are toxic, or harmful, to your body. Remember, if it's not something God created, you can be pretty sure it's toxic. (And even some "natural" products have hidden toxins.)
Next, mark those things on your list that you can give up, avoid or replace with a natural alternative. -- If this part seems too hard, just think about the money you'll save by giving up certain products. =) (You can also read my "Fragrance-Free Challenge post from January for more info on household toxins and natural replacements.)
Finally, prepare your mind for action! It's time to start a detoxing program. Consdering that there are SO many toxins you won't be able to avoid, your body needs all the helpl it can get.
Next time I'll write about how to get started detoxing.
Thanks for reading, my dear "spongy" friend. May you have a "dry" day today. =)
God bless.
Monday, February 8, 2010
Kudos to Non-Toxic Woman
Every person who suffers with E.I. really needs a dedicated caregiver. I am so blessed to have the best caregiver in the world - my mom. (She's known in the super-hero world as "Non-Toxic Woman.") =)
She has given up so much for me.
-She washes her hands & hair wtih baking soda so she can stay "fragrance-free."
-She always gets a shower after going anywhere so I don't have to risk reacting to some smell or toxin she might have encountered.
-She does all the grocery shopping, cooking, laundry...you name it. Not an easy task, especially lately when she's had to wash all the dishes by hand (because I've been reacting to the dishwasher) and wash some of my laundry multiple times (to get all the toxins out that I've been detoxing).
Anyway, these are just a few of the things Non-Toxic Woman does for me, to help keep my environment as safe and toxin-free as possible.
I just wanted to give her big kudos this week for adding to all of that, the willingness to help someone else - one of our friends with E.I. needed us last week. In spite of all the things she has on her plate, Non-Toxic Woman was there! She really is a super-hero! (especially to me)
Non-Toxic Woman - I know I probably don't say it enough, so here it is one more time:
THANK YOU!
You are the wind beneath my wings.
=)
She has given up so much for me.
-She washes her hands & hair wtih baking soda so she can stay "fragrance-free."
-She always gets a shower after going anywhere so I don't have to risk reacting to some smell or toxin she might have encountered.
-She does all the grocery shopping, cooking, laundry...you name it. Not an easy task, especially lately when she's had to wash all the dishes by hand (because I've been reacting to the dishwasher) and wash some of my laundry multiple times (to get all the toxins out that I've been detoxing).
Anyway, these are just a few of the things Non-Toxic Woman does for me, to help keep my environment as safe and toxin-free as possible.
I just wanted to give her big kudos this week for adding to all of that, the willingness to help someone else - one of our friends with E.I. needed us last week. In spite of all the things she has on her plate, Non-Toxic Woman was there! She really is a super-hero! (especially to me)
Non-Toxic Woman - I know I probably don't say it enough, so here it is one more time:
THANK YOU!
You are the wind beneath my wings.
=)
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