Helpful Healthy Resources

Welcome!

For those of you who are interested in living a non-toxic, organic life, I have some really great info for you today!  (Disclaimer-I am not a health expert, just a person who wants to share with others what I have become aware of, in trying to live a healthier life.  I am not responsible for anything anyone tries from reading this or any of my blog posts.)

"Take care of your body.  It's the only place you have to live."
-Jim Rohn

In a couple of my recent blog posts, on 7/11/14 ("One Way to Be Happier and More Positive") and 7/20/14 ("Positive Odds and Ends"), I mentioned several things that Greg and I had been doing to try to be healthier.  One of my loyal readers and friend, Patricia from Tennessee, as a followup to my healthier-living posts, sent me several great resources that she and her husband use that help them live healthier lives.

Patricia sent a lot of wonderful info, some of which I'll share with you today.  The rest, I'll gradually put on some of my future blog posts as a special feature.

Patricia says that they now use:

"-Organic Foods
-Organic / Natural Ingredients - body lotions, shave cream, deodorant, soap, moisturizers, make-up
-Organic  /Natural Fibers - 100% linen, organic cotton, wool, or silk for all clothing, sheets, towels, dryer balls, etc.
-Natural Fiber - rugs, pillows, upholstery, etc. (wool, linen, organic cotton, soy, hemp, etc. )
- Solid Wood - furniture, cabinets (no veneers, plastics, etc. )"

She sent some website addresses that they use:  (Most of these I checked out, and they look great!)

For natural, organic personal-care products:
www.juicebeauty.com
www.desertessence.com
www.kissmyface.com  (I already use several Kiss My Face products.)

(Also, I make my own natural face lotion/mask which I apply once a week.  "Woman's World" always has natural recipes for a healthier you in every issue.  I'm toying with the idea of making my own "hippie hairspray" which consists of sugar and water, but I haven't been brave enough to try that one yet!)

For non-toxic housecleaning products that you can make yourself, check out this website Patrcia recommends:
www.mnn.com/your-home/at-home/stories/make-your-own-housecleaning-products

For an all-around terrific website that has "Inspiration and information to help you thrive in our toxic world," be sure and see:
www.debralynndadd.com (which has a free newsletter, toxic free talk radio, and lots of links to things non-toxic).

Patricia said that their change to a healthier lifestyle has been over a six-year period.  I can see why, because even though a lot of us would like to throw out all the toxic stuff and start over, that's not a feasible option for most of us.  Even changing over to a healthier diet has taken Greg and me several weeks, to find the organic stuff, and to gradually phase it into our diets.  Now, thankfully, almost every meal that we eat is totally non-GMO/organic.  There are still a few herbs and spices that we're replacing with the organic ones as the old ones run out.

Thanks to local health food stores, farmers markets, and some chain grocery stores, we have found fresh, frozen, packaged, and even non-BPA canned food that has helped us have a healthier diet.  One of our recent meals consisted of cheese, boiled potatoes with butter, corn on the cob, broccoli, and toast, all of which were totally organic, and it was all delicious, and not because I'm any great gourmet chef!

I really appreciate Patricia for all the work she put into sending all of this valuable, healthy info and for helping to make this blog post possible.  People like Patricia make life so much more enjoyable, happier, and more positive for the rest of us.  Thank you so much, Patricia, for sharing!

Be sure and check out my next few blog posts on various topics, along with more informative tidbits from Patricia!

Also, Judy Samples, president of the June Tolliver House in Big Stone Gap, Virginia, wanted several of us to make a special announcement about wine tasting with wine from the Mountainrose Winery at the Tolliver House on August 23 (the last night of "The Trail of the Lonesome Pine" outdoor drama for this year).  Judy said to "Come and share a glass of wine with friends and neighbors, then see the show!"

F.Y.I.
June Tolliver House
www.junetolliverhouse.com

To see Greg's and my latest photos on iStock, just click the link below.
www.istockphoto.com

Positive thought:  "Our bodies are our gardens to which our wills are gardeners." -William Shakespeare

Thanks for visiting!  Until next Sunday, Becky

One Way to Be Happier and More Positive

Welcome!

I want to share with you what I've been more actively working on the past few weeks, and that is to become a lot healthier through what I consume and surround myself with every day.  I believe that is one sure way to be happier and more positive, because if you're not healthy, how can you have optimal happiness and a positive attitude?

Seeing people we love and care about being really sick and dying has been a wake-up call for Greg and me.  I believe we'd all like to live long and healthy lives.

Also, I want to try to tell others, including our loved ones, what I've learned from my recent research.  At this point, I'd like to make a disclaimer that I'm not an expert on the subject, and it's up to the reader to determine what's best for him or her.  This blog post is merely offering suggestions.

First of all, it's essential in my view to completely eliminate GMO's (genetically modified organisms) from the diet as they can cause allergies and are toxic!  A great website for info on this is www.seedsofdeception.com.  On this site you will find a movie with a powerful movie trailer, "Genetic Roulette," by Jeffrey Smith which tells the truth about GMO's, where they are and how to eliminate them from your life.  He also has related books, brochures, DVD's, CD's, and a newsletter.

One of my favorite websites is www.foodbabe.com which has extensive info about GMO's and harmful food additives.  She also gives tips on feeling and looking your best.  I signed up for her free newsletter and downloaded the "Non-GMO Shopping Guide" she has on her site which is great!  She even tells how to "Eat Organic on a Budget."  This site really helped me end the confusion on all of this.

Other helpful websites (in no special order):
-www.crisiseducation.com
-www.justlabelit.org
-www.skindeep.org (which I have used quite a bit for checking for healthy cosmetics and shampoos, etc.)
-www.ewg.org (which tells how healthy cleaning, etc. products are)
-www.eatwellguide.org-Here you can check out restaurants, grocery stores, etc. in your zip code or any zip code where you might travel that has local, organic, healthy food.
-www.eartheasy.com (for non-toxic home cleaning)
-www.anniesheirloomseeds.com (for non-GMO seeds)
-On Green Polka Dot Box, you can buy organic on the Internet.
-Eye-opening book, "Wheat Belly," on Amazon

More quick ideas, tips, and observations:
-By choosing certified organic products, you will avoid exposure to GMO's.
-I look for the "Non-GMO Project" seals with the picture of an orange butterfly on product boxes, cartons, etc. before I buy.
-Also good-I look for "USDA (United States Department of Agriculture) Organic" on products.
-Greg is now studying "The 4 Foot Farm Blueprint" we got online to grow your own food.  (Greg is the gardener in our family.)

Greg with his tomato plant.  These little tomatoes are delicious!

-I'm now visiting our local farmer's market.  Local is generally better for you, and tastes better, I think, but also note that local food does not always mean organic.  Ask to find out.

Question: Why is it that many countries are banning dangerous food chemicals, etc., but the United States is far behind in doing this?!

If you have any other helpful websites, etc. on this subject to share, please do.  I'd love to hear from you.

Positive thought:  "The groundwork of all happiness is health." -James Leigh Hunt
Thanks for visiting!  Until next Sunday, Becky