...What's Got Me Feelin' So Good (Pt. 3)

I'm back constant readers but this one will be a quickie. Settle down fellas, not that kind of quickie.

In the interest of the weather changing here in the city I thought I'd throw a little something out to my fellow sinus/allergy sufferers.

I've discovered that adding 1/8 tsp. of SEA salt (not that mess with the girl on the front pouring out salt under an umbrella) to a bottle of water will significantly improve your sinus issues.

Now it is still salt and I've discovered that about every 2-1/2 weeks I've got to lay off of it for 2 days because my feet will start to swell. (Apparently the claim that it helps regulate BP doesn't work for me.)

I love products that do double duty so I checked on this one and found these claims at http://products.mercola.com/himalayan-salt/ :
Containing all of the 84 elements found in your body, the benefits of natural Himalayan Crystal Salt include:
Regulating the water content throughout your body.
Promoting a healthy pH balance in your cells, particularly your brain cells.
Promoting blood sugar health and helping to reduce the signs of aging.
Assisting in the generation of hydroelectric energy in cells in your body.
Absorption of food particles through your intestinal tract.
Supporting respiratory health.
Promoting sinus health.
Prevention of muscle cramps.
Promoting bone strength.
Regulating your sleep -- it naturally promotes sleep.
Supporting your libido.
Promoting vascular health.
In conjunction with water it is actually essential for the regulation of your blood pressure.

So there you have it. If all else fails take an imaginary trip to the beach.

Be well.

...What's Got Me Feelin' So Good (Pt. 2)

In my recent musings I've come across a most interesting phenomenon - that of oil pulling. I was really impressed with all of the testimonies that I read at http://www.earthclinic.com/ .

The premise of oil pulling as laid out on http://www.oilpulling.com/ is that by swishing (or pulling) 1 tbsp of either sesame or sunflower oil between your teeth for 15-30 minutes on an empty stomach you are pulling toxins out of bloodstream via your gums.

This process also does wonders for your dental health. It stops your gums from bleeding, tightens loose teeth, whitens teeth and over time will begin to eliminate morning breath.

I've been "pulling" for about a month now and I have to say I was sold by day 3. I only pull once a day and my oil of choice is sunflower. I have tried sesame, as I read this oil yields the best results, but the taste was a little strong for me.

My gums no longer bleed while brushing and my teeth are noticeably whiter now. I begin oil pulling for the purpose of improving my dental health but there have been some other benefits that are major bonuses.

Guys you may want to skip this paragraph : Prior to oil pulling I had tons of problems surrounding my "ladies days". These problems were further exacerbated by my tuba ligation 15 months ago. In addition to crazy PMS and horrible cramps from my lower back down to my thighs, I also had a very heavy flow and huge clots falling out of me every month. For a week out of every month I was miserable and had even contemplated having a partial hysterectomy. On my 4th day of oil pulling I began my cycle. I had NO cramps and my clots were significantly reduced. About a month into pulling, I had NO PMS, NO CRAMPS, NO CLOTS and my flow was significantly reduced. Needless to say I'm sold.

O.k. guys, the coast is clear. I've read that many other illnesses have been cured with this procedure and some people even use olive oil and coconut oil to pull but I'm merely telling you what I've read as far as those claims go. For me the dental results are enough. Everything else is just gravy.

...What's Got Me Feelin' So Good (Pt. 1)

O.k., have you ever known one of your parents or grandparents to have a cure for EVERYTHING that ails you? With my father it was alcohol and aspirin. My poor brother almost lost his toe to an ingrown toenail because Daddy kept telling him, "Just put a little alcohol on it, it'll be alright".

I just knew I'd never be this country. I thought I was more sophisticated than this.

Turns out, I'm just a hot, country lie!

For me, it's not alcohol and aspirin though - it's virgin coconut oil. You read me right. Or as one of my friend girls calls it - coconut "grease".

I originally started out using this on my hair and I love the shine it gives and it doesn't leave my hair greasy. But the infojunkie in me just wouldn't leave well enough alone and I wanted to know what else I could do with it. I was pleasantly stunned and immediately went to experimenting.

This is a list I found at http://www.coconutresearchcenter.org/ :

Kills viruses that cause influenza, herpes, measles, hepatitis C, SARS, AIDS, and other illnesses. Kills bacteria that cause ulcers, throat infections, urinary tract infections, gum disease and cavities, pneumonia, and gonorrhea, and other diseases. Kills fungi and yeasts that cause candidiasis, ringworm, athlete's foot, thrush, diaper rash, and other infections. Expels or kills tapeworms, lice, giardia, and other parasites. Provides a nutritional source of quick energy. Boosts energy and endurance, enhancing physical and athletic performance. Improves digestion and absorption of other nutrients including vitamins, minerals, and amino acids. Improves insulin secretion and utilization of blood glucose. Relieves stress on pancreas and enzyme systems of the body. Reduces symptoms associated with pancreatitis. Helps relieve symptoms and reduce health risks associated with diabetes. Reduces problems associated with malabsorption syndrome and cystic fibrosis. Improves calcium and magnesium absorption and supports the development of strong bones and teeth. Helps protect against osteoporosis. Helps relieve symptoms associated with gallbladder disease. Relieves symptoms associated with Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, and stomach ulcers. Improves digestion and bowel function. Relieves pain and irritation caused by hemorrhoids. Reduces inflammation. Supports tissue healing and repair. Supports and aids immune system function. Helps protect the body from breast, colon, and other cancers. Is heart healthy; improves cholesterol ratio reducing risk of heart disease. Protects arteries from injury that causes atherosclerosis and thus protects against heart disease. Helps prevent periodontal disease and tooth decay. Functions as a protective antioxidant. Helps to protect the body from harmful free radicals that promote premature aging and degenerative disease. Does not deplete the body's antioxidant reserves like other oils do. Improves utilization of essential fatty acids and protects them from oxidation. Helps relieve symptoms associated with chronic fatigue syndrome. Relieves symptoms associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia (prostate enlargement). Reduces epileptic seizures. Helps protect against kidney disease and bladder infections. Dissolves kidney stones. Helps prevent liver disease. Is lower in calories than all other fats. Supports thyroid function. Promotes loss of excess weight by increasing metabolic rate. Is utilized by the body to produce energy in preference to being stored as body fat like other dietary fats. Helps prevent obesity and overweight problems. Applied topically helps to form a chemical barrier on the skin to ward of infection. Reduces symptoms associated the psoriasis, eczema, and dermatitis. Supports the natural chemical balance of the skin. Softens skin and helps relieve dryness and flaking. Prevents wrinkles, sagging skin, and age spots. Promotes healthy looking hair and complexion. Provides protection form damaging effects of ultraviolet radiation form the sun. Helps control dandruff. Does not form harmful by-products when heated to normal cooking temperature like other vegetable oils do. Has no harmful or discomforting side effects. Is completely non-toxic to humans.

Now, I can't vouch for all of this but to date I have personally used it to clear up diaper rash and eczema on my baby boy, to clear up my own athlete's foot, I use it for lotion, I mix it with essential oils or use alone on my hair and scalp, I used it put a bad flare up of hemorrhoids in check and I've recently started substituting it for butter when I cook.

It can be a little pricey but like Brill Cream - a little dab'll do ya.

I know my SIL can't wait to chime in because she tells everyone who will listen that I am positively obsessed with this stuff.

And you know what?

For once, she's right.

...How Good I Feel Today

I've been doing something remarkable for the last month or so (which is why you haven't heard from me much). I'll try almost anything twice so I've been experimenting on myself as of late. It felt a little weird at first because I found myself doing something that black women, especially those with children and/or husbands, rarely do.

I've been taking care of myself.

There.

I said it.

And the heavens didn't open up nor did the ground to swallow me whole.



For a 34 year old women, I was feeling incredibly run down and just old in generally. When I got out of bed in the morning my knees popped like kindling for a winter bon fire. I could never get enough sleep. And heaven forbid I had to fulfill my marital obligations. Everything and everybody got on my nerves and I was just a bitch to be around.

Well, as luck would have it I came across some interesting health posts at my favorite place to hang out at on the net. They were about health in general and incorporating some Eastern methods of maintenance for your daily well being.

Being as I have no health insurance and had absolutely nothing to lose I started incorporating some of these simple tips into my everyday life and I am astounded to say the least! I haven't felt this way since before my first son was born almost 7 years ago.

For this to be the most progressive country in the world for medicine, why is our mortality rate so high? Well, that's quite simple - there's no profit in a cure. This is the very reason I didn't go to a doctor when I started experiencing all kinds of issues with my health. Nothing really specific and nothing that was really hurting me, I just knew that my body was not functioning the way it was supposed to. I didn't want to be given a pill that would alleviate the symptoms but cause something else in me to break down. A pill that wouldn't take care of the problem, just make it easier to tolerate.

Don't misunderstand me, please. If I'm in a car accident and end up with multiple broken bones, I sure as hell don't want to be left in the woods to the let dew fall on me and the Woodland Nymphs administer to my needs. Doctors have their place and are vitally important to society. I do not, I repeat, I do not hate doctors. I'm all for going to them for a diagnosis. However, I'd rather be offered more natural alternatives that will allow my body to heal itself and work the way it was meant to before being written out a prescription that I'll have to take for the duration of my life.

I've always believed that God put everything we needed right here on this Earth when he created it to keep our bodies running smoothly and efficiently. I just didn't know what these things were, where to purchase them and how to use them. What we consider "modern medicine" is not even a century old so what did people do up to this time to take care of themselves?

My grandmother is 84 years old and gave birth to 9 children in rural East Texas. If someone was constipated, they didn't run to a drug store and get some Ex-Lax. She made senna leaf tea, an all natural herb that got everything back in working order. Growing up I had never heard of such a thing. But why would I? Who stands to profit from this treatment? Have you ever seen a commercial for this tea? How easy is it to find in your local grocery store or Walmart?

Exactly.

In future posts I will be going in depth in each of the "treatments" I've engaged in and letting you in on these "secrets". I'm always on the lookout for something new and I welcome any feedback you may have on the subject. I'll even let you in on stuff I know absolutely nothing about but have come across in my musings.

I hang out at the health food store now the same way I used to hang out at Walmart. I still have lots to learn and lots of unhealthy habits to break but you know what? At least I know now. And according to G.I. Joe knowing is half the battle.