Childhood Asthma Is Skyrocketing!

It is so scary to read the statistics on our health today, and it is especially scary to read about our children's health and how greatly it is declining. Children are supposed to be vibrant, energetic and healthy. Unfortunately, that is not the case for a lot of our little ones anymore. Check this stat out:

-The prevalence of childhood asthma increased 74% between
1980 and 1994 and has continued to increase in the years since.

Now why is that?? Let's dig right in and try to find the reason.

Dr. Stephen D. Chaney, Full Professor of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Nutrition at
University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill says, "The causes of this rapid increase in asthma prevalence are likely to be complex, but evidence has accumulated in recent years that some of the increase may be caused by early exposure to toxic chemical fumes in the home."

Why are our homes so much more toxic?

Well, we as consumers keep demanding cleaners that work better and are easy to use (Don't bother with messy liquids and pastes - just spray it on). Manufacturers have been willing to oblige by adding ever more exotic chemicals to household cleaners and putting them in aerosol spray cans.

Did you know that the air in our homes is 5 to 10 times more toxic than the air outside? In fact, the Environmental Protection Agency has stated that the air inside our homes is often more polluted than in Los Angeles or New York on a smoggy day. Sounds like, among other things, we need to open our windows!

Now, let's get back to childhood asthma. A number of studies have pointed to an association between these toxic household fumes and childhood asthma, but I'd like to focus on one particularly good study on this topic that was published recently in the European Respiratory Journal (31: 54-57, 2008). Now, hold on to your hats, because I am going to give you some details of this study.

This study measured the household chemical exposure of 7,162 pregnant women in England and looked at the incidence of asthma in their children at age 8.5 years.

A maternal composite household chemical exposure (CHCE) score was derived by measuring the pregnant mother's exposure to a number of common household products known to contain toxic chemicals.

The household products used most frequently were disinfectants(87.4%), bleach(84.8%), aerosols(71.7%), air fresheners(68%), window cleaners(60.5%), carpet cleaners(35.3%) and pesticides/insecticides(21.2%). (For information on the toxic chemicals in these and other common household products visit: http://www.householdproducts.nlm.nih.gov/products.htm )

Asthma was quantified based on persistent wheezing (reported by the parents) and several lung function tests that were administered at age 8.5 years.

To make sure that the asthma was not caused by simple allergies the children were also given a skin pricktest against a panel of 6 common childhood allergens (house dust mites, cats, mixed grass, mixed nuts, peanuts and milk). The study also controlled for confounding variables such as exposure to tobacco smoke, damp housing, pets in the home and maternal history of asthma.

The results of this study are very clear.

Higher household chemical exposure during pregnancy was associated with a 41% increase in childhood asthma in children with no known allergies.

What does that mean to you and me? It means that it is not enough to select household products that are safe for the environment. We also need to select products that we use in our homes on the basis of their safety for us and our family - not just on the basis of cost and convenience.

Thankfully, I had this mother's instinct when I was pregnant to get rid of my bad cleaners and replace them. I researched to find the safest ones and came upon Shaklee, the company that brought us one of the very first biodegradable cleaners and the very first company in the world to be certified as climate neutral. They make a "Get Clean" line of household cleaners that are not only biodegradable, but also contain no toxic fumes that could be harmful for your health.
Check them out here: www.caranitz.myshaklee.com, for your own and your family's health!

I know this is some scary information that may have given you a sick feeling in your stomach, but you can make a difference! Little changes like switching out your cleaners can have a huge impact in your life and the life of others as you share what you have done!

Love, Love, Love Essential Oils!

I am a huge fan of using essential oils. They have been used for centuries, not just for their beautiful natural scent, but for their antibacterial healing properties as well. I love using them for anything from headaches to stomachaches, from an air purifier to hand sanitizer. There is a lot to talk about when discussing essential oils, so I will do this in two segments. Today, I will discuss how to properly use them and some safety reminders.

How can you use essential oils?

1. Inhalation

Direct inhalation - simply smell them
Diffuse the oils into the air
Fill a humidifier with water. Put a small cloth, sprinkled with a few drops of oil, in front of the steam.
Pour hot water into a bowl and add a few drops of oil. Cover your head and bowl in a tent-like fashion with a towel. Breathe deeply and slowly.

2. Topical Application

Apply them directly onto the skin where indicated.
Dilute with a pure vegetable oil before applying.

3. Internal Consumption - only pure essential oils, proven safe and labeled as dietary supplements, should be used internally.

Put several drops of oil into an empty capsule and swallow with water
Add 1-2 drops to a glass of water or rice milk
Put 1-2 drops onto a piece of bread or add to meals when cooking.

A Few Reminders for Essential Oil Use:

-Keep bottles of essential oils tightly closed and store them in a cool location away from light.
-Keep essential oils well away from the eye area and never put them directly into ears.
-The bottom of the feet is one of the safest, most effective places to use essential oils.
-Always skin test an essential oil before using it. Each person's body is different, so apply oils to a small area first.
-Keep essential oils away from open flames, sparks, or electricity.

What Friends Are For

Today I am thankful for friends - for their support, for their encouragement, for their love, and for their advice and suggestions.

As our lives change and we graduate through various stages, we see our group of friends change too. I had my high school friends which was soon added to by my college friends. After college and marriage, both of these groups seemed to change a bit. I became closer with those that were married and then those that had kids along with me. It is a sad, yet exciting journey as some friendships dissipate and new ones grow and strengthen. But, I would say each of my friends have brought something special to my life that doesn't fade.

The reason I am even bringing this all up is because I am in a bit of a reflective mood today. I am feeling very blessed, and I know much of that is due to my friends and family.

Just this morning, I had a refreshing email from a friend who shares much of the same philosophy as I as far as raising our families as safely, naturally, and healthfullly as we can. There are plenty of times that I share some of my passion and ways of living a naturally healthy life, and I just get the blank stare or worse, the "you are crazy and obsessed" look. So, it is especially refreshing to chat with a friend who shares my excitement and passion. It is also incredibly helpful to shoot new ideas or information back and forth. If it weren't for this particular friend, I wouldn't be using essential oils to help keep my home and family healthy. There is just something really empowering about sharing excitement and ideas with another person that can relate. It is like energy for your soul.

That is why I love this blog and all the support we can give each other. I love your comments, and I hope to hear much more from each of you in the future. Please share your ideas or thoughts with the rest of us. Your input adds so much and is a blessing to all of us. Together, we can support, encourage and energize each other in our journey to great health and wellness!

Healthy Hearts!

Happy Heart Health Month! (Say that five times) February is our nation's annual reminder to take care of the most important and perhaps most neglected organ in the human body. Instead of only thinking about it once a year, let's use this month to kick off a year-round, life-long commitment to taking care of our heart and our all around health.

There are a few risk factors for heart disease we can't change, such as age and heredity, but the majority of factors WE CAN CHANGE — including cholesterol, blood pressure, obesity, and inactivity. Now I want to give you my top ten ways to start changing your lifestyle habits for a healthier heart and healthier you!

1. Make more healthful food choices - tons of fruits and veggies. Add lots of color!

2. Lose the belly fat and keep it off. The more belly fat, the higher your risk for heart disease or stroke.

3. Get the Vitamin D your body needs. You need 400-1000 IUD/day. Check out Shaklee's VitaLea or Vitalizer.

4. Love your Omega-3's. But, watch out for heavy contaminants and pollutants. Shaklee's highest quality, ultra-pure Omegaguard gets you the omegas you need without all the dangerous stuff.

5. Protect your body and the walls of your arteries against inflammation. Make sure you get enough Vitamin C + E. Again, look to the VitaLea or Vitalizer for those needs.

6. Boost your phytonutrient intake. Flavonoids and Carotenoids are your friends! Look for lutein, lycopene, resveratrol, and catechins in your supplements.

7. Fill up on fiber. Heart health benefits come from soluble fiber found in oats and apples. If you can't get enough in your diet, check out Shaklee Fiber Plan Tablets.

8. Coenzyme Q10 is a must for heart health, especially if you are taking a cholesterol-lowering medication or are at risk for heart disease.

9. Get moving and grooving. Exercise for at least 30 minutes a day. This is important for all aspects of your health, not just your heart.

10. Take time to De-stress. Chronic stress really hurts your body all over. So, rest up, make priorities and just say no.

Share these tips with those you love, and let's take care of our hearts together!

A New Favorite - Energy Chews!

Finally, there is a healthy alternative to high calorie, high volume energy drinks or cups and cups of coffee. Shaklee just came out with another great product - Energy Chews! They have all the right ingredients to help energize your body, sharpen your mind, and improve your mood. I love that they are 75% organic and contain scientifically proven ingredients that work: L-theanine and L-tyrosine to help promote focus and alertness, energy-releasing B vitamins, natural caffeine from green tea, and vitamin D. Since this energy chew is made by Shaklee, you know you can trust the quality, effeciveness and unbelievably high standards.

In our tired and often overworked society, everyone is looking for a physical and mental edge. But the problem with many energy products is that they contain ingredients that I think are definite no-nos. That is why these Energy Chews are really an awesome choice. They contain:

-No artificial flavors
-No artificial colors such as Red #40, Yellow #5, or Yellow #6
-Noartificial sweeteners such as sucralose, aspartame, or acesulfame potassium (ACE-K); also, beware that some energy products that have natural sweeteners may contain more than 50 grams of sugars and over 200 calories per can. YIKES!
-No artificial preservatives such as potassium sorbate, sodium EDTA, benzoic acid, or sodium benzoate.

Personally, I love the yumminess and chewiness of these little energy bursts. My other favorite thing is the extra vitamins that they pack, which your body will really thank you for. It is amazing how much one chew really gives you the energy you need to get through your day!

There is a great deal going on right now where you if you buy one pack, you get the second pack for only $5!! You can get this deal and order right from: www.caranitz.myshaklee.com. Enjoy your energized day!!

And The Winner Is...

I bet everyone is excited to know who the winner is of the free 3 in 1 pillow blanket from Natura. I am happy to announce that the winner is Marissa Oachs!! Congrats, Marissa, and I just know you will enjoy your new gift from Natura. Thank you again to Julia for helping make this giveaway possible.

Even if you did not win this giveaway, don't worry, because like I posted before Natura is giving all my followers 10% off through February 28th! Enjoy!!