All right, I know I’m going to get a few looks today because when I first heard about this natural health remedy, it struck me as a little odd? I have long known the benefits of using baking soda for natural cleaning, but drinking it?

Also known as ‘sodium bicarbonate’ or ‘bicarbonate of soda,’ baking soda has dozens of uses. It can be used for indigestion and upset stomach, as a cleaning product, and as a fire extinguisher, to name only a few. Drinking baking soda mixed in water also apparently has a number of health advantages.Who knew?

Ailments like the flu, common colds, cardiovascular disease, and even cancer flourish in a body that is acidic. Baking soda reduces the acidity of the body’s internal environment. The first time I saw this was from a guy on Youtube that said his cancer tumor was shrinking because he was able to change his body PH through baking soda. I wish I would have had this knowledge for my father in law who passed last December from Prostate cancer.

A study published in 2009 by the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology showed that patients with chronic kidney disease experienced a decrease in symptoms after consuming baking soda every day. In fact, these patients eliminated their dependency on dialysis.

Sodium bicarbonate is also very effective at fighting urinary tract infections, since it must interact with the urinary tract prior to being expelled from the body. The bicarbonate drink you prepare must be transformed into urine and goes directly through the urinary tract, interacting with the affected area in the process. Bicarbonate is a very potent substance, and its effects are not diminished as it progresses through the body. The alkaline nature of the baking soda reduces the acidity of your urine, helping to fight infection.

Perhaps one of the most convincing reasons for me to drink baking soda is because of it’s ability to bind with and cleanse toxins from the body. You already know I am a big promoter of yearly cleansing for health. I now feel that each family should have a few large boxes on hand, as a precaution for possible Nuclear disasters on our Continent and to cleanse from fallout exposure, such as what we are subjected to now from Fukushima. It can be used in detox baths and and taken orally in a crisis when you need something on hand to protect and neutralize the effects of radiation exposure. I have added it to our weekly bathing routine since Fukushima for sure.

You should always use 100%, aluminum-free bicarbonate. To raise the body’s pH level, mix a teaspoon of bicarbonate in a glass of water. Drink it without food after waking up and just before bed each night. The pH scale indicates the acidity of a medium, and is scaled from 0 to 14. Seven indicates a neutral environment. Above 7 indicates alkaline conditions and below 7 represents acidity. Baking soda is incredibly alkaline, with a pH of 14. The body’s internal environment should optimally be between 7.1 and 7.5. In therapeutic circumstances, you will want to grab yourself some PH test strips so that your body’s PH does not go over 8. Either too acidic or too alkaline is poor health and disease. Most people are naturally too acidic. I was actually a little alkaline when I was a raw vegan a few years back.

Savoring a baking soda drink as you start to feel colds coming on can help ward off seasonal bugs. Eating plenty of fruits and vegetables also promotes a more alkaline environment. I have to say, knock wood, we are feeling great right although the kids have both already been sick this fall. I felt a little tickle coming on, but after 2 days of Baking Soda, I was able to fight it off. Now I drink it every other day. Even a few sparkling water brands contain some baking soda as well as magnesium, another major deficiency in our diet . More on that to come soon!

The other funny remedy for Baking Soda? Preventing or curing a hangover. Yep, after you and hubby indulge in a bottle of fine wine only to realize the kids will be up at 6am, swig a glass of Baking Soda down before going to bed. Better yet, drink it during the evening. But that would be gross, right? I assure you though, you’ll be better off in the morning.

Athletes can also benefit from baking soda by taking bicarbonate with water to prevent accumulation of acid in the muscles. This can greatly boost athletic performance. One third of a gram of baking soda for every 2.2. pounds of body weight is the typical standard. Along with plenty of water, drinking baking soda before exercise can work wonders.

So, still think baking soda is a crazy idea? Try it once and see what you think.

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The Awesome Health Benefits Of Drinking What?!?

One of the detox methods I use in addition to internal body cleansing is detox bathing. It is possible, using the right procedures, to be able to help eliminate heavy metals, toxins and radiation from the skin by using baths.  This is the kind of procedure often performed after cancer treatment to help detoxify the body, and it also is a beneficial way to manage concerns of exposure after a nuclear power plant accident.

Here are a few different recipes for detox baths:

The first one involves Ginger and Epsom salt. This type of soak can relax pores and flush out chemicals and can even reduce pain and discomfort. First, mix 2 tablespoons of ginger in a glass of tap water along with 1 cup of Epsom salt. Next, combine them with your bath water. It is important to soak for less than half an hour.

My favorite bath, because it is so easy is using sea salt and soda. This type of wash negates the harmful effects of radiation, which can result from X-ray machines, cancer treating devices, consumer electronics, or natural sources. Add a few cups of sea salt (not table salt!) to a hot bath along with one cup of baking soda. Soak until the bath cools, generally about 20 minutes. I usually submerge as much as my body as possible and drink lots if purified water. My skin always feels amazing after this bath.

A great Winter bath involves mixing sesame oil, sea salt, and Epsom salt. This wash can remedy dry, leathery, or cracking skin and can reduce stress levels. One cup of each ingredient in a hot bath should do the trick. Try not to stay in for more than twenty minutes, and gently dry yourself afterwards.

A fast and easy technique involves using vinegar. Sometimes, acid can build up in the body and must be neutralized. Acting as a base, vinegar can do exactly that. Obtain a healthy portion of pure apple cider vinegar and pour anywhere from one cup to 2 quarts into a warm bath. The amount of vinegar you use is up to you. Relax in the bath for up to 45 minutes. Uric acid can be easily flushed using this technique, and can bring relief to all of the body’s joints and many other ailments related to acidic edema.

Bentonite is another quick detox bath which can work wonders. Moisten a few pounds of Bentonite clay and let it dissolve for about 12 hours, at which point you can mix it into your bath. Two pounds of ingredients equates to an hour of bath time. Four pounds requires only about half an hour. Keep in mind that Bentonite can stop up drains, so don’t use it too often.

Right now, I have about one detox bath each week. I also give the kids a nice soak each week using epsom & baking soda, or apple cider vinegar. Their skin is responding really well and I feel this would be very helpful in treating baby & child  eczema. As you go through detoxification, switch up your daily baths. Once you have gone through the entire rotation, stick with the soak that you like the best.

Let me know your favorite bath?

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Several Methods Of De-toxing Using Baths

I am surprised that I have not done a post about cleansing on HGM! After a long break while having babies and nursing, I finally completed two cleanse programs this spring that I found to be totally exhilarating. Now I am cleansing again, this time very gently over a longer period of time. My goal? More vibrant energy and a clear mind to assist me while I move forward with my vision for empowering women to conceive and birth their passion.

Having done many cleanse programs over the years, I often customizing them to suit my goals and they have generally been  more advanced. Today, I’m going to highlight my favorite cleanse programs for beginners!

Why would anybody want to cleanse?

A cleanse program 1-2 times each year and more for therapeutic benefits is a great way to detox the irritants we are all environmentally exposed to that build up over time. Genetically, our body has no way to eliminate the food additives introduced to our food chain. These materials get deposited in the digestive tract, colon, liver, lymphatic system and kidneys. Cleansing on a regular basis aids our body in elimination in the modern world.

Cleansing is also one of the most effective ways to establish a healthy routine. They also  introduce you to diet plans that are supportive to your vitality.  You’ll acquire healthy eating habits that will stay with you for your entire life. You’ll lose weight, improve your overall health, boost your immunity, clear up the brain fog, feel more energetic throughout the day and sleep better. Yeah baby!

Sometimes I get funny looks when I talk about cleansing. I grew up watching my parents cleanse each year and to date, my family has no illnesses whatsoever. Considering the statistics, I attribute their clean bill of health (especially as they enter the golden years) to eating from a garden for most of my life and cleansing religiously twice each year.

I did my first cleanse when I was 16 years old. It was a colonic irrigation and although I did not find it enjoyable, I was astonished a how my vitality changed in one short hour. I arrived tired and hung over (rebellious teen!) and I left bright eyed and energetic. This was when I knew for myself the power of a healthy digestive tract to enhance my vitality.

Another cleanse program dramatically altered my health while I was recovering from years of a toxic lifestyle. I loved my youthful ideals but I did not love myself enough to care for my body and I polluted my body for years. In addition to a toxic lifestyle, I also became a “one chocolate bar a day” kind of gal. The craving for sweets were intense and this type of physical and emotional cravings are usually due to a candida overgrowth. After doing two back to back candida cleanses, I eliminated my sweet craving entirely. To this day, I have never gone back to sweets in an addictive way. (occasional & only for pleasure)

Over the years, I have discovered the power of nutrition and cleansing to aid me in self healing on a cellular level. I moved through addiction, depression and illness without medical drugs or assistance because of the power of cleansing programs and adopting a healthy holistic lifestyle and mindset.

Ideally, the best cleansing times are spring and fall. Winter is not a good time because we are typically at “rest” and the body in not renewing during this time. You also will find it harder to manage the hot and cold sensations in winter. Summer is OK, however some cleanses limit your intake of fruit (Candida Cleanse Program) which can be hard in the summertime so it depends on which program you choose.

I know, like I know, that I know, that a yearly cleansing program is critical for anyone desiring optimal health.

Do You Need a Cleanse?

I generally follow two “rules” for cleansing. One, I normally cleanse each spring and fall. This follows the natural rhythm of the earth through “renewal and reflection” Two PERFECT times to cleanse.

Secondly, I cleanse when I have fallen off my healthy routine or I feel some of the following symptoms: (*note that many of the major symptoms are not normally an issue anymore once you’ve been cleansing for a while)

Lethargic or mid day fatigue, moody, *depression, *anxiety, skin disruptions, candida itch, tired in the mornings, dark circles under the eyes, cravings for alcohol or sweets, irregular digestion and bowel movements, PMS, brain fog, difficulty with memory, vision troubles, headaches….the list goes on!!

Which Cleanse Program is Best?

When the body has lost it’s state of balance or has gone through a period of depressed immunity, there are 6 main cleansing programs that can help you restore your vitality.

Parasites, Candida, Heavy Metal Toxicity, Liver Detox, Kidney Cleanse and Total Body Gentle Cleanse Programs. (the cleanses I have linked to are ones I have personal experience with and feel they are a good start for beginners.)

The total body cleanse program I recommend is also a fantastic way for mothers to cleanse before or after having children and nursing without experiencing the usual “healing crisis” symptoms that can be inconvenient with young children!

The general rule of thumb is to focus on one area at a time as a new cleanser, lets say ridding your body of toxic metals first and cleanse this issue for a period of up to 6 months with short breaks, and then shift into cleansing the body twice each year. A heavy metal cleanse program is very important, but you can also do a heavy metal test first to see if this is essential for you or not.

Parasites are also a bug big concern and should be addressed with a parasite cleanse program in the beginning of adopting a healthier lifestyle or repeated every 1-2 years, especially for Sushi lovers, those who travel abroad or eat med-rare meat. They generally take 30 days and do not require a very strict diet.

A candida cleanse program is one of those essential programs in the beginning of cleansing or adopting a healthier lifestyle. The standard North American diet is not friendly and most people have an overgrowth of candida and do not realize it. If you find you crave sweets, alcohol, bread, pasta, fruit juice etc and you also have many of the symptoms that you have not been able to find the root cause  for, then it is worth doing a candida cleanse program. I have found that after dealing with the initial Candida, I have been able to maintain the candida balance by listening to my body and altering my diet as required.

You may also want to try an herbal fiber colon cleanse. Fiber has the ability to expand within the colon where it’s able to trap impacted wastes and toxins and carry them out of the body as it leaves. When blended with digestive herbs, fiber makes a great, all natural cleanse for colon detoxification.

A Gentle Cleanse Program for Mothers

One of the things that changed after having children was the intensity of my cleanses. I used to do the MasterCleanse (fasting 12-15 days except for a special juice combination) but now I cannot rest enough through the detox symptoms the way I used to. My young kids need me to have energy, all the time!

I am on The Cleanse for Life Program right now which is a gentle total body cleanse. It’s unique because it replenishes vital nutrients as it cleanses your body. If you are familiar with natural cleansing herbs, you’ll know how important Pau D’arco, Yellow Dock and Aloe Vera are in aiding the body to release toxins and improve vitality. There are also powerful antioxidants like bilberry, blueberry and raspberry, which help protect your body from free radicals and support cardiovascular and brain health.

Cleanse for Life is designed to feed and nourish your body because it gives your body the nutrition it needs to cleanse itself naturally. It nourishes the liver and promotes cleansing the entire body on a cellular level.

I drink it once each day to aid the removal of surface-level impurities you are exposed to on a daily basis.

I also deep cleanse periodically by drinking it 3-4 times each day for 9-30 days to help remove contaminants that have collected deep within the body tissues over time but what is cool is that I don’t experience the deep cleanse symptoms I know so well. Deep cleansing has the added benefit of promoting weight loss.

If you want to try cleansing but are scared of the cleansing symptoms you’ve heard about, this would be a good introduction to cleansing. It is also does not matter what time of the year, because it is so gentle and effective.

Doing a cleanse program twice a year or using gentle cleanse programs periodically like Cleanse for Life are as essential to me as taking key supplements (multivitamin, probiotic, omega oils)

Remember, with all of this information, I also believe it is important NOT to be a FANATIC cleanser! Just focus on how good you want to feel, not on how many ways the world is making you sick that require you to cleanse, right?

A good cleanse program is like a good holiday. After a few days of adjusting, you will feel more refreshed, energetic, happy and ready to take on the world! Once you try cleansing and feel how much your energy increases, you’ll wonder why you weren’t cleansing all along.

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Gentle Cleanse Programs for Mothers

This wouldn’t be a health blog without me chiming in my two cents about how to stay healthy this season. There is much discussion about the value of supplementing Vitamin D to boost the immune system. Before I get into the article, please read How to Make Sure You’re Getting Enough Vitamin D. One thing to keep in mind is the source of Vitamin D. While I agree that Cod liver Oil is a great choice for adults and children, I do not feel comfortable with any of the brands readily available due to over processing. From what I can see, “Blue Ice High-Vitamin Fermented Cod Liver Oil” seems to be the best choice out there due.

Many people are nervous about the swine flu. Moms are extremely worried about their kids catching it, but it is my opinion that once you take basic swine flu precautions, many of which are guidelines for health living anyway, you and your family should be fine. The vast majority of those who do get the flu this season will recover normally, provided they take preventative steps to bolster their immune system. There is no need to panic. Follow this list of ten swine flu precautions to help keep yourself and your family healthy this flu season.

Swine Flu Precautions: Common Sense Precautions

A word about the following precautions: You can do all the right things such as eat well, take whole food supplements, avoid sick people, wash your hands etc and still get sick. One of the most often overlooked causes for sickness (as well as disease) is lack of adequate sleep and chronic high stress levels. Until you address these two highly damaging lifestyle issues, it will be difficult to achieve any kind of lasting and abundant health.

That being said, the following precautions are not just for swine flu. You should practice these habits every year during flu season.

1. If you’re sick, stay home! This is one of the best ways to prevent spreading of disease. While it’s true that symptoms often show up after you’ve already been contagious for a day or two, there’s no reason to expose others to your illness once you know for sure that you are sick. Staying home with a sick child may be a great inconvenience, but you really do need to do the right thing here and keep your child home until at least 24 hours after her fever is gone.

2. Try to avoid being in close contact with people who are obviously sick. Don’t worry about being polite! If you find yourself sitting next to someone who’s coughing, get up if you can and move to a different location.

3. Wash your hands frequently. No need for fancy antibacterial soaps. Simply washing your hands with soap and water is enough. If soap and water are not available, sparingly use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.

4. Try not to touch your face. We tend to constantly touch our faces – especially kids. Be conscious of this habit as it can spread germs, especially when you touch your nose and mouth or rub your eyes. Try to teach your children to be aware of this habit too. This might prove challenging with small kids, but you should at least try.

5. Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it. As a last resort, if you don’t have any tissues, you can cough into your elbow. Do NOT cough or sneeze into your hands!

6. Avoid shaking hands! If you must, wash your hands afterwards or use an alcohol based hand sanitizer.

7. Wipe counters and knobs around the house every night using a natural antibacterial cloth such as those made by Norwex. The influenza virus can survive on surfaces and can infect a person for 2 to 8 hours after deposited on a surface. It is also a good idea to regularly wipe Children’s toys.

Swine Flu Precautions: Alternative Medicine Precautions

8. Use a Neti pot to cleanse your nose. Sinus irrigation is a natural treatment for chronic sinus conditions and for allergies that can also help prevent seasonal flu and swine flu. A clean nose is an important part of your overall health. Sinus irrigation with a Neti pot is considered safe for pregnant women and for young children over two years old. Neti pots cost around $10 and are available over-the-counter at drug stores, health food stores, and online.

9. Gargle twice a day with warm salt water. This simple step prevents the H1N1 virus from breeding and multiplying in your throat. It’s easy and inexpensive, yet a powerful way to keep yourself healthy. Another easy way to keep your throat clear is to drink plenty of warm liquids such as tea.

10. Cleaning your nostrils once a day with warm salt water is another excellent natural precaution against swine flu. It works by preventing the virus from multiplying. Simply blow your nose and swab both nostrils with cotton balls dipped in warm salt water.

Whether you go with a traditional approach to preventing swine flu, or employ natural swine flu precautions, you should always boost your natural immunity with foods that are naturally rich in Vitamin C, such as citrus fruits, papaya, mango and kiwi. Remember to reduce your stress as much as possible. Cutting back on coffee or switching to green tea will give much needed relief to your adrenals and help you relax.

You might also find the following articles helpful:

What Most Doctors Won’t Tell You About Colds and Flus

Why I Never Get Flu Shots or Snorts

And before you get the shot, please view this video regarding the ingredients and possible risks. Regardless, I believe in informed decisions….not made from fear alone.

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Swine Flu Precautions: A Healthy Perspective

I have been following the swine flu debacle since the beginning. Other than stating what we are doing in our home to keep our immune system up, I have not written much about my position on flu vaccines and all the issues surrounding the swine flu scare. I wish I had more time to write because I am fuming, but a few links will have to do for now.

A letter from the FDA/FTC has been sent to Dr Andrew Weil. Dr.Weil is in violation of federal law for marketing that certain herbs and concoctions, used for centuries in many cases, would be helpful in fighting boosting your immune system and warding off the cold and flu.

Some of the statements in question are:

On a webpage entitled, “The Swine Flu – H1N1 ,” with the subtitle “Swine Flu and You”:

“[D]uring the flu season, I suggest taking a daily antioxidant, multivitamin-mineral supplement, as well as astragalus, a well-known immune-boosting herb that can help ward off colds and flu. You might also consider. .. the Weil Immune Support Formula[,] which contains both astragalus and immune-supportive polypore mushrooms ….”

On a product webpage describing the Immune Support Formula:

“The Immune Support Formula contains astragalus. . . . Astragalus … is used traditionally to ward off colds and flu and has been well studied for its antiviral and immunity-enhancing properties.”

“Th[e] synergistic combination of immune modulators [found in the Immune Support Formula] is especially useful for those who tend to get every bug that goes around during the winter.”

On the same webpage, under “Supplement Facts,” describing the Astragalus supplement (which is one element of the Immune Support Formula):

“Astragalus … is … used traditionally to ward off colds and flu, and has demonstrated both antiviral and immune-boosting effects in scientific investigation.”

On the website’s home page, DrWeil.com:

“Worried About Flu? Dr. Weil’s Immune Support Formula can help maintain a strong defense against the flu. It contains astragalus, a traditional herb that boosts immunity. Buy it now in one click, and start protecting your immune system against flu this season.”

On the Dr. Weil Vitamins – Daily Vitamin Packs webpage:

“[L]earn more about Dr. Weil’s Immune Support Formula, which contains astragalus – an herb Dr. Weil recommends to help ward off colds and flu.”the H1N1 virus.

You might as well consider this letter as a saw that is cutting off your hand. Imagine if you are unable to purchase natural health products from suppliers you deem as trustworthy. Your local health food store?

I want the right to choose to buy whatever I want, regardless of what they deem as a national security risk or not. The only pushers here are the drug pushers who will stop at nothing to profit from the fear they are creating.

This is the slow erosion of rights and freedoms in the name of “public security.” Keep your eye on the slow move for mandatory vaccinations and if you think mandatory vaccinations will end after the swine flu scare has lifted. think again.

I’m so tired of the argument that the FDA has public health and safety in mind. Studies have shown that many of the investigators who approve drugs were former employees of the company they are evaluating.What a conflict of interest.

The FDA/FTC state that there needs to be scientific evidence of the claims natural practitioners make when they recommend certain products as beneficial. How convenient that they have made it impossible for anyone to market a product as preventative or curative unless that product is a pharmaceutical (drug) that is synthetically produced and patentable.

Suffice to say, there is a major undercurrent of distrust flowing through the population about the virus and the vaccine.

Here are a few links I found interesting relating to the swine flu:

The Flu Case – the official site of Jane Burgermeister. A courageous Christian woman whi filed charges against Baxter/WHO

Jane Burgemeister Interview Project Camelot – very interesting interview with important message. A five star rating video.

Ron Paul Discusses the Swine Flu

H1N1 – Questions Worth Considering

How Serious is H1N1? Deaths and Transmission Rate Uncovered

CBS Reveals that Swine Flu Cases Seriously Overestimated

Special Swine Flu Update

CBS News Unplugged- H1N1 cases overestimated

No matter how you look at it…this whole issue is going to be messy. Very messy.

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Swine Flu Rant