Flu Fighter & More

I've been a little freaked-out about getting the flu. No one wants to get the flu - ever!

I went back to work as an independent consultant - for a company I worked for 15 years ago, called EDC (Educational Development Corporation) -- now known as Usborne Books and More. It's been good. And, I am trying to not get carried away about all the germs I am coming in contact with, especially in direct sales. I am no stranger to multi-levels or home-based businesses and so, far - I love what I am doing. And, I don't have time to get sick, nor do I want to pass any germs along to Nicolas (or anyone else in the family). Client (web) work has been slow, so I am selling books. I don't often promote my own "stuff" and if I do, it's usually Young Living; but - here's a link, in case you want to check Usborne out.

I won't lie: it's been hell finding supplements that Nick will take, that work or that don't cause him additional adverse reactions. Just when I think I have found one, I either realize he doesn't tolerate it or it has one ingredient that I do not tolerate, such as an artificial sweetener, etc.

It's been rather discouraging to see the dark circles under Nick's eyes for the last 5 months... poor kid. Every vitamin or anitoxidant drink seems to have at least one ingredient that's off limits for Nick as well. Except for one particular drink from Young Living called Ningxia Red. It contains no harsh stimulants or refined sugars and claims to offer unmatched health benefits, making it the ideal way to fortify and replenish our bodies.

The Ningxia Red Promise
NingXia Red combines the finest Ningxia wolfberries, proprietary "Nutrient-Guard" preparation, and other all-natural, nutrient-dense ingredients to provide:

• Dynamic energy and stamina without harmful stimulants (e.g., caffeine, green tea, etc.)
• Key glyconutrients that fuel vital energy systems
• Unique protein-polysaccharides that help sustain proper immune function
• Highest levels of naturally occurring, age defying S-ORAC activity
• Great taste with no sugary "junk-juices" (e.g., apple, white grape, pear, etc.)

Essential nutrients in Ningxia Red also help support the following: Normal cardiovascular function, normal eye health, normal cell growth, and healthy liver function.

Calories: 19 per serving Total Carbohydrate: 4 grams per serving Dietary Fiber: 0.2 grams per serving Sugars: 3.4 grams per serving Sodium: 15 mg per serving Protein: 0.65 grams per serving Vitamin C: 180 mg per serving

Check out the ingredients! Whole Ningxia wolfberry (lyceum barbarum) puree, Blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum) juice, Pomegranate (Punica granatum) juice, Apricot (Prunus armeniaca) juice, Raspberry (Rubus idaeus) juice, Organic blue agave (A. tequilana) nectar, Grape (Vitis vinifera) seed, skin, and stem, Lemon (Citrus limon)† rind, Orange (Citrus sinensis)† rind, ascorbic acid, natural blueberry flavor, potassium sorbate and sodium benzoate.

Young Living Therapeutic Grade™ essential oil


And - Nicolas LOVES Ningxia Red and I have not noticed ANY changes in his blood sugar levels when he drinks it. The previous anitoxidant drink had 29 grams of sugar per serving! Yeah - no wonder he got a little energetic! But - not Ningxia Red.

My father had a heart attack earlier this week and after a couple of days without sleep, I am not feeling too bad... Could it just be that this Ningxia Red is helping me? I have to wonder.

This may just be one of the best products we use (and sell) and Nicolas and I each drink our 1 ounce per day of Ningxia Red to fight the flu. And with all the added worry and stress, I am glad to have my little one ounce cocktail each day. Is it helping? I don't know - it's only been a few days... As always, time will tell.

H1N1 Given by Accident

More About Green Tea from Dr. Mercola

I need to check one of my new fave teas! I never thought about where the teas came from. Isn't that funny? I check agave nectars and organic local veggies and fresh produce, but - never thought about my tea! Until now.

Make Sure Your Green Tea is Green

Many green teas have been oxidized, which takes away much of the health benefits de­rived from drinking them.

If your green tea is brown, it has likely been oxidized.

What you want is green tea that’s actually green in color. Ideally, you want green tea which contains the entire ground tea leaf. Matcha tea is what I prefer. It is of such high quality it can contain over 100 times the EGCG found in regular brewed green tea!

Matcha tea is a vibrant bright green color. It is of much higher quality than most other green teas, and you can be assured you’re not consuming fluoride or other toxic sub­stances found in lesser quality teas.

Unlike other teas which you steep and strain, matcha tea is a powder made from ground green tea leaves. You add the powder right into the water. You are consuming the whole leaf, which makes matcha tea one of the healthiest green teas available.

My personal choice, Royal Matcha Green Tea, comes from Japan, is USDA certified organic, and is a premium green tea of the very highest quality.

In general, you want to make sure your choice of green tea is:

• free of fluoride, lead and aluminum
• vibrant green in color
• grown in nutrient-rich, clean soil (the majority of green tea is grown in China, Paki­stan and India, where soil conditions can be potentially toxic)

We have a new grocery store in the city, near where I live. I've been there twice, since it opened on Tuesday. Next time I go, I will check out the tea a little more. I have only bought tea at Trader Joe's and Whole Foods, assuming they were safe. Well, no - I do NOT assume at Trader Joe's. They are on the line, in my opinion.

More about teas next week and a new vitamin we are trying with Nicolas. It's a love and hate relationship with that vitamin.

Halloween is tomorrow. Not sure yet what we will do... lots of discussions though. Time will tell.

My Late Great Friend

I quit drinking coffee around 45 days ago. I don't feel any better - yet. Yet is the key word. I do not have a scheduled bedtime and my hours of sleep vary greatly from one to the next. If I were consistent, I could probably think more clearly and feel better. Guess I really should look at my sleep (or lack thereof).

I have read many articles and visited many websites regarding the danger of coffee, caffeine, tea, etc. Bla, bla, bla...



I am not much of a person who practices moderation. I am hot or cold; not lukewarm. I am "all in" or I leave the table... so to speak. Things are very black and white with me. Right or wrong. It's just how I am. Think Hubs knows this? MMMWWWaaaa.... I am cracking myself up here today.

This one, I felt was worthy to share. Enjoy (or not). Taken from here.

The Truth: Coffee Can Wreck Your Health

Among the typical health claims about coffee is it decreases the risk of developing cer­tain cancers and diabetes. However, it increases your risk for stomach cancer and leu­kemia. Just like with most drugs, there are perceived benefits – and then there are the side effects which often render the “cure” worse than the disease.

Coffee can also[5]:

• interfere with your body’s ability to use water, and promote fluid loss
• raise your cholesterol
• send your insulin levels out of control
• contribute to rheumatoid arthritis and stroke
• damage your blood vessels
• increase your risk of heart disease

Coffee interferes with your body’s ability to use folate, and vitamins B12 and B6. Your body needs these nutrients in order to keep your homocysteine level in the healthy range. Elevated homocysteine levels are associated with a wide range of serious, even life-threatening conditions.

Pesticide Exposure

Chances are the coffee you drink is made from beans grown outside this country.

Coffee beans are known to be a heavily sprayed crop, and the U.S. has limited input and control over the type and quantity of pesticides used in the countries from which we import.

Aside from the damage coffee alone can do, pesticides are contributors to a wide range of health problems, including prostate and other cancers, Parkinson’s disease, and even miscarriages.

Metabolic Damage

Coffee stimulates your adrenals -- the hormones that activate your fight or flight re­sponse. If your adrenal hormones are stimulated too often, which is bound to happen if you are a daily coffee drinker, your adrenal glands may eventually burn out.

When your adrenals no longer function effectively, your body will go in search of a re­placement hormone -- which happens to be progesterone.

Progesterone has its own full-time job to do, part of which is to keep your body’s estro­gen in balance. As your progesterone is used up compensating for your exhausted ad­renals, you run the risk of becoming estrogen dominant.

Estrogen dominance can lead to osteoporosis.

Coffee also raises the acidity level of your blood, causing calcium to be pulled from your bones and teeth for use as a buffering agent. The combination of estrogen dominance and high blood acidity puts you at an even greater risk for osteoporosis. In fact, research has established an undeniable link between coffee consumption and hip fractures.

Caffeine -- Coffee’s Not so Hidden Menace

Caffeine is a psychoactive substance able to alter the way your brain functions, bringing about temporary changes in your behavior and mood.[6] The more sensitive you are to the drug, the more pronounced its effects. Caffeine intoxication is not an uncommon condition -- especially with the high levels of caffeine found in today’s “energy drinks.”

My firm position is that caffeine is a very powerful drug and should be avoided or strictly lim­ited.

Symptoms and health hazards of caffeine use can include:

• insomnia
• a rise in blood pressure and stress hormone levels
• heart palpitations
• a sensation of jitteriness and nervousness
• symptoms of anxiety, especially if you already have a panic or anxiety disorder
• depletion of iron and calcium levels in women

If you happen to be a protein Nutritional Type™, you are likely extra sensitive to caf­feine. I recommend you consume it only in small quantities, if at all, and never in the late afternoon or evening, as it may interfere with your ability to sleep.

Honestly, for the first time in my entire life - I cannot get to sleep at night. For the last month, I just lay there... thinking. Ever since I quit drinking coffee. I don't understand it, but - I am not going back to the dirty water. The pesticides on coffee beans... well, that is really disagreeable to me. Yuck.