A Conditioner Fiasco Government labeling regulations for natural skin care, natural cleaning products or natural anything, are, well, unregulated. Manufactures are free to print misleading label statements until their hearts are content. How does this affect us, as customers? False advertising deceives our belief that we are making smart choices. The problem isn’t just about deceiving labels. This issue has to do with just how harmful these chemicals actually are. Research at the Natural Institute of Health has discovered the correlation between these chemicals and cancer, alzheimers, other…

Gene Stone’s book, ‘The Secrets of People Who Never Get Sick’ is an inspiration. In each chapter, whether it be on ‘napping’, cold showers, friendship or garlic, Gene Stone includes an excerpt on ‘sharing in the secret’. The following is on Garlic. Share in the Secret Garlic can be ingested in many ways. Some people cook it and some eat it raw—which is fine if you can abide the taste and the resulting pungent breath. (Current research doesn't indicate whether one form is more healthful than the other.) Garlic also comes in many liquid forms, such as teas and syrups. It also is available in…

We want to know where and what you buy and who you buy it from. Share a favourite local store, co-operative (see blog 'Celebrating the Seasonal'), organic farmer and even a national grocery chain that is making a difference. We have a new local store that is specializing in gluten-free products and two wonderful co-operatives (one is run by a trio of young women) that are certainly making a difference in our community (the West Island of Montreal, see the links below.) Word of mouth is always the best way to share AND taste the ingredients that sustain, nourish and delight our bodies and…

Vacation time?   Travelling by air? Flying in an airplane is an immersion into germ warfare.   I have never actually crawled inside a giant caterpillar, but boarding an airplane might be a fair comparison. Claustrophobia surfaces as I attempt to negotiate the narrow aisle. I patiently wait as the passenger in front of me attempts to squeeze her carry-on into the already crammed full overhead. I smile and say, “No rush” (I am not anxious to reach my seat numbered 22C). She thanks me and relaxes a little. I can’t sit in a middle seat. I need the aisle to stretch my legs.  The window seat is a…

AKA: NutraSweet, Equal, Spoonful, and Equal-Measure THE GOOD Nothing. However, to be fair to the debating club out there, there are always two sides to the story So I will try again.   THE GOOD Check out the Aspartame Information Centre.  There are EXPERT science and professional organizations associated with this website. See MYTHS section. Scientific studies have been carried out to discount the 'myths'.   The question remains: Are all scientific studies reliable? You can also read (if you have lots of time), LEDA (Legal Electronic Document Archive from Cornell and Harvard) who has put…

Time to recycle an article on 'TAKING COLD SHOWERS'. Even in the cold weather?   Hey, it is wintertime so what the heck. It is cold outside. Keep with the theme. Hot showers are a luxury not available in many countries. At one time, all we had was cold water to wash ourselves in. Go back in time. Do like the caveman. As good as they may feel, hot showers play havoc with our bodies, often making us drowsy and lethargic.   Cold Showers are the way to go. 1. You keep your body’s natural oils when showering in cold water. 2. You save time because you can’t wait to get out. 3. You feel…

OK, go ahead. Eat the apple too. Both will keep the doctor away. Especially if the treat is organic. I know of the controversy: organic vs. non-organic. I also know that many studies out there are skewed in favor of the preferred result, so whom do we believe? I believe Grandma. She lovingly planted her carrot seeds, using fresh black earth and natural fertilizer from her compost heap, hovering over the baby sprouts with her watering can, encouraging the carrot root to delve deep and absorb the earth’s delicious minerals. I see her smile as she recalls the harvest. Pulling the carrot…

Don’t you love September? The kids (or grandkids) are back in school. The leaves are starting to tease us with change. The air is cool and fresh with the scents of fall. Not time yet to think of winter tires or heating bills. The holiday season is just far enough away you need not stress. You are still surrounded by beautiful autumn hues and perfect rays of sunshine. Time to relax on the deck or balcony with chamomile tea. The last growing month for chamomile is September so it is a perfect time to celebrate this nutritiously healing herb. Cold and sinusitis season is looming and chamomile…