A Salty Dilemma

There are some very clear differences between the available salts on the market. Most importantly are the health benefits! I have suffered from high blood pressure since I was 16, and I restricted my salt intake from that time until January 2015 when I discovered Himalayan pink salt. Shortly after incorporating that salt into my newly healthy, clean diet, and I mean REALLY incorporating it, I was able to successfully wean off my blood pressure medications with my doctor's approval. I have tried many times in the past without success. I have been using the Himalayan pink salt now for a year and a half, and my blood pressure still remains at a very healthy level. I put the salt on EVERYTHING! Fruits, vegetables, smoothies, etc. I can finally enjoy food the right way!

First, let me illustrate what salt is and how it can be beneficial (and/or detrimental) to the body. Salt is a crystalline mineral made of two elements, sodium (Na) and chlorine (Cl).

Sodium and chlorine are absolutely essential for life in animals, including humans. They serve important functions like helping the brain and nerves send electrical impulses. Most of the world’s salt is harvested from salt mines, or by evaporating sea water or other mineral-rich waters. Salt is used for various purposes, the most common of which is adding flavor to foods. Salt is also used as a food preservative, because bacteria have trouble growing in a salt-rich environment. The reason salt is often perceived as unhealthy (in large amounts), is that it can bind water in the bloodstream and raise blood pressure. But even though studies have suggested that lowering salt intake can reduce blood pressure by 1-5.4 mm/Hg, there is no evidence that lowering salt prevents heart attacks, stroke or death. The great majority of sodium in the Western diet comes from processed foods. If you eat mostly whole, unprocessed foods then you don’t need to worry about adding some salt to your meals.

Here are the four main salts on the market:

Table Salt:

Table salt is perhaps one of the most common household items and ingredients in cooking. In conventional table salt, the salt is processed to remove all “impurities”. These impurities happen to be essential minerals needed for your body. After this “chemical cleaning”, what’s left is 99% sodium chloride. Sodium chloride which is not in its natural form. As mentioned before, table salt is a highly refined product. Additives may be also added to prevent clumping and better the pouring process. Aluminum hydroxide is sometimes used, which deposits to our brains and is related to Alzheimer’s. The high balance of sodium chloride in table salt makes it easy for a person to exceed the daily intake limit. While our bodies need Sodium for survival, it also needs the other minerals which are removed from natural salt in order to make table salt.

Himalayan Pink Salt:

The gem of the Himalayan Mountains, pink salt, is said to be the purest salt on earth. As the lava and mountain protected salt, it has been untouched for millions of years and not exposed to the modern day pollution. Himalayan salt happens to be 85% sodium chloride, and the remainder contains over 80+ minerals. These minerals can help your body balance your PH, regulate water content, remove toxins, help absorb nutrients, prevent muscle cramping, create balance and more. Himalayan Pink Salt is used in modern cooking around the world, in producing some of the world’s finest food. Known for its pure taste and its unique pinkish hue, the Himalayan Pink Salt is one of the top choices for salt.

Kosher Salt:

Kosher salt was originally used for religious purposes. Jewish law required blood to be extracted from meat before it was eaten. Kosher salt has a flaky, coarse structure that is particularly efficient at extracting the blood. The main difference between regular salt and kosher salt is the structure of the flakes. Chefs find that kosher salt, due to its large flake size, is easier to pick up with your fingers and spread over food. Kosher salt will have a different texture and flavor burst, but if you allow the salt to dissolve in the food, then there really isn’t any difference compared to regular table salt. However, kosher salt is less likely to contain additives like anti-caking agents and iodine.

Sea Salt:

Sea salt is made by evaporating seawater. Like table salt, it is mostly just sodium chloride.  However, depending on where it is harvested and how it was processed, it usually does contain some amount of trace minerals like potassium, iron and zinc. The darker the sea salt, the higher its concentration of “impurities” and trace nutrients will be. However, keep in mind that due to the pollution of oceans, sea salt can also contain trace amounts of heavy metals like lead. Sea salt is often less ground than regular refined salt, so if you sprinkle it on top of your food after it has been cooked, it may have a different mouthfeel and cause a more potent “flavor burst” than refined salt. The trace minerals and impurities found in sea salt can also affect the taste, but this varies greatly between different brands. Why not ingest sea salt? Sea salt may dehydrate the body whereas Himalayan salt actually hydrates our tissue! Sea salt is difficult to digest and assimilate for our bodies because it is not At the organic mineral electrolyte size which is immediately usable in our blood and cells. No digestion is required for Himalayan Salt. It is therefore immediately available for use throughout the body shortly after drinking some dissolved in water - unlike sea salt

I have not yet tried the Sole, but it does sound very interesting.  I'm always interested in trying new things.  :)  As always, I really hope this helps you.  ~J

THE ESSENTIALS OF OILS

So I have recently discovered the amazing (and I do mean amazing) benefits of essential oils.  The more I learned, the more excited I was to try out these ancient oils.  Let me tell you, I was NOT disappointed!

If you think essential oils are only for aromatherapy, then you only know a part of the big picture.  Aromatherapy is  the practice of using the natural oils extracted from flowers, bark, stems, leaves, roots or other parts of a plant to enhance psychological and physical well-being. The inhaled aroma from these "essential" oils is widely believed to stimulate brain function.  These smells can actually send information to our brain to change us not only psychologically, but also physiologically!  You can diffuse oils to combat any number of ailments or emotional issues.  I love to diffuse an oil called "Thieves" or "Fighting Five" or "On Guard" depending on who you buy it from.  It helps to build up the immune system and fight germs and viruses.  The legend of the Thieves oils goes like this:  During the plagues (enter your favorite plague here, the Black Plague is most common, but the tale has even made its way to America, as a plague that struck New Orleans), a group of four brothers began robbing the dead. At first, they were largely ignored, as everyone knew they would eventually pay the price by catching the plague themselves but, to everyone’s surprise, they managed to avoid catching the plague and continued robbing graves, amassing a great deal of wealth. They became legendary and everyone wanted to know how they managed to avoid getting sick. Was it trickery? Magic? What secret did they possess.  Years later, when they were finally captured, they were asked for their secret during questioning. After much debating, they agreed to share their secret in return for their pardon. This offer was accepted and the secret is now out. These men were the offspring of a perfumer and herbalist. They learned about essential oils from their parents during their childhood. They knew these oils would protect them so they rubbed them on their bodies and used them to clean anything they brought back. The powerful blend is now called the Thieves Blend, Legend of the Thieves Blend, Grave Robbers Blend, and countless similar names.

Whenever I diffuse a blend like Thieves, I like to add Sweet Orange because I absolutely LOVE the smell of it and it can be very uplifting.

Another way to use essential oils is topically.  Many, MANY oils are antibacterial, antimicrobial, and are excellent to combat different types of pain like arthritis, inflammation, muscle fatigue, and so on.  Below I will illustrate some of my favorite oils and what they are used for.  All of these oils need to be used with what is called a "carrier" oil..  It can be fractionated coconut oil (MCT Oil, which is what I use.  It is the cheapest I have found and I am providing a link to where I buy it), Sweet Almond Oil, Jojoba Oil, and some use Olive Oil, but it's pretty thick.  Here is the link to the MCT oil that I buy.  I also put this in my coffee and smoothies.  It's derived from coconut oil:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0019LRY8A/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=1NQSAAV9GODL9&coliid=I2RLG3W58NIB8P&psc=1

And below are the containers I buy to put the blended oils in (they HAVE to be in glass):

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B01A5UZ6XA/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=1NQSAAV9GODL9&coliid=I18QD92CWVEX7N&psc=1

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B01BSZDXTU/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=1NQSAAV9GODL9&coliid=I3KZCHLQTE19AY

*NOTE:  I do NOT get a percentage of sales from these. 

I use the rollers bottles with oil and the spray bottles with distilled water and two teaspoons of rubbing alcohol, which helps the oils emulsify with the water.

Lastly, some oils can be ingested, but again, USE A CARRIER OIL, and only use oils from reputable companies so you know their oils are truly pure.  It can be dangerous to ingest some oils, so please do your research before starting this practice.  Essential oils are HIGHLY concentrated!

Below is a list of my "go to" oils-how they are used and what they are used for:

Lavender - If you only use one essential oil, this is it! Lavender(lavandula angustifolia) is the most versatile of all essential oils. Most commonly known for its relaxing effects on the body, therapeutic-grade lavender has been highly regarded for the skin. It may be used to cleanse cuts, bruises and skin irritations. I keep this in my first aid kit.

Lemon oil -  One of the most “essential” oils to have on hand and can be used as teeth whitener, laundry freshener, cellulite cream, face wash and household cleaner.  I add several drops to a glass spray bottle consisting of 1 part distilled water and 1 part hydrogen peroxide. This is the BEST cleaner I have ever used!  Lemon oil also removes sticky residue, including that cement-like glue from mayonnaise jars.  Below are the top 10 uses for Lemon essential oil:

Top 10 Lemon Essential Oil Uses

As you’d probably expect, there is a laundry list of lemon oil uses in addition to all of these medicinal effects. Here are some of my favorites:

1. Laundry – In case you leave your laundry sitting in the washer too long, just add a few drop of lemon EO and your clothes won’t get that nasty smell.
2. Teeth Whitener – Mix lemon essential oil, baking soda and coconut oil and rub on your teeth for 2 minutes and then dense as a natural teeth whitener.
3. Clean Hands – Got greasy hands from working on your car or bike and regular soap isn’t doing the trick? No worries, just add a couple drops of lemon EO with your soap and get your clean hands back!
4. Natural Disinfectant – Want to steer away from alcohol and bleach to disinfect your countertops and clean your moldy shower? Add 40 drops lemon oil and 20 drops tea tree oil to a 16-oz spray bottle fill with pure water (and a little bit of white vinegar) for a traditional cleaning favorite.
5. Face-wash – Lemon essential oil uses for skin can can improve your complexion and leave your skin soft and supple.  Lemon oil benefits skin by deeply nourishing.  You can make lemon oil with baking soda and honey for a natural acne free face wash.
6. Wood and Silver Polish – A lemon oil-soaked cloth will also help spruce up your tarnished silver and jewelry!  Lemon oil for wood cleaning is also great.
7. Goo-Be-Gone – Un-stick the sticky goo your kids leave behind with stickers and gum with lemon oil.
8. Promotes Fat-Loss – Putting 2 drops of lemon oil in your water 3x daily can support metabolism and weight loss.
9. Improves Mood – Diffusing lemon essential oil in the air can lift mood and fight depression.
10. Immune Support – Lemon oil can support lymphatic drainage and help your overcome a cold fast, mix it with coconut oil and rub it on your neck.

Eucalyptus - Another that I keep in my first aid kit in the blend Breathe.  The health benefits of eucalyptus oil are well-known and wide ranging, and its properties include anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, decongestant, deodorant, antiseptic, antibacterial, stimulating, and other medicinal qualities. 

Peppermint - Peppermint essential oil gives a cooling sensation and has a calming effect on the body, which can relieve sore muscles when used topically. It also has antimicrobial properties so it can help freshen bad breath and soothe digestive issues. Peppermint is a hybrid species of spearmint and water mint (Mentha aquatica).  Whenever my son or I have an upset stomach, we rub a mixture of peppermint oil and coconut oil directly onto our abdomens and it WORKS!  I also spray a mixture of distilled water with 1-2 tsp rubbing alcohol (you can also use witch hazel or dish soap, as it helps the oils emulsify with the water) and several drops of peppermint oil and lemongrass oil around my back porch and the mop boards in my kitchen and bathroom where spiders and ants like to try and congregate.  They are well and truly gone now, thankfully!

Tea Tree (Melaleuca) - Well-known for its powerful antiseptic properties and ability to treat wounds. Tea tree oil (TTO), the volatile essential oil derived mainly from the Australian native plant Melaleuca alternifolia has been widely used throughout Australia for at least the past 100 years. And for over seven decades, it’s been documented in numerous medical studies to kill many strains of bacteria, viruses and fungi. Tea tree oil uses are numerous: making homemade cleaning products, diffusing it in the air to kill mold, applying it topically to heal skin issues and taking it internally to treat viral infections. It’s becoming an increasingly popular active ingredient in a variety of household and cosmetic products, including face wash, shampoos, massage oils, skin and nail creams and laundry detergents. Tea tree’s natural antiseptic and anti-inflammatory actions make it an essential oil that should truly be part of everyone’s first aid kit.

Myrrh - A resin, or sap-like substance, that comes from a tree called Commiphora myrrha, common in Africa or the Middle East. Myrrh is botanically related to Frankincense, and is one of the most widely used essential oils in the world.  Historically, myrrh was used to treat wounds and prevent infections. It can still be used in this manner on minor skin irritations such as athlete’s foot, ring worm, and acne.  Myrrh can help maintain healthy skin. It can help soothe chapped or cracked skin. It is commonly added to skin care products to help with moisturizing and also for fragrance. Ancient Egyptians used it to prevent aging and maintain healthy skin.  Due to its anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties, myrrh can help relieve inflammation of the mouth and gums caused by diseases such as gingivitis and mouth ulcers. It can also be used as mouth rinse to prevent gum disease. Myrrh has the power to increase the function of white blood cells, critical for wound healing. It was found to decrease the incidence of ulcers and improve their healing time, in one 2010 study published in the Journal of Immunotoxicology.

Frankincense - Great for skin care and nearly everything related to skin; burns, rashes, cuts, scrapes, and oozing sores. It’s also fabulous for mature, prematurely aging, and environmentally challenged skin.  Due to its antiseptic properties, frankincense oil is a great addition to any oral hygiene regimen. Look for natural oral care products that contain frankincense oil, especially if you enjoy the aroma. It can help prevent dental health issues like tooth decay, bad breath, cavities, or oral infections. You can also consider making your own toothpaste by mixing frankincense oil with baking soda.

The very best essential oils I have found for pain are:  Clove, Helichrysum, Wintergreen, Black Pepper, Turmeric, Ginger, Oregano, Basil, Marjoram, and Copiaba, which also acts as an oil enhancer and helps the other oils to work even better.  I find very good information for essential oils and ALL of my health and wellness needs on Pinterest.  I encourage you to spend some time browsing these and other topics of interest there.  

I would be remiss if I didn't post also about how essential oils can help with depression.  So many of my dearest friends and family are afflicted with it!  So I have been researching my favorite, most reliable resources, and here is what I have come up with:

Depression is incredibly common. In fact, you may be near someone every day and not even know that he or she is suffering from depression.

However, there are symptoms that may signal signs of depression, such as fatigue, sadness, moodiness, low sex drive, low self-esteem, loss of appetite, feelings that the tough days will never end, and never accepting invitations to go out with friends or get involved in activities. I know that seems like quite a list, but there are many more behaviors that could be an indication that you or someone you know is suffering from depression.

Luckily, there are natural remedies for depression out there, including using certain essential oils — similar to the way you can use essential oils for anxiety. Below are my top four essential oils for depression treatment.

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TOP ESSENTIAL OILS FOR DEPRESSION:

In clinical trials, essential oils have been proven to elevate mood. You may be wondering how essential oils work. Because smells are carried directly to the brain, they serve as emotional triggers. The limbic system evaluates the sensory stimuli, registering pleasure, pain, danger or safety. This then creates and ultimately directs our emotional response, which can include feelings of fear, anger, depression and attraction.

Our basic emotions and hormonal balance are in response to the most basic smells. This makes scents very powerful in our day-to-day lives because they’re a direct pathway to memory and emotion — which is why they can fight depression and anxiety. Here are my top for essential oils for depression:

1. Bergamot

Bergamot oil is a great antidepressant because it’s very stimulating. Bergamot can create a feeling of joy, freshness and energy by improving the circulation of your blood. It’s also shown the ability to work as a natural remedy for anxiety, as a 2011 study in Thailand found that bergamot lowered the anxiety response in rats. 

Another 2011 study hypothesizes that applying a blended essential oil that includes bergamot to participants helps treat depression. The blended essential oil mixed bergamot with lavender essential oil, and participants were analyzed based on their blood pressure, pulse rates, breathing rates and skin temperature. In addition, subjects had to rate their emotional condition in terms of relaxation, vigor, calmness, attentiveness, mood and alertness in order to assess behavioral changes.

Compared with the placebo, blended essential oil caused significant decreases of pulse rate and blood pressure. At the emotional level, subjects in the blended essential oil group rated themselves as “more calm” and “more relaxed” than subjects in the control group. The investigation demonstrates the relaxing effect of a mixture of lavender and bergamot oils, and it provides evidence for its use in medicine for treating depression or anxiety in humans. 

You can use bergamot oil by rubbing two to three drops into your hands and cupping your mouth and nose. Breathe in the oil slowly. Try rubbing the oil on your feet and stomach, as well.

2. Lavender

Lavender oil benefits mood and has long been used to help battle depression. A study published by the International Journal of Psychiatry in Clinical Practice reported that 80-milligram capsules of lavender essential oil can help alleviate anxiety and depression. The study also showed that there were no adverse side effects from using lavender oil to treat anxiety and depression. This is great news since we know that synthetic medications and psychotropic drugs often have many negative side effects.

A 2012 study published in Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice evaluated 28 women at high risk for postpartum depression and found that by diffusing lavender in their home, they had a significant reduction of postnatal depression and reduced anxiety disorder after a four-week treatment plan of lavender aromatherapy.

Yet another study showcasing that lavender aromatherapy improves mood was done on people suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which can result in depression. Lavender had amazing results, showing signs of enhanced moods. The results revealed that the lavender oil, when used daily, helped decrease depression by 32.7 percent and dramatically decreased sleep disturbances, moodiness and overall health status in 47 people suffering from PTSD.

To relieve stress and improve sleep, put a diffuser by your bed and diffuse oils while you sleep at night or in the family room while you’re reading or winding down in the evening. Also, it can be rubbed topically behind your ears for the same benefits.

I hope this helps someone like it has helped me!  -J

So Which Diet Do I Follow?

I don't follow any specific diet.  There are many good diets out there - Atkins, Vegan, Vegetarian, Bulletproof, etc.  From my observations, they all share a common denominator.  Their basic concept is "eat clean, whole foods."  It's true that Atkins sells foods that are processed, but even those have relatively healthy ingredients.  I followed Atkins years ago with great success.  After I became ill, I gave up on eating right.  My mindset was, "it's not going to make a difference anyway, it won't cure my MS."  I feel that I was just making excuses and giving up.  I see things VERY differently these days.

My diet these days breaks down to about 70% vegetables (mostly raw), 25% fruit (I start out putting the fruit in a large container of non-fluoridated (see why in another blog of mine), purified water and then eat it that evening on an empty stomach.  Why an empty stomach?  Because fruit digests VERY quickly, and if you eat it along with a food that digests very slowly it can ferment in your intestines.  You can imagine this can cause a lot of ... ahem...socially unacceptable situations.  >.>

I love my raw veggies.  I buy a variety and cut them up and keep them in the fridge so my son and I will have a quick and easy snack throughout the day.

I also love cooked veggies.  I make crockpot soups all the time.  I like to add turmeric because it is a fantastic anti-inflammatory.  Stir fried Brussels sprouts with a touch of Himalayan salt is REALLY GOOD!  Baby spinach in scrambled eggs for breakfast is a favorite.  I could go on and on.

Meat has gone from my main portion at dinner to a once or twice a week addition to a dish.  Same goes for cheese.  I only eat cheese in the Jalapeno Popper Casserole my son makes, once a week.  I used to eat a LOT of cheese!  Swiss, Mozzarella, Pepper Jack...  I don't even miss it anymore.  If you want to know why I rarely eat cheese anymore, leave a comment below and I'll tell you.  If you are squeamish, don't read my answer.  ha ha

Sometimes in between meals I will snack on various nuts.  I prefer to get the raw, unsalted nuts and roast and salt them myself using extra virgin coconut oil and Himalayan pink salt.  They are sooo much better!  When I am craving chocolate, I will melt some coconut oil, add organic cocoa powder and stevia, and then drizzle it over the nuts.  Surprisingly I don't end up over doing it, which proves to me that it's sugar that makes you over indulge.  That's just my own personal opinion.

I don't know if I mentioned in my previous blog posts, but I had my labs done about three or four months after starting this new way of eating.  My PCP was shocked to see that I had, for the first time in decades, a NORMAL liver function test!  In fact, I cut the number in half!  I looked up the causes for a high liver function test, and of course the main cause was from alcohol, but since I don't drink I knew that wasn't the problem with mine.  The other main cause was malnutrition.  At first I laughed, because I looked anything but malnourished!  However, the more research I have done, the more I learn that you don't always get really thin and emaciated when you are undernourished.  You can eat all you want of the processed, pasteurized foods and still not get enough nutrients into your body.  I probably eat a 10th of what I used to, and yet I'm healthier, thinner, happier, and my lab tests are finally in the normal range.  I'm rarely hungry.  The same is true for my son.  He's 15 now, and since he has started eating whole foods and cut out almost ALL processed foods, he has lost 24 pounds and feels fantastic.  He also rarely eats and still has all the energy he needs.

In addition to my foods, I take supplements.  I put them in a separate post: Rock Star Supplements And A Superb Smoothie

Lastly, and most importantly, I drink a LOT of water!  As I mentioned above, I drink non-fluoridated water.  I have a separate post for that, as well:  Back Away From The Fluoride Toothpaste...And The Fluoridated Water...And The Over Fluoridated Processed Foods...  I cut up fresh fruit, or open a bag of frozen if no fresh is available.  I've read that freezing fruits does not kill the live enzymes, so frozen fruits, if done properly, are just as effective as fresh fruits.  I add about a cup of fruit to about a quart of water.  I will drink one quart of the water and then add another quart to the fruit at the bottom.  I will occasionally add a fruit flavored stevia to it if I want a sweeter drink.  By evening my water is finished and I will enjoy the fruit, on an empty stomach of course.

I should mention that I do drink tea and coffee, but only organic!  I like to have a cup of "bulletproof coffee" in the morning and a cup of chamomile tea with lemon in the evening.  Again with stevia.  Stevia is the only sweetener I will use in my drinks.  It's grown naturally, and I find it leaves no aftertaste.  I will be writing a new post soon about natural and artificial sweeteners.

Enjoy and remember to hydrate!  -J

It's Raining Chem(Trails)

I'm really on the fence with this one...  So many people are saying chem trails are a conspiracy theory.  Yet equally as many people say it is real, and they provide pretty good evidence.  I watched a video on youtube about this very subject.  You can watch it and see for yourself if there is something being sprayed that is possibly harming our environment.  "What In The World Are They Spraying?"

Adding another video that needs to be seen, in my opinion:

Don't know about or Believe in Chemtrails? (Don't miss this one)

Today I found this article that at the bottom asks to be shared with "as many people as humanly possible."  As always, do your OWN research as well.

"Despite their debut in the late nineties, people still have problems paying attention to the sky and noticing the differences from natural cloud creation and Chemtrail dust piles that drift down on the population. We’ve compiled twelve reasons we believe are smoking guns that prove that Chemtrails are indeed man made, and under all circumstances bad.

Chemtrail Marker

1. Chemtrails are intelligently sprayed

The first thing one will notice after taking photos of chemtrails on a daily basis is in how they are sprayed. Normal flights utilize air corridors, which are designated lanes in the sky to exit and approach airports. Chemtrail planes categorically defy these methods of flight and routinely fly either higher or lower than standard commercial aircraft. Chemtrails start and stop abruptly leaving behind line segments that are stitch together with newly emerging trails. Extremely precise T-joints, Z-joints, markers, and grid formations are just some of the methods they use to cover crops and cities. For commercial pilots to intersect in such manners would require that at least one of the planes be in violation of airspace.

2. Chemtrails do not behave like water

Water in the sky has some very key properties. It blocks light. The heavier a cloud becomes, the darker it becomes. If indeed a plane were able to create ice that turned into clouds as we’re seeing with powder based chemtrails, they would coalesce into cumulus clouds and behave like clouds. Chemtrails fall from the sky like dust. The trails remain extremely reflective the entire time, and only at night do they block the setting sun due to their lack of transparent metal nature. Contrails are made from frozen water. Frozen water melts as it falls. Chemtrails are nano-sized metals, and drift down on the population and crops below.

3. Chemtrails follow a schedule

Chemtrails follow a seasonal schedule. We believe this is due to the illnesses that spread beneath their spraying. For instance, in 2010, the spraying stopped on May 15th, and started in September 15th. In 2011, the dates were similar stopping on May 25th, and starting on October 1st. Mothernature does not start and stop weather phenomenons based on a calendar two years in a row. Since the initial publication of this article, summer activity has increased marginally, while winter spraying has increased drastically. Given that no significant increase in air traffic has occurred, there shouldn’t be an increase in trails over populated areas. Yet, it increases daily.

4. Chemtrails are not affected by weather temperatures

Contrails are effected by one thing, and that’s temperature. In the Antarctic, contrails have been timed as long as 1:45 seconds. Reporting from Southern California, we have the added benefit of consistently warm weather with dates in December reaching temperatures of 90+ degrees, and still these chemtrails persist. Any ice based crystals caused by contrails would melt away in seconds, and these don’t.

5. chemtrails are full of toxic chemicals not found in clouds

Chemtrails have been found to contain the chemicals Aluminum Oxide and Barium Oxide globally. Contrails are made from frozen water particles.

Chemtrail T-Bar

6. Chemtrails expand into giant structures, something contrails don’t

Chemtrails once sprayed from the back of a plane, expand to volumetric levels hundreds of times their original size unlike contrails that fade in a matter of seconds. Chemtrails can convert a sunny blue sky from horizon to horizon into an overcast day of falling debris. This has never been the case with traditional contrails.

7. Chemtrails are passively validated as a shield for global warming

When in the rare case chemtrails are reported on local news networks, they always seem to repeat lies laid out by government agencies, but fail to identify their source. The most common scam is to claim that chemtrails are being sprayed to cool the world against Global Warming. The hilarious nonsense about this claim involves the total lack of spraying when the northern hemisphere is closest to the Sun, better known as summer! There is no campaign to cool the world. The sheer number of planes necessary to accomplish such a task is absurdly huge, and far outside of man’s capability.

8. Chemtrails coincide with mass illness related to respiratory functions

During October 1st 2011 when the spraying restarted in Southern California, the amount of strep throat cases skyrocketed. Clinics filled with patients reporting puss covered throats that felt like razor blades. Respiratory illness and reports of asthma attacks increased instantly. The common cold took foot before temperatures fell. We believe that chemtrails might be held until winter to hide the fact that everyone gets ill in direct correlation with their spraying. Regardless, we check with local clinics and monitor the explosion rates directly. You should do the same. As of 2012, the mass media introduced a new catchphrase “summer cold” to cover for the fact that trails are now sprayed throughout the summer months, thus making the population perpetually sick.

9. Chemtrails are sprayed over higher populated areas

As our posse of chemtrail reporters contact us with reports from all over the globe, one fact is clear, the higher the population the higher the spraying. One might assume that air traffic is purely responsible for this surge in air related coverage, and we’re sure it helps, but the sheer number of planes without chemtrails and the ones with contrails almost vanishes in low populated areas save farming communities. Consequently, it is these low populated areas that have bone chilling temperatures well below zero on the surface of the Earth let alone in the sky at ten to thirty thousand feet. Southern California is a hot bed for chemtrail spraying due to its dense population.

Chemtrail Drifting

10. Chemtrails are part of existing geoengineering programs blueprints

The United States government sponsors the daily research into what they call “geoengineering” programs. These programs range from weather manipulation to depopulation programs. They hold conferences in mainstream convention halls around the country, and admit every aspect of the program save one, that they’ve turned the program on. So the only lie that need exist to bathe a population in toxic life stunting chemtrail clouds is the on switch being flipped. We believe we have proof that they have. You should be able to deduce the same with this simple guide.

11. Chemtrail planes violate air traffic within minutes

After speaking with both military and commercial pilots about chemtrails, we were clearly told “It’s not us.” They said the trails are most often sprayed between 10,000 and 30,000 feet to be out of the way of normal flight patterns. The smoking gun they suggested we look into was that no commercial or military airways share perpendicular flight patterns within minutes. This is demonstrated thousands of times daily when chemtrail spraying planes create giant X, T, and Z patterns in the sky.

12. Germany admits to citizens they are spraying chemical trails

The country of Germany has admitted on two public occasions that chemtrails are intentionally being sprayed over the people. In the first case, they admitted it was a “test” military weapon designed to block satellite penetration of enemy intelligence agencies. On the second occasion, it was rebranded as “test” weather manipulation. In either case, the German government reached a point where they feared admitting the obvious. Copies of the news broadcasts have been removed from YouTube to conceal the admissions. We had each video translated by two sources to confirm their authenticity.

We would like to suggest that you forward this article to as many people as you humanly can. Suggest they look up, take pictures, and post them to the internet."

Here are a few more videos I found to be really interesting:

Pilots, Doctors and Scientists Tell the Truth About Chemtrails

I am uploading some additional pictures I found that just don't make sense. 

Again, this is just something that has really been bugging me, and I wanted to share what I found with you all.  Please share your thoughts.  Do you think they are just normal contrails?  -J

You Are What You Eat...No, I'm Serious!

I don't follow any particular diet.  That is to say, I am not vegetarian, not paleo, not vegan.  I mostly follow my instincts based on what I have learned recently.  So with that in mind, here is a basic rundown of what I eat and what I avoid.

I start my morning off with a large cup of organic "bulletproof" coffee.  If you don't know what bulletproof coffee is, you are missing out!  Here is a link to the recipe and the science behind it.

Bulletproof Coffee

I switched to organic because regular coffee has more pesticides than any other food.  Yuck!

Along with the coffee I drink my beloved ANTI FLUORIDE water with fresh fruit (today it's blueberries and kiwi).

Around lunch time I will have my first meal.  I make sure I include at least one raw food in, although most of my food intake is raw fruits and veggies.  Raw foods contain the live enzymes that are important for digestion.

I should add that around 30 minutes before I eat any meal, I take 2 tablespoons of raw organic apple cider vinegar.  That helps begin the digestion process.  raw organic ACV has so many other health benefits.  I won't even begin to try to list them here.  Suffice it to say it is probably the most important item in my diet.

I drink water throughout my day.  However, I do not drink it right before, during, or right after a meal.  I let my natural digestive enzymes do their job optimally.  I used to think drinking a lot of water with a meal would "help it along".  That is simply not the case.  My life is a lie!  ugh

As I mentioned in an earlier post, I consume very little meat.  In fact, when I do have meat in a meal, it is the smallest portion.  My main portion is veggies, and then perhaps nuts and/or fruits, and then meat.  I eat even less dairy.  I have read far too many facts about what they have to do to it to make it digestible for humans...   Anyway, I digress...  When I do have dairy, it's in my son's jalapeno popper casserole.  Hands down the best casserole I have ever eaten!  Here is the recipe for those of you who like jalapenos:

Jalapeno Popper Casserole

Preheat oven to 400F

Ingredients:
1/2 lb Grass Fed Beef
1 package Bacon, cooked and cut
1/4 cup Jalapeno slices
1 Tbs Minced Garlic
6 oz. Cream Cheese
3T Mayonnaise
2 oz. Shredded Cheddar

Directions:

Cook bacon in oven on 375 for 20 minutes..  Start browning hamburger.  (I brush coconut oil all over the bottom and sides of the pan before I put the hamburger in.)  Add jalapenos and garlic and cook until brown all the way. Add cream cheese and mayo and mix thoroughly. Place mixture in casserole dish and top with cheddar cheese.  Bake for 10-15 minute. Broil for 3-5 minutes to finish. Optional: Top with extra jalapenos before you broil.

We eat this once or twice a week, but it is our only meat dish that we eat on a regular basis.

So in the evening I like to snack on healthy nuts while relaxing before bed.  I have found that the best nuts to snack on are almonds, walnuts, Brazil nuts, sunflower seeds, and pumpkin seeds.  As always, I look for raw and organic, and I salt them (with Himalayan pink salt, of course) and roast them myself.  It's quite easy to salt and roast them at home.  I use the pink salt and coat them with extra virgin coconut oil before baking them in the oven for about 10 minutes.  I like them much better than the ones that are already roasted and salted.  That goes the same for popcorn.  My son loves popcorn, so I buy the organic kernels and we pop them over the stove with coconut oil.  We like it a lot better than the store bought microwave junk that is full of trans fats.  And don't get me started on GMO corn...  >.>

In addition to whole foods, I make muffins using coconut flour and stevia (if needed).  Since coconut flour is very absorbing, the recipe calls for more eggs, but I like to substitute unsweetened apple sauce for one of the eggs.  I also like to add blueberries or go a little savory and add garlic and jalapenos.  Many of my recipes are very flexible, and I can easily tweak the same recipe and end up with a nice dessert or savory appetizer depending on my mood.

I wrote a post about the supplements I take, but I don't know if I properly emphasized the coconut oil.  As well as cooking with coconut oil, I also take coconut oil capsules throughout the day.  Coconut oil contains medium chain triglycerides that can cross the blood brain border and nourish the brain.  MCTs are being use to treat and prevent autism and alzheimers along with a myriad of other brain conditions.  I am convinced this is the reason my MS is currently in remission.  I have Relapsing Remitting MS, and I am going to do everything I can to prevent it from transitioning to Secondary Progressive.

So I know I have missed some things here, and I really hate that.  I have so much to share.  If you have any questions, or want to share your own daily and/or weekly regimen, please do so!

Have a happy and healthy day!  -J

Back Away From The Fluoride Toothpaste...And The Fluoridated Water...And The Over Fluoridated Processed Foods...

This is a new one for me, so forgive me if I stumble as I try to explain it.  I'm still trying to learn what I can about it.  But I want to make you aware of the dangers of fluoride.  As always, do your own research on this issue also.

Did you know that 97% of the developed world does NOT fluoridate it's water supply?  It seems that, once again, we have been sold a bill of goods.  Does it ever stop?  Keep in mind, these are DEVELOPED countries like Europe, Canada, etc.  Studies have shown that there has been no difference in the rate of tooth decay between areas that fluoridate their water and those that do not.

Below is a list of reasons fluoridation is not a good practice, and in some cases is downright dangerous!  As always, I encourage you to do your own research.

The dose cannot be controlled.
Fluoride goes to everyone regardless of age, health, or vulnerability.
Fluoride accumulates in the body, mostly in calcifying tissues like the bones and pineal gland.
Fluoride is not an essential nutrient.
Fluoride is in many other sources like food and beverages processed with fluoridated water.
No health agency in fluoridated countries is monitoring fluoride exposure or side effects.
There has never been a single randomized controlled trial to demonstrate fluorides' effectiveness or safety.
Any benefit you may get from fluoride is TOPICAL not systemic!
Ingesting fluoride has not been shown to reduce tooth decay!  (See data from World Health Organization below)

Tooth decay was coming down before fluoridation was even started!  See chart below:

Children are being over exposed to fluoride and are developing dental fluorosis, which is a discoloring of tooth enamel caused by too much fluoride.  It will show up as brown or white spots on the teeth.  See chart below for dental fluorosis rates in the US:

The highest doses of fluoride are going to bottle-fed babies due to their sole reliance on liquids for their food intake.

Dental fluorosis may be an indicator of wider systemic damage.  Other tissues are potentially susceptible to damage throughout life.  Many older people develop skeletal fluorosis.  Below are two charts which show the increase in skeletal fluorosis in China and India:

As you can see, there can be devastating consequences from ingesting fluoridated water and foods and even brushing with toothpaste!  I am getting a filter that eliminates over 90% of the fluoride from my water.  There are many out there, but if you do decide to buy a water filter, keep in mind that many common water filters DO NOT filter out the fluoride!

Stay hydrated!  -J

You Want Me To Take What?

Up until earlier this year my house was beginning to look like a pharmacy.  I was taking pills for depression, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, MS nerve pain, fibromyalgia muscle and joint pain, trigeminal neuralgia, etc.

Now that I am taking better care of myself and eating the foods my body needs in order to heal itself and maintain a good balance, I have been able to completely eliminate my blood pressure and cholesterol medications, have cut my antidepressant dosage in half, and have cut my pain medications by two thirds!

I know there are medications that I will need to take for the rest of my life, but to be able to cut back on so many has really been motivational.  Some of my medications were actually CAUSING pain!  By eliminating those, I was able to cut way back on the pain medicine I had to take.  I have also been learning about anti-inflammatory foods.  Below is a list of foods that are not only good for you, they also heal and/or eliminate pain.

Inflammation fighting foods:

Apples
Blueberries
Cherries
Pineapples
Strawberries
Olive Oil
Turmeric
Flaxseed
Almonds
Omega-3 fatty acids
Green Veggies
Green tea

Sprinkle olive oil on tomato halves to enhance the body's ability to absorb the lycopene

Adding good fats like coconut or olive oil to green vegetables enhances the body's ability to absorb the vitamins in the greens.

All fruits and vegetables, due to their rich nutrient and fiber content, help to combat chronic inflammation

On the other end of the spectrum you have foods that CAUSE inflammation:

Dairy

Sugar

Bad Fats

Refined Grains

Grain Fed Meat

Hope this helps you have a happy, pain-free life!  -J