We send cards for many occasions and the holiday season is one of the most popular times to send a greeting card. Christmas is definitely a time to connect to family and friends and express feelings. After all, that’s the reason for the season. It is important to let others know that we are thinking of them during the holidays. But should we send a paper card or an electronic one? Here are some pros and cons for each.

Paper Cards

Paper greeting cards are a global industry. Numerous companies promote cards for holidays and special occasions. Over the years the cards have become more inventive and nowadays technology will let you records your own message. Christmas cards say what we would like to but can’t seem to put into words. The fun begins when we shop for the cards and choose just the right one for someone we care about.

So while Christmas cards fill a need, many companies are striving to be more environmentally friendly by using recycled paper for their cards. The argument against recycled paper is that it is not as strong as virgin wood pulp. That may be a consideration for paper grocery bags but for cards, the strength is in the wording not what they are printed on. Purchasing greeting cards on recycled paper supports the recycling industry as a viable alternative to other materials.

For the most part, once the holidays are over, paper cards end up in the trash along with wrapping paper and Christmas trees. Although some people recycle, most throw everything away in the regular trash. This paper goes to the landfill and stays their indefinitely.

Unfortunately, the conditions in a landfill are not appropriate for paper products to biodegrade. Paper hangs around as long as plastic in a landfill.

E-cards

Electronic cards are a wonderful innovation. They’re a lifesaver for those of us who forget to send out paper greeting cards in a timely fashion. An electronic card can be sent on December 23rd and arrive on the same day. The best electronic cards are interactive and can be personalized to say whatever we want.

Usually there are two levels of e-cards to choose from — free and then more detailed cards for a fee. E-cards can be saved on the computer and viewed as many times as you want.

Electronic card programs eliminate the need to go to the store for cards so there’s no transportation or use of fossil fuels. These cards can be created and sent to others. Occasionally, people do print them out and that contributes to the trash situation in the landfill.

So which is better? That is up to you. Be responsible with your choices and instead of throwing out those paper cards, find creative ways to reuse them.

My ten year old juicer was making a death rattle so I did some research into what’s going on in the world of juicers. First, I thought I should probably talk about the benefits of juicing and why not eat just eat your veggies instead of juicing? Well, you shouldn’t forsake eating your vegetables in lieu of juicing them; however, there are many nutrients trapped in the fiber of vegetables. Since fiber is not digestible, a good juicer will separate the fiber from the nutrients so your body can make use of it. When you eat vegetables, it takes your body hours to make use of the nutrients. With properly juiced vegetables, your body can make use of those nutrients in minutes.

In my research I found there are two types of juicers–centrifugal and masticating. As more juice is extracted from a masticating juicer, it’s the better choice. You’re wasting your money in produce otherwise. The nutritional value in vegetables is in the fiber and pigments that are extracted. I settled on the Champion juicer and right away I noticed it prepared darker and richer juice when compared to my old centrifugal-type juicer. The pulp in the Champion juicer is pale in color because it has all gone in the juice.

Freshly made juice is rich in vitamins, minerals, enzymes, and amino acids. It’s a great shortcut to give your body what it needs and to keep it working at its optimum. You may be wondering whether you can buy natural juice instead of making it. The truth is that oxidation starts immediately so the sooner you consume the juice, the more nutritional benefit it has. You can store fresh juice for up to 24 hours if you keep it in an airtight container. Add a few drops of lemon juice. The vitamin C will slow down oxidation. With commercial juice, you’re looking at a much longer shelf life and therefore chemical preservatives which defeat the point of fresh juice.

Another benefit is that you can consume much more live foods through juicing. It takes approximately one pound of carrots to make a glass of juice. Most people cannot eat this many carrots. However, drinking a glass of juice is something that everyone can do. Yet another good reason to juice is that raw juice contains more than just vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and enzymes. For example, string beans contain insulin-like properties. Cucumber and onion juice contain hormones needed by the pancreas. In addition, tomatoes, garlic, onions, and radishes contain antibacterial properties. Think of all the herbs that you could add to a glass of juice–ginger, parsley, peppermint, etc.

If you’re thinking of doing a fast, you could do a juicing fast a few times a month. Juice fasts take place over a day or sometimes several days. You’ll do nothing but drink fresh, natural juice. It’s a great way to kick start your healing and rid your body of all of the junk that you’ve been putting into it.

Below are some examples of juices you can make at home to help you get started juicing and their benefits.

Carrot Juice — it has a cleansing effect and carrots are the base for many juice combinations.

• Thoroughly wash about one pound of carrots

• Do not peel; feed into the juicer one at a time

Celery Juice — Celery has diuretic properties and helps to maintain proper sodium levels.

• Cut a stalk of celery into two or three pieces

• Feed the celery one piece at a time

Apple Juice — Apples are high in phenolics which have anti-aging properties and help protect against cardiovascular disease, and cancer.

• Wash and core three or four apples and cut them into sections

• Do not peel

• Feed into the juicer one at a time

Of course these are just a few examples of juices you can make. There are endless juice combinations to treat numerous conditions. However, it’s important to keep in mind that there are some differences between fruit and vegetable juice. Fruit juices are beneficial for cleansing and detoxifying the body, while vegetable juice is conducive to rejuvenating and repairing the body.

Resources: Juicing for Life: A Guide to the Benefits of Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Juicing

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In August 2008, comedien Bernie Mac aka the King of Comedy died at the young age of 50. Mac had worked in the industry for years but his career had begun to reach new heights with blockbusters like Bad Santa and Oceans Eleven. Mac struggled with the autoimmune disease sarcoidosis and died from complications of that and pneumonia. His death is somewhat controversial since it's believed his doctors treated him with immune system suppressing drugs. Whatever the cause of Mac's death, there are lessons to be learned about our own health.

Your body is a battleground. Everyday your immune system battles bacteria, fungi, and viruses. If your immune system is strong, you never have a clue; however, if it's not up to the challenge, you can experience a range of symptoms from lethargy to an infection that requires medical support. Taking herbal supplements is an excellent way to help boost your body's immune system.

Herbal supplements are simply dried plants which are then put into a gel capsule for easy swallowing. The bonus with herbs is that not only do they have medicinal properties, but nutritional value as well. They are very much a condensed version of vegetables and fruits without the calories. Since herbs have medicinal and nutritional benefit, it's easy to see why some folks consider herbal supplements to be super foods.

Most herbs are excellent sources of vitamins, minerals, and trace elements. Kelp, parsley, and alfalfa are excellent choices for herbs that also pack a full complement of vitamins and minerals. Kelp is high in natural iodine and iron. Iodine helps regulate your thyroid which in turn helps fight off germs, bacteria, and viruses in your body. This makes kelp a natural immune boosting herb for your body. Kelp is also quite high in calcium, potassium, magnesium and other trace minerals too, and it's an excellent source for most of the B vitamins as well.

Alfalfa is another power-packed herb which can really boost your body's immune system. This herb is a rich source of calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, sodium, and other trace elements our bodies need. It also contains essential amino acids, has the highest chlorophyll content of any plant, and it's also a source of carotene and Vitamin K.

Many people think of parsley as just a garnish and leave it on the plate uneaten. What a waste! Parsley is very high in Vitamins A, B, and C. In fact, parsley has three times as much vitamin C in it as citrus, and the Vitamin A it contains stimulates the body's immune system. Parsley is also a source of iron and is high in Potassium too.

You may think of dandelion as a weed, but it is another herb rich in vitamins and minerals, and it's an especially good source of calcium. If you take non-herbal vitamin C supplements for longer than three or four days, your body could become depleted in calcium so you'll need to supplement that.

If you're averse to swallowing pills, try emptying a your capsules into the blender when you make smoothies or juice veggies. Another option is to mix them into dips, soups, or stews. A small amount goes a long way.

Reference: The Immune System Cure



Bernie Mac Another Casualty of Conventional Medicine?

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When a person has sexual problems, the last thing they want to do is comparison shop for the best product for their problem. Most sexual aids are sold as novelty items, and that means they are not regulated. Through this large loophole comes tons of products with some nasty chemicals in them. Everything from sex toys to personal lubricants can have some questionable ingredients in them. Even doctor-approved drugs like Viagra can have some pretty nasty side effects. A person needing help in this area can find themselves having to navigate through a labyrinth of lies, half truths, and too-good-to-be-true promises.

Of course there are many reasons for sexual dysfunction–diabetes, hypertension, emotional or psychological problems. A medical professional will have to determine the reason; however, if you want to try to help yourself, yoga has a proven history in this area. Yoga poses, some of which are based on tantric sexual practice, will increase blood flow and flexibility. When performed regularly, yoga postures that exercise the hips, thighs, and groin make it easier to engage in certain lovemaking positions.

Keep in mind that the greater goal is to connect. This is possible because these positions help open the heart, sacral, and root chakras releasing dormant sexual energy and increasing the capacity to love. Yoga’s emphasis on breathing and movement increases the flow of prana or life energy throughout your body.

Many couples find exercising together to be an aphrodisiac. If you’re looking to spice up your relationship, yoga can enhance sexual desire, heighten your level of intimacy. While some couples may want to try these exercises just for a change of pace, others may find a new way to experience each other’s body with or without clothes as well as a new way to bond.

As mentioned, sexual aids and lubricants can contain toxic chemicals. Many people took note when sex expert Sue Johanson called the We Vibe the sex toy of the year. The We Vibe is green because it’s made with medical-grade silicon and is free of endocrine disrupting pthalates. It’s also rechargeable, so no batteries will end up in the landfill.

As for personal lubricants, there are new developments on the horizon–

An experimental sex lubricant designed by Australian researchers could help block both HIV and genital herpes, a study suggests.

Tests on lab animals have shown that the microbicide gel, called Viva Gel, inactivates the HIV virus and another responsible for genital herpes, News.com.au reports.

What’s most important for you to know is that many brands of lubricants contain chemicals you don’t want anywhere near your body such as parabens—methylparaben, ethylparaben, propylparaben, isobutylparaben, butylparaben and benzylparaben. Although parabens inhibit the growth of fungus and bacteria, they can cause allergic reactions. Studies have also found parabens in breast tumors.

While the FDA says parabens are safe for consumers, a number of studies have shown that parabens may be linked to high rates of breast cancer, reproductive problems in women, decreased sperm counts, and prostate and testicular cancer in men. Just remember to read labels carefully so you’re sure of the type of lubricant you are purchasing.

Resources: Tantric Sex Guide



Video: We Vibe



Video: Better Sex With Yoga

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For a parent, a food allergy can be a scary thing. However, if you take the proper precautions, you can help keep your child safe and healthy. The most important part of doing this is to have an allergy plan. This way, no matter what situation arises, your child will be well treated and cared for.

The most important thing in your food allergy plan is avoidance. The best way to treat a food allergy is to never have a reaction in the first place. Make sure safe food is provided, but also stress to your child how important it is for them to stay away from certain foods.

Part of proper avoidance is also learning how to read labels. Many food companies try to hide certain ingredients in their food. It’s important to learn all the possible names a food might go by (and related foods your child may be allergic to as well) so you know how to find and avoid them.

While you may do your best, the occasional allergic reaction is often unavoidable, but if you’re prepared, it is treatable. The first step is to have an emergency medicine kit specifically for your child on hand. Depending on the severity, this will often include an epinephrine pen and some kind of antihistamine, and instructions on how to use them. Your doctor will be able to give you the best course of action.

One of the most important parts of your food allergy plan is making sure other people in your child’s life are informed about it. While you may want to be around to protect your kids 24/7, that’s probably not a feasible option. That means you need to keep your children’s teachers, babysitter, day care providers, school nurses, friends’ parents, and anyone else that may be entrusted with their care informed in case something should happen.

Caregivers need to not only know that your child is allergic to a certain food, but also what to do if a reaction should occur. If your child has a severe reaction, just telling someone to call you if there is a problem is not a feasible option and delays precious time they have to treat your child.

In addition to letting people responsible for your child know about their condition, it is also important to get your child a medical alert bracelet that contains vital information about their allergy. This way, if someone isn’t around who knows what’s going on, your child will still receive the medical care they need.

Your allergy plan is not going to put itself together - it will take you quite a bit of time and effort to get supplies together and keep everyone informed. With some effort, your child will be well protected wherever they go.

References: Allergy Cooking with Ease: The No Wheat, Milk, Eggs, Corn, and Soy Cookbook

The Ultimate Food Allergy Cookbook and Survival Guide

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