Breathe Easy

In the last post, I mentioned writing on the subject of recovering your vision. The subject is one of great importance along with being extremely complex. Therefore, much more research needs to be accomplished on this end before writing a concise blog on the topic.

Before completing the purchase of Cardio-Cosanol for my Mom, I was reminded of Grandpa Garrett's difficulty with breathing. He has been on oxygen for several years to aid his body in the absorption of this vital element. (No open flames are allowed at Grandpa's and Grandma's since oxygen is highly flammable. That meant we couldn't produce any blue-flames of our own! LOL)

The same company that produces the Cardio-Cosanol to reduce high levels of cholesterol, manufactures an all-natural product for athletes and those with serious breathing problems called Xtra Mile. It was previously called Second Wind. I've personally used this product just before a mountain biking excursion or some type of strenuous activity. It really gave me an upper hand in the arena of endurance. (Although now I use Royal Jelly and Propolis before physically taxing activity. They are deemed Nutrient Rich Super foods. More importantly they are a cheaper alternative to the above mentioned!) Thought I would see if it would work for Grandpa and sent him a bottle.

Grandpa received the Xtra Mile and began taking it as prescribed. He was so excited when I talked to him on the phone today. He is feeling great and is attributing his easier breathing to the Xtra Mile! Maximum Vitality Products come with a 60-Day Satisfaction Guarantee. I am excited to partner with a company that produces natural and effective health solutions!

Although my grandparents don't have a computer and are unable to read my blog, it is exciting to help people with all natural products that are without the harmful side effects.

Natural Sleep Aid - Mint

Working part-time for an organic herb garden has some great benefits. My employer allows their employees personal use of their fresh herbs. Needless to say, Gretchen's dishes have been dramatically enhanced since my employment with Osage Gardens.

Several years ago, Gretchen's grandmother gave us an "herb bible." This resource has been very helpful in the arena of treating certain health concerns that have arisen in our family over the past years. For example, we used a parsley poultice to treat a stye on Anna's (our middle child) eye. We were amazed to find the stye gone the next day. (We use these natural remedies always in concert with prayer in Jesus name!)

This brings me to the subject of a natural sleep aid. We found that organic mint aids in digestion, treating "bad breath" (halitosis), and also insomnia. Organic mint has sedative properties. We have discovered that steeping a handful of mint with its stems in hot water for about five minutes, creates a wonderful "tea." Add honey to taste and you have a fantastic beverage that will begin to work in as little as 20 minutes.

Gretchen and I used to enjoy this "mint tea" occasionally before bedtime to help us relax. We would converse of the days' happenings while enjoying our mint beverage. Since she is now pregnant, she is unable to enjoy the benefits of mint, since it also relaxes the uterus. Be cautious, since large amounts of mint can cause miscarriages and other pregnancy related complications.

Next time we will discover how to naturally recover your vision.

Building Great Health

K Wood

(This information is not intended to diagnose or treat any disease or symptom. Please consult your doctor or health care practitioner before taking suppliments.)

RAW MILK - SO MANY BENEFITS!

For about one year now, our family has been enjoying the vast benefits of consuming "raw milk." There is much to be said on this subject. However, time and space will not allow me to exhaust the topic today. Click here for more information on a site called Raw Milk Facts.

We belong to a Milk Co-Op in our area. The farm is not too far from our home in Rifle, Colorado. Every Monday we have two gallons of this delicious raw milk delivered to our door. Every sixth week, it is our turn to deliver the milk to the other five families in our group. Hope you are sitting down when I tell you the cost per gallon. We only pay $1.50 for each gallon of this precious liquid!

I know that many of you are thinking that drinking "raw milk" is unsafe. However we have not become ill by consuming organic raw milk produced by grass-fed cows. To the contrary, we have enjoyed optimal health as a family this past year. The benefits of this milk clearly outweighs any risks or stated risks. Furthermore, my employers at Osage Gardens, (An Organic Culinary Herb Garden), have been enjoying raw milk from this farm for over 23 years. They have not had one negative experience all that time.

You may be asking, "What is all the fuss? Why are you writing about raw milk?" I'm glad you asked. While examining the ramifications of consuming homogenized and pasteurized milk, I've come to the conclusion that milk doesn't do the body good. However, organic raw milk does.

Here are a few excerpts from the website raw-milk-facts.com:

Few people are aware that clean, raw milk from grass-fed cows was actually used as a medicine in the early part of the last century. That's right. Milk straight from the udder, a sort of "stem cell" of foods, was used as medicine to treat, and frequently cure some serious chronic diseases. From the time of Hippocrates to until just after World War II, this "white blood" nourished and healed uncounted millions. Clean raw milk from pastured cows is a complete and properly balanced food. You could live on it exclusively if you had to. Indeed, published accounts exist of people who have done just that.

Proteins

Our bodies use amino acids as building blocks for protein. Depending on who you ask, we need 20-22 of them for this task. Eight of them are considered essential, in that we have to get them from our food. The remaining 12-14 we can make from the first eight in the chemical factories of our bodies. Raw cow's milk has all 20 of the standard amino acids, saving our bodies the work of having to convert any into usable form.

Fats

Approximately two thirds of the fat in milk is saturated. Good or bad for you? Saturated fats play a number of key roles in our bodies: from construction of cell membranes and key hormones to providing energy storage and padding for delicate organs, to serving as a vehicle for important fat-soluble vitamins.

Now consider that prior to 1900, very few people died from heart disease. The introduction of hydrogenated cottonseed oil in 1911 (as Crisco) helped begin the move away from healthy animal fats, and toward the slow, downward trend in cardiovascular health from which millions continue to suffer today.

Clearly the homogenization and pasteurization processes have removed many of the beneficial nutrients, fats, and enzymes our bodies need to be healthy.

Here is a link to a site called Mercola.com that gives some good information and videos regarding raw milk: http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2004/04/24/raw-milk.aspx

Interested in finding a raw milk source in your area? Click here.

Until next time...

Building Great Health
K Wood

1 Thessalonians 5:23 (KJV) 23 And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Lower Your Cholesterol - Naturally! (They Guarantee It!)

My mother called the other day to relate the outcome of her doctors visit. Unfortunately, and probably not surprising, she has very high cholesterol. In fact, her LDL (low density lipoprotein) cholesterol level was in the 240's. I don't understand all those number counts, however she didn't sound as though it was positive.

She realizes that her cholesterol level is not only a hereditary issue. Her diet and lack of exercise is a major contributor. (We are hoping for her sake, if not for the sake of her beautiful grandchildren, (pictured above left), she will change her eating and exercising habits.

Well, my mom commissioned me to find something natural to help get her cholesterol under control. Thankfully several years ago I had purchased a book published by the International Institute of Nutritional Research. It was written by naturopathic physicians. There is a section that deals with elevated LDL cholesterol levels. Following is an excerpt:

Elevated LDL causes arterial lesions to grow into dangerous plaques by filling them with triglycerides (fat) and cholesterol particles. These plaques reduce blood flow to the heart, as well as to other organs and tissues, this is known medically as ischemia. Large plaques can break lose and form clots resulting in heart attacks and strokes.

Therefore, obtaining and maintaining healthy ratios of the lipoproteins is an important factor in creating a healthy heart.

The guide claims that a nutrient called policosanol from sugar cane provides dramatic benefits to your heart and can even reverse existing heart disease, lower blood pressure and lower LDL while raising HDL! Therefore they have developed a product with this nutrient and they claim it's all-natural and non-toxic - Cardio-Cosanol.

Therefore, I anted up and payed the 39.95 for 60 capsules. (A small price to pay for mom!) Most importantly, they give a 90 day money back guarantee. That is really important to me. (I loathe all those products with false claims!)

I will keep you updated on Mom's progress. Until next time...

Building Great Health
K Wood