Cleaning Stains Off Porcelain
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I am an avid tea drinker and have a couple of tea pots in my rotation. I have a beautiful black ceramic one as well as a white one, but the white one, of course, gets stained each time I boil a pot of my favorite morning drink, English breakfast tea. I usually scramble out the door to get started with my day, so I rarely have time to rinse the pot or even dump the cup out. (I know I should rinse it, seeing that I do run a cleaning company, but that’s for another discussion)!
I have fallen in love with this trick (which you can also use at kids birthday parties—it’s magical)! You need a lemon and a few shakes of salt. Simply run the lemon over the stained area, sprinkle the salt over the lemon and agitate with a clean and dry cloth. Add more lemon or salt if necessary. Rinse the porcelain and voilà, your porcelain piece will look brand spankin’ new!
Melissa
Omega-3 Fats and Pregnancy: Fish vs. Fish Oil
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Here is a quick tid-bit of nutritional info to help you plan a healthy pregnancy.
It is an absolute and undeniable fact that omega-3 fatty acids are required nutrients for a healthy pregnancy and baby. It is also a fact that the human body does not make enough omega-3 fats to meet our nutritional needs during pregnancy and therefore must be obtained from the diet.
The omega-3 fat DHA is particularly important to developing children and to pregnant and lactating women. A woman’s demand for DHA increases substantially during pregnancy and will remain low for 9–12 months after delivery unless the diet is supplemented.
Now here is the dilemma: Both the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have sounded the alarm regarding the potential dangers of consuming too much fish because of environmental toxins that accumulate in fish.
If you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant, rest assured studies have compared levels of mercury and pesticides in fish versus fish oil supplements and concluded fish oil provide the benefits of omega-3 fatty acids without the risk of toxicity. (1,2)
International experts agree that a minimum of 300 mg of DHA is necessary to meet the needs of pregnant and lactating women. So if you are avoiding fish because of fear of environmental contaminants, remember you may be doing your baby more harm than good. Add a high-quality fish oil supplement to your daily habits and you can feel assured that you are supplying your offspring with the nutrients they need without the chance of exposing them to unnecessary toxins.
Douglas “Duffy” MacKay, ND
1. Melanson SF, et al. Measurement of organochlorines in commercial over-the-counter fish oil preparations: implications for dietary and therapeutic recommendations for omega-3 fatty acids and a review of the literature. Arch Pathol Lab Med 2005;129:74-77.
2. Foran SE, et al. Measurement of mercury levels in concentrated over-the-counter fish oil preparations: is fish oil healthier than fish? Arch Pathol Lab Med 2003;127:1603-1605.
Lose Weight by Eating Fat?
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Did you know that eating fat can help you lose weight?
It is true. Getting enough omega-3 fats from the diet has been shown to help overweight individuals lose weight. Before committing to a low-fat diet, make sure it is providing enough of the important omega-3 fats found in fish and fish oil.
Weight loss diets often recommend a low-fat diet. Nutrition researchers have determined that not all fat is created equal. The type of fat we eat is just as important as the amount.
A practical way to understand dietary fat is to divide fat into three categories. The first category is fat that we ALWAYS avoid, the second is fat to eat in moderation, and the third is fat that we need to make sure we eat enough of and are not deficient in.
1) Always Avoid: hydrogenated vegetable oils or trans fatty acids. These new-to-nature fats are implicated in the development of heart disease and other chronic diseases.
2) Eat in Moderation: Saturated fat and refined omega-6 fats. Small amounts of these fats are fine, but too much can clog arteries or promote inflammation.
3) Make Sure You Eat Enough: Omega-3 fats (from fish) and oleic acid (from olive oil). These fats have been shown to support cardiovascular health and improve weight loss.
So how can eating fat help you to lose weight? Omega-3 fatty acids from fish oil are essential nutrients that humans do not make enough of to satisfy our own metabolic needs. Recent research has shown that when we are deficient in omega-3 fats, it signals the body that it is starving for these required nutrients. This triggers our metabolism to shift into a fat-storing mode. In addition, a deficiency of omega-3 fat has been shown to increase the risk of depression.
Experts in the field of weight loss have concluded that a low-fat diet that is deficient in omega-3 fats may result in biochemical changes that trigger the body to store dietary fat instead of burning it. To make matters worse, a deficiency in omega-3 fats may result in depression, a known obstacle to initiating and maintaining necessary diet and lifestyle changes that promote weight loss.
So you may be thinking this all sounds good in theory, but show me the proof. A recent clinical trial showed significantly greater reductions in weight, Body Mass Index, and hip circumference in obese women on a weight loss diet when fed fish oil (2.8 g/day) compared to placebo.
Douglas “Duffy” MacKay, ND
Reference:
The influence of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and very low calorie diet during a short-term weight reducing regimen on weight loss and serum fatty acid composition in severely obese women. Physiol Res 2006;55:63-72.
How to Fix Yourself Now
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If you have been reading these Law of Attraction blogs in order to fix your broken life, today’s the day to stop! Why? Because if you are in the energy of trying to fix something, that guarantees that your life will be endlessly broken in your perspective. Instead, look for blogs, books, and courses that inspire you—not the ones that identify your flaws. You are perfect! Find something that will help you remember that.
From this day forward, assume that everything that is happening in your life right now is perfect. Just stop taking score, my friend!
Collecting Evidence
What do you look for everyday? I hope it’s evidence that you are magnificent.
Oh, sure, sometimes you will do, say, and act on things that seem a little less that magnificent. You’ll know because you are struggling. Just know that the only reason you struggle or feel bad is that you have forgotton your incredible capacity for joy, creation, and love.
Funny how our first reaction is to fix what we think is broken, in these instances. A far more effortless way to proceed is to simply remember that if you feel bad, you are thinking and acting on untrue thoughts, like “this is hard” or “I’m not smart” or “you have to struggle before you accomplish,” etc. These are all untrue thoughts.
When you act from Truth, everything becomes effortless. Take courses that help you remember the Truth. You will thank yourself.
Jennifer Hough
How Much Water Should We Drink?
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A play on words from the old saying: Water, water everywhere, but how much should we drink?
As a personal trainer, I know the benefits of water and frankly, most people don’t drink enough. That’s why we are constantly hearing about why water is so vital to a healthy lifestyle. Although the old adage of drinking eight glasses a day is sometimes discredited, water is still essential for a healthy body.
According to two University of Pennsylvania researchers (Stanley Goldfarb and Dan Negoianu), water is not quite the life-giving liquid as once thought. Goldfarb and Negoianu explain that they could not definitively prove through existing scientific literature that water can help clear toxins from the body, reduce the frequency of migraine headaches, prevent weight gain, or promote skin health.
Check the next few blogs for an introductory discussion of each of these points.
Erin
References
Taylor, Paul. (2008). The Globe and Mail. The Science of Water is all Wet. Retrieved
from Section L, April 4, 2008.
Sauers, Joan & McMillan-Price, Joanna. (2005). Get to Know your Gut. New York: Marlowe & Company.
Staying Hydrated
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If your urine goes from a concentrated, somewhat dark yellow color in the morning to a pale yellow color by the end of the day, chances are you are doing a good job with staying hydrated.
While researchers at the University of Pennsylvania (Goldfarb and Negoianu) found that water may not be as important as we make it out to be (see my blog, “How Much Water Should We Drink?”), it doesn’t mean that it isn’t one of the most important parts of a healthy lifestyle.
Most people do not consume enough water daily to stay hydrated. With coffee consumption, the availability of high-sodium foods, and medications being overused today, water is even more essential.
With water, water everywhere, why not drink it and see for yourself how much better you feel?
Erin
Pregnant and Playful—or Perhaps Not
Filed Under Mom Talk, Fitmom Wellness | Leave a Comment
Sex during pregnancy raises many questions for expecting couples. For most expecting moms, sex is a safe and encouraged experience. More often, the issue is desire. This can be a concern for both partners.
In the first trimester, moms-to-be are often nauseous and the thought of shaking it up between the sheets may be the furthest thing from her mind. In their second trimester, moms-to-be are often more energetic due to their increased blood volume and in some cases, increased sexual desire.
Some women’s sex drive during the second trimester is exceptional, which can please many husbands.
There are many husbands, however, who feel funny about having sex during pregnancy. They often think they may hurt the baby or they are just uncomfortable with the idea in general. It is extremely important that expecting couples communicate their concerns and apprehensions while also expressing their love. Misunderstandings can occur during this vulnerable time when hormones and emotions are running high and desires often conflict.
Here are a few myths and facts about sex and pregnancy.
MYTH: Sex during pregnancy will hurt the baby.
FACT: Babies are very well protected in their amniotic sac and will feel nothing but movement and perhaps be lulled to sleep by it.
MYTH: Sex starts labor.
FACT: The act of intercourse itself has not been shown to start labor. In some cases where threatened preterm labor is a concern, doctors may tell their patients to refrain from sexual activity as a precaution. Sperm, however, contain prostaglandin, a hormone found to stimulate cervical softening and perhaps begin labor in a woman who is “ready to go.”
MYTH: Sex in the first trimester increases the chances of miscarriage.
FACT: There is no evidence to support this claim. Although 1/3 of pregnancies are lost to miscarriage, the most common causes are chromosomal in nature. Some women who have had previous miscarriages may feel more comfortable not engaging in sexual activity but most caregivers would agree this is not necessary.
Sex during pregnancy is a healthy and important way for couples to stay connected. The facts are life is about to change. For first-time parents in particular, the changes they experience as a couple and then as parents can be intense to say the least. The new rage these days is “babymoons” where expecting couples go on a second honeymoon to strengthen their bond before the baby arrives.
Staying connected during your pregnancy and after is of the utmost importance. Talk to your partner. Remember how much fun you had getting pregnant and try to celebrate that fun throughout your entire pregnancy.
For more information, check out my e-book “Sex and Relationships” at www.newmom101.com. It contains expert advice from me and leading healthcare providers as well as stories from couples.
Cheers,
Andrea Page
10 Ways to Create a More Loving World
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1. Talk to strangers everyday. Make it a habit.
2. Take the time to help people always.
3. Ignore “jerks.” Remember that it is a label given to people who are acting out due to being hurt, angry, or scared. This label permits us to look at them instead of ourselves. It keeps us comfortable!
4. Do loving things for people who have acted hurtful. This reminds you that you can love no matter what and it reminds them that they are worth loving no matter what.
5. Volunteer.
6. Engage in random acts of kindness.
7. Don’t fear things in the world that make you uncomfortable or sad. Observe them, watch them, read them, and feel what you feel. Having the courage to face the struggles of others when you could simply ignore them makes you the loving, compassionate person you deserve to be.
8. Make room for lonely people in your life.
9. Laugh at your mistakes always—not just sometimes.
10. Love yourself deeply with no excuses. Making it a priority will give you what you need to be a mirror image of love to the world.
Recommended reading: Peace Is the Way by Deepak Chopra
Cheers,
Andrea Page
Thoughts on Water: The Body’s Largest Organ (Skin!)
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If you have dry, cracked skin, it is likely that you are dehydrated on the inside (or you may be lacking certain vitamins—or both).
Our nails, skin and hair are reflections of how healthy we are on the inside. My clients tell me they notice a difference in their skin when they eat better and stay hydrated.
Erin
Thoughts on Water: Weight Management
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Water is essential for managing weight.
Hear me out on this one. To maintain healthy bowels, making 1-3 trips to the bathroom a day is imperative.
Also, the transit time of your bowels is important to consider. The amount of time from When food enters your mouth to when it leaves should take no longer than 24 hours. The average transit time is 2-4 days!
If constipation is the issue, the bowels could be holding 5, 6, 7 pounds of waste. That being said, to fix this problem, slowly incorporating more fiber into the diet is essential. Fiber must be combined with WATER in order to be effective. Weight management and even weight loss can occur through eliminating constipation.
Erin
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