The Dangers Lurking in Your Mascara

Busting The Myth On The 5-Second Rule

Did you know that most mascara contains chemicals associated with developmental and reproductive toxicity? Or that the parabens in your shampoo are linked to cancer? Did you know that the Teflon on your non-stick pan can disrupt your immune system? Did you know that the canned tomatoes you put in your chili tonight are laced with endocrine disrupting bisphenol A? Scary but true.

There are thousands of chemicals that make their way into your body everyday. Most people are familiar with pesticides on our food. Or even the chemicals we breathe in just walking down a busy street. But what about the chemicals in our personal care products, cleaners and on the very chair you sit on?

I've written about chemicals in our personal care products before. Since writing that article, I've done even more research into what those chemicals actually do us. It's not pretty.

Since there are thousands of chemicals we come into contact in a day, let's take just one as an example today. Let's look at polybrominated diphenyl ethers, or PBDEs. PBDE's are better known as flame retardants. While they provide us safety from being engulfed in flames while we sleep, there is growing evidence they are part of the increasing rates of autoimmune and other diseases. Proponents argue these chemicals have no effect on us because we have such small exposure. Yet the Center for Disease Control tells us that PBDEs may indeed impair the cells of the immune system in animal studies, and can affect the thyroid, liver and brain development. And honestly, when viewed in the totality, our exposure is not so small.

Consider your contact with this single chemical in a single day: your mattress pad, your sofa, your child's pajamas, the upholstery in your car, your office chair, your carpet, your TV, your computer, your cell phone, your e-reader and on and on. Again this stuff, it's everywhere.

So what? Do you really ingest this stuff? Yes. PBDEs are not molecularly bound to the products they are applied to and thus are known to flake off and end up in the dust in our home which we breathe in. A 2004 study by the National Institute of Standards and Technology of 17 homes, found crazy high concentrations of PBDEs in household dust and dryer lint. This dust gets kicked up and we breathe it. Or we drop that organic blueberry on the floor and apply the 5-second rule, popping it in our mouth without a care in the world. While the EPA has gotten manufacturer's agreement to stop producing two particularly potent forms of PBDE, it still leaches out of products manufactured prior to 2004, and still circulates in our water, soil and air.

We Can't Live In A Bubble

I know this kind of information can get overwhelming. But don't throw up your hands just yet. Keep a cool head about you and let's get strategic.

1. Keep it clean. With PBDE's all over the place, it pays to do some deep scrubbing of your house every few months. Remove the dust on a consistent basis and you reduce your exposure. Of course, cleaners contain their own chemicals. Opt for natural cleaners like Bon Ami, vinegar, baking soda or even the awesome essential oil based Thieves cleaners by Young Living oils.

2. Read those labels. When buying your mascara and other self-care products, it pays to know what's in them. Things to avoid include phlates (fragrance), parabens, FD&C color pigments, Quaternium-15, Polyethylene Glycol among others. Of course, you can always shortcut the process and visit the Environmental Working Group's Cosmetics Database to find out what products to use and which to avoid.

3. Don't forget to detox yourself. As you are detoxing your home, don't forget to detox your body. Those chemicals have been storing up and causing your fatigue or even illness. A cleansing diet full of green leafy vegetables, alkaline foods, herbs and spices will promote your detox process and reduce the impact these chemicals have on your current and long term health.

Laurie Erdman, is founder of the From Fatigued to Fabulous System, the proven step-by-step method that teaches working women how to double their energy, get more done and have time for themselves.

How Do You Fix Foul Smelling Flatulence?

Recently one friend was fired from his job. Why? Because his co-workers repeatedly complained about his foul flatulence. Getting fired because of flatulence? It sounds extreme, but happens.

People with excessive flatulence don't socialize. They become hermits and can't sustain relationships. They are harassed and many times terrorized. They have to go through a lot of psychological trauma.

Are you suffering from excessive foul-smelling gas? Is it disrupting your normal life? If so, there is a solution for the problem. There is definitely hope for you.

Nobody talks about flatulence except through the satirical humor. Apparently it has been a source of humor for more than two thousand years. Flatulence jokes dating back to 500 BC have been found. People have suffered through the ages because of their flatulence.

You may wonder, what is the solution? Let's set the correct expectations to begin with. You cannot completely get rid of flatulence. It is not possible.

The flatulence is a byproduct of a very beneficial process that goes inside our body. You cannot stop this process. You have to approach this problem with a mindset that you cannot completely avoid passing gas.

You can not stop passing gas, but you can definitely greatly reduce passing foul smelling gas. That way, you can greatly improve your situation. You can take several steps that will significantly reduce frequent and excessive foul-smelling gas. You can manage this problem and significantly improve the quality of your life.

Let me give you a high level idea why you cannot completely stop passing gas. Our digestive system cannot process some food components like plant cellulose. If you eat like any normal human being, you are bound to eat plant cellulose. It is everywhere. This is where good bacteria in the large intestine come into play. They help break down plant cellulose. That way, we don't lose nutrition.

These good bacteria help extract very vital nutrients from the plant cellulose. On top of that, good bacteria help kill bad bacteria. They also help improve immune system.

What does this mean for your flatulence problem? Here is the key. In a normal functioning healthy digestive system with bacterial colonies, you don't pass excessive foul-smelling gas.

Usually an imbalance in the digestive system causes the excessive bad-smelling gas. There are several different conditions which could cause such imbalance.

It could be lack of digestive hormones. It could be a fungal infection. It could be excessive consumption of specific foods. Or it could be use of medicine.

These factors are known to cause imbalance in the type and amount of bacteria you have in your large intestine. Some of these factors could also cause bacteria to produce large amount of certain gases, which are otherwise produced in very small quantities.

If you can rule out all different conditions which could cause an imbalance in the digestive system, you can eliminate the problem of the excessive foul-smelling gas.

You follow a step by step process. You work on one condition at a time and you find out whether that condition is the one causing your problem.

You first rule out hormone deficiency. You then rule out the imbalance in bacterial flora. Next you make sure you don't have a fungal infection. Lastly you find out if you are sensitive to a specific food.

Most of you will be able to narrow down your problems to one or more combinations of these factors. Once you find causes, there are remedial steps you can take to address the cause.

Ways to Personalise a Rise and Recliner Chair

The benefits of owning a rise and recliner chair are well-known as a way in which to support our bodies, limiting muscle aches and pains as well as being a comfortable addition to any living room. The number of illnesses that can become significantly less of a pain with the help of reclining chairs is huge, but nobody wants to look at a chair as simply a clinical solution, it should also be a stylish chair that fits into the decor of your room. Many rise and recliner chair providers have a number of ways in which you can personalise your chair.

Firstly, there are a vast amount of chairs that you can pick from. Each chair has its own particular features, for instance a waterfall style back allows for 3 individual back cushions, some have larger head cushions for a more comfortable feel in that particular area, or you can go for a traditional button back cushion for that timeless-classic look. This is the first opportunity for you to personalise your chair as these are its fundamental designs.

The next step is where the fun really begins! Choosing accessories and material for your chair is where you can really let your personality shine through. These kinds of chair are available in hundreds of different leathers and fabrics, so you can pick whatever material or colour would go best with your living room and fit in with the rest of the decor.

One of the great additions that you can add to rise and recliner chairs is a massage system. The ultimate comfort lies in a massaging chair, and a massage system can really help those aches and pains feel much better, particularly when it focuses on a specific area of the body.

Another technological advancement that is available with some rise and recliner chairs is a full hazard sensor strip. These strips can be fitted around the bottom of the chair, and the moment that a hazard is spotted, such as a reckless pet cat, the motor of the chair will immediately stop and it will then reverse a short distance. This could certainly prevent a few unfortunate accidents from happening!

A little extra that can add the finishing touch to a chair is a head cover or arm covers. These can be matched to the material and colour of your armchair, keeping these parts of the chair in pristine condition as well as adding that stylish look and feel to your reclining chair.

The Dangers Lurking in Your Mascara

Busting The Myth On The 5-Second Rule

Did you know that most mascara contains chemicals associated with developmental and reproductive toxicity? Or that the parabens in your shampoo are linked to cancer? Did you know that the Teflon on your non-stick pan can disrupt your immune system? Did you know that the canned tomatoes you put in your chili tonight are laced with endocrine disrupting bisphenol A? Scary but true.

There are thousands of chemicals that make their way into your body everyday. Most people are familiar with pesticides on our food. Or even the chemicals we breathe in just walking down a busy street. But what about the chemicals in our personal care products, cleaners and on the very chair you sit on?

I've written about chemicals in our personal care products before. Since writing that article, I've done even more research into what those chemicals actually do us. It's not pretty.

Since there are thousands of chemicals we come into contact in a day, let's take just one as an example today. Let's look at polybrominated diphenyl ethers, or PBDEs. PBDE's are better known as flame retardants. While they provide us safety from being engulfed in flames while we sleep, there is growing evidence they are part of the increasing rates of autoimmune and other diseases. Proponents argue these chemicals have no effect on us because we have such small exposure. Yet the Center for Disease Control tells us that PBDEs may indeed impair the cells of the immune system in animal studies, and can affect the thyroid, liver and brain development. And honestly, when viewed in the totality, our exposure is not so small.

Consider your contact with this single chemical in a single day: your mattress pad, your sofa, your child's pajamas, the upholstery in your car, your office chair, your carpet, your TV, your computer, your cell phone, your e-reader and on and on. Again this stuff, it's everywhere.

So what? Do you really ingest this stuff? Yes. PBDEs are not molecularly bound to the products they are applied to and thus are known to flake off and end up in the dust in our home which we breathe in. A 2004 study by the National Institute of Standards and Technology of 17 homes, found crazy high concentrations of PBDEs in household dust and dryer lint. This dust gets kicked up and we breathe it. Or we drop that organic blueberry on the floor and apply the 5-second rule, popping it in our mouth without a care in the world. While the EPA has gotten manufacturer's agreement to stop producing two particularly potent forms of PBDE, it still leaches out of products manufactured prior to 2004, and still circulates in our water, soil and air.

We Can't Live In A Bubble

I know this kind of information can get overwhelming. But don't throw up your hands just yet. Keep a cool head about you and let's get strategic.

1. Keep it clean. With PBDE's all over the place, it pays to do some deep scrubbing of your house every few months. Remove the dust on a consistent basis and you reduce your exposure. Of course, cleaners contain their own chemicals. Opt for natural cleaners like Bon Ami, vinegar, baking soda or even the awesome essential oil based Thieves cleaners by Young Living oils.

2. Read those labels. When buying your mascara and other self-care products, it pays to know what's in them. Things to avoid include phlates (fragrance), parabens, FD&C color pigments, Quaternium-15, Polyethylene Glycol among others. Of course, you can always shortcut the process and visit the Environmental Working Group's Cosmetics Database to find out what products to use and which to avoid.

3. Don't forget to detox yourself. As you are detoxing your home, don't forget to detox your body. Those chemicals have been storing up and causing your fatigue or even illness. A cleansing diet full of green leafy vegetables, alkaline foods, herbs and spices will promote your detox process and reduce the impact these chemicals have on your current and long term health.

Laurie Erdman, is founder of the From Fatigued to Fabulous System, the proven step-by-step method that teaches working women how to double their energy, get more done and have time for themselves. To receive her weekly health and energetic life mindset articles on getting more energy, overcoming and preventing chronic illness and dramatically increasing your happiness factor,

Some Information You May Need to Know About Hospice Care

Many people consider end of life care so their ailing loved ones may spend the rest of their days in comfort. Here is some useful information about hospice services everyone should understand.

Death may be a normal part of life. People may accept this fact, but it still does not make it any less frightening. Patients, suffering from terminal illnesses, usually do not like the idea of spending their last days in a hospital. It may be hard for them to handle the fear or situation without the presence and support of their family. This is why several facilities offer end of life care or hospice service to patients at the final phase of their illnesses.

How hospice service can help the patient?

Hospices view death as a natural process. Their services do not hasten or prevent death. They do not offer any procedures for extending life or curing diseases. Their main goal is to provide comfort to their patients. It aims to give patients quality life until their last days.

Their focus is on the patient and not the disease. They try to make the patient comfortable and relaxed during their remaining days. It is more heartbreaking to see someone suffering or having a hard time as they die. This kind of care will serve as support system to help those who are about to die. It can provide medical services, spiritual resources, and emotional support. Some may provide counseling and therapy.

What are the hospice care settings?

This program may be provided at homes, hospice centers, hospitals, and nursing facilities. This will depend on the patient or the family. In-home hospice care home is a common choice for many patients. They may want to spend their last days in their own home. Others may want to die in a hospital with several equipment attached to their body.

Home hospice care may include a primary caregiver or key team member. This is the family member who has the most time to spend with and take care of the patient. They will be in charge with hands-on care and supervision of the patient. Doctors, nurses, or other health professionals may visit your home from time to time. Home health aides, spiritual counselors, volunteers, and social workers are other people that may help you in the program.

How hospice service can help the family?

Hospice care understands the needs of families and friends. It can also address the psychological issues families may encounter during the suffering and death of a loved one.

Right Time For A Chiropractor

Many people wait till the last minute with an illness or condition to get help. Either they don't have time to see a physician or they can't pay the medical bill, but in both cases the condition gets worse and then more complications arise. Then there are some cases where the patient doesn't know anything is wrong until the symptoms or pain is too much to bear. All are understandable and people have their reasons to stay away from medical care, but it's important to know when and where to go when you need help.

When you experience muscle, neck or back pain over an abnormal period of time--it's time to see a chiropractor. There is no "right" or "wrong" time for seeing a chiropractor. However, seeing a chiropractor earlier than later is best. Why? Because a chiropractor can offer treatment and cure an issue before it develops into a larger complication. The best time is when you experience abnormal pain over a longer period of time.

It's hard to detect the source of pain, especially when you haven't done something different in your routine. When you do detect pain, keep track of where the pain is, if it moves from one area to another and if the pain intensifies. Keeping up with this information helps a chiropractor find the best treatment for your case.

Have you experience pain for a week or more? If so, then it's time to visit a chiropractor and be evaluated. It can't hurt to get an evaluation. The least a chiropractor can say is that you are healthy and only experiencing mild pain that will subside soon. However, if a chiropractor detects a larger problem, they can diagnosis it and get you started with treatment. So, the best time to approach a chiropractor is after a week of unresolved pain. Evaluation after a week provides the feedback you need to live a healthy life.

To be even more prepared, you can start searching for good chiropractors in your area. Knowing who to see when pain starts will expedite the process. You won't waste time searching online for good chiropractors. Instead, you can go directly to a chiropractor and receive an evaluation.

The best advice anyone can give you is to not wait when you experience abnormal pain. See a chiropractor and learn what's wrong while you can easily correct the issue. The "wrong" time to see a chiropractor is weeks or months after the pain has started. See a chiropractor early and everything will turn out right

How to Choose a Tummy Tuck Surgeon

A tummy tuck could be the ideal way to transform your body and to take back some of the youthful appearance you are craving. After having a baby, losing a lot of weight, or having other surgical procedures, the abdomen often looks bad. You may have sagging skin in this area or a pouch of excess fatty tissue that just will not go away no matter what you do to try to make it possible. The good news is that a surgeon can help you to fix the problem for good. Finding the right one makes a big difference.

Experience Matters

Perhaps the biggest factor to consider when selecting a surgeon for your tummy tuck is whether the professional has the level of experience you feel comfortable with in a doctor. In most cases, the best providers have three to five years of surgical skill and a solid reputation for providing great work. Most of the time, the professional will be board certified. He or she may have a good amount of surgical experience, but you also want to ensure that experience includes this specific procedure.

Education Is a Must

It is not possible for someone to be trained and licensed in the United States to perform this procedure without first having extensive education. That usually includes at least five years of surgical training. Two of those years, at least, should be in plastic surgery. Additionally, most doctors learn how to perform a vast number of procedures on various parts of the body. You will want to know the surgeon has specific training on this type of procedure.

What Else to Look For

When comparing doctors, do some research. Look at before and after shots of the doctor's work. Do you notice scarring? Can you tell the individual had work done? You also want to know the doctor never works in anything but an accredited medical facility. He or she should also maintain a strict code of ethics. This may be present in his or her membership to various boards including the American Board of Plastic Surgery. If the doctor is from out of the country, learn about his or her training and experience in that area as well.

A tummy tuck is a permanent process. There is no way to go back once it is done. The skilled hands of a plastic surgeon can make all of the difference in the long run. Before you even go in for a consultation, know who your doctor is, what his or her specialties include and what type of reputation he or she has. It really can make all of the difference in your success with this procedure and it is easy to check out beforehand.