January Newsletter

January 2011

Helping you live a toxin-free life

from Pam Arnold

For the new year

"You crowned the year with Your bounty and goodness..."
Psalm 65:11

Headshot

We are well into 2011, claiming the above-mentioned "bounty and goodness."

As we set our goals for better health, the exercise clothes were brought out of the closet, or, new ones were purchased. The refrigerator and the cupboards were stocked with "diet" food. We were literally and figuratively off and running.

You know that infamous saying, "And how is that working out for you?"

I hope you are replying, very well, but if not, try taking smaller steps. As in changing lifestyles to reduce toxins, starting somewhere, and taking it one step at a time, will still get you there. Sitting in the same place is movement without action. When we do nothing ---- we are going backwards.

On the other hand, even a small step is a forward direction. All of us want a healthier life.

We seek it. The beginning can be small, and the steps thereafter can be small, but making

them is what is important. They transport (and transform) us forward!

This January newsletter focuses on food, as many of you are thinking of healthier eating.

With a vigilant heart and mindset that you are stronger than any desire that threatens your progress, embrace your goals, whether it is dieting or reducing toxins in your life.

Keep taking those steps. We have come a long way in our battle against toxins, but we have more ground to cover.

Every forward step is a healthier one.

With warmest regards,

Pam

" The object of a new year is not that we should have a new year.

It is that we should have a new soul"

G. K. Chesterton

The Seven Germiest Places

A recent study in the Journal of Medical Virology reported that cold and flu viruses can survive for 18 hours on hard surfaces. Silverware gets washed.   1) The menu is where the germs thrive.

2) Lemon wedges: The waitstaff may be advised to wash their hands after using the rest room but the people preparing your beverages seem to be a little more lax. According to a 2007 study in the Journal of Environmental Health, nearly 70% of the lemon wedges perched on the rims of restaurant glasses contained microbes including E. coli and other fecal bacteria. Ask that the lemon be served on the side, not dropped in the drink.

3) Condiment dispensers: Ketchup --- Germ experts say those dispensers are rarely cleaned and teeming with germs. Also, remember the salt and pepper shakers.

4) Rest Room handles: Why bother washing your hands when you're just putting them on one of the germiest parts of the public restroom? Using a fist-full of paper towels can save you from germs .

5) Soap dispensers: It seems almost like a riddle - how can a soap dispenser become dirty? Yet, 25% of public rest room dispensers are contaminated with fecal bacteria. Most of these containers are never cleaned, so bacteria grow as the soap scum builds up and the bottoms are touched by dirty hands, so there's a continuous culture feeding millions of bacteria.

6) Grocery carts: People do not treat grocery carts with care and respect. They sneeze, they put babies with soiled diapers in the front compartment, they cough on them. Two thirds of grocery carts tested  were contaminated with fecal bacteria. Bring some antibacterial wipes with you. Wipe the handle.   Think twice about handling the free food samples.

7) Airplane bathrooms: You're not the only one flying the friendly skies. Microorganisms such as e. coli are along for the ride, too. You're 100 times more likely to catch a cold when you're airborne, according to a recent study in the Journal of Environmental Health Research. You can rely on antibacterial gel to get you through your trip. Or else just wait until the plane lands to use the bathroom. (See 4 and 5).

Toxic

Perfumes

According to the Safe Cosmetics web site, tested products were found to include, on average:

-- "Fourteen secret chemicals not listed on labels due to a loophole in federal law that allows companies to claim fragrances as trade secrets."

-- "Ten sensitizing chemicals associated with allergic reactions such as asthma, wheezing, headaches and contact dermatitis."

-- "Four hormone-disrupting chemicals linked to a range of health effects including sperm damage, thyroid disruption and cancer."

What's more, the majority of chemicals found in these fragrances have never been tested or approved for public safety by any of the cosmetic industry's review panels.

As with cosmetics and hair dye, the chemicals in perfume are absorbed through the skin, and it's safe to say that the long-term effects are widely unknown, but studies like this point to a number of serious health risks.

Want a safer and sweeter-smelling alternative? Try all-natural essential oils. Just a dab goes a long way and the aroma can be especially therapeutic. For other beauty products, opt for ones that are "fragrance free."

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For more than a decade, the

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

has been conducting bio-monitoring studies to see what types of chemicals people are harboring in their bodies. The most recent report from 2009 shows that there are 212 -- and counting -- artificial chemicals lodged in human tissues and circulating throughout the blood, many of which are known carcinogens.

Go Bananas

As the banana ripens, it develops dark spots or patches on the skin. The
more dark patches it has, the higher will be its' immunity enhancement quality .

According to scientific research, banana contains TNF which has anti-cancer properties.

The degree of anti-cancer effect corresponds to the degree of ripeness of the fruit, ie the riper the banana, the better
the anti-cancer quality..

In an experiment comparing
various health benefits of different fruits,using banana, grape,
apple, watermelon, pineapple, pear and persimmon, it was found that
banana gave the best results. It increased the number of white blood
cells, enhanced the immunity of the body and produced anti-cancer
substance TNF.

The recommendation is to eat 1 to 2 bananas a day to increase your body
immunity to diseases like cold, flu and others.

Yellow skin bananas with dark spots
are 8 times more effective in enhancing the property of white
blood cells than the green skin version

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New Year Suggestions

*Start using environmentally friendly chemicals.

*Use a cleaning schedule

*Prepare for emergencies.

*Start a recycling program

*Safely store cleaning products

What if I can't afford organic foods?

Don't despair. Minimize your exposure to chemicals even when eating conventional foods.

First, remove all visible fat from meats because chemical residues tend to accumulate there.

Second, remove and throw

away the peels from fruits & vegetables. (Unfortunately, you lose nutrients along with the pesticides.)

Toss the outer leaves of leafy greens.

Third, grow your own vegetable garden or a little herb garden on the window sill. If you live in the city, find out if there are gardening

co-ops around your area.

Fourth, and most important, thoroughly wash all fresh produce to remove as much pesticide residue and bacteria as possible.

Guidelines for washing produce:

Firm fruits or veggies - hold under warm, running water for 10 to 15 seconds, scrubbing with your hands.
Fragile fruits like berries - place in a colander and gently tumble the fruit as you rinse.
Salad greens - wash in cold water to maintain crispness.
Potatoes and other "underground" veggies - scrub vigorously with soapy water.
Melons or citrus fruits you cut (like lemons) - scrub the outer rind with warm, soapy water so the knife won't drag surface bacteria into the fruit.

Five Foods to Eat Every Day

#1 Leafy greens

Medical experts call them one of nature's miracle foods. Leafy greens like Swiss chard and kale are high in nutrients like folate and vitamins A and C that can lower your risk of cancer. Just one cup of dark, leafy greens a day could also prevent diabetes and high blood pressure.

#2 Nuts

Many nutritionists recommend nuts like almonds, cashews and walnuts because they're high in natural fiber. Fiber slows your digestive process, keeping hunger and unhealthy mid-afternoon snacks at bay. Goodbye vending machine runs!

#3 Onions

Studies show that consuming onions on a regular basis may reduce symptoms of asthma and the risk of developing stomach cancer. Add them to soups and stir-fry, and just remember -- the stronger the onion, the greater the health benefit.

#4 Whole grains

Refined grains, like white rice and pasta, have lost 90% of their nutritional value through the refining process. As if that weren't reason enough to choose whole grains like brown rice, quinoa and whole oats, a recent study showed that a diet rich in whole grains actually flattens your belly by reducing fat storage in your lower abdominal region.

#5 Yogurt

Making yogurt part of your daily eating routine can improve your digestion -- if you're buying the right stuff. Check that the label lists "active cultures" to make sure you're getting healthy probiotics, and pick a yogurt rich in vitamin D to prevent osteoporosis.

The Wonders of CINNAMON

- Naturally sweet and delightfully aromatic, cinnamon is a wonderful fat resistance food just waiting for you in the spice rack. Mulled apple cider simmering on your stove with a stick of cinnamon is the ultimate aromatherapy for your home. And cinnamon is tough enough to go it alone, without added sugar.

Health Benefits

Research indicates that powdered cinnamon, about a half teaspoon a day, may help prevent diabetes or reduce blood sugar in adults who have diabetes. One study found that cinnamon helped reduce levels of cholesterol and triglycerides in people with type 2 diabetes. With these potential benefits, it's no wonder cinnamon is a hot topic in health news.

Easy Tips for Using Cinnamon

Do something good for yourself and enjoy cinnamon sprinkled on healthy dishes any time of day.

Breakfast
Have a little cinnamon with your oatmeal, granola, cereal, or yogurt in the morning.

Snack
Place some apple slices into a small bowl and shower them with cinnamon. Add a few walnuts, and you've got a delicious treat with pectin fiber and healthy omega-3 fats. Or try mixing some cinnamon into applesauce; it tastes a lot like apple pie without the crust!

Coffee or Tea
You might sprinkle cinnamon on that latte or cappuccino when you are out. Why not do the same when you have coffee or tea with milk at home?

Dinner and Dessert
For the adventurous cook, a dash of cinnamon works beautifully with vegetarian spiced dishes such as curries or masalas.

Go for the real thing ------ REAL Maple Syrup

A University of Rhode Island study found that REAL maple syrup has a list of health benefits from certain chemicals, including disease-fighting antioxidants, The Vancouver Sun reports.

Antioxidants protect the body from damage caused by free radicals, therefore helping the body fight off medical conditions like coronary artery disease, some cancers, macular degeneration, Alzheimer's disease and arthritis-related

For the complete report, go to:

Sweet! Maple Syrup May Fight Cancer, Other Diseases - AOL Health

Read Previous Newsletters and Special Report on Babies and Toxins

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Email me at pam@pamarnold.org

Books written by Pam:

The story of how Pam became dedicated to telling others about

Environmental Toxins

"Enemy Within the Walls"

www.enemywithinthewalls.com

~~ And ~~