Flu Season Essentials: Probiotic Flush

I'm seeing signs pop up all over encouraging the community to get their flu vaccines.  This can only mean that the dreaded flu season is right around the corner.  I want to do a few posts in the next few weeks to give you some tools to help fight flu season naturally.  One of my favorites in the Probiotic Flush.  This is very simple and straightforward - we all know that probiotics increase our gut immunity, thus helping us fight off and prevent colds and flu.  If you find yourself coming down with a cold or flu, this Probiotic Flush will help decrease your time sick.  I recommend doing this flush quarterly as a preventative measure and to boost overall gut health.  

Probiotic Flush

A probiotic is a beneficial microbe - bacteria, yeast or fungus that helps in some way.  According to most estimates there are approximately 10 times more probiotic organisms living in our bodies than actual cells in the human body.  It stands to reason then that when the balance of probiotics falters - illness occurs.  Here is an interesting list of all the jobs these little organisms are responsible for. 

• Improve digestion and nutrient absorption
• Dramatically improve human immune function
• Protect against invasion of foreign pathogens
• Provide a source of Vitamin K
• Lower cholesterol by metabolizing it
• Control bowel toxicity and decrease the risk of bowel cancer
• Reduce gas production by non-disease producing microorganisms
• Produce short chain fatty acids that are converted into energy
• Help absorb important vitamins and minerals
• Slow or stop tooth decay and periodontal disease

Our bodies need a good balance of "good" probiotics (85%) and "bad" bacteria (15%).  Many things can throw this balance off including:

• Standard American Diet (SAD)
• Exposure to toxic chemicals through our food supply and surrounding environment
• Overuse of alcohol and certain prescription medications
• Stressful lifestyles
• Antibiotic medications
• Highly processed foods and those with sugar and sugar substitutes 

Doing a Probiotic Flush infrequently will do wonders to replenish the healthy gut probiotics that we need.  I recommend doing this flush 4 times a year to maintain gut health.  It can also be done at the start of a cold/flu or when beginning any type of healing protocol to help the body recover faster. 

The flush is very simple.  You take 3 probiotic capsules 8 times in a day.  Continue this for 3 days and then discontinue the flush and return to your normal probiotic regimen.  (Don't worry about the amount of probiotics - I've done this many times myself.)  

Remember - this is a flush, so make sure to drink lots of water while doing it!  

There are many probiotics on the market that work great.  I recommend Energetix Flora Synergy or Flora chewable.  Visit my Products I Love page for more information. 

Quick Webinar With Tons of Great Nutrition Information

Click Here To Go To Webinar

I just watched a great webinar entitled Super Nutrition for Babies.  It was recorded by Dr. Katherine Erlich and is a mini introduction to her book of the same title.  It's 22 minutes long and PACKED with great information for feeding young kids and really anyone.  Click under the picture to go directly to the webinar.  

BioEnergetic Assessment

 As my regular blog followers probably already know...I've been a little busy the last 2 years.  This blog, which went from very routine 2/week posts to hardly ever.

It started when I had my 3rd little one and continued when I decided to make a huge leap and start my own BioEnergetic Wellness practice.  Now I'm moving full circle and able to find the time to incorporate what I've been learning into posting again.  Today I wanted to give a brief explanation for those out there who are unsure of exactly what BioEnergetic Medicine or wondered what a BioEnergetic Assessment includes.  



What is BioEnergetic Assessment?
BioEnergetic Assessment is a non-intrusive, painless method of energetic testing which measures imbalances in meridian points (meridians correspond to organ systems).  This information can further be compared with remedies, both homeopathic and nutritional that will bring the imbalanced meridians back into balance.    Our bodies come into contact daily with chemicals, heavy metals, toxins and viruses from the air, the environment and other everyday stress.  Balancing bioenergetic patterns requires detoxification, nurturing and rebuilding the cells of the body. 

What are "Meridians"?

Those of you familiar with the Chinese model of medicine will remember that meridians are energetic pathways that flow through the body.  There is a meridian for each of the various organs and systems in the body.  Chinese research showed that when the energy was out of balance in these points there would be a physical change in the organs or systems associated with the point.  The imbalance of energy in the meridian always shows first and then the organ deterioration.  Matter follows the energy. 

 How does the Assessment Work?
There are many forms of BioEnergetic Assessment.  Some use machines others muscle testing.  I personally have learned to do BioEnergetic Assessment using an Avatar EAV machine.  It allows me to point test a client's meridian points on their hands to find organ imbalance and weakness.  The test involves using a probe (like the one in the first picture above) to touch meridian points on the hands.  Once this information is obtained, a protocol of herbs and homeopathics can be formed based on an individuals actual needs.  Each protocol lasts on an average of 6 weeks at which time the meridians are reassessed and the protocol is tweaked.  As a client moves through subsequent assessments and protocols the meridians come back into balance, toxins are removed, proper nutrition is restored, and the body begins to remember how to care for itself.  

If you are interested in this type of testing and live in the South Eastern Michigan area, you can find me at The Natural View Market in Brighton, Michigan.  The store address is 128 West Main Street, Brighton, Michigan.  Feel free to call or text Karla Heaman at 734.417.1339 or email at kheaman@cablespeed.com for appointments.  If you don't live in the South Eastern Michigan area, remote testing can be done using hair or saliva samples.  If you are interested see contact information above. 

Congratulations to the Winners of the Utama Spice Giveaway!!

Please join me in congratulating:

Moonsword who said that she likes natural products "because they are healthier for your body and for the planet."

Alba who said she likes natural products because she "trusts my expertise and research".  (Wow!  How sweet was that!), and

Jhall who likes natural products because "they are easier on [her] skin and she prefers supporting companies that put people and product quality first." 

Please email me at kheaman@cablespeed.com with your shipping information and I will pass along to Utama Spice.  Then get ready to enjoy some great products!!

If you would like to see your product reviewed here please email me at kheaman@cablespeed.com. 

Product Giveaway: Utama Spice

You know when you open a really great skin care product. Visually it's beautiful, the smell is heavenly, and it feels rich and luxurious on your skin. This was my experience recently when I opened a box of skin care products from Utama Spice.  I picked the box up at the post office and it filled my care with the most wonderful aroma.  Even my 2 year old was asking me what was in the box. 

Utama Spice is a Balinese based, mostly skin care company.  I should say a skin healing company as they have focused their business on reviving ancient Balinese medicinal herbal knowledge.  According to Utama, "every ingredient that goes into our recipes is of the highest of quality and maintain all of their healing properties. We use no binders, preservatives, or synthetics in our products and all of our essential oils that we use to create our unique aromas are the finest available to us."  I love this philosophy.  In addition to the purity of their products, they maintain a fair trade approach and are working to empower and encourage local farmers to grow the ingredients they use in their products.  Click here to read more press about their slavery free/free trade approach. 

They have MANY products to choose from but they sent me a few to review.  These included four different lip balms, two of their body butters, a bar soap, and a package of their incense.  I will just start by saying that I loved each and every item I tried.  Each item is so very simple; but healing to the skin; and they smell GREAT! 

They have a wide array of products and there is no way I could do each one justice in just one blog post.  Take a minute and browse their selection of bath and shower items, essential oils, hair care, household items, hydrating body mist, massage oils (these are in beautiful bottles), moisturizers, and traditional scrubs and masks. 

Aloe, coconut oil, and beeswax form the base of many of their products, but from there the sky is the limit.  They have so many wonderful herbs, oils, spices and other natural ingredients it's like looking at a recipe card for a delicious meal.  Check out their ingredients page which not only lists their ingredients, but also tells you the therapeutic benefit of each.  I loved browsing this page. 
All in all, I was very impressed with this company, both the quality of their product and the passion behind what they do. 

You can purchase their products for yourself at http://www.utamaspicebali.com/.  While you are at it check them out on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/UtamaSpiceBali or Twitter at http://twitter.com/#!/UtamaSpice.


As a special treat, Utama Spice is offering our readers a GIVEAWAY.  To enter this giveaway leave a comment telling us why you like natural products better than conventional products.  THREE lucky winners will receive a sample of Utama Spice body lotion, bath salt, body scrub, lip balm, and bar soap.  Can I just tell you how lucky those three winners will be!!  We will leave this open until July 15th - get your comments in!!


Karla

Congratulations to the Winner of our Revitalize Organics Giveaway

...and the winner is All Natural Katie. Please email us your name and address as soon as possible. Send email to Karla Heaman at kheaman@cablespeed.com. Thanks to all that participated and to Revitalize Organics for their wonderful products.

Product Giveaway: Revitalize Organics

Is there anything better than purchasing beautifully crafted organic soap products to use on your skin? Actually there is...it's knowing that when you purchase these beautiful products, the company will make a donation of the same products to one of 7 very worthy charities.  Have you ever heard of such a wonderful thing?  

Revitalize Organics is a wonderful skin care company started by a spa owner in my home state of Michigan.  They use all organic products and have a wonderful assortment of shower gel, castile soap, hand soap, baby wash and pet shampoo.  The first three are blended with pure essential oils into 18 different essential oil blends.  (Definitely something for everyone!) 

I had the privelege of testing three of their products and I was very impressed!  I reviewed their Get Up and Go Go Energizing Shower Gel, Castile Soap, and Hand Soap. 

 



The Get Up and Go Go is a very energizing scent which I immediately loved.  It has rosemary and bergamot oils in it.  All of their soaps are made with castile soap or saponified oils of coconut, olive and jojoba which are very mild on your skin, yet super cleansing.  They point out on their website that their soaps are tough enough for household cleaning, but gentle enough for everyday use on your skin.  I love that these soaps were created by spa owners who obviously care about the effect their cleansing agents have on skin.  Their philosphy is "care for yourself and others." 


I also love that they took the time to create a baby wash and a pet shampoo.  Both ingredient decks are as pure and gentle for the more delicate skin of a baby or pet as their other products.  They even added some aloe which is great for delicate skin. 

As a special treat, Revitalize Organics has offered to do a Product Giveaway for our readers.  They are offering one lucky reader a set of the Get Up and Go Go Shower Gel, Castile Soap. and Hand Soap.  Leave a comment below to enter yourself for a chance to win.  For an additional chance to win, check out their website and leave another comment telling me which of their yummy aromatherapy blends is your fave.  I will choose one lucky winner on Thursday, June 21st.  

Karla