Beth Greer's Blog, page 11
February 28, 2011
Using Qigong for Self-Healing
"Your Super Natural Life with Beth Greer" GUEST: Mingtong, an internationally recognized Qigong teacher/healer and founder of The Chi Center and Wisdom Healing Foundation in the SF Bay Area, trained in China under Grandmaster Dr. Pang Ming, founder of the world's largest "medicine-less" Qigong hospital. Mingtong talks about chi, energy fields, the role of visualization and imagination in the practice, sound healing, and more. http://www.chicenter.com/
Listen Now:
February 25, 2011
Fragrance Free: 10 Ways to Protect Yourself from Toxic Scents
Stinky, sweet smelling air fresheners, cologne, body sprays, and scented shampoo are made with synthetic fragrances, and they're bad for your health…especially children and pregnant women. These factory-made fragrances contain phthalates, which are chemicals that can cause hormonal abnormalities, birth defects and reproductive problems.
I tell my clients not to buy artificially scented products for their home or office because they can also trigger migraine headaches, allergies and asthma attacks. A recent Institute of Medicine study sponsored by the EPA put fragrances in the same category as second hand smoke as a trigger for asthma in school-age children. Also, in homes where aerosol sprays and air fresheners were used frequently, studies found that mothers experienced 25% more headaches, and infants younger than 6 months old had 30% more ear infections.
Scented disinfectants and air fresheners are showing up everywhere! I now call ahead and request no air fresheners in rental cars and at hotels, just like asking for a non-smoking car or room. I ask my groomer not to use fragrance when she washes my dog. But it's hard when you work at a school or non-service oriented business because most people think the person who is sensitive to fragrance is just plain weird. I know a chemically sensitive woman who was told to attend staff meetings by using Skype on her computer, so her co-workers wouldn't have to give up using cologne or perfume. "They think it's all in my head," she said.
Even the mall isn't a safe haven. The clothing store Abercrombie & Fitch sprays its signature fragrance Fierce inside as well as outside, so people are unknowingly being exposed to harmful chemicals by simply walking by the store. One environmental group,Teens Turning Green, held protests in San Francisco and New York demanding that the spraying stop. Their effort is supported by more than two dozen groups, including theCampaign for Safe Cosmetics, which revealed that A&F's Fierce contains 11 secret chemicals that are not listed on the label.
When you see the word "fragrance" in an ingredient list, you can assume it's all synthetic—and not a blend of natural flower extracts. The National Academy of Sciences (NAS) reports that "95% of the ingredients used to create fragrances today are synthetic compounds derived from petroleum, including benzene derivatives, aldehydes, and many other known toxins and sensitizers." According to the EWG, there are potentially hundreds of chemicals in a single product's secret fragrance mixture.
Be forewarned: Fragrances can contain neurotoxins and are among the top 5 allergens in the world.
Ten powerful ways to protect yourself from toxic synthetic fragrances:
Avoid air fresheners. They are made with synthetic fragrances, containing phthalates.
Watch for any product that lists "fragrance" or "parfum" on the label — these are FDA-approved catch-all words synonymous with hidden phthalates.
Products that claim to be "fragrance free" or "unscented" could contain masking agents that give off a neutral odor, so it is best if the word "fragrance" does not appear on the label at all.
Look for scents that are naturally derived or are plant-based or labeled as 100% essential oils. These are not the same thing as fragrance oils which are artificially created and contain synthetic chemicals.
If a product says "Made with…" it can mean as little as 1 percent of the ingredients in the bottle.
For scented candles, try those made from soy or beeswax, and make sure their fragrance is made from 100% essential oils.
To clear the air use a non-aerosol citrus spray containing only citrus peel extracts, which are effective at dissolving airborne odors, instead of scented aerosol sprays, liquids that emit a continuous scent, or solid air fresheners.
Labels that claim a product is "natural" or "biodegradable" do not mean that it is necessarily free of synthetic fragrances or other chemicals
Certified Organic products do not contain synthetic fragrances.
Make requests at hotels, car rental companies, dog groomers, schools, and offices to not use scented cleaning products.
Beth Greer, Super Natural Mom™, bestselling author of Super Natural Home, radio talk show host, former President of The Learning Annex, Certified Build It Green healthy home makeover specialist, eliminated a sizable tumor in her chest without drugs or surgery. She's leading a movement of awareness and responsibility about healthy home environments and informs and inspires people to transform their homes into safe havens. Beth consults for residential and commercial clients nationwide. Follow Beth on Twitter. Become a fan on Facebook.
February 21, 2011
Using Sound and Music to Heal
"Your Super Natural Life with Beth Greer" GUEST: Gary Malkin, multiple Emmy award-winning composer/producer for feature films, TV, commercials and CDs, is a recording artist who uses music to promote peace, global healing, and help integrate mind, heart and spirit. Gary talks about using media to heal, empower, find purpose, strengthen the ability to compassionately connect with others, and find success in all areas of life. http://garymalkin.com/
Listen Now:
February 14, 2011
Living and Raw Food for Great Health
"Your Super Natural Life with Beth Greer" GUEST: Alissa Cohen, is an internationally recognized raw chef who turned to raw food after battling with her weight, fibromyalgia, candida, and other illnesses. She tried being macrobiotic, vegetarian, vegan and nothing helped until she started eating only raw, living food. She's the author of the new book "Raw Food for Everyone: Essential Techniques and 300 Simple-to-Sophisticated Recipes
." She offers tips for eating raw and how to get started with a 30 day challenge. http://www.alissacohen.com/
Listen Now:
February 7, 2011
Using Nutritional Medicine to Treat Chronic Fatigue and Burn-Out
"Your Super Natural Life with Beth Greer" GUEST: Michael Rosenbaum, MD, a Pioneer in Nutritional and Environmental Medicine and Leader in treating Chronic Fatigue and Lyme Disease. Much of his practice is devoted to evaluating and treating hard-to-diagnose conditions and finding natural solutions to enhance immunity and restore energy and vitality. He has been practicing in Marin County for over 35 years and is the author of the books "SuperSupplements" and "Solving the Puzzle of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome." Learn about a dual process approach of removing toxins and enhancing the immune system. http://www.drmichaelrosenbaum.com/
Listen Now:
January 31, 2011
Staying Healthy With Nutrition
"Your Super Natural Life with Beth Greer" GUEST: Dr. Stacey Bell, Ph.D., is author/editor of "Prescription for Nutritional Healing," the premier bible of natural health and alternative therapies. She has been a registered dietitian for 35 years, and conducted nutritional research at Harvard Medical School. Dr. Bell talks about what's changed over the past 20 years in alternative medicine, using vitamins correctly, and offers tips for staying healthy with nutrition.
Listen Now:
January 24, 2011
Using Natural Products for Colds, Coughs and Flu
"Your Super Natural Life with Beth Greer" GUEST: Carolyn Harrington is founder of Maty's Healthy Products, a line of all-natural cold and cough remedies for children and adults. She began researching natural ways to get and stay healthy when her daughter, Maty was born with severe heart defects and had several heart surgeries before she was 5. Carolyn talks about how the natural ingredients and remedies that grandmothers used for generations are great for the immune system. Maty's Healthy Products is now sold in more than 10,000 retail stores across the U.S.
Listen Now:
January 17, 2011
Curing Hepatitis Naturally
"Your Super Natural Life with Beth Greer" GUEST: Johnny Delirious made a complete recovery from Hepatitis A, B and C using natural methods after being told he needed a liver transplant and had 8 months to live. He's been free of the virus and antibodies for over 17 years and is a Hepatitis A, B and C Recovery Pioneer. He's the author of the book Hepatitis C, Cured
(www.johnnydelirious.com).
Listen Now:
January 10, 2011
Discover the Truth About Your Beauty Products
"Your Super Natural Life with Beth Greer" GUEST: Siobhan O'Connor, co-author of No More Dirty Looks: The Truth About Your Beauty Products and the Ultimate Guide to Safe and Clean Cosmetics talks about why it's so important to use natural cosmetics and personal care products. She reveals some of the worst chemicals used today and shares some great do-it-yourself recipes.
Listen Now:
December 7, 2010
Eating Raw Food to Reverse Diabetes
"Your Super Natural Life with Beth Greer" GUEST: Michael Bedar, documentary filmmaker of "Simply Raw: Reversing Diabetes in 30 Days," on how eating raw, live food can reverse Type 2 Diabetes and help people with Type I cut their insulin down dramatically. http://www.eat-reel.org
Listen Now:
