Microbead Water Pollutants in Bath & Body Products

Do your facial products, body products, or shampoos contain "microbeads"?

 

You've seen them, you've probably used them back in the 90's, or maybe you still use them today...those tiny colored dots floating around in your facial wash, toothpaste, or exfoliating body scrub. Here's why you need to say goodbye to these tiny colored dots for good, for the sake of the Earth's health, wildlife health, and your own health:

First of all, humans need to stop adding more and more pollutants into the water system. This is a very important and current subject that needs to be taken seriously by companies polluting water systems, but also by the average consumer who purchases and uses products containing chemical pollutants. Not only do you not want these products on (or in) your body, they are terrible for the planet and for wildlife.

That said, these tiny plastic particles, micobeads, in particular are directly contributing to water pollution and the endangerment of fresh-water and marine wildlife, and what's worse is that they are specifically designed to be washed down the drain! Aside from simply filling water systems with tiny bits of plasic, these small plastic chemical pollutants are often confused as fish eggs by fish and other marine wildlife who eat them thinking they are food. Thus, the plastics are making their way into the food chain. Many environmentalists are calling for a ban of the use of these plastic particles and products containing them. New York, for example, is poised to be the first state to ban microbead scrubs, with California likely to follow suit.

Do your part to keep these plastics out of our water systems and out of the food chain by not purchasing products which contain microbeads or any microbead plastic exfoliant. Read the ingredients and do not use products containing plastics - often labelled simply as "PE", "PP" or "PMMA" in the product ingredients, also look for polyethylene and polypropylene and avoid these ingredients as well.

And if simply using plastic on your face and polluting water and fish doesn't bother you, think about the long term effects on the food chain, as fish eat plastic and bigger fish and other animals eat the fish, eventually these plastics will be making their way on to your own plate and into your stomach!

Read this article for more on this subject, and/or do a search engeine search for "microbead ban" for much more information on the subject. In the meantime, discontinue your use of products containing these harmful ingredients...and please share this information with others!

Article on the proposed ban of microbeads by The New York Times: http://www.nytimes.com/2014/02/11/nyregion/ban-sought-on-microbeads-in-beauty-items.html?_r=0

About the Author:  

Rachel Hoffman founded GoodnessMeGoddess.com, a site and business committed to sharing information about non-toxic living, environmentally sustainable living, essential oils, nutrition, and total wellness. Visit to learn more about what chemicals & ingredients to avoid in your beauty and personal care products as well as find whole-food recipes, books and other natural-care products.
www.GoodnessMeGoddess.com
GoodnessMeGoddess.blogspot.com
Facebook.com/GoodnessMeGoddess
Twitter.com/GoodnessMeLove

Are you Pregnant? Come Check Out PreNatal Yoga!

What are the Benefits of Doing Prenatal Yoga? Poses help to strengthen our back, hips, arms, and shoulders Fine tuning of balance, both physical as our physical form is changing, and emotional as hormones are increased Deep breathing calms the nervous system which can aid digestion, lead to more restful sleep, and strengthened immune system Relives tension of lower back, hips, chest, upper back, neck, and shoulders all of which are stressed upon as the baby grows and breast size increases Can help lessen discomfort throughout the pregnancy Improves posture which can help ease back problems Can also help in the birth and delivery stages Opens up the hips and pelvis, working these areas into proper alignment for birth and loosening joints and ligaments  Tones and strengthens "birthing muscles" such as abdominals, pelvic-floor muscles, and legs Improves stamina: energy, strength and focus are good "muscles" to be flexing in preparation for labor, all of which are important tools in regular yoga practice   Prenatal Yoga  Wednesdays 5:30 - 6:45pm at SpringWell Health Center Instructor: Christiana Dancer of Yoga With Christiana Inside you is an innate wisdom that intuitively understands about the very natural process of birth. We help you reconnect with this wisdom, guiding you through a class specifically designed for the journey of pregnancy. Linking yoga postures with the breath will lead you to new discoveries, bringing awareness to the mind, body and spirit, and also the spirit of your baby. The class, conducted in a calm, peaceful environment will help strengthen the uterus and pelvic muscles, improve circulation, aid in digestion, exercise the spine and increase overall comfort. Yoga can also alleviate many of the discomforts of pregnancy such as nausea, constipation, varicose veins, swelling, back pain and sciatica. NOTE: There are no Wednesday yoga classes on the 1st Wed. of each month.

Need Some insight into How to Use a particular Essential Oil or Blend?

Stop by today, or ask our front desk person next time you are in, to take a look at the Essential Oils Desk Reference! 

There are many different editions of this book, but this one is a favorite edition of Dr. Lori Mace, for it's informative charts and information about scientific studies relating to the oils. 

What else will you find in this book? 

• Background, chemistry, & safety of essential oils, as well as proper use
• Botanical background on plants from which essential oils are distilled
• Medical properties of oils, blends, and other products
• Natural skin care, hair care, household care, and body care
• Information on cleansing, detoxification, and diet 
• Instructions on using Raindrop Technique, Vita Flex Technique, Lymphatic Pump, and others
• Liver Health and pH Balance
• Longevity/Anti-Aging Therapies
• Enzyme Therapy
• Personal Use Reference and more... 

This book and information about essential oils, their uses, and other questions you may have -including information about becoming a distributor of Young Living Essential Oils and building a home-based business - can be answered at SpringWell Health Center!

Essential Oils for Love & Attraction

Want to spice up your love life this Valentine's Day? Or maybe you're just looking to turn heads with a tantalizing scent!

Essential oils that have aphrodisiac properties are great for instigating romance! Whether it’s Valentine’s Day, an anniversary or a loved one’s birthday, you can use one of several essential oils to set the mood for love.

Ever since the time of Cleopatra, essential oils have been used to promote everything from health and beauty to fertility and virility and of course, romance. Many cultures, including the Greeks, learned from the Egyptians how to use these aromatic oils to increase passion and incite romance. This expertise quickly spread across the world.

Some of the most popular aphrodisiac essential oils used in aromatherapy today include rose, neroli, sandalwood, ylang ylang and patchouli.

Aphrodisiac essential oils work their magic by stimulating our olfactory system when we inhale them. This stimulation directs our emotions by releasing and modulating hormones.  Different scents will stimulate different emotions, and in the case of aphrodisiac oils, specifically the emotions of passion, attraction,  feelings of euphoria, and pleasurable sensations. Essential oils can be used to scent sheets and pillowcases, in the bath, in place of perfume, as massage oils, in lotions and candles, and to scent a room. Apply a couple of drops to the pulse points on your neck, wrists, elbows, chest or knees.  With the excess on your hands, run your fingers through your hair. Men can use the essential oils as cologne, deodorant, or aftershave. Romantic Massage Blend 2 drops of Clary Sage 2 drops of  Bergamot 2 drops of Ylang Ylang 1 tablespoon of organic coconut oil

Individual essential oils that are knwon to arouse passion in men include: rose, jasmine, neroli and ylang ylang.  Blends from Young Living Essential Oils that contain these individual oils include:  Sensation, Inner Child, Joy and Lady Sclareol.

Individual oils that attract a woman's attention are:  patchouli, spruce, Idaho balsam fir, ylang ylang and sandalwood.  Blends from Young Living Essential Oils that contain these individual oils include:  Valor, Australian Blue, Gathering and Highest Potential.


If you are interested in learning more about Young Living Essential Oils, give us a call today or stop by and talk with one of our distributors at SpringWell Health Center, Lori Mace or Rachel Hoffman.

We can also give you information on how to become a Young Living distributor yourself, and turn your passion for healthy living and non-toxic wellness into a home-based business!

SpringWell Health Center
541-343-3455
131 East 11th Ave.
Eugene, OR  97401

How to support your Immune System during the Cold Season: Reishi Mushroom Extracts.

The important immune tonic herb, Ling Zhi, commonly known in America as "Reishi" is a mushroom that has been used in Asia since prehistoric times.
 



The name "Reishi” usually refers to one of several species of woody mushroom, including Ganoderma lucidum, Ganoderma sinensis, Ganoderma tsugae.  The names "Reishi" and "Lingzhi” often is translated as 'Supernatural Fungus'.

Reishi is an herb used in China to promote health, longevity and a more centered state of mind. It is known as one of the most immunoprotective herbs in the world. Reishi provides immunological, neurological, metabolic, hepatic and vascular protection. Traditionally, it is valued as a tonic herb that can lead to exceptional health on all levels. Research conducted in the last two decades has verified that Reishi contains hundreds of biologically active constituents that benefit many cells in the human body. It is best used as a primary tonic on a daily basis throughout a lifetime to improve immune response during the cold season. Reishi is very safe and may be used by anyone to promote overall health and longevity, and a strong immune system.
 
The Reishi spores are also of significant medicinal and tonic value. They are rich in triterpenes, one of the main active constituent groups in Reishi. These spores tend to be more potent than the fruiting body, and are widely used in cancer therapeutics in Asia and by people on longevity programs. The combination of Reishi mushroom, spores and the extracted oil, are thought to be about seven hundred times more immunologically boosting than just the mushroom itself.

Anjnua Medicine carries a large selection of Reishi Tonic formulas to help boost your immune system during the winter cold season. Stop by and ask Nathan for more information about this amazing Chinese herb, Ling Zhi.

 

 

 

 

About the Author:

 

 

Nathan J. Heide is the Acupuncturist and founder of Anjuna Medicine, a company specializing in Acupuncture treatment, Traditional Chinese Medicine, and medicinal Chinese herbs, currently located at SpringWell Health Center in Eugene, Oregon. Heide is a grounded and well-informed practitioner who is passionate about using acupuncture to treat a wide variety of ailments, both physical and emotional. He specializes in working with patients to develop long-lasting regimens that will aid their longevity, boost immunity, and promote balanced, centered well-being.

 

Visit AnjunaMedicine.com to learn more about Nathan's specialties and practices.



Connect with Anjuna Medicine on social media:

Facebook.com/AnjunaMedicine

Twitter.com/AnjunaMedicine

 

 

 

Nutrition Tid-Bit: Non-Dairy Sources of Calcium

Growing up in the Western world, we were all told from a very young age that drinking milk was the best way to keep our bones strong, because "milk is the best source of calcium in the diet". Fast forward to present day, and we know from various studies that women who consume more milk on a regular basis have higher instances of osteoporosis than women who do not drink milk.

The fact is that, like all animal protein, milk causes the pH of the blood to become more acidic, which then the body must correct and balance using sodium and calcium. If necessary, the body will leech calcium from the bones in order to do this, as calcium is great for neutralizing acidity, and will then release it from the body via the urinary tract. Threrefore, the bones and the body are losing calcium as a result of drinking milk. Many people are unable to properly digest dairy as well. For these people, consuming dairy products can cause mild to severe digestive upset, skin outbreaks, and a variety of other symptoms (which sometimes go un-recognized).

There is much more information to be discussed on this topic, but for today I would just like to share with you some of the best alternatives to dairy products that will provide your body with useable calcium, without over-acidifying the system:

Sesame seeds, chia seeds, spinach (especially cooked), almonds, broccoli, kale, collard greens (fresh picked & frozen are highest), mustard and turnip greens, quinoa, brussel sprouts, beans (white, baked, blackeyed, etc), tofu and tempeh (soy), bok choy, peas, baking powder, and seaweeds are all high in calcium as well as many other healthful vitamins and minerals needed and used by the body. Dark leafy-greens provide calcium that is bio-available while also providing the body with nutritent-rich chlorophyll and fiber, which aids the digestive tract. Some dried herbs also contain calcium! Dried herbs that are calcium rich include dill, basil, marjoram, thyme, oregano, poppy seed, mint, celery seed, sage, parsley and rosemary.

It is also advisable to avoid excess sugar and sweets, and processed carbohydrates. These food products cause a surge in blood-sugar and insulin levels which, in-turn, causes a large excretion of calcium from the body, and potentially the bones. This is true for soda and other high-sugary drinks as well as sugary fruit juices. Caffeine is another culprit in encouraging calcium loss from bones and the body, so limit your intake of caffeinated products, like coffee.

For more information on this or other nutrition-related issues, visit my website: www.GoodnessMeGoddess.com.

About the Author:  

Rachel Hoffman founded GoodnessMeGoddess.com, a site and business committed to sharing information about non-toxic living, essential oils, nutrition, and total wellness. Visit to learn more about what chemicals & ingredients to avoid in your beauty and personal care products as well as find whole-food recipes, books and other natural-care products.

GoodnessMeGoddess.blogspot.com
Facebook.com/GoodnessMeGoddess
Twitter.com/GoodnessMeLove