The Wellness Coach

Find The Memory of Health here at 40% off publisher’s price:
http://bit.ly/2nyLfbL

My latest book ~ https://t.co/hacdIET77Qpic.twitter.com/YDRAKJPiFd

— Edie Summers (@ediesummers) July 14, 2016

A memoir and guide to living well. The Memory of Health is a meditation and conversation on well-being. What makes you thrive, even in the face of great odds? What makes you come alive? At the age of 22, Edie developed chronic fatigue after having surgery for a ski accident.

While physical therapy was helpful, she had to seek alternative treatment to regain full use of her knee. In the course of seeking answers to her health challenges, she discovered the power of mindful living and became a conscious consumer in her quest for true well-being.

Whether you like mainstream, alternative, or integrative medicine as your solution for health and well-being, be conscious of the choices you make, because they matter.

#LuluAuthor Edie Summers shares advice for those suffering from a chronic condition in her book #TheMemoryofHealth: https://t.co/auyNYL75hF https://t.co/hbMcmygIlr

— Lulu.com (@Luludotcom) March 28, 2017

Find The Memory of Health here at 40% off publisher’s price:
http://bit.ly/2nyLfbL

“I have been given this product as part of a product review through the Chronic Illness Bloggers network. Although the product was a gift, all opinions in this review remain my own and I was in no way influenced by the company.“

Oral Miracle is a remineralizing mouthwash…and so much more!

It may also help you with any of the following issues:

• Fillings
• Halitosis
• Tooth Decay
• Dental Caries
• Toothaches
• Whitening Your Teeth
• Gum Disease
• Cavities
• Sensitive Teeth

I have had trouble with my gums for several years now, especially after getting sick a second time with CFS in my mid thirties.  I have been seeking solutions ever since.

It’s a long story, but due to increased sensitivity within my whole body, I was unable to brush my teeth properly for a while.  As a result, I developed gum issues.

I have always taken great care of my teeth, so this was initially very hard for me to realize…that my gums weren’t in the best shape anymore.

However, I have been searching for tactics and products ever since to help me restore the health of both my gums as well as my teeth.

I have been using Oral Miracle for a few months now.  At first, it seemed too strong for me, as my teeth and mouth are quite sensitive.  Yet, with repeated use, I adapted and I also noticed that the formula was helping to neutralize acid (and maybe bacteria as well) in my mouth.

Yet, with repeated use, I adapted to the taste and ingredients, and I also noticed that the formula was helping to neutralize acid (and maybe bacteria as well) in my mouth.

In fact, it works better than the usual pre-rinse I have been using.   There is definitely something to the syngergistic ingredients in this product.

I have not been using this product according to directions, as my teeth and gums are so sensitive.

I have been using it as a pre-rinse, before I brush.  However, I will try to use it more in line with the directions over time, as my teeth and gums get stronger.

Here are the directions, according to the website:

I will continue to use this product, as I have had good results thus far with neutralizing bacteria and improved gum health. 

This is a very good product and worth checking out, especially if you have any gum issues or tooth sensitivity or discoloration.

You can find it here:  https://immunizelabs.com/products/oralmiracle

Check out more information about this product here (from the website). 

Note, check out the reviews on this page link too!

Scope: Who can benefit from OralMiracle?

Anyone wanting to improve their oral health or looking for naturally whiter teeth, especially those with thinning tooth enamel, cavities, dry mouth, sensitive teeth, toothaches, mouth sores, bad breath, infected gums, discolored teeth, loose teeth, dental plaque, periodontal disease, and bad bacteria.

The main causes of tooth decay, loss of enamel, and gum disease are:

• Acid – When acidic foods, such as fruit juices, coffee, vinegar, chewable vitamin C, or carbonated drinks (soda pop), are eaten, the acids will etch the enamel off the teeth.
• Sugars – Stay away from white sugar. Sugar leaches out calcium from the teeth and bones. Adults can tolerate 2/3 of an ounce of sugar a day. Any additional amount is absorbed into the circulation and is converted into carbonic acid. To protect the body from the corrosive action of this acid, calcium is withdrawn from the teeth and bones for neutralization.
• Fluoride – Fluoride can deteriorate connective tissues by breaking hydrogen bonds. When one uses fluoridated toothpastes and other fluoride sources like fluoridated drinking water, the gums that hold teeth in place become loose and spongy resulting in gingivitis. When you combine fluoride with a dietary vitamin C deficiency, one develops a serious gum disease periodontal disease. Eliminating the intake of fluoride used as an additive in tooth pastes, gels, mouthwashes, and drinking water, increasing the intake of vitamin C and using OralMiracle to promote remineralization will gradually correct this condition.
• Fluorosis – The discoloration of teeth, is caused by an exchange of ions that takes place when food acids attack the surface enamel and leach out calcium and phosphorus from the teeth. If the calcium and phosphorus are replaced by ions of other metals such as iron, copper, etc., then discoloring and brittleness (mottling) of the enamel takes place.

Oral Miracle has some really great ingredients too (I am big on ingredients…from my days working in the natural foods/products industry). 

The ingredients are some of the biggest players and factors in why this product works. 

For instance:

• Hydrogen Peroxide is great at killing bacteria and whitening teeth…naturally, which is a big plus
• Pink Himalayan Salt is all the rage now, and for a good reason:  it’s chock full of minerals to help build back up your teeth (and body)
• Xylitol is one of my favorite natural anti-cavity and acid-neutralizing strategies
• Oral Miracle also has tons of other great ingredients, designed to target oral health like lemon oil (whitens your teeth), tea tree oil, cinnamon, peppermint, spearmint, and myrrh oil

You can check them all out here (from their webiste):

OralMiracle Ingredients

Ionic & Colloidal Silver – Completely eliminates germs and bacteria without any side effects or burning.

Hydrogen Peroxide – A natural antimicrobial that also whitens teeth.

Calcium Phosphate + Phosphopeptides – CPP (Phosphopeptides) and ACP (Calcium Phosphate) spontaneously form CPP-ACP in saliva to help prevent & heal existing cavities by remineralizing teeth enamel.

Pink Himalayan Salt – A natural disinfectant that also removes swelling from tissues. Contains 84 minerals that help remineralize teeth enamel. Non-toxic.

Sanguinaria Extract – A natural plant extract that is antiseptic, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and has antioxidant properties. Reduces dental plaque and gingival inflammation.

Aluminum-Free Baking Soda – Raises your mouth PH to 8.0 because remineralization takes place at a pH of 7.5 to 8.5 in the presence of calcium and phosphate.

Xylitol – Fights cavities by disrupting decay-causing bacteria from producing tooth-eating acid and the plaque they create. Can be used in children to prevent cavities. A recent study showed a dramatic 70 percent reduction in tooth decay among children.

Organic Lemon Oil – A natural bleaching agent. A 2014 International Journal of Food Microbiology stated that lemon oil may actually be the most powerful anti-microbial agent of all the essential oils.

Organic Lemon Juice – Whitens your teeth naturally.

Organic Cinnamon Oil – Helps prevent dental cavities. Cinnamon oil has shown to be effective as a broad-spectrum antibiotic against 10 different species of bacteria that cause dental cavities.

Organic Clove Oil – A powerful analgesic and antibacterial that is a natural alternative to Anbesol and Orajel. Very effective for relieving dental pain, tooth ache, sore gums and mouth ulcers.

Cayenne Pepper Oil – Contains capsaicin which eliminates canker sores pain. Capsaicin is the main ingredient in many medicinal candies used to treat mouth sores in chemotherapy and radiation patients.

Tea Tree Oil – An efficient antiseptic that kills bacteria fast and eases away pain you may have on your gums.

Organic Peppermint Oil – Natural, clean, refreshing taste. Improves concentration and alertness. Aids in digestion.

Organic Spearmint Oil – An antiseptic, antispasmodic, determinative, cephalic, emenagogue, insecticide, restorative and stimulant substance that also freshens breath.

Myrrh Oil – Effective in treating gum diseases, sores in the mouth, helping promote oral health.

“I have been given this product as part of a product review through the Chronic Illness Bloggers network. Although the product was a gift, all opinions in this review remain my own and I was in no way influenced by the company. ”

I am reviewing Liberty Lixir High CBD Tincture for Chronic Illness Bloggers. 

This is a phenomenal product! 

You MUST try CBD (I recommend both high CBD & full-spectrum CBD oil) if you are struggling with pain, fatigue, or chronic health issues.

Find Liberty Lixir High CBD Tincture here:  http://libertylotion.com?aff=5

You might be wondering:  what is CBD?  Is is legal?  Is it safe?

To me, the question you should be asking yourself is have I tried everything I can to feel better?  Am I missing anything?

Perhaps you have wondered about CBD for pain relief.  Perhaps you have explored using hemp or marijuana products to improve your health or well-being.

I encourage you to explore all of your options.  For me, this product is life-altering:

A game-changing product, with life-altering and stabilizing effects on my body. 

It reduced my pain and inflammation levels, and improved my energy levels, while lowering my stress levels.

Whenever I take it, I feel more “stable” physically, and more resilient to stress.  It also helps me sleep more deeply.

Liberty Lixir fortified my body and reduced my symptoms.  How does it work? In a nutshell…

Your body has an endocannabinoid system, which is designed to keep you in balance. 

CBD helps to mediate the release of cytokines which can help with pain and inflammation.

CBD is from cannabis (found in hemp or marijuana), is a cannabinoid and is non-psychoactive.

There are many cannabinoids (over 60 and counting), including THC.  There are also different types of CBD, including CBD1 and CBD2.

CBD1 affects the brain and neurological system and CBD2 affects the immune system.  We have CBD receptors in our brain, liver, stomach, and nervous system (and maybe even more places).

The endocannabinoid system (ECS) was discovered only in 1992, but it good we discovered it, as its purpose is to keep our bodies in balance and recover from stress, etc.

The basic function of the ECS is to help you: “Relax, eat, sleep, forget, and protect.” ~Professor Di Marzo, 1998

(source: New Hope Network)

For so many of us with chronic conditions, we know and can feel that our bodies are out of balance.

It is very possible some of our symptoms could be due to endocannabinoid deficiency. 

I have found CBD to help my body remarkable and consistently feel better.   I love the Liberty Lixir High CBD Tincture because it seems to be the exact right amount of CBD in a proprietary formula that my body loves.   You take it underneath your tongue, so you bypass the liver.  This works great for me, as my liver does not process many substances well.

I use this product to get and stay in balance.  It is a no-brainer and a game-changer for my health and well-being.  I highly recommend it!  A must try.

Find Liberty Lixir High CBD Tincture here:  http://libertylotion.com?aff=5

What is CBD, and how can it help me?  (from the Liberty Lotion website)

CBD is a non-psychoactive cannabinoid commonly found in hemp. It has been indicated by anecdotal evidence and numerous scientific studies that CBD may provide significant health benefits across a broad spectrum of potential applications. It has been indicated that CBD may be a viable treatment for anxiety, chronic pain, stress, schizophrenia, dementia, neuralgia, alzheimers, strokes, arthritis, migraines, parkinsons, and essentially any and every ailment under the sun, especially those which have a direct relationship to inflammation, since the evidence suggests that CBD is first and foremost a potent anti-inflammatory. In addition to its anti-inflammatory properties, recent scientific research has indicated that CBD may have profound immunoregulatory and neuroprotective effects.  It appears that CBD not only helps the body repair and recover from illnesses, but also boosts health in general and protects against disease. For more information on CBD, please view this article.

CBD, or Cannabidiol, has exploded onto the scene in the last few years as a heal-all substance that purportedly cures disease, reduces pain, and generally increases quality of life all across the board. But what is CBD, and is it just the latest fad, or is it really something of substance that will be a healing staple for years to come?

There is ample evidence to support the latter position. CBD is a cannabinoid, a term which, since the 1940s, has been used to designate isolated compounds found within the Cannabis Sativa plant. However, recent research suggests that the general chemical structure common to cannabinoids is not limited to Cannabis Sativa, and substances found in other plants which resemble cannabinoids are called cannabimimetics¹, a term that designates a substance which emulates or mimics the effects and/or structure of a cannabinoid. On top of that, medical science has recognized for decades now that there are cannabinoids endogenous to the human body, which are called endocannabinoids². These endocannabinoids native to the human body comprise a system called the endocannabinoid system, or ECS for short. Scientific research has revealed that the proper functioning of the ECS is vital to health and well-being as it promotes homeostasis in the body, which is a fancy word for balance. The endocannabinoid system keeps the body in balance and the research suggests that CBD boosts the functionality of the endocannabinoid system as it performs this endless, thankless task which keeps us healthy and prevents disease.

Countless scientific studies have supported the claim that CBD acts as a potent anti-inflammatory³, which means that it reduces tissue inflammation throughout the body and helps this tissue to revert to its natural, uninflamed state. All of us are familiar with one type of inflammation⁴, acute inflammation. This is the kind of inflammation that is experienced, for instance, when you stub your toe and it gets big and red, or when you skin your knee and the surrounding area gets red and puffy. This is the body’s natural response to injury and subsides after the healing process gets underway. But there’s another form of inflammation which affects those who suffer from it in a much more intense and debilitating way; chronic inflammation⁵. Scientific research has linked chronic inflammation to everything from rheumatoid arthritis, to schizophrenia⁶, to depression, to neuralgia, and everything in between. In general, most people are suffering from some form or another of chronic inflammation; in fact, the research suggests that inflammation is the root cause of almost every if not every single ailment or disease which affects the human body and mind. Meaning, that if it is true that CBD has as potent of an effect on inflammation as the research suggests, the implications for general health and well-being could be astonishing.

According to the research, not only is it possible that CBD treats disease by reducing inflammation⁷, but it also may prevent disease and promote health by bolstering the immune system⁸. Not only that, but recent studies also support the claim that CBD may have neuroprotective⁹ effects, which means that it may aid in the recovery of persons with neurodegenerative ailments¹⁰.

While the results are still out, so to speak, since the FDA has not yet acknowledged CBD as a legitimate medicine, the absolute avalanche of scientific study that has come forward in the last few years overwhelmingly supports the position that there is great therapeutic benefit to using CBD to treat and prevent chronic conditions as well as promote general health and well-being. Cannabis Sativa has been used, in one form or another, for thousands of years in various cultures as a healing tool. Modern research is finally shedding some empirical light as to why this may be the case.

“I have been given this product as part of a product review through the Chronic Illness Bloggers network. Although the product was a gift, all opinions in this review remain my own and I was in no way influenced by the company. ”

You may have heard of the Gupta Amydala Retraining Program.

You may be wondering:  what is the amydala and what is this program all about?

This program is definitely worth checking out

In a nutshell, this program literally retrains your amydala which can get stuck in fight or flight.  Your amygdala is an unconscious part of your brain, and its job is to keep you safe.  However, according to Ashok Gupta’s theory and research, the amygdala can become stuck in fight or flight.

As this pertains to having symptoms from an acute or chronic condition, the theory is that the unconscious part of yourself begins to “fear”the symptoms, and the amydala can then get stuck in a loop of reinforcing the very symptoms from which we need relief.

It takes our conscious minds to “retrain” the amydala, and help it to return to a normal state of functioning.

The program has 4 major steps to healing, with an overarching theme of being CONSISTENT  with the steps, yet not stressing about them at the same time:

Retraining Your Amygdala (You keep coming back to this step until your symptoms disappear)

Relaxation (cultivating)

Reconnecting to Joy

Resilisence (building…)

You can check out the Gupta Programme here:

http://www.guptaprogramme.com/

I found this to be a phenomenal program.  According to Ashok Gupta, our unconscious brain is like software, meaning you can reprogram it.    He has recovered completely from CFS (which he developed in college), and he believes that by using this program, you can retrain your unconscious mind to relieve your physical symptoms.

I believe this program is onto something in believing that symptoms from conditions such as CFS, ME, MCS, and Fibromyalgia may stem from an amygdala that is stuck in the fight or flight response.   I can feel in my own body that this may be true.  While I have recovered much of my own energy through various tactics (I am 95%-100% healed now), I can feel lingering effects of being in a “hyper” state of arousal.

For me, my fatigue issues also stemmed from poor methylation, and symptoms like chronic fatigue (and chronic pain, etc.) can have many sources or origins.

However, the Gupta Amygdala Retraining program proposes that the root cause of many of the symptoms experienced by CFS, ME, MCS, and Fibromayalgia (and perhaps even more chronic conditions where chronic fatigue is a factor and beyond) are caused by an amygdala stuck in fight or flight.

So, while I believe there may be other potential causes of symptoms, the theory behind the Gupta Amygdala Retraining Program is very compelling (Ashok insists that if you can trace symptoms back far enough for conditions like CFS, ME, MCS, Fibromyalgia, etc., you will find they originate with the amydala “software” being stuck in fight or flight) , and I believe this program is worth doing for many reasons:

It helps you to move of the fight or flight response.

It helps you to retrain your nervous system.

It helps you to learn the importance of positive thinking and how to use and apply positive thinking to help improve the quality of your health and well-being.

It helps you to learn how to cultivate what is known as The Relaxation Response  (which is the opposite of the stress response, also known as the fight or flight response).   The Relaxation Response is where healing occurs in the body.

This program is excellent at helping you to practice techniques like meditation and positive thinking that help to retrain your nervous system and help your mind and body to relax, reboot, and regain a balanced equilibrium.

There is so much I could say about this program. 

It is:

Intelligent

Intuitive

Research-based

Community-based (you will receive amazing support and feedback from a very active FB group)

And so much more…

Beyond always returning to the retraining of your amygdala (you know you need to continue retraining it if you still have symptoms), the program really excels at teaching you and your body to relax, reboot, and cultivate true resilient behavior and beneficial positive thinking.

The most important piece of advice I can give you if you decide to do this program, is to be patient and take the time to learn the different techniques.

At the same time, don’t stress about learning or remembering to do all of the techniques.  Do the parts that work for you.  There are many, many fantastic techniques in this program, and Ashok gives you several ways to learn and implement them, including:

A DVD

Webinars

A Fantastic Book

There are so many fantastic reasons to check out this program.  I believe it helps to:

Retrain your brain

Retrain Your Nervous System

Helps You Learn How to Relax and Reboot

Helps You Focus on Cultivating Positive Energy

Here are some more fantastic takeaways from this one-of-a-kind program:

You will learn to float through dips with your fatigue

You will learn how to keep your “mind” centered (This is well-being :))

You will learn how to shine a light on your thoughts, and how to observe them, and freeze them like insects

You will learn how being a perfectionist may be contributing to your symptoms (Hint: you need to learn to not fear failure 🙂  failure is a normal part of the growing and healing process)

You will learn how to imagine a “healthy you” in the future

You will learn how to turn perfectionism into healthy self-achievement where the goal is to feel JOY and not seek the approval of others

You will learn how to pay deeper attention to your body and your body’s signals (this is one of the major ways I healed my fatigue)

You will learn some great insights about pacing:  Do your best, leave the rest

You will learn how to and the importance of constantly visualizing a positive future (and present too)

You will learn the value of awareness, and how there is the next level of awareness, and then another layer, and yet another level of awareness (awareness is key to how I healed from CFS)

You will learn how to choose to live a calmer, simpler life (this is better for your nervous system)

You will learn the Soften and Flow technique to help you when you are overwhelmed by negative thoughts

You will learn the importance of Breath and not rushing

You will learn how to value and savor breath, touch, taste, smell…and all Present Moment experiences

You will learn many invaluable tools:

Self-awareness

Rushing is not the rule

Any love outside of ourselves is a bonus – learn how to feel good on the inside

Self-love is letting go of worry & fear of rejection (Ashok calls it The Butterfly Wings of Self-Love :))

I had so many takeaways from this program, and I encourage you to join, learn, and TRUST the process.

Turn Your Passion for Health into a Career! Become an Eating Psychology Coach! http://bit.ly/2u3sEnq

I wanted to make sure you’re aware of a great free online workshop
coming up that’s hosted by my good friends Marc David and Emily Rosen
at the Institute for the Psychology of Eating.

I think you’ll get a lot of value from it. It’s called:

The Ultimate Health Coach:
The 3 Keys to Turning Your Passion for Healing into Professional Success

and it’s all about using Eating Psychology & Mind Body Nutrition
to finally find freedom with food, body and health challenges.

You’ll learn what you need to know to make a great living
while truly helping others in a real and meaningful way.

==> Join the free workshop!

Weight, Body Image, Overeating, Binge Eating, Emotional Eating, Endless Dieting, Digestion, Mood, Fatigue, Immunity: You Can Help. My friends and colleagues, Marc David and Emily Rosen are hosting a FREE live online workshop all about becoming a Certified Eating Psychology & Mind Body Nutrition Coach. Learn more by registering for the free workshop here —–>  http://bit.ly/2u3sEnq

The Eating Psychology Coach Certification Training is a breakthrough 250 hour distance learning program that you can take from anywhere in the world. Graduates of this one-of-a-kind online training come away with the skills and confidence to work with the most common and compelling eating concerns of our times – weight, body image, overeating, binge eating, emotional eating, endless dieting, digestion, fatigue, immunity, mood and much more. This groundbreaking program is a unique synthesis of eating psychology and nutrition. Start a whole new career, or turbo-charge your already existing professional practice. This is a cutting edge approach that honors all of who we are as eaters – body, mind, heart and soul.

Learn about food psychology, and get inspired to help people radically change their lives!  Listen to my exclusive interview with Marc David here!

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/thewellnesscoach/2014/04/10/interview-with-marc-david-become-an-eating-psychology-coach

If you’re interested in health, healing and personal transformation, you’ve probably noticed that there’s a big gap between where people are, and where they want to be.

Especially when it comes to food and nutrition. The world is experiencing a fantastic increase in weight, overeating, emotional eating, binge eating, body image challenges, poor digestion, fatigue, low immunity, mood concerns and more.

We all know that good nutrition is paramount to health. But here’s the reality:

Oftentimes, good nutrition is simply not enough to help people get where they need to go. How many people have you met who know what to eat, who know what they’re supposed to do – and they just don’t do it?

The end result is that there’s a vast number of people struggling with eating challenges and unhappy with who they are and how they feel.

And they need help.

That’s where YOU come in.

The profession of health coaching is on the rise.

Weight loss alone is a $50 billion industry worldwide.

People are searching for answers.

They want solutions.

They need qualified professionals to guide and support them.

And that’s why I want you to know about a completely different kind of health coach training:

The Eating Psychology & Mind Body Nutrition Coach Certification Training.

This is an online training created by Marc David, founder of the Institute for the Psychology of Eating.

It features a powerful body of work that combines Nutrition and Eating Psychology.

This unique synthesis is the “missing link” for so many people when it comes to finally transforming their relationship with food, body and health.

So, this is an opportunity to launch a lucrative new career. Or if you’re already in the helping or healing professions, it’s a fantastic way to turbocharge your already existing skills, increase your scope of practice, get real and lasting results with clients, and earn more by incorporating a whole new set of skills.

If you’re at all intrigued, then I suggest you join Marc David and Emily Rosen, Founder and Director of the Institute for the Psychology of Eating for this online event. It’s a FREE Webinar called:

The Ultimate Health Coach: The 3 Keys to Turning Your Passion for Healing into Professional Success.

Simply sign up here: http://bit.ly/2u3sEnq

It’s Earth Day, 2017! 

I am a huge fan of Nature and this Earth, and all the ways she sustains us in mind, body, and spirit.

One touch of Nature makes all the world kin.  ~ William Shakespeare

Part of respecting the Earth, is what we eat and how we treat what we eat.

Sustainable eating is complicated. It’s time-intensive and confusing to compare the carbon footprint of, say, an organic apple grown a thousand miles away and trucked to your grocery store versus an organic cereal brand that participates in a carbon-offset program.

Further complicating matters, is that for some of us (including me) non-gmo and organic really do make a difference to my body, health, and well-being.

Whatever choices you make, here is more information about the benefits to the earth in buying and eating locally:

Choosing to buy and eat local food is a large part of the carbon-mitigation solution because local often eliminates the thousands of miles some food travels before it winds up on your plate. The idea of local food as an answer to global warming is not new. In 2006, food thought-leader Michael Pollan advised in The Washington Post that, given the choice, “Buy local over organic,” with the reasoning that many local farms are small, and small farms sometimes lack the funds to obtain a pricey USDA Organic certification. And in 2007, the National Resources Defense Council said, “In most cases, locally produced food proves the best choice for minimizing global warming and other pollutants.”

What does local mean?

But the government does not regulate “local,” as it does the USDA Organic label. It’s up to the retailer, restaurant or shopper to decide what local means. For one retailer, “local food” could mean food sourced within a certain mile radius from the store; to others it could mean buying from farms in the same county. To Danielle Vogel, founder of Glen’s Garden Market based in Washington, D.C., “local” means food produced within the Chesapeake Bay watershed—a region that touches seven states along the Eastern seaboard. Vogel is dedicated to sourcing as much local food as possible in her store, making exceptions just for tropical ingredients like spices, orange juice and avocados.

The problem with shipping

Vogel’s commitment to local sourcing is twofold, as it saves both the fuel it would take trucks to drive produce, meat, dairy and eggs across the country, and importantly, the length of time food must be refrigerated. “Refrigeration is incredibly carbon-intensive. The main chemicals in refrigeration are hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), and they are 12,000 times more carbon-intensive than CO2,” says Vogel. “The less you can introduce refrigerants into the process, the better off the environment is.” For example, compare the carbon and HFC resources it takes to ship milk the 2,800 miles from California to the East Coast versus shipping milk from a Maryland-based dairy farm the 50 miles to Vogel’s grocery store. The case for local food as a climate-friendly option is clear.

Buying local caution

But Vogel is quick to caution that just because a farm or food producer is located close to your home, that doesn’t necessarily mean they are an eco-conscious choice. Large-scale farming operations that use pesticides and fungicides could be a stone’s throw from your house; sugar-laden soda companies could be manufacturing across the street.

So although local is an important hallmark of sustainable food, it’s just one part of the solution. Farms must also be consciously managed, which often means adhering to organic or biodynamic practices, too, as chemical fertilizers can cause just as much damage to the environment as food that travels thousands of miles.

A recent study published in the journal Nature Plants chronicled the environmental footprint of a staple finished product, bread. While trucking the raw wheat to processing facilities and to the consumer largely contributed to climate change emissions, scientists found that bread’s worst environmental faux pas was from ammonium nitrate fertilizers. These agricultural chemicals are applied in large quantities—sometimes more than farmers actually need—and end up polluting waterways and turning into the greenhouse gas nitrous oxide.

The lesson

Both local and farming practices matter when it comes to being a better steward of climate change. To better understand your grocery store’s sourcing decisions, ask your retailer how it defines local. Some retailers consider “local” to be anything produced in their county or state, while others consider “local” to encompass products produced within 100 miles of their front door. Also, buy seasonal produce to increase the likelihood that fruits and vegetables were locally grown, and frequent farmers’ markets to support farmers in your community.

The source of this blog is from Delicious Living and/or New Hope Network.  Read more here:  https://goo.gl/5qCvbg

In any case, let’s consider making every day Earth Day, where we consider the impact of our choices on the environment.  Because, in truth, we are the environment, and our health and well-being are intimately tied to the health and well-being of the Earth.

 

Excerpts from my book, The Memory of Health.  You can find it here:  http://amzn.to/2aP3AbA

When I developed chronic fatigue, I turned to the natural foods industry to seek answers.   I began working in the supplements department of a natural foods store, and taking high-quality supplements (I’ve tried hundreds of them to find which ones work for me), and by learning how to eat well, I improved my energy levels and well-being significantly.  You can read more about my  journey here and in my book, The Memory of Health (see link below).

I cannot take prescription drugs, so for me, having access to high-quality supplements was a game-changer.  Of course, access to organic, non-GMO food is a game-changer too.

In my quest for answers to my health challenges and well-being, I became a Conscious Consumer. 

I share many theories and topics related to CFS and chronic illness as well as the road to well-being in great detail in my book, The Memory of Health.

You can find my book here.

Do you suffer from chronic pain?  While, the company Liberty Lotion offers several products that contain CBD, Liberty Lotion is a CBD-alternative to address immediate pain needs.

Limitless Lotion by Liberty Lotion has saved me a few times in terms of addressing my immediate pain issues. 

I have had some lingering chronic pain from knee and back injuries. 

I have found Liberty Lotion to be especially supporting and effective and comforting for lower back  pain and hip joint pain.

Please note:

I have been given this product as part of a product review through the Chronic Illness Bloggers network. Although the product was a gift, all opinions in this review remain my own and I was in no way influenced by the company.

This is the product I was given to try.  It’s called Limitless Lotion…

Here are some of the active, awesome ingredients:

White Willow Bark – This is a natural pain killer, and works well in my experience for mild to moderate pain.  It works like aspirin to block pain immediately.  (Note: consider CBD found in other Liberty Lotion products to address chronic inflammation, and consider trying Limitless Lotion along with one of their lotions with CBS for complete pain support.)

Did you know?  White Willow Bark’s Connection to Aspirin and Salicylic Acid 

Limitless Lotion Ingredients | Willow Bark (from the Liberty Lotion website):

Willow bark has been used for thousands of years as a healing remedy. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, “[t]he use of willow bark dates to the time of Hippocrates (400 BC) when people were advised to chew on the bark to reduce fever and inflammation. Willow bark has been used throughout the centuries in China and Europe, and continues to be used today for the treatment of pain (particularly low back pain and osteoarthritis), headache, and inflammatory conditions, such as bursitis and tendinitis.” The article goes on to state that willow bark contains salicin, the source of Salicylic acid, which is used in many over-the-counter acne treatments. Some of you may be familiar with the healing potential of willow bark from one of my recent blog articles, “Limitless Lotion & Acne”. In this article, I touch extensively on how willow bark can be used to treat acne. Today, however, my focus is on the effect of willow bark on pain. The University of Maryland article goes on to say the following: “In combination with the herb’s powerful anti-inflammatory plant compounds (called flavonoids), salicin is thought to be responsible for the pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory effects of the herb. In fact, in the 1800s, salicin was used to develop aspirin.”   Read more here:  http://libertylotion.com/libertyblog/liberty-lotion-limitless-lotion-cbd-willow-bark/

Arnica Montana – I love this flower, and have found it very effective in addressing both immediate and chronic pain as well as chronic inflammation.   I have often taked it in the homeopathic version, which is highly effective as well.  This flower really works!

Boswellia (Boswellic Acid) – When in doubt, use Frankincense (also know as Indian Frankincense or Boswellic Acid).   I love this mantra, I find it very true, especially when it comes to pain and inflammation.  This resin is a star in the ancient Indian practice of Ayurvedic medicine. It is known for its ability to soothe joint, muscle and connective tissue discomfort.

Want to learn more?

You can check Liberty Lotion’s website here:  http://libertylotion.com

*None of the statements have been approved by the FDA.  None of these statements or products are intended to diagnose, treat, or prescribe any condition.

Do you have Fibromyalgia?  Maybe you have some type of chronic pain or joint discomfort or chronic inflammation issues you are battling?

Address your pain, joint, and muscle discomfort and support a healthy inflammation response.  I tried this wonderful product, Fibro Soothe, and found it be VERY EFFECTIVE in addressing my pain, joint, and chronic inflammation issues.  This product works and works well!  I have had lingering knee and back injuries, and this product is a lifesaver!

Note:

I have been given this product as part of a product review through the Chronic Illness Bloggers network. Although the product was a gift, all opinions in this review remain my own and I was in no way influenced by the company.

I was given this truly wonderful formula by ProHealth.  You can find Fibro Soothe here:  http://bit.ly/2paIuhB

ProHealth was founded by Rich Carson, who was diagnosed with CFS back in 1981.  He is a huge advocate and much more of people with chronic conditions, including CFS, fibromyalgia and much more.  Here is a little more about Rich, his story, and ProHealth.

You can read much more on their website:

“Since our company’s founding in 1988, ProHealth has been driven by a crucial core mission: to support sufferers of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis / Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) and Fibromyalgia by offering world-class nutritional supplements, other products that make life easier for ME/CFS and Fibromyalgia patients, and targeted news, information and community access.

This commitment springs from our founder and CEO, Rich Carson, who was diagnosed with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome in 1981. A national leader in the fight against ME/CFS, Rich has been one of the top fundraisers in the United States for research against the disease since 1986, and was chosen to represent the Center for Disease Control in their $4 million Chronic Fatigue Syndrome awareness campaign. In 1997, Rich conceived and launched the Campaign for a Fair Name, which succeeded in changing the common name of the disease from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome to the name that patients prefer, ME/CFS. ”

Read more here:  http://www.prohealth.com/aboutus/

*All images credits courtesy of ProHealth

From the ProHealth website:

“Fibro Soothe by ProHealth is a specialized formulation of herbs and other nutrients designed to help support a healthy inflammation response while also addressing joint and muscle discomfort. This combination of nutrients is specially formulated to help support cartilage and joint function.*

Helps Comfort and Soothe Aching Muscles & Joints*

• Supports normal joint response to exercise*
• Helps with sleep & mood*
• Contains 9 specialized herbs and nutrients*

Fibro Soothe contains Boswellia serrata Wokvel®, Turmeric Longvida®, DL-Phenylalanine, Ginger, Devils Claw, Ashwagandha, Bromelain, Papain, and Turmeric Powder.”

These are some amazing and powerful ingredients that are superstars on their own.  When combined in this powerful formula, their synergistic effects are that much more effective in addressing pain, inflammation, and joint and muscle pain.  In fact, I was advised to take many of these ingredients (Devil’s Claw, bromelain, and papain) when I broke my knee in my early 20’s – this is the accident, along with surgery, that led me to develop CFS).

Let’s explore a few of the key ingredients in Fibro Soothe:

*All images credits courtesy of ProHealth

Curcumin Longvida

Curcumin, the active ingredient in tumeric, has notable anti-inflammatory properties that may promote soothing comfort in muscles and joints. Longvida is 65 times more bioavailable than regular curcumin.***

Turmeric is very powerful in supporting a healthy inflammation response.  In fact, this is one of my go-to herbs to combat brain fog as well.

Devil’s Claw

Devil’s Claw is an anti-inflammatory herbal treatment which can help switch off inflammation, is widely used in Europe to relieve pain. One 54-week trial compared 38 people who took devil’s claw with 35 people who took the popular pain reliever rofecoxib (Vioxx). The devil’s claw was found to work as well as Vioxx in relieving pain.(12)**/***

This is one of the herbs my naturopath recommended to me when I was in rehab for my knee.  I was having a very poor reaction to ibuprofen, which I was taking to get the swelling in my knee down.  Instead, he told me to take enzymes like bromelain (on an empty stomach) and Devil’s Claw.  They worked like a charm so I could continue with physcial therapy.

Ginger

Ginger helps support pain relief due to inflammation or muscle soreness. It has strong anti-inflammatory properties that studies show may rival the benefits of some popular medications. A 2001 trial showed that a ginger extract significantly reduced the symptoms of osteoarthritis of the knee.(9)**/***

WokVel® Boswellia

Boswellia serrata, also known as Indian Frankincense or Guggul, was widely used in the ancient Indian practice of Ayurvedic medicine. It is a tree resin known for its ability to soothe joint, muscle and connective tissue discomfort.***

When in doubt, use Frankincense or Boswellic acid.  This resin is one of the most powerful solutions I have found to address a wide variety of issues related to pain and injury.

Bromelain

Bromelain, an enzyme found in pineapple, is a powerful inflammation response supporter. It has anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties.***

I was recommended to use this enzyme by a naturopath in order to help reduce chronic swelling in my knee after my ski accident.

Papain

Papain, an enzyme found in papaya, aids in the digestion of proteins and helps support proper inflammatory responses in the body.

Ashwagandha

Ashwagandha, also known as Withania somnifera is another key herb used in Ayurvedic medicine as a remedy for pain, stress, fatigue, and more. A review of ashwagandha studies indicates it possesses anti-inflammatory, anti-stress, antioxidant, immunomodulatory, and rejuvenating properties.(13)**/***

Sometime I am sensitive to Ashwagandha (it is a nightshade), but not in this powerful, synergistic formula.  That is the beauty of synergistic formulas:  they work in harmony to balance you and each other out.  Ashwagandha is also known as a powerful adaptogen (it can help your body cope with stress better).  In this formula, I am able to reap the benefits of Ashwagandha as a powerful adaptogen as well.  What a nice bonus!

DL-Phenylalanine

Researchers believe that D-phenylalanine (DPA) inhibits the action of an enzyme that breaks down endorphins and enkephalins. These are proteins that bind to opioid receptor sites in the brain, thereby influencing the perception of minor discomfort that is associated with normal physiological processes. By obstructing the action of this enzyme, DPA may extend the life of endorphins and their positive influence on comfort levels.***

DLPA is a powerful weapon to support pain levels.   It is a wonderful compliment in Fibro Soothe, and completes the wonderful profile of this product, imo.  I have found it to be a very good ally for mild to moderate headaches as well.

**For references, please see this page on ProHealth:

https://www.prohealth.com/shop/product.cfm?product__code=PH449&B1=BLGPH449

*** From the ProHealth website

IBS is the most common digestive disorder, affecting 1 in 5 adults—and 2 out of every 3 women.

It affects all ages, and most sufferers are under the age of 50.

Yet, fewer than 50% of people who suffer from IBS seek help.

Get the facts on IBS on the infographic  above brought to you by Sabinsa and Delicious Living.

Click here for bigger size of infographic:  🙂

http://goo.gl/QHfY1A

What causes it, and how can it best be managed?

IBS is caused by:

• Diet
• Food Intolerances
• Stress
• Unbalanced Hormones
• Disruption of Bacterial Flora in the Gut

Did you know?

Your gut and brain are connected by what is known as the gut-brain axis.

Your gut is known as your second brain.

Imbalances in your gut can affect your mood, and imbalances in your bacterial flora may lead to IBS.

What are the symptoms?  Check out the infographic above, or click here for a larger view:

http://goo.gl/QHfY1A

What are some solutions for IBS?

• Do an elimination diet
• Try a low FODMAP DIET*
• Regulate digestion with fiber
• Try to reduce or eliminate inflammatory foods (sugar, etc.)
• Embrace real, whole, and natural foods – it can make a HUGE difference!
• Supplement with probiotics and FOS (foods that feed friendly bacteria like onions)
• Manage your STRESS levels – This can be a game-changer!  Excess cortisol can shut down digestion.
• Eat probiotic-rich foods like yogurt (low to no sugar, kefir, kimchi, etc.)

*What is a FODMAP diet?

“FODMAP refers to foods that contain certain short-chain carbohydrates, and stands for Fermentable Oligo-, Di- and Mono-saccharides, and Polyols. The FODMAP theory suggests that when individuals who suffer visceral hypersensitivity and/or motility dysfunction consume high levels of FODMAPs there is an increase in intestinal distension which contributes to digestive symptoms.”**

Learn more here:

http://bit.ly/2ogk85N

**Managing stress may be a game-changer too.  Many people who have chronic stress can develop conditions like IBS, chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, and beyond.  Managing stress means learning new skills like mindfulness, stress management, self-care, mediation, etc.  These practices can help create a healthy gut and help support symptoms associated with conditions like IBS.  There may be multiple causes of certain conditions, and but chronic stress is implicated in most chronic conditions as well.

Contact me if you would like help learning how to manage your stress better in order to feel better.

High-quality supplements offered by the natural foods industry changed my life. I am very sensitive to artificial ingredients, GMO’s, fillers, and low-quality ingredients (did you know if you are sensitive to something, it can create inflammation in the body – a big no-no!).

When I developed chronic fatigue, I turned to the natural foods industry to seek answers. I began working in the supplements department of a natural foods store, and taking high-quality supplements (I’ve tried hundreds of them to find which ones work for me), and by learning how to eat well, I improved my energy levels and well-being significantly. You can read more about my journey here and in my book, The Memory of Health (see link below).

I cannot take prescription drugs, so for me, having access to high-quality supplements was a game-changer.

In my quest for answers to my health challenges and well-being, I became a Conscious Consumer.

I take them every day, and they make a BIG difference in the quality of my life and well-being. I discuss supplements and holistic living in great detail in my book, The Memory of Health.

You can find my book here.

#LuluAuthor Edie Summers shares advice for those suffering from a chronic condition in her book #TheMemoryofHealth: https://t.co/auyNYL75hFhttps://t.co/hbMcmygIlr

— Lulu.com (@Luludotcom) March 28, 2017

**credit/reference:  Bolen, B. (2016).  Does a low FODMAP diet help IBS?  http://bit.ly/2ogk85N