tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-87193265030494975452024-03-13T08:18:16.748-07:00THE HERBAL REMEDY WIFE AND THE SKEPTICAL HUSBANDThis is a blog for people who are curious about nutrition and health, who are considering alternative options, and are searching for unbiased reviews of the effectiveness of products they see on shelves at local health food stores. The products are selected by a professional in the nutritional supplements industry, and reviewed by her skeptical husband.THE HERBAL REMEDY WIFEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07093342822982225977noreply@blogger.comBlogger22125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8719326503049497545.post-1285628864552883972012-07-06T14:12:00.000-07:002012-07-08T10:28:55.183-07:00A VEGAN NO MORE<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ohsuUNexMjo/T_dStFuMQWI/AAAAAAAAAFI/RUZpnf-dkNI/s1600/MADMEN_FULLBODY_crop_crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ohsuUNexMjo/T_dStFuMQWI/AAAAAAAAAFI/RUZpnf-dkNI/s200/MADMEN_FULLBODY_crop_crop.jpg" width="166" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">After 21 days as a vegan (zero
cheating) I celebrated with a nice plate of foie gras, which is now illegal to
sell in California - score one for the vegans.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">So, after my foie gras feast it's safe to say that I am no longer living la vegan loco.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">There were times during my diet
when it was hard being a vegan - like when The Herbal Remedy Wife kept
insisting that we go out to Mexican restaurants where everything is smothered
in cheese and nothing, absolutely nothing, is vegan. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But overall being a vegan
wasn't nearly as difficult as I thought it would be. However, while being a
vegan wasn't tough it did require a lot of effort. I had to constantly think about what I was going to eat each day and I had to plan
accordingly. It's not necessarily a bad thing to give serious thought to your
daily diet, but being vegan forces you to become obsessed with your diet and
I've got other stuff to worry about - like my fantasy football draft.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I understand and appreciate all
the arguments in support of a vegan lifestyle: it's good for the
environment, it's good for your health, it's a proper allocation of food
resources, it saves the lives of animals, etc. I think all of these arguments
have some degree of merit, but what I am personally concerned with the most is
the issue of health. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I embarked on this 21-day
challenge to see if a vegan diet made me feel healthier - and it didn't.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Within a few days of starting
the diet I felt weak, mentally sluggish, and had circulation problems in my
hands. All of these things I attributed to some type of deficiency in
either vitamin B12, protein and/or omega-3 fatty acids. </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I know that all vegans reading
this right now are mounting their best arguments about how healthy a vegan diet
is. Well, save it, because I don't think it's healthy - at least not for me.
You know what I think is healthy - a well balanced diet. And there isn't
anything well balanced about being a vegan. People in Japan have the longest
life expectancy rate and they are not vegan. In fact, the Japanese are the biggest
consumers per capita of fish in the world. </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If I am correct in my assumption
that the vegan diet resulted in nutritional deficiencies for me, that means it
boils down this - am I willing to compromise my personal health for the other social
benefits of veganism? Should I make sacrifices<span class="apple-converted-space"> in my health </span>to save the lives of
animals? Should I make sacrifices in my health for the very, very
minimal (statistically insignificant) benefit to the environment? If I choose
ME then am I selfish? </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Well, I
guess I’m selfish. At the end of the day I am picking ME. I don't feel bad
about it. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">However,
I am going to draw some arbitrary lines in my diet. For example, I am
going to continue to avoid red meat, but I am adding seafood back to my diet,
because I need to get the protein I've been missing. I am also going back
to a bit of dairy - like cream in my coffee, because it taste good and soy
makes me fart. But I am going to try to go with organic dairy as much as
possible. </span></span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">And to all the vegans out there
- I do admire your commitment to what you believe in. You have my proxy to save the planet. But the vegan lifestyle
just isn't for me. The truth is I am just too much of a foodie to be a
vegan. </span></span><span style="color: black; font-size: 18pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>THE SKEPTICAL HUSBANDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05418555745920640792noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8719326503049497545.post-4481890551034505322012-06-10T08:50:00.000-07:002012-06-10T14:48:11.093-07:00IT'S HARD BEING A VEGAN<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_vnZR_CZ0Cc/T9Qseeq4ZEI/AAAAAAAAAE0/-7rwcG685E0/s1600/MADMEN_FULLBODY_crop_crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_vnZR_CZ0Cc/T9Qseeq4ZEI/AAAAAAAAAE0/-7rwcG685E0/s200/MADMEN_FULLBODY_crop_crop.jpg" width="166" /></a></div>
I got 99 problems but pepperoni ain't one. Seriously, it's hard being a vegan, but it's got nothing to do with red meat. It's cheese baby, cheese. And it's not because I crave cheese; it's because the world is covered in cheese.<br />
<br />
In the past two weeks The Herbal Remedy Wife has forced me to go to two really good Mexican restaurants, where I couldn't eat anything. That is just cruel and unusual punishment, because there's nada for a vegan at Casa Del Cheese.<br />
<br />
There is a website called <a href="http://www.veganeatingout.com/">Vegan Eating Out</a>, which is dedicated to informing vegans about what options they have at various chain restaurants in the United States. You just type in the name of the place and website tells you all the things you can eat, which usually isn't very much. And herein lies the big problem with being a vegan: you've got no social life because you can't go out to eat anywhere! You've got to stay in your house like a hermit and eat tofu and tempeh. <br />
<br />
Even if you are a recluse and never leave your house being vegan is still hard, because you have to stay on your toes. I accidentally cheated on my diet when I ate some Italian Sausage-less sausage. I thought it was safe, but only after I had a couple of links did I take a hard look at the ingredients and discovered that it contained egg white powder. It's vegetarian, but it's not vegan. Can you believe it - foiled by egg white powder! I immediately called the vegan police and reported the crime. You know, the vegan police. The people who refuse to sit on a leather couch, and junk like that.<br />
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And if all that wasn't bad enough - here is the big kicker. Last week a hard-core vegan tried to convince me that Guinness, the beer I love, isn't vegan. Whatcha you talkin bout Willis? Beer is barley and hops and stuff. There's no meat in Guinness!!! But he told me they use isinglass in Guinness, so it's not vegan. Isinglass? What the hell is isinglass? Well, I Googled it, and it's the bladder of a fish and it's used - no joke - in the production of some types of beer to remove yeast. If Guinness isn't vegan... well baby, that's a deal breaker!<br />
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I've got one more week to go in this 21-day challenge and my refrigerator is stuffed with vegan options, like a frozen Tofurkey Pepperoni Pizza. It's got meatless pepperoni and non-dairy imitation cheese. Now, that sounds yummy! But seven days from now I'm having a Guinness and goat cheese party.<br />
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<br />THE SKEPTICAL HUSBANDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05418555745920640792noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8719326503049497545.post-77258654395943829232012-06-07T12:15:00.000-07:002012-06-07T12:15:05.414-07:00JUST SAY NO TO SATURATED FAT<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-E1JXsr35ESQ/T81XfQGbbVI/AAAAAAAAAG8/58Lba38vkdg/s1600/polyp_cartoon_Vegan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-E1JXsr35ESQ/T81XfQGbbVI/AAAAAAAAAG8/58Lba38vkdg/s320/polyp_cartoon_Vegan.jpg" width="285" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt;">The Skeptical Husband brings up some interesting points to
ponder. Is he losing weight by avoiding fast food alone or is it the vegan diet
that is causing him to lose weight? Here’s the deal, one pretty much avoids
all saturated fat by eating a vegan diet. That’s big time. So let’s say The
Skeptical Husband eats 3 meals and 2 snacks a day. So 5 times a day for 7 days
straight he has chosen not to consume saturated fat. That’s 35 times he said no
to saturated fat. No wonder he is shedding the pounds. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px;">The other thing is that when you're vegan you say no to the many foods that you are offered throughout your day. You're offered a slice of pizza at a kids party. You ask if it is vegan. Of course the answer is no. This little scenario repeats itself throughout the day and week at potlucks, parties, bake sales, food samples at stores, etc. As a vegan you are forced to say no to most of these calories you never wanted or needed anyway.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px;">Recently we discussed whether a vegan food
truck would do well in our community. Here’s what I’ve concluded, unfortunately the answer is NO. Most Americans have developed an addiction to saturated fats because they
taste good. That’s why there are so few vegan items on most restaurant menus. Just think about how the husband said that the
vegan cheese was acceptable. Most diners don’t want to part with
their money at a restaurant that has acceptable food, they want their food to taste amazing. For most long term vegans health, the planet, and ethical eating are
their top priorities when it comes to food. Fantastic flavor is a bit lower on
the list. Sadly, for the general population this mindset is rare.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt;">Regarding the husband's circulation issue, I am quite surprised! You
would think if a vegan diet causes nutritional deficiencies, the side effects
would not be noticeable for months or even years. I’ve read that stores of
Vitamin B-12 in your body will get you through the first few months of
veganism. Honestly, I think perhaps The Skeptical Husband’s body is undergoing
a bit a shock to the system after regularly consuming animal products for his
entire life. I’d love to hear a nutritionist weigh in on this issue. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt;">I
can say for certain that long term vegans should </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt;">f</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt;">ind out what constitutes proper
vegan nutrition, and then, if necessary, supplement any nutritional deficiencies with<b> </b>plant-based
protein powders, Vitamin B-12, Vitamin D2, vegan DHA capsules, iron, and
calcium. Keep in mind that it is not advisable for pregnant women and babies to consume a vegan
diet. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt;">That being said The Skeptical Husband brought up a
good point the other day. According to Will Tuttle, author of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The World Peace Diet</i>, humans are not meant to eat meat. If we were our teeth and digestive systems would be designed differently.
The husband’s argument is that if humans are designed to only eat plants then vegans would not experience any nutritional deficiencies and would not need to supplement their diets with vitamins to stay healthy. Hummm??? Food for thought. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>THE HERBAL REMEDY WIFEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07093342822982225977noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8719326503049497545.post-35666023390581399782012-06-04T15:01:00.001-07:002012-06-04T15:01:08.894-07:00THE ONE WEEK VEGAN<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I completed my first week as a vegan. I am proud to report that I went hardcore and there was ZERO cheating.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">In just seven days I've lost four pounds. I don't know if that is normal, but it seems like a lot of weight in just one week - especially considering that I am not starving myself. In fact, I am eating a lot, but I'm just eating differently.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">So here is the big question - did I drop four pounds directly or indirectly as the result of the vegan diet? Is my weight loss the result of not eating any animal products or is the weight loss the result of not going to Taco Bell because a 7 Layer Burrito isn't vegan friendly? What I am wondering is this - could I have lost four pounds last week if I continued drinking milk and eating meat at home as long I just simply avoided going to fast food restaurants? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The weight loss has been a nice benefit to the vegan diet, but the diet has not been all positive. I have some tingling in my hands, which I have never experienced before. I am guessing that the tingling is some type of blood circulation problem. I did a bit of internet research and discovered that blood circulation problems are a common side-effect from a vegan diet.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I read that vegans are vulnerable to deficiencies of omega-3 fatty acids, which are commonly found in fish. Your body needs omega-3 fatty acids for brain memory and performance, behavior, vision, reduction of tissue inflammation and heart and nervous system health. A deficiency of omega-3 fatty acids can cause a lot of health problems, including poor blood circulation - which I suspect is what is going on with me. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The Herbal Remedy Wife gave me a vegan omega-3 supplement to take, which tasted like this awful "medicine" my Aunt Versie would cook up in the hills of Kentucky in the 1970s. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">If a vegan diet is so healthy why do I have to take supplements? Seriously, if a vegan diet is so great than shouldn't the diet by itself provide a person with all of their nutritional needs?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Maybe I was a bit naive, but before I started the vegan diet I thought the only potential risk was that it would be low in protein and I'd have to eat a bucketful of nuts each day to make sure I was getting the amount of protein I needed. But it turns out there are a lot of potential health concerns with being a vegan. But if you don't believe me then listen to Lance Armstrong: </span><a href="http://www.livestrong.com/article/370814-what-are-the-dangers-of-vegan-diets/" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large; line-height: 13px; text-align: left;">www.livestrong.com.</a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 13px; text-align: left;"> </span></div>THE SKEPTICAL HUSBANDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05418555745920640792noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8719326503049497545.post-74291344320529159052012-06-01T08:55:00.000-07:002012-06-09T21:23:02.754-07:00VEGAN CHEESE<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Nothing makes my mouth water like the sound of these two little
words… vegan cheese. Hmmm, yum. Just the thought of this dairy substitute stirs me into a
frenzy. I jest of course. Vegan cheese
is totally nasty, or so I thought.</div>
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Last night The Herbal Remedy Wife made me a vegan pizza,
using a vegan mozzarella cheese. I didn’t
have high expectations. It looked like
cheese. It felt like cheese. But would it taste like cheese?</div>
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Now I should preface my review of vegan cheese by saying this - I really like mozzarella cheese. I mean, I really like it. And I am not
talking about just any mozzarella cheese.
I love the real stuff – unpasteurized buffalo mozzarella, made from the
milk from an Italian water buffalo.</div>
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Well, the vegan mozzarella didn’t taste anything like
buffalo mozzarella. Not even close. But it
didn’t taste bad. If I had to describe it
in one word I’d say it was “acceptable.” </div>
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On the vegan diet “acceptable” seems to be the benchmark to strive
for. So I was pretty happy that the mozzarella cheese passed the test. </div>
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Overall the vegan pizza, with mushrooms, olives and
acceptable cheese, was decent. I am
actually looking forward to having it again, but next time I’m going to make it a bit more posh and
add some capers. </div>
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Oh, one caveat – vegan cheese will make you very, very
gassy. The Herbal Remedy Wife is telling me I need to take a digestive enzyme. Right, either I could do that or I could just
eat buffalo mozzarella. </div>THE SKEPTICAL HUSBANDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05418555745920640792noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8719326503049497545.post-26979749611388049832012-05-31T07:28:00.001-07:002012-06-01T10:27:57.224-07:00THE VEGAN CHRONICLES<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I am on day number four of the vegan diet, and I have no major complaints. In fact, so far it has been really easy.<br />
<br />
Before I started the diet I went to the supermarket to take stock of what I could and could not eat. I was disappointed to find out that an Indian lentil dish I really like has cream in it - so it's off the list. But I was happy to discover that Pad Thai noodles are totally vegan.<br />
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My recent supermarket excursion was probably the very first time that I seriously looked at the ingredients on packages of food. I've looked at price. I've looked at calories. But I have never studied the actual ingredients like I did a few days ago. That's really crazy when you think about it. I am almost 40 and I have never given serious thought about exactly what I put in my body. That's insane, but I am guessing that it's probably pretty typical.<br />
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The biggest adjustment in my diet at this point is having to switch to a soy latte at Starbucks, which costs extra unless you have Gold Card. But if you have a Gold Card then there is no extra charge for the soy milk - so at least I've got that going for me.THE SKEPTICAL HUSBANDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05418555745920640792noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8719326503049497545.post-80477656413983295092012-05-28T08:54:00.000-07:002012-06-02T08:57:43.275-07:00TOP TEN TIPS FOR NEW VEGANS<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-H0PVuoumI8A/T8OTTz-MY9I/AAAAAAAAAGQ/ZbhkRxUG-io/s1600/4714369650_f5c8885225_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-H0PVuoumI8A/T8OTTz-MY9I/AAAAAAAAAGQ/ZbhkRxUG-io/s400/4714369650_f5c8885225_z.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Top Ten Tips for My </span></b></span></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Newbie Vegan Husband</span></b></span></span></span></div>
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<span class="apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="apple-style-span"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">1. Cheat a Little.</span></b></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> I know that when you put your mind to
something, you go all out! However, going vegan all at once may not work for
you. You may want to give yourself a cheat day once a week. If you continue to
stay vegan you can space the cheat days farther apart. If you do cheat (not on
me of course!), forgive yourself and don’t throw in the towel over a few poor
choices.</span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span class="apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="apple-style-span"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></b></span></span></span></div>
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<span class="apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="apple-style-span"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">2. Experiment.</span></b></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> If you try a new vegan food every day you’ll
be opening up all sorts of culinary adventures. Have you ever tried tempeh?
Coconut ice cream? Meatless meatballs? Hazelnut milk? Veggie burgers?
Nutritional Yeast? Vegan pesto? You’ll thank me later.</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="apple-style-span"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">3. Educate yourself.</span></b></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> Find out what constitutes proper vegan nutrition
so you won’t simply grab vegan junk food every time hunger strikes. You’ll feel
better and your meals will taste better too. </span></span></span></span><br />
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<span class="apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></b></span></span></div>
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<span class="apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">4. Supplement!</span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> If
you decide to go vegan long term, plant-based protein powders, Vitamin B-12, Vitamin
D2, vegan DHA capsules, iron, and calcium will help ensure that you don’t
experience any nutritional deficiencies during your vegan journey.</span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="apple-style-span"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">5. Play the Game.</span></b></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> Treat this experience like a game that you
want to win! When you are vegan you have to figure out how to take some of your
favorite meals and swap out the animal products for vegan ingredients. When
traveling you have to find the best vegan restaurant in town. When at Taco Bell
you have to tell them what to add and what to subtract from your taco to make it
vegan. When attending a potluck you’ll need to dream up a vegan dish that will
satisfy you and delight others.</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></span><br />
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</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="apple-style-span"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">6. Shop Ahead.</span></b></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> When shopping for vegan foods, fall in love
with the produce and bulk areas at your local health food store. Remember that
fruit and nuts are your new fast food. Make sure you read labels for non-vegan
ingredients. Most products have an allergen statement listed below the
ingredients that will let you know if the product contains milk or eggs.
Sometimes the allergens are bolded in the ingredients list. Also, look for
whey, casein, rennet, gelatin</span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> <span class="apple-style-span">and carmine in ingredients lists. These items are NOT
vegan.</span></span></span></span><br />
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Accidentally Vegan Items.</span></b></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">
Believe it or not some items that you already regularly consume are vegan! Peta
has a list of accidently vegan items here: </span></span><a href="http://www.peta.org/living/vegetarian-living/accidentally-vegan.aspx"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">http://www.peta.org/living/vegetarian-living/accidentally-vegan.aspx</span></a></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="apple-style-span"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">8. Remember
Why You’re Taking on this Challenge. </span></b></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Re-read the passages of <i>The World Peace
Diet </i>that inspired you the most to make this change. Watch Mercy For
Animals’ </span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Farm to Fridge</span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">
video and other vegan inspired videos on YouTube. Watch <i>Forks Over Knives.</i></span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><i> </i>Read
<i>The Complete Idiot's Guide to Vegan Living</i>.</span></span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-weight: bold; line-height: 115%;">9. Research and Connect. </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Join Vegan online groups like </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;"><a href="http://www.vegweb.com/"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">www.vegweb.com</span></a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">, buy a vegan cookbook like</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> <i>Vegan
Cooking for Carnivores: Over 125 Recipes So Tasty You Won't Miss the Meat</i>, <span class="apple-style-span">and find vegetarian and vegan restaurants in your area
through </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;"><a href="http://www.happycow.net/"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">http://www.happycow.net/</span></a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">.</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span class="apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></b></span></span></div>
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<span class="apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">10. Celebrate
Your Progress!</span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">In
three weeks time, step back and reflect on the progress you’ve made. Think
about what new fruits and veggies you’ve added to your diet, consider the new
vegan foods and recipes that you have discovered that you love, and acknowledge
any new connections you’ve made as a result of going vegan. Perhaps you’ve even
lost some weight and feel more energized. Celebrate the little victories you’ve
made and reward yourself accordingly.</span></span></span></span></span></div>THE HERBAL REMEDY WIFEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07093342822982225977noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8719326503049497545.post-62342678969876901962012-05-22T12:09:00.000-07:002012-05-23T14:06:02.304-07:00The World Peace Diet - A Non-Hippie Review<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZFA4VYJXC-w/T7viGYXEqPI/AAAAAAAAAD8/Hfxwjm2Ee2A/s1600/MADMEN_FULLBODY_crop_crop.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZFA4VYJXC-w/T7viGYXEqPI/AAAAAAAAAD8/Hfxwjm2Ee2A/s200/MADMEN_FULLBODY_crop_crop.jpeg" width="166" /></a></div>
Most hippie books are written by hippies, for hippies, and then later quoted by other hippies in support of their hippie agenda. So I think it is important to say from the start that I am not a hippie and I didn't read The World Peace Diet with hippie eyes. I like beer, football and red meat; I even voted against the 2008 California ballot initiative that allowed chickens to get out of their cages and walk around for an hour a day. So it's safe to say that my take on this book is from an anti-vegetarian prospective.<br />
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Most people eat hamburgers and drink milk and try not to think about how the meat gets on their plate or how the milk gets in their glass. But this book forces you to confront a lot of the issues that the majority of people intentionally or unintentionally avoid.<br />
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Why do you eat meat? Is eating meat good for your health? What impact does eating meat have on the environment? Do the animals we consume suffer - and if so, how much? All of these issues are addressed in the book.<br />
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These are difficult questions to examine. Most people probably know that they are not going to like the ultimate answers to these questions, so they avoid dealing with them. I am no different, I guess, which is why the book sat on my shelf for over a year. I knew that when I confronted these questions I was going to have a lot of thinking to do. And I was right.<br />
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So why am I a meat eater? Honestly, I never really thought about it very deeply. Do I eat meat simply because it tastes good? Do I eat meat because humans are designed to eat meat? Do I eat meat because by evolutionary luck humans have found ourselves on top of the food chain? Do I eat meat because I've made the choice that it is essential for good health?<br />
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Tuttle claims in his book that I have been socially programed to eat meat. And I think there is some validity to that argument. My parents exposed me to meat (I ate a lot of hot dogs as a kid). Their parents exposed them to meat, and their parents before them, and their parents before them. That alone doesn't necessarily make eating meat wrong, it just helps explain why I - and maybe you - eat meat.<br />
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I must confess, the idea that we are socially programed to eat meat really fascinates me and it got me thinking about all the other things in life that people have been socially programed to do and think - religion is one thing that springs to mind. This probably isn't the intended message of the book - but it is the concept that personally struck the biggest chord with me. But I digress... Back to the book.<br />
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Tuttle makes some valid points on many other fronts, as well. He argues that it is morally wrong to consume animals, it is unhealthy to eat animals, and it is bad for the environment to eat animals, just to name a few. Several times he goes off the rails and gets a little too hippie on me. For example -- this isn't in the book but instead took place after the lecture I saw him give -- he offered to compose, for a small fee, a piece of music for me based on the connection he felt from my aura. Now, the dude can really play the piano - but no thanks.<br />
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I do have to confess, he makes some strong arguments to support his position that we should stop eating meat, fish and dairy, and that instead people should switch to plant based diet. Now, coming from a fervent anti-vegetarian this is hard to digest (pun intended).<br />
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For example, the book highlights the pain and suffering the animals we consume are forced to endure, which is 100 times harsher than I ever imagined. I am not sure why, but the suffering of the average dairy cow is something I learned about in the book and it greatly troubles me.<br />
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Before I read the book, when I had a glass of milk, which I love to drink, I didn't give much thought to how that milk went from the cow to my refrigerator, and I definitely didn't give much thought to the quality of life of the cow that produced the milk. "Happy cows live in California,"like the TV commercial says. Right? Wrong!<br />
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If I considered cows at all, I had a vision of an old farmer getting up early in the morning, going out to the barn, milking his cow by hand, the milk going into an old bucket, and then somehow that milk got magically transported to me. But that's not how it happens.<br />
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Deep down inside I probably knew that there aren't happy cows in California, or anywhere else for that matter. I knew that there was no old farmer milking the cows by hand, but I just blocked it out of my mind like most people do, and I just enjoyed my glass of cold milk. The World Peace Diet forced me to honestly confront the process of how the milk I love gets to me, and the tremendous suffering endured by dairy cows in order for me to drink my milk.<br />
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I am not going to go in to detail about the animal suffering or environment impact. You'll have to read the book for yourself - if you are ready. But I truly think that everyone - especially meat eaters should read this book and educate yourself about the food you eat and the food you feed your kids. At the end of the day if you still choose to eat meat that's your choice - but at least it will be an educated choice. <br />
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So, now that I've read the book and a lot of these issues are at the front of my mind - what am I going to do about it? Well, I am going to go vegan for 21 days, starting on May 28th. Right after I watch the Indy 500 and eat a fridge full of pork sausage.<br />
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I'll keep you posted on both my progress and struggles - I anticipate a lot of struggles. At this point, it's just an experiment and not a permanent life altering choice. It's possible that being a vegan is just too hard, but I'll give it a try - because deep down inside I know it's the right thing to do for many reasons - all illustrated in The World Peace Diet. But remember, even if I go vegan I am still not a hippie!<br />
<br />THE SKEPTICAL HUSBANDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05418555745920640792noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8719326503049497545.post-54713523730995660042012-05-11T07:51:00.000-07:002012-05-11T11:48:17.227-07:00The Herbal Remedy Wife’s Thoughts on Veganism<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">First of all, what is
a vegan diet? In a nutshell it’s a plant-based diet that includes no beef, no
chicken, no pork, no seafood, no dairy, and definitely not these lovely chicks that were hatched from a carton of eggs using an incubator. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Let
me start by saying that I am not a vegan - at least not a pure vegan. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">I did attempt to be a hard core vegan for several months, but it is really challenging to swim against mainstream society - and it's even harder to find tasty vegan cookies. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Now I would describe myself as more an aspiring vegan, or
an every other Wednesday kind of vegan. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">During my exploration with veganism I've discovered that it is probably the best diet for your
health, your conscious, and it is the best thing for our planet; knowing this makes me feel great - even if I'm only 97% vegan. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Honestly, The
Skeptical Husband and I had never considered why we eat an animal-based diet, and we never considered how it might affect our health and the health of the planet. Then we made
the brilliant mistake of attending a lecture by Will Tuttle, author of The
World Peace Diet, and we were forced to think about these things. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Standing before us was a lean, articulate man who looked half
his age talking about his journey to veganism. He spoke of how people are socially programmed to eat meat from birth. He talked about the health consequences of
a meat-based diet (diabetes and heart disease to name a few). He shared how thousands of gallons of water
are used to raise one pound of meat and how animals are tortured and enslaved
during their short lives in order to feed our meat hungry culture. He promised
his book would lay out even more arguments against eating the standard American
diet. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Following the lecture
The Skeptical Husband surprisingly lined up to buy an autographed copy of the
book. I looked at him and said, “You know what’s gonna happen if I read that,”
and sure enough less than a week later I was a vegan. As the holidays drew near
my resolve weakened and the Skeptical Husband was happy that I was willing to compromise and eat a pescatarian diet (a seafood consuming vegetarian). To be honest, showing
up to family dinner to find that there was nothing for me to eat but lettuce
leaves was starting to wear on me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">I think everyone
should explore veganism and the ideas behind it at some point during their
lifetime. And the sooner the better! There are a number of great books and
movies to educate and motivate you and I’ll let them do the convincing. So if
you’re ready, I highly recommend the following:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">The World Peace Diet
by Will M. Tuttle<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> * The Skeptical Husband is reading this now and will post his review in a few days.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Forks Over
Knives </span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Starring T. Colin Campbell, Caldwell B. Esselstyn
Jr</span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">The Engine 2 Diet by
Rip Esselstyn<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">The China Study by
Thomas M. Campbell II<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">The Kind Life
website: </span><a href="http://www.thekindlife.com/"><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: Georgia, serif;">http://www.thekindlife.com</span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">PETA: </span><a href="http://www.peta.org/living/vegetarian-living/free-vegetarian-starter-kit.aspx"><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: Georgia, serif;">http://www.peta.org/living/vegetarian-living/free-vegetarian-starter-kit.aspx</span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>THE HERBAL REMEDY WIFEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07093342822982225977noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8719326503049497545.post-17089019623422020902012-04-21T09:39:00.000-07:002012-04-22T19:42:27.048-07:00NATURAL WEIGHT LOSS SUPPLEMENTS RESULTS<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fezFczaBHC0/T45GLYeVzoI/AAAAAAAAAFo/hP9W60qa6sU/s1600/MADMEN_FULLBODY_crop_crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fezFczaBHC0/T45GLYeVzoI/AAAAAAAAAFo/hP9W60qa6sU/s200/MADMEN_FULLBODY_crop_crop.jpg" width="166" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Well, after three weeks of taking natural weight loss supplements I didn't drop any weight. I can't say I am shocked by the results, because I ate the same food and I worked out the same amount of time, as well. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">You can swallow as much kidney bean extract as you want, but if you don't change your diet and your exercise routine, I don't think you are going to lose any weight. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Maybe that was the problem - maybe I didn't slim down because I never believed the natural weight loss supplements would work. You see, there was no placebo effect.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Placebo effect? </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There was a recent of episode of the CBS news program 60 Minutes, which highlighted a Harvard study that claimed that antidepressants worked on people <i>only</i> (emphasis added) because the patients believed they would work, and not because of the ingredients contained within the drug.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Here is the link if you want to watch the 60 Minutes story:<a href="http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=7399362n">http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=7399362n</a></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If the theory behind the Harvard study is correct, maybe natural remedies work for some people simply because they believe they'll work. And perhaps the natural weight loss supplements didn't work for me because I didn't believe they would work. Who knows? </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I do know this - I am sure that the Herbal Remedy Wife has another challenge waiting for me. What could it be?</span><br />
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">First of all let me say that I don’t think The Skeptical
Husband used the prescribed diet product as directed. The label states that you
need to take a capsule before every meal. I noticed the husband doing this
about every fifth meal or so. So there was big time “user error” involved in
this experiment. However, it’s no secret that good ole diet and exercise is
truly the best way to shed some pounds. I think eating right and counting
calories is a fantastic way to lose weight. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When it comes to optimal health, diet and lifestyle
choices are hugely important. Many people have the attitude that a medicine or
remedy will do all the hard work for them or don’t always see the connections
of how their poor diet and lifestyle choices are contributing to their health
problems. One small example: I see many people looking for a magic pill for
heartburn and acid reflux. While there are some supplements that will provide
temporary relief for this problem, a better solution would be to eat smaller
meals, not eat late at night, and to consume foods that are less acid forming<span class="apple-style-span">. The most acid forming
substances often found in the typical American diet include meat, eggs, dairy,
white flour, sugar, caffeine, alcohol, soft drinks, prescription drugs, and
chemical sweeteners</span><span class="apple-converted-space">.</span> <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So is heartburn the only bad side effect of a highly <span class="apple-style-span">acidic diet? You wish! An acid
forming diet can decrease the body's ability to absorb minerals and nutrients,
decrease energy production in the cells, decrease the body’s ability to repair
damaged cells, and can make the body more susceptible to fatigue and illness.
So think about it, if you feel like crap there’s a good chance it may be
because of crap you’re consuming. Does this mean one should cut out all acid
forming foods? Not necessarily, just make sure that the majority of your diet
is not made up of the worst offenders. Just some food for thought. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span class="apple-style-span"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Speaking of
food, the next challenge for the Skeptical Husband is to read <i>The World Peace Diet</i> by Will Tuttle. The
book details why Tuttle became a vegan. Look for his review soon.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>THE HERBAL REMEDY WIFEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07093342822982225977noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8719326503049497545.post-20833805159758235342012-03-27T19:14:00.001-07:002012-03-27T19:14:22.252-07:00NATURAL SUPPLEMENTS FOR WEIGHT LOSS<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;">There certainly are a lot choices when it comes to herbal weight loss supplements. In fact, there are so
many options to choose from it can be overwhelming.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;">You’ve got protein powders, fiber blends and green tea, just to name a
few.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Protein powders
replace some carbohydrates with protein, which gives your metabolism a boost
and curbs cravings. A top selling plant-based protein powder at my store is
Vega by Sequel.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">If you’ve watched Dr.
Oz recently, you may have seen him promote PGX, a fiber blend that has proven
in studies to control appetite and keep blood sugar stable. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">One of my personal favorites is green tea. That’s
right, good old green tea. Almost every natural weight loss formula lists green
tea as one of the ingredients.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Green tea
contains epigallacatechin gallate (The compound known as EGCG), which helps the
body burn fat. A study in Switzerland found drinking the equivalent of 2-3 cups
of green tea daily caused the participants to burn 80 extra calories each day,
without increasing their heart rates. Weight loss is just one of many of green
tea’s benefits so if you consume caffeine, switching to green tea would be a
fantastic choice for improving your health.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Another option is the
homeopathic form of Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG), which is known for
causing rapid weight loss without hunger. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">You may also consider
natural weight loss formulas that include ingredients like African mango,
tyrosine, l-gluamine, 5-HTP, and B vitamins.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">So, what am I giving the Skeptical Husband?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well, we’re
going to see if LifeSeason’s Metabolism Weight Control supplement has any
effect on him. It comes in capsule form, which he has to take with each meal.
The ingredients in the supplement include:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> k</span>idney bean extract (a natural carbohydrate blocker), cocoa bean extract
(an antioxidant), glucomannan</span><span class="Heading3Char"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"> (</span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">a soluble fiber that makes the body feel full)</span></span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">, chromium (a
nutrient that </span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">reduces sugar and carbohydrate
cravings)</span></span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">,
and theobromine (</span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">a bitter</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> </span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">alkaloid</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> </span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">of the</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> </span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">cacao plant</span></span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">
that has a diuretic effect). This formula </span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">will help manage his appetite and
support his body’s ability to burn fat. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Just so we’ll know
whether it’s truly working, The Skeptical Husband has been enjoying the same
foods he loves (which sadly includes a few runs to Taco Bell) and he’ll continue
his usual exercise routine. He’s agreed to do a weigh-in at the beginning and
again at the end and will let us know if there has been any difference. We’ve
got a three-week supply (retail price $35). He actually started taking the supplement two weeks ago, so he has almost finished and he'll have a full report soon!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>THE HERBAL REMEDY WIFEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07093342822982225977noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8719326503049497545.post-51009302806863534562012-03-13T20:40:00.000-07:002012-03-14T07:20:40.148-07:00The Skeptical Husband's 21-Day Meditation Review<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;">As far as challenges from The Herbal Remedy Wife go, this
one was a piece of cake. I didn’t get injected with anything. I didn’t have to
eat anything nasty.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;">I didn’t have to
drink any mysterious concoction.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;">For
three weeks I just had to put on my headphones and listen to my iPad for a 15-minute mediation each day.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt;">Most of the meditations followed the same basic format: a
short introduction, a couple of minutes of talking and ten minutes of calming
music. Each meditation had a different topic, a few even offered some
thoughtful nuggets of information to ponder, and a couple went off the metaphysical
rails a bit. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt;">For instance, during one meditation I was told to think
about a part of my body that had pain. That’s easy - I have plantar fasciitis
and my heel friggin hurts like a </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px;">gunshot wound</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px;">. Then the meditation guide told me to breathe
into that part of my body. What? How in
the hell am I suppose to breathe into my heel? That’s crazy talk! And then there was the laughing
meditation. That’s right, 15 minutes of random
people laughing, which was equal parts odd and annoying.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt;">I didn’t really mind the more typical mediations, like the
one where you had to repeat the same two-word mantra over and over for 15
minutes, but my throat got a bit parched after that one. I probably fell asleep
during half of the mediations, an unexpected bonus, so I can’t say exactly what
happened at the end. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt;">Overall, the meditations were very calming. Now, I’m not
running off anytime soon to hug that Amma lady (Google her if you don’t know what I’m
talking about), but on a stressful day if I had 15 minutes to spare I’d consider
listening to a mediation to help me relax. Luckily for me, they are all available for
purchase: a</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px;"> perfect symbiosis of capitalism and Eastern Philosophy.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>THE HERBAL REMEDY WIFEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07093342822982225977noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8719326503049497545.post-13645374693237205702012-03-04T20:09:00.000-08:002012-03-07T14:41:51.855-08:00THE GREAT DEODORANT DEBATE<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">The husband and I had
a very intense conversation about deodorant last night. I asked him if he will
try a natural alternative to the Gillette deodorant that he has been using for years.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">He responded emphatically, “Hell, no!”</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The Skeptical Husband’s
firm reluctance to natural products isn’t uncommon, and I think I know why.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">There
is a big misconception that natural products won’t be as effective as their
conventional counterparts. I’m not sure
where that comes from, but this is big reason people shy away from natural
products. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I understand that people
can be very attached to their favorite body care products. I’ve even seen people
on Pinterest who posted boards titled “This is Me,” and they have photos of
their favorite shampoo. Wow, they must
really love their shampoo. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">But I truly believe
that a lot of natural products are just as good as their more toxic
alternatives. And I really do mean more
toxic. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Are there poisons in
your products? Yep, there is a good chance there are – especially if you live
in America. The European Union has banned 1,136 ingredients from body care
products because they have been deemed unsafe. Check out this website for a complete list: <a href="http://ec.europa.eu/consumers/cosmetics/cosing/%20results.">EU banned list</a></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">In the U.S. the FDA has banned eight. That’s right, eight! See the <a href="http://www.fda.gov/Cosmetics/ProductandIngredientSafety/SelectedCosmeticIngredients/ucm127406.htmSo">FDA banned list</a>. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">So Americans are
exposed to 1,128 ingredients that are forbidden in Europe. If possible, I’d
like to try to avoid those 1,128 ingredients. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I’ve read that the skin absorbs 60% of skin care products, and there is</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 18px;"> concern that a significant amount of
cosmetic ingredients, including carcinogenic substances, penetrate the skin and end up in the blood stream and slowly poison the body through repeated use.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">One thing I am
really concerned with in particular is aluminum chlorohydrate, an active ingredient conventional antiperspirants
and deodorants. This is why I pressed The Skeptical Husband to try a natural
alternative. </span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Proponents of natural products believe that there is a
connection between antiperspirants, underarm shaving and cancer. I also do not
like antiperspirants because they interfere with the body’s ability to cleanse
itself of toxins, and many people believe there could be a connection between
aluminum in deodorants and Alzheimer’s. </span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">For those considering a switch to a natural deodorant, my favorite
brands for cleanliness and scent are Aubrey and Weleda. But don’t just take my
word for it.
Check out this super informative website by the <a href="http://www.ewg.org/skindeep/">Environmental Working Group</a> to
get recommendations and ratings for the safety of hundreds of personal care
products.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> They even have a
wallet guide with ingredients to avoid that you can take with you next time you
shop for personal care products. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uXJ1oo_Ubxg/T1K_No4UCTI/AAAAAAAAAFA/O4UIMl5Ffxc/s1600/MADMEN_FULLBODY_crop_crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uXJ1oo_Ubxg/T1K_No4UCTI/AAAAAAAAAFA/O4UIMl5Ffxc/s200/MADMEN_FULLBODY_crop_crop.jpg" width="166" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The Skeptical Husband
says…</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">First, show me the study that shows there is a direct link between cancer and/or Alzheimer's and deodorant. </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">And second, </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I’m not trying a natural deodorant. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I'm just not doing it! </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">There is nothing "natural" about natural deodorant. What is natural is the fact that people have body odor. It is unnatural to try to cover up this odor. But I'm good with that.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I am
sure the people who share a tiny office space with me appreciate my firm position on this issue. Listen, I’ve
been to enough Grateful Dead concerts to know that natural deodorants don’t
work. So I am not doing it. </span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I’d be willing to try
natural shampoo, shaving cream moisturizer, etc., but not deodorant. I am a smelly guy. I accept this. Without my Gillette Cool Wave Antiperspirant I’d smell really bad. Maybe I’m ingesting
toxins – but hey, I’m willing to take one </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">for the team on this one.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">O</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 13.5pt;">kay, deal. After you're done with the 21-day mediation challenge, I'll have a list of natural body care products for you to try, with the exception of deodorant. Oh, and how is the meditation going? </span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">It's going great. I'm about halfway done. I'll have my review ready in about 10 days. I'm becoming real familiar with some guy named David G., who is very mellow. He reminds me a lot of the Tim Robbins character in the movie High Fidelity, the guy who Jack Black and John Cusack give a good beat down. </span></div>
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<br /></div>THE HERBAL REMEDY WIFEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07093342822982225977noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8719326503049497545.post-29350245363789347532012-02-19T09:55:00.000-08:002012-02-19T09:56:30.564-08:00IT’S TIME FOR SOME MEDITATION<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zOa2tvDPwWo/T0ExmdZDcdI/AAAAAAAAAEs/YNlytEwVlsM/s1600/meditation-sunset.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="202" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zOa2tvDPwWo/T0ExmdZDcdI/AAAAAAAAAEs/YNlytEwVlsM/s320/meditation-sunset.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt;">When I first attempted meditation
I tried the “expert” version, where you sit in lotus position and repeat a
mantra over and over. This was just too much for my lower back and my brain to
handle. My mind would constantly bounce from thought to thought and I couldn’t
stay focused.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt;">So I switched from the “expert”
version of meditation to simply listening to guided meditations. Basically, I
just lay down on my bed and listen to a calming spoken-word CD, which really
helps me focus and relax. Yes, occasionally I fall asleep, which I have no
problem with because I’m usually in need of a good nap. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt;">I know that some people may view
this as a very novice version of meditation, but it really works for me. Since
meditating daily for the past year I have found that I worry less, don’t get as
bent out of shape when things go wrong, and get fewer migraine headaches.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt;">I’m not the only one who thinks
mediation is good for you. </span><span style="border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-left-color: windowtext; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 1pt; border-right-color: windowtext; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 1pt; border-top-color: windowtext; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 1pt; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 0in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;">Studies
show that the practice of meditation:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-left-color: windowtext; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 1pt; border-right-color: windowtext; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 1pt; border-top-color: windowtext; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 1pt; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 0in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-left-color: windowtext; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 1pt; border-right-color: windowtext; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 1pt; border-top-color: windowtext; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 1pt; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 0in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;">Increases blood flow<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-left-color: windowtext; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 1pt; border-right-color: windowtext; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 1pt; border-top-color: windowtext; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 1pt; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 0in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-left-color: windowtext; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 1pt; border-right-color: windowtext; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 1pt; border-top-color: windowtext; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 1pt; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 0in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;">Leads to a deep level of relaxation<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-left-color: windowtext; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 1pt; border-right-color: windowtext; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 1pt; border-top-color: windowtext; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 1pt; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 0in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-left-color: windowtext; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 1pt; border-right-color: windowtext; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 1pt; border-top-color: windowtext; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 1pt; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 0in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;">Reduces anxiety attacks and emotional stress<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-left-color: windowtext; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 1pt; border-right-color: windowtext; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 1pt; border-top-color: windowtext; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 1pt; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 0in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-left-color: windowtext; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 1pt; border-right-color: windowtext; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 1pt; border-top-color: windowtext; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 1pt; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 0in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;">Decreases muscle tension (including tension headaches)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="background: white; line-height: 13.5pt; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-left-color: windowtext; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 1pt; border-right-color: windowtext; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 1pt; border-top-color: windowtext; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 1pt; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 0in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-left-color: windowtext; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 1pt; border-right-color: windowtext; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 1pt; border-top-color: windowtext; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 1pt; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 0in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;">Can have a positive effect on digestion, blood pressure, and heart
disease<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="background: white; line-height: 13.5pt; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-left-color: windowtext; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 1pt; border-right-color: windowtext; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 1pt; border-top-color: windowtext; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 1pt; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 0in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-left-color: windowtext; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 1pt; border-right-color: windowtext; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 1pt; border-top-color: windowtext; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 1pt; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 0in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;">Can boost the immune system<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoNormalTable" style="mso-cellspacing: 0in; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184; width: 100.0%;">
<tbody>
<tr style="mso-yfti-firstrow: yes; mso-yfti-irow: 0; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes;">
<td style="padding: 0in 0in 0in 0in; width: 100.0%;" width="100%"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt;">So
what’s in store for The Skeptical Husband? You guessed right, he’s going to
participate in the Chopra Center’s 21-Day Meditation Challenge which starts
on February 20<sup>th</sup>. The beautiful part is that he can listen to the
daily guided mediations at home, work, or during his train commute. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt;">Check back</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt;"> in 21 days when he’ll report on the results of
this enlightening experience. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 13.5pt; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt;">
<span style="border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-left-color: windowtext; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 1pt; border-right-color: windowtext; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 1pt; border-top-color: windowtext; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 1pt; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 0in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;">I really love this meditation challenge. I’ve participated
several times and have found it to be one of the best gifts I receive each
year.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 13.5pt; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt;">
<span style="border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-left-color: windowtext; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 1pt; border-right-color: windowtext; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 1pt; border-top-color: windowtext; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 1pt; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 0in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;">If you are interested, you can do the challenge with him. All of
the mediations are guided, you just need to find a</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt;"> quiet spot and listen. And the best part is that’s free. </span><span style="border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-left-color: windowtext; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 1pt; border-right-color: windowtext; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 1pt; border-top-color: windowtext; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 1pt; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 0in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;">Yep, you heard me FREE! To get started you simply need to register
online at </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://www.chopracentermeditation.com/bestsellers/MEDITATION_WINTER_2012/register.asp">www.chopracentermeditation.com/bestsellers/MEDITATION_WINTER_2012/register.asp</a></span>.<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt;">Good
luck Skeptical Husband!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>THE HERBAL REMEDY WIFEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07093342822982225977noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8719326503049497545.post-80044981271277140102012-02-18T12:16:00.000-08:002012-02-19T20:54:47.085-08:00A REVIEW OF NATUROPATHIC DOCTORS<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qAJWAwAUuwA/Tz9K0xA8ZVI/AAAAAAAAABI/6J_zPdpQVPI/s1600/MADMEN_FULLBODY_crop_crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; float: left; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qAJWAwAUuwA/Tz9K0xA8ZVI/AAAAAAAAABI/6J_zPdpQVPI/s200/MADMEN_FULLBODY_crop_crop.jpg" width="166" /></a><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">A week ago I'd never heard of a naturopath.
When The Herbal Remedy Wife informed me that I'd be attending a presentation by
two naturopathic doctors I wasn't sure exactly what I was in for, but I thought
I'd give it a go.</span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">First, a brief aside. If you are a single man
who is looking to meet some ladies, a prime location is your local naturopathic
clinic. The presentation I attended was packed with a bunch of 35-year-old chicks. Be
aware, these women were all drinking the natural remedy Kool Aid, so you’re going
to have to pretend really dig vitamins and act like you enjoy chia
seed smoothies. But if you are willing to do that, trust me, I think you'll do alright.</span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><u1:p></u1:p>
</span><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Now, back to the business at hand:
naturopaths. Well, right out of the gate I had a big problem. I cringed every
time the naturopaths called themselves doctors and/or physicians. This might
just be my pet peeve, but I'm really bothered by the overuse of the word doctor
by people who in my opinion shouldn't call themselves doctors, and only do so
as cheap way to try to gain credibility. The naturopaths who spoke at my
presentation even took it one step further - they said things like "just
like medical doctors we can order labs and prescribe medication."
Now, this isn't a blatant lie, but it is a gross and misleading
exaggeration. The majority of states in the USA do not recognize
naturopaths as doctors, and in the minority of states where they are recognized
they have a very limited ability to prescribe medication. So the bottom line for me is
this - don't call yourself a doctor unless you can write me a prescription for
Vicodin. And if you can't do that, then just call yourself an herbalist or something. Listen,
there isn't anything wrong with being an herbalist, and I'll concede that there is the possibility that an herbalist might be able help someone. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But you're not fooling me by comparing yourself to a doctor or calling yourself a doctor. </span></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><u1:p></u1:p>
</span><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">When the herbalists weren't trying to convince
me that they were as qualified as medical doctors, they spent 90 minutes giving me their sales spiel about
how they evaluate and treat individuals. Interestingly, they never used the
word treatment. I am not sure if they legally can use the word treatment.
I am assuming they are prohibited from saying treatment, probably because there aren't scientific
studies to support the claimed benefits for their recommended course of action, but I'm
just guessing. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><u1:p></u1:p>
</span><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The herbalists discussed the extensive battery
of tests that their clients undergo. Blood, urine, stool, saliva, it all
gets tested and evaluated. Then the herbalists give a personalized
recommendation based on their analysis. For example, a person might claim
they suffer from fatigue and their lab tests might show that they aren't
producing the normal amount of a particular hormone. The herbalists would then
recommend the person take a certain type of herb, which contains a lot of a specific vitamin, in the attempt to increase
the production of that hormone, and hopefully the person will no longer suffer from fatigue. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">That all sounds good. I'm not aware if any of this is supported by any science, but it sounds goods. </span></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><u1:p></u1:p>
</span><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">At first, I was impressed by the thoroughness
of all the baseline testing. But then I considered it more, and the skeptic
in me thought that somebody must be making a lot of money off all of these tests. And speaking of money, none of this is covered by insurance and it isn't
cheap. One of the herbalists did say that some (I am guessing very few) PPOs
would cover some (I again am thinking almost none) of the lab work, but she
didn't provide any specifics. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I'll say this, I guess it can't hurt to have a complete evaluation of your b</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">lood, urine, stool and saliva. Assuming of course that you have the means and the ability to pay for this, I suppose there is no harm. And who knows, maybe the test will reveal a major issue that needs to be addressed. </span></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><u1:p></u1:p>
</span><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The herbalists did have a sample client
history for me to look at, and I thought this was very informative for the purpose of my review. The client history contained a lot of
lab work, a list of perceived deficiencies, and a recommended course of action
they referred to as "replenishing." The replenishing in this case
consisted of simply having this person lower their sugar consumption and
increasing their consumption of about six or seven vitamins and minerals, all
of which can be found in a multi-vitamin tablet. So, in the sample case I
reviewed the person probably paid several hundred dollars for lab work and the
end result was a recommendation to take a multi-vitamin. You'll have to decide for yourself if you think that's a good investment of your money.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">There were a couple of curious omissions from
the sample client history I reviewed. First, there wasn't any follow up
lab work to show that the recommended course of action corrected the
deficiencies the herbalists claimed to have identified. Nor was there a
testimonial from the person saying that they felt better after the
"replenishing" process. This might just be bad marketing by the
herbalists. But you'd think if they had proof that they actually cured
ailments they would want to provide it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><u1:p></u1:p>
</span><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The presentation ended when the herbalists offered to sell injections of a vitamin shot, which was a cocktail primarily of
vitamin B12. I've never really injected anything, but if Tommy Lee can
inject Jack Daniels in his veins (I heard him admit to this on VH1 Behind the
Music) then I could take a B12 cocktail shot. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">A lot of the ladies in the room eagerly lined up
for the B12 shot and forked out $30. However, there was this one fellow who said he wanted to
"muscle test" his shot first. The Herbal Remedy Wife had to explain
this to me. Apparently, "muscle testing" is when a person holds
an herbal remedy in one hand, and extends their other arm in the air. Then another person
presses down on the arm. If the person can resist the pressure then his body is
sending a signal that he needs the item. WTF? WTF? WTF? You have to
be kidding me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I did not "muscle test" the B12
shot. But I do plan to d</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">o a future blog entry on muscle testing, where I go the liquor store and hold up bottles of Glenfiddich Scotch to see if my body needs it. I'm guessing that it will. </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OEBbwqESrDk/T0AwvmW0WlI/AAAAAAAAAEc/bUB5KzhLL2Q/s1600/19516_crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="236" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OEBbwqESrDk/T0AwvmW0WlI/AAAAAAAAAEc/bUB5KzhLL2Q/s320/19516_crop.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Anyway, I just took the shot like a man and didn't ask any questions. Now, I don't know much
about the claimed benefits of this B12 cocktail, but let’s just say it had a
Viagra-like effect on me. The Herbal Remedy Wife is forbidding me from elaborating on the specifics because The Herbal Remedy Grandma reads this blog. But the B12 shot is perhaps another reason for the men to start
hanging out around the naturopathic clinic. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">So in summary, I was a little surprised and
slightly impressed by the amount of lab work and personal analysis the
herbalists claimed to do for their clients. I was not impressed by the lack
of data to show their treatment program (AKA replenishing) cured any ailments.
I was troubled by the fact the herbalists attempted to masquerade themselves as
being equally qualified as medical doctors. And lastly, baby I sure liked that B12
shot. I might have to get another one of those. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><u1:p></u1:p>
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XidtFBuLHoI/T0EuicAoVMI/AAAAAAAAAEk/vXTG3-OEaco/s1600/madmen_icon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XidtFBuLHoI/T0EuicAoVMI/AAAAAAAAAEk/vXTG3-OEaco/s1600/madmen_icon.jpg" /></a><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; mso-line-height-alt: 13.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 24pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">The Herbal Remedy Wife’s Thoughts on the
Naturopathic Doctors<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 13.5pt; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-size: large;">Well just because Skeptical Husband wasn’t
impressed with the naturopathic doctors, doesn’t mean I wasn’t. But I do agree
with him on one point: I would have loved to have heard a testimonial or two from one of
the many women in the room who are clearly big fans of the services the doctors
provide. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 13.5pt; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-size: large;">The doctors at the presentation talked about
their typical patient: a female, age 35-50, with low energy, fatigue,
unexplained pains, and low libido. They mentioned that these women often go to
their primary care physician who spends less than 7 minutes with them, runs a
few labs, tells them everything is fine, and usually ends up throwing a prescription
of Xanax at them. It’s clear that there a lot of women, for one reason or
another, who just aren’t having their needs properly addressed by Western
medicine.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-size: large;">I like that the naturopaths conduct comprehensive
testing and create a personalized plan for each patient, which often includes
customized injections of vitamins. While at the workshop I ran into an acquaintance
that suffers from several autoimmune diseases and recently started seeing these
two naturopaths. I am really hopeful that in coming month I will be able to
report that the doctors were able to help her body heal itself. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</div>THE SKEPTICAL HUSBANDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05418555745920640792noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8719326503049497545.post-30974766888953989322012-02-10T12:32:00.000-08:002012-02-10T12:37:46.318-08:00FINAL THOUGHTS ON THE HARD CORE CLEANSE<div aria-label="Message body" class="msg-body inner undoreset" id="yui_3_2_0_1_1328842566493128" role="main" style="margin-bottom: 22px; margin-left: 29px; margin-right: 24px; margin-top: 25px; overflow-x: auto; overflow-y: hidden; word-wrap: break-word;">
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><span class="yiv1349671191apple-style-span">SO </span>WHAT’S UP WITH THE WOVEN BELT?</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="yiv1349671191apple-style-span">The Skeptical Husband’s 10 day cleanse (and graphic overshare) is finished. Interestingly, the gentle cleanse I initially recommended for him always works for me and does not have the same side effects of the hard core cleanse. It goes to show that what works for one may not work for another. This has me thinking, when it comes to your health it’s best to first reach for the safer, more natural options that have the least amount of side effects. Then, go for the more hard core options (like OTC and prescription drugs) if </span>all else fails.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"><span class="yiv1349671191apple-style-span">So to recap, why would I subject The Skeptical Husband to a cleanse? Studies show that modern day humans have hundreds of toxic chemicals hanging out in their bodies. A </span><span class="yiv1349671191apple-style-span">detoxing cleanse can accelerate the rate of removal of these toxins that can cause disease. Cleanses also can help with regularity and assist with weight loss, which The Skeptical Husband confirms.</span> Here are a few of the other benefits that have been cited regarding cleanses: more energy, improved mood, better digestive system, clearer complexion, better circulation, higher libido and improved concentration. A great reason to do a cleanse is to kick start a new healthier you and leave behind habits which are no longer serving you. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">Several people have asked - what’s up with that woven belt? Well, proponents of cleansing claim that <span class="yiv1349671191apple-converted-space">the woven belt, also known as the </span><span class="yiv1349671191apple-style-span">mucoid plaque or mucoid rope,</span><span class="yiv1349671191apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="yiv1349671191apple-style-span">is a combination of harmful</span><span class="yiv1349671191apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="yiv1349671191apple-style-span">mucus-like</span><span class="yiv1349671191apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="yiv1349671191apple-style-span">material and food residue that they say coats the</span><span class="yiv1349671191apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="yiv1349671191apple-style-span">gastrointestinal tract</span><span class="yiv1349671191apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="yiv1349671191apple-style-span">of most people and can be removed by a cleanse. On the other hand, many western physicians say that detoxifying cleanses claiming to remove mucoid plaque are a hoax. They say that the residue expelled from people who consume these products is a result of the ingredients in the cleanse rather than any sort of pathologic plaque. Looks like there's a dispute on this one, and you'll have to decide for yourself.</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">Lastly, I also want to point out that if you plan to do a hard core cleanse or take any supplements, it would be very wise to consult a professional (ideally a naturopath) who is familiar with your full health history. They can suggest the best products and dosages for you, inform you of any potential side effects of recommended supplements, and will know whether a particular supplement could interfere with anything else you are taking.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: cyan; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">MY THOUGHTS ON THE WOVEN BELT</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">First, did The Herbal Remedy Wife say a cleanse would increase your libido? Alright, next time we're doing a couples cleanse.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But I digress a bit, back to what everyone is fascinated about - the mysterious woven belt. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I'm not totally sure, but I think the woven belt is probably just the combination of the husk, thistle and bark, in a semi-solid form. You can actually start to see the husk expand when you mix it in the juice if you don't drink it fast enough. So I'm guessing that the husk expands inside your intestines the same way. I also did some internet research and found a comment from a coroner, who said that he conducted many post-mortem examinations and never saw a mucioud rope. But if it wasn't the husk, thistle and bark, there is a good chance that the woven belt was a nasty Mexican tapeworm I contracted after I ate some funky pork in Tijuana once. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A few people have asked some other questions about the rope. Like, did it hurt coming out? No. Actually, it sort of felt good. If fact, this might sound odd, but going to the bathroom during the entire cleanse felt refreshing. With the previously mentioned jalapeno incident being the obvious exception. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Let me ask you a question - have you ever gone to the bathroom and you felt like you just didn't get the job done? You know what I'm saying? You go to the bathroom and you feel like you haven't given a complete deposit. Well, I never felt like that during the hard core cleanse. I always felt like I had given a 100% of what I had to give. I am just speculating on this, but I think it probably felt refreshing to go to the bathroom during the cleanse because of the additional fiber I consumed during the process. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It's true - I don't get enough fiber in my normal diet. So if there is one thing I can take away from this cleanse it's this: I can get more fiber in my diet without too much trouble by simply adding a couple of tablespoons of husk, AKA psyllium, to a glass of water or juice.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Now, I consider myself to be a fairly educated person. I don't have a Ph.D. from MIT or anything, but I have read the complete canon of Nick Hornby books and I am familiar with the entire Elvis Costello songbook. But when The Herbal Remedy Wife starts talking about naturopaths, I have to confess - I have no idea what she is talking about. She probably feels the same way when mention why Harry Redknapp is the right man for the England job or when I try to explain the offsides rule. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="apple-style-span">Since you asked Skeptical
Husband, a naturopath is a medical practitioner who emphasizes</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="apple-style-span">preventative health and
treats injuries and illnesses through natural remedies. They discourage the use
of drugs or surgery, but will refer a patient to other practitioners to treat
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="apple-style-span">Great news! As a very special Valentine’s gift, I
am taking The Skeptical Husband to an event where he'll </span>meet naturopathic doctors who will teach him about hormone balancing, injectable nutrition, weight loss, and healthy
foods and supplements to nourish the body. Look for his review of this
experience next week! </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Where exactly would I inject this injectable nutrition? I can only think of one place. Yeah, I don't like the sound of this. </span><br />
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</div>THE HERBAL REMEDY WIFEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07093342822982225977noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8719326503049497545.post-26541935662840080322012-02-09T07:29:00.000-08:002012-02-09T18:55:17.100-08:00WINNER OF THE FREE GOODIES!<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Congratulations to Faith M. of Carlsbad, California, winner of the free goodies. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Fret not friends, there will be more chances to win free stuff in the coming months. </span>THE HERBAL REMEDY WIFEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07093342822982225977noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8719326503049497545.post-71958960997347818672012-02-07T20:18:00.000-08:002012-02-07T20:25:02.697-08:00THE HARD CORE CLEANSE REVIEW<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"></span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Htfp8u17kgw/TzC-pYlRmYI/AAAAAAAAABA/jlKr0wl6WFs/s1600/MADMEN_FULLBODY_crop_crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Htfp8u17kgw/TzC-pYlRmYI/AAAAAAAAABA/jlKr0wl6WFs/s200/MADMEN_FULLBODY_crop_crop.jpg" width="166" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In just a short time The Herbal Remedy Wife’s blog is an amazing success. People are reading the blog in places like Kenya, Peru and Germany. With this large amount of exposure, The Herbal Remedy Wife asked me if I felt uncomfortable knowing that people in Kenya were reading about my bowel movements? Nope. Not one bit. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">With that said, let’s talk about my most recent cleanse. If you recall, this is my second attempt at a detox cleanse. I thought the first cleanse was pretty much a total failure and waste of time. I basically just drank tea, and apple juice with some mysterious green additive, and I didn’t notice a significant difference in my health. Undeterred, The Herbal Remedy Wife took it to the next level with what she called a “hard core cleanse.”</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It turns out that I was drinking husk, thistle and bark. Sounds like the name of a posh law firm, but whatever, it worked. It totally cleaned me out. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Do you want me to be more specific when I say the "hard core cleanse" cleaned me out? Oh, I can get more specific. But I don’t know if you can handle it - this isn’t for the squeamish. If you are the kind of person who can’t stomach watching Tosh.O then you should avoid the paragraphs below that are highlighted in red font. Seriously, avert your eyes.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Before we get into the mucky stuff – hey, I said avert your eyes if you’re squeamish! This is your last warning.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The first thing I noticed with the “hard core cleanse” is that I had some major intestinal pain the first few days. It was like my intestines were aching. I was also very gassy. Very gassy! I can’t stress enough how gassy I actually was. And if that wasn't enough, I was also very tired the first couple of days.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In addition to intestinal pain, uncontrollable flatulence and fatigue, there was a lot of bathroom action, sometimes as many as five trips a day – which is about four more than normal. There was also a very close call in a Crate and Barrel, when I almost lost it while standing next to a discounted pizza stone. Seriously, can you think of anything worse than defecating in your pants in a Crate and Barrel?</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Okay, now here is where it gets really gnarly. The most significant thing to note from the "hard core cleanse" is this - something unusual came out of me. It happened pretty early during the 10 days. How can I describe it? Well, it was like a long, leather, woven belt. It was nasty. And it had me seriously worried that there was something majorly abnormal with me if this thing had been living inside me all these years. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I did some internet research and I found that other people who had undergone a cleanse achieved a similar result – i.e. the woven belt. If you want to see what I’m talking about – just Google “detox cleanse images” and you’ll have plenty of photos to choose from. But don't do it - because they are nasty. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Do you think you have a woven belt inside of you? Only one way to find out, I guess.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Lastly, an unexpected consequence of the cleanse was that it eliminated my jalapeno defense mechanisms. Normally, I can down habaneros, jalapenos, the hottest vindaloo, etc. But man, something about this cleanse weakened my spice defense. I had some peppers on a sandwich and they ignited the ring of fire, if you know what I’m talking about, like nothing I have ever experienced before. So if you do this cleanse, be warned, stay away from the jalapenos.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Squeamish people, you can come back now. Overall, I really liked "the harsh cleanse" because I thought it worked; I could feel and see the results. At the end, I even think I lost a few pounds, which wasn't really the goal, but is still a nice extra benefit. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So, if you're keeping score at home - this one goes to The Herbal Remedy Wife, and t</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">he Skeptical Husband gives Ivy Bridge's Colon Cleanse (whoever the hell she is) a thumbs up. </span></div>THE SKEPTICAL HUSBANDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05418555745920640792noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8719326503049497545.post-10626086144695568672012-02-05T14:14:00.000-08:002012-02-07T21:24:19.027-08:00BOOSTING YOUR IMMUNE SYSTEM DURING COLD AND FLU SEASON<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9bVqutDa3i4/Ty7kxJ6tgMI/AAAAAAAAADU/4fS0JeSEpr4/s1600/acerola-cherry-review-225x300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9bVqutDa3i4/Ty7kxJ6tgMI/AAAAAAAAADU/4fS0JeSEpr4/s320/acerola-cherry-review-225x300.jpg" width="240" /></a><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">While The Skeptical
Husband is busy visiting bathrooms, loos, wash closets, toilets, and
port-a-potties (trust me, he’s seen them all in the last week!), I thought I’d share a few tips for staying
healthy during cold and flu season, because it seems like everyone I know is getting sick recently. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">First up, get enough vitamin C because it
can shorten the length and severity of a cold. A great natural choice for
vitamin C is the acerola cherry. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span><span class="apple-converted-space">T</span><span class="apple-style-span">he
vitamin C content of one small acerola cherry is 65 times greater than an
orange. It also has high levels of vitamins A and B, in addition to C. The cherries also contain the key minerals calcium, iron, and phosphorus. Acerola
cherry supplements can be found in the vitamin section of your local health
food store. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">While you're at the health food store, also look for Source Naturals Wellness Formula. This is really all you need when you think you’re
coming down with something. It has tons of vitamin C, zinc, propolis, garlic, echinacea,
goldenseal, and lots of other helpful ingredients. If you don’t want to spend
that kind of money (over $20 for a month's supply), grab a few packs of Emergen C; it’s full of vitamins B and C, and other ingredients that provide you with energy when your immune
system is taxed. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But what do you do once you're aleady sick? Well, you might consider Umcka Cold and Flu, packed with homeopathic remedies, this will help tackle your symptoms
and speed recovery. If you're congested you might want to think about a nasal spray, like Xlear which contains Xylitol. If you are unfamiliar with Xylitol, it is a carbohydrate found in nearly all fruits and veg, which cleans, soothes, and moisturizes nasal passages. Lastly, get plenty of rest and keep hydrated with coconut water and medicinal herbal teas that are formulated to support the immune system.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">On a side note, antibiotics can be
overprescribed by doctors, but you may need to go down that road if your
infection is bacterial. Keep in mind that if taking antibiotics, it would be
wise to take a probiotic (which replenishes the good bacteria in your
intestinal tract) during or after your treatment. If you take your probiotic during treatment, just be sure to take it at least 2 hours after each antibiotic dose. Another option is to just wait until you've completed your entire 10-day antibiotic course, and then start taking probiotics.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I’d love to hear any
other suggestions on natural remedies for cold and flu season that have worked for you. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>THE HERBAL REMEDY WIFEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07093342822982225977noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8719326503049497545.post-59382140924506659262012-02-04T08:50:00.000-08:002012-02-07T21:30:58.751-08:00FREE GOODIES!!!<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vMoAaCB_3_I/Ty1him7smsI/AAAAAAAAABU/cSY89sytKe4/s1600/002_crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vMoAaCB_3_I/Ty1him7smsI/AAAAAAAAABU/cSY89sytKe4/s1600/002_crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vMoAaCB_3_I/Ty1him7smsI/AAAAAAAAABU/cSY89sytKe4/s320/002_crop.jpg" width="240" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Share my blog with others and your chances of winning double. Just post a comment to let me know when and how you shared the blog with your friends.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What a great gift for you or your valentine!</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">To follow the blog just enter your email address in the "follow by email" box to the right and click the submit button. It’s that simple! The winner will be announced on February 9th.</span></div>THE HERBAL REMEDY WIFEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07093342822982225977noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8719326503049497545.post-76971425414047669732012-01-27T12:04:00.000-08:002012-02-14T10:49:40.740-08:00DETOXING AND CLEANSING<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-j95yubna-cc/TywSyfcQ-eI/AAAAAAAAAA4/Uu_EzUPatFk/s1600/detox-cleanse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="187" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-j95yubna-cc/TywSyfcQ-eI/AAAAAAAAAA4/Uu_EzUPatFk/s200/detox-cleanse.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Why do a cleanse? Our environment and foods expose us to
numerous toxins which keeps our body from operating at its peak. A detoxifying
cleanse is a great way to bring your body back in to balance, remove toxins and
create a healthy body.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Some experts think that unless you have parasites, a yeast problem, or have been
through chemotherapy, a full blown cleanse is not necessary for you. You might want to spare your
family, neighbors, and friends and go for a gentle cleanse. Simply using
powdered greens along with water or juice a couple times a day will do the
trick and provide you with the added benefit of meeting your daily vegetable
requirement. A detoxing tea or a high dose of magnesium will also help. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If you want to go all
out, the herbs senna and casada sagrada will certainly clean you out. Milk
thistle and dandelion will help cleanse your liver. Fibers like psyllium husk,
ground chia seeds, and flax seeds will also help with your intestinal
movements. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Remember when doing a
cleanse, it will likely rob you of energy and may deplete the good bacteria in
your gut. Drink electrolytes and take a probiotic to avoid going down that
road. And, of course, whether you’re
going gentle or not, keep hydrated during your cleanse with at least 8 glasses
of water a day.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I’ve started The Skeptical Husband off with a gentle detox program. For the past 10 days he has been drinking Triple
Leaf's Detox Tea twice a day and taking a tablespoon of HealthForce
SuperFood’s Vitamineral Green (a powdered green) along with organic apple juice
once a day. He’s had 8 full glasses of water a day and is drinking electrolyte
enhanced water at least once a day. At the end of the cleanse he will have a probiotic containing bifidobacterium that will help replenish healthy
bacteria levels in his gut. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">On a side note: some
detox programs will have you refrain from eating food during your cleanse. For
now we’ve allowed The Skeptical Husband to eat the foods he enjoys. In an ideal world, one
would try to eat mostly raw, organic, and plant-based foods during their
cleanse. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Lastly, be sure to
consult your physician when taking supplements and be aware that it can be
dangerous to use some supplements while pregnant or in combination with
prescription drugs.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The Skeptical Husband has been on the
gentle cleanse for 10 days now. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">The Skeptical Husband Says:</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PMj2ZRv_0pA/TywHSf9WXRI/AAAAAAAAAAU/8qRt4qXBdPs/s1600/MADMEN_FULLBODY_crop_crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PMj2ZRv_0pA/TywHSf9WXRI/AAAAAAAAAAU/8qRt4qXBdPs/s200/MADMEN_FULLBODY_crop_crop.jpg" width="165" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">According to Detective Rosewood from the movie Beverly Hills
Cop, the average American has five pounds of undigested red meat in their bowels.
I am an over achiever, so I like to
think I’m a bit above average. My guess –
I’m probably holding on to an even 10 pounds up in there. Listen people, I grew
up in Indiana in the 70s, and I ate uncooked hot dogs for lunch and dinner from age
6 to 11. My intestines are probably packed with toxic stuff. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Unfortunately, the results of my detox cleanse were a lot like
when Geraldo Rivera opened up Al Capone’s lost vault, with my colon being the
vault in this analogy. There was a lot of hype, but ultimately nothing good
came out. At least nothing I could see. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I am not surprised by the results, or lack of, from the detox. When The Herbal Remedy Wife told me I was
going to undergo a <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">gentle </i>(emphasis
added) detox cleanse I was skeptical. If she wants to cleanse me then she needs to bring her A Game. Instead, I just drank some tea and apple
juice with green gunk in it.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I did enjoy the tea, and on several days I even replaced my
afternoon coffee run to Starbucks with the detox tea. To my amazement, the apple juice with the green gunk was even
tolerable. I’d be the first to admit that I don’t eat enough green
vegetables, so if the green gunk is a proper substitute for broccoli, I’m good
with that. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Even though I wasn’t cleansed of the undigested red meat in
my bowels, I honestly can’t say if I was cleansed of other toxins because they are microscopic. I will say this, overall during the
10 days I did the cleanse my stress and energy levels were both good. I also didn’t have any tension headaches during the
cleanse, an ailment that has been bothering me for about a year. Are these positive
things related to the cleanse? I can’t say for certain, but I guess it is possible. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">One other thing - I was incredibly hungry in the mornings on the first few days of the cleanse. I am not sure what that was about. Perhaps my intestines were longing for the their toxin friends that were cleansed away. Who knows?</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I've been informed that it’s time to raise the bar and try a harsh
cleanse and see if we can get rid of that undigested red meat. We'll see. And who the hell is Ivy Bridge? And what in the world is a psyllium hull?</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The Herbal Remedy Wife Says:</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--qtzFLLgQP4/TywH0VIp8LI/AAAAAAAAAAc/7EHgC21S4Lk/s1600/madmen_icon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--qtzFLLgQP4/TywH0VIp8LI/AAAAAAAAAAc/7EHgC21S4Lk/s200/madmen_icon.jpg" width="200" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Bring on the hard-core cleanse! I've got a good one in my back pocket that I know works because I've tried it a couple times over the years. It's from the book the <i>Idiot's Guide to</i> <i>Herbal Remedies</i>. Do you want to know a secret? The Skeptical Husband has a library full of <i>Idiot's Guide </i>books<i>, </i>but don't tell him I told you. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Again, we are going to have The Skeptical Husband try it for 10 days, and he needs to be sure to keep hydrated during the process. Here's the recipe if you want to follow along: </span></div>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Ivy Bridge's Colon Cleanse</span></b></div>
<blockquote style="line-height: normal;">
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<blockquote>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">1/2 glass of apple juice (organic and no sugar is best, but use your favorite brand otherwise)</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">2 tablespoons aloe vera juice (if using a whole-leaf aloe vera you’ll only need 1 tablespoon)</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">2 tablespoons liquid chlorophyll</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">8 capsules psyllium hulls (or 1 teaspoon, if loose powder)</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">2 capsules cascara sagrada</span></blockquote>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Blend whole-leaf aloe vera juice and chlorophyll into apple juice. If you are using powdered psyllium instead of capsules, stir in the psyllium and drink down quickly; psyllium will expand in water. Swallow your cascara sagrada capsules with a full (at least 8 ounces) glass of pure water.</span></blockquote>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Use this formula mixture first thing in the morning every day for 60 days. Make sure to drink at least 8 to 10 glasses of water each day.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Ivy’s formula has been used by many to cleanse the lower bowel of poisons, strengthen the digestive and intestinal track, lower cholesterol, build blood, soothe acid conditions, aid fat loss and stimulate bile flow from the liver.</span></blockquote>
<blockquote style="line-height: normal;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In addition to this cleanse, 1-3 capsules/tablets of milk thistle (or ½-1 teaspoon of tincture) may be taken daily. </span></blockquote>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: normal;">Good luck Skeptical Husband! You are going to need it.</span></blockquote>
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</span>THE HERBAL REMEDY WIFEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07093342822982225977noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8719326503049497545.post-31013436372110533482012-01-20T19:49:00.000-08:002012-02-07T21:22:51.080-08:00AN INTRODUCTION TO HERBAL REMEDIES AND SKEPTICAL HUSBANDS<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: orange; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-25Hu2TOc5UI/TywMaoWNpFI/AAAAAAAAAAk/pktXKBcRycs/s1600/madmen_icon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-25Hu2TOc5UI/TywMaoWNpFI/AAAAAAAAAAk/pktXKBcRycs/s1600/madmen_icon.jpg" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">Hi. I am The Herbal Remedy Wife. I have always been interested in herbal remedies and natural
health. A year ago I started working in the vitamin and body care department of
one of our country’s top health food stores. Along the way I have discovered
some great ways to improve my health and the health of others. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Take
my sister for example. She is anemic as the result of an autoimmune disease
that causes regular bleeding and interferes with her ability to absorb
iron. Regular iron tablets weren’t helping and her doctors suggested receiving
iron through an IV which required sitting in a hospital for 3 hours on a weekly
basis and caused some very risky side effects. I suggested she try
liquid iron. She has been seeing doctors for awhile about the anemia and no one
ever suggested liquid iron. She has been on liquid iron for about 2 months
now and her blood work is showing much lower levels of anemia and her energy
levels have improved.</span></span><span style="line-height: 115%;"> <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">As we begin the New Year, I feel that it is prime time to put
some of the products I am familiar with to the test, to see if they work. All products mentioned in this blog have been
tested by a real person: The Skeptical Husband. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The Skeptical Husband, has agreed to
be my guinea pig and try my nutrition tips and products. He’ll let you know
whether something is the real deal or whether it’s a bunch of phooey. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Let me tell you a few
things about this guy: He’s super-smart (so no fooling him!). He’s as stubborn
as a mule (change is hard). He tends to eat for flavor over health - his parents
taught him that fruits and nuts are for, well, fruits and nuts. He currently does
not use any nutritional supplements or “clean” body care products. He exercises
occasionally, and is incredibly hilarious (so you know you’ll enjoy the ride). Lastly, The Skeptical Husband is a truthful and no-nonsense kind of guy, so you should take notice when he has something
good to say about any of my suggestions.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The great thing is that this little experiment is all in the name of health, and hopefully at the
end of the day we’ll all be healthier as a result. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">First up, a detox cleanse. C<span class="Apple-style-span">heck back for The Skeptical Husband's review in 10 days. </span></span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9CnATeGR9eM/TywNec2C7TI/AAAAAAAAAAs/lw5pzxwXhes/s1600/MADMEN_FULLBODY_crop_crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9CnATeGR9eM/TywNec2C7TI/AAAAAAAAAAs/lw5pzxwXhes/s200/MADMEN_FULLBODY_crop_crop.jpg" width="166" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Hi. I am the Skeptical Husband. Truthfully, I am skeptical about a lot of the products The Herbal Remedy Wife sells in her store. For example, I have serious doubts about the medicinal qualities of chia seeds and essential oils. Where is the science to support the claimed benefits? </span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />Until recently I was pretty unconvinced about a lot of the organic meat they sell in The Herbal Remedy Wife's store, as well. Bacon is bacon, right? And I am not going to pay triple the price for “organic” bacon. But one day on a whim (using The Herbal Remedy Wife's employee discount of course) I bought the organic bacon. And it was mind blowing experience. It tasted so good. It tasted, apparently, like what bacon is supposed to taste like.<br /><br />The bacon epiphany has caused me to reconsider my opposition to organic meat. And if I am going to reconsider my opposition to organic meat then maybe I should reconsider my opposition to herbal remedies.<br /><br />So, with a semi-open mind, and a bit of reluctance, I’ve agreed to try almost anything (no Diva Cups) The Herbal Remedy Wife gives me. I promise to be honest – brutally so if necessary – with my review of each of the products.<br /><br />Wish me luck. I think I am going to need it.<br /><br />PS. I still think chia seeds are a bunch of bunk!</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span></div>THE HERBAL REMEDY WIFEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07093342822982225977noreply@blogger.com2