Stress in your family??

We all assume that small kids and babies are very receptive, that their brain is like a sponge, they can learn very fast, and even that their senses are very high receptive.

What it is interesting is when we filter the stress, a recently article explains how kids under the age of eight years old, can filter the stress from mom and dad, and the couple not even realize.

So in order to boost our education at home, we must be relax :)

Have a happy week,

Sergio

http://www.latimes.com/health/boostershots/la-heb-kids-parents-stress-20101111,0,2236428.story

Tested on animals?

Are the products you buy tested on animals? Do you know? Do you care?

To be honest, I haven't cared much until recently. But a couple of weeks ago, when I saw again the quantity of nearly similar products in a drug-store, I decided that I will start to choose those that are not tested on animals. And I started investigating.

If you'd like to know, whether your favourite cosmetic company tests its products on animals, check PETA's website - you will find there a regularly updated database of companies that do and that don't test on animals. I was shocked how many well known companies still test on animals - L'Oreal (Biotherm, Cacharel, Garnier, Giorgio Armani, Helena Rubinstein, Lancôme, Matrix Essentials, Maybelline, Ralph Lauren Fragrances, Redken, Soft Sheen, Vichy), Johnshon & Johnson (Aveeno, Clean & Clear, Listerine, Lubriderm, Neutrogena, Rembrandt, ROC), Procter & Gamble, Unilever (Dove), Max Factor... !!!

Be careful. Even if a product is labeled "not tested on animals", you still cannot be sure that it (or its components) was really not tested on animals. In some cases, the final products are not tested on animals, however some of the components are. In other cases, the company simply pays a different company to do the dirty job for them. Also, even if one product is marked "not tested on animals", there can be other products in the company's line that are tested on animals... As you see, you always need to investigate deeper - check the companies' websites, search in the PETA's database,... take advantage of internet.

Most people don't care whether the products they buy were tested on animals or not - I think that this is also due to the fact that they only see the final product and they don't ask what was happening before it appeared in the store. I am sure that if people saw how the animals are tortured, they would think twice what they buy. Unfortunately, many people prefare to stay ignorant. Why? Because it is more comfortable.

Find below a video presented by PETA. It is one of the few videos about animal testing that is "watchable". However, I stongly recommend you to look for more videos, you will start to see things differently...

I'd like to add that is not only cosmetics and household cleaners that are still frequently tested on animals. One of the products you probably even wouldn't suspect to be tested on animals is tea. The company behind Lipton teas has been testing tea on animals, and paying others to test. On the other hand, some companies confirmed that they don't test tea on animals - Honest Tea, Twinings, Stash Tea, Luzianne Tea. You can read more here.

I appologise if my article left you depressed, but I am convinced that it is important that we care about these things. Only if we care and choose carefully what products we buy, we can influence what is happening. Thanks to our choices (not buying products from companies that test on animals), we can push companies to stop testing on animals - this approach is, in my opinion, much more effective than signing petitions or demonstrating in the streets.

Namaste.

Wonderful garlic

Last month I went to have one wisdow tooth removal. At the end of the procedure the medic instructed me to take one antibiotic. What was so incredible is that he told me that I can't eat any fruit with this one, that the vitamin C might make an allergy reaction.

As far as I know vitamin C is something required for the body almost like fire sparks for a car, small amounts that let the petrol to burn.

I decided to take my own preventive antiboitic...

organic, crushed, raw garlic.

What makes garlic so healthy?

Garlic contains allicin, a powerful medicinal compound. Allicin is released when you chop or crush the garlic. More allicin is produced when garlic is chopped finely. Allicin works as an antibiotic and antifungal but it decomposes fast so it should be used immediately. Garlic is effective when taken raw because by cooking it, heat destroys the allicin.

Garlic smells good while cooking it but it can give you a bad breath. The smell lingers because of the essential oils in garlic which enter in your blood and stays there for several hours. How do you get the bad smell off your breath? You can try to block the smell with mouthwash or use minty toothpaste when brushing your teeth. You may try also some odorless garlic pills on the market or you can try using fresh parsley which is a natural odor-eater and it contains vitamin C.

Healing with Garlic

Researchers and scientists have been studying its benefits. Below are some of the diseases where garlic can be useful. It is recommended to always check with your doctor or physician before trying garlic for your illness.

Arthritis – inflammation, pain, and swelling of bones and joints

You can take garlic extract, rub a garlic poultice (garlic mash with olive oil) into the aching areas, or drink garlic tea (mixed clove of garlic, one teaspoon of apple cider vinegar, one teaspoon of honey and water).

Asthma – lung congestion and shortness of breath with wheezing

Asthmatics these days take inhalers, some steroids, sometimes they get hospitalized and may lead to other respiratory illness like bronchitis, pneumonia, broncho-pneumonia, tuberculosis, or emphysema. Garlic syrup can help an asthmatic to breathe easier. Garlic syrup contains peeled garlic buds, vinegar, distilled water, glycerin, and honey. Check with your physician first.

Acne

Garlic’s antibiotic and cleansing properties can help clear the skin. Consult first your dermatologist if you have any.

Athlete’s Foot – foot pain and itching

Try eating raw garlic or taking garlic pills. Try to apply a little garlic oil directly to the area.

Burns Puncture a garlic oil capsule and rub it directly into the burn. Check with your doctor first.

Cancer

Garlic contains allyl sulfides that help reduce the risk of cancer by limiting the number of cancerous precursors from becoming cancer. The allyl sulfur compounds weaken the cancer cells. Garlic also contains allicin which has antioxidants that can boost the immune system and conquer cancer cells. It’s best to eat garlic raw and fresh. Cooking it deactivates the release of allinase enzyme. Garlic powder or oil can also release cancer-fighting elements. Some studies have found that garlic is especially good at preventing digestive, breast, and prostate cancers. Always check with your physician before starting your garlic regimen or diet.

Colds and Flu

At the onset of a cold, garlic can reduce the length of your cold. Just make sure that you take raw, fresh, crushed garlic or the garlic supplement (pill) has allicin in it.

Coughs

You can take garlic tea (3 minced cloves of garlic added to a cup of boiled water, strained) or garlic syrup or elixir (6 minced cloves of garlic and a cup of honey).

Diabetes –

a disease where the body cannot produce or properly use insulin which is a hormone that converts sugar, starches, and other foods into energy. Diabetics sometimes take insulin injections. Garlic can be added to their meals to thin their blood and improve blood circulation.

High Cholesterol

Cholesterol is the waxy substance in the blood plasma. High cholesterol can cause heart attack or stroke. Garlic can boost your HDL (high density lipoproteins) level which pushes excess cholesterol out of your body. A gram of condensed garlic extract (same as nine cloves) can lower harmful LDL (low density lipoproteins) levels.

High Blood Pressure

A few studies showed that garlic can lower your blood pressure by 5 to 10 percent. Try garlic powder with allicin content.

Heart Disease – the number one killer in America, attacks both men and women.
Heart attacks and strokes are caused by high cholesterol, high triglycerides, high blood pressure, and plaque formation inside the arteries which create blockages in the circulatory system. Any of these can stop the flow of blood to the heart and brain. Garlic thins the blood by dissolving the fat particles and blood clots.

As with any other food, take garlic in moderation. Garlic might interact with prescription medicines, can cause allergies, upset stomach, or skin burns if your skin is sensitive. Always check with your doctor before starting any garlic regimen especially if you’re pregnant, under medication, or scheduled for surgery.

I encourage everyone to do more deep dive research about garlic, there are plenty of articles over all the internet.

Have a great day!

Sergio