Author: Whitaker's Natural Market

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Fresh Air

Did you know that stopping to enjoy the fresh air actually has measurable health benefits?

Research shows that exposing your lungs to fresh air, and the scents of flowers and plants, can help to relieve stress and anxiety. Oxygen is thought to affect the levels of serotonin released in the body, in turn, contributing to feelings of happiness and relaxation.

While you may be familiar with the smell of lavender, you might not realize that it can also be beneficial in helping relieve insomnia, anxiety, and stress. This is also true of jasmine, which has been shown to boost mood, along with the smells of freshly cut grass, roses, rosemary, and peppermint.

Whether it means popping into the garden, mowing the lawn, or a weekend expedition to a woodland retreat, immersing yourself in the great outdoors could help to put a smile on your face.

Benefits of Being Outside Include:

  • Increased Energy
  • Improved Digestion
  • Clean Lungs
  • Bolsters Immune System

So take a few minutes to enjoy the fresh air on these warmer days!  And on those colder days, try diffusing “outdoor scents” such as lavender, jasmine, and pine indoors!

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Hemp

Hemp Products are all the hot topic at this time.

Did you know that Hemp has many benefits?

Nutrient Rich: Hemp contains excellent nutritional value, providing essential nutritional components including Essential Fatty Acids.
Non-psychotoxic: Agricultural hemp keeps you healthy and does not get you “high.”
Eco-Friendly: Not only is hemp renewable and fast-growing, nearly every part of the plant is usable – for food, fiber, building materials, and fuel with an estimated 25,000 uses!
Good for the earth: Hemp sequesters CO2 and does not need herbicides to thrive.  It also leaves the soil in better condition than before it was planted.

You can receive these benefits as well as many other including neurological, pain, mental, and much more from both Hemp.  We are pleased to offer you high quality choices in many options.

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Dr. Jocelin’s Health Tip of the Week – Sunscreen

Sunscreen is a unique body care product: consumers are directed to apply a thick coat over large areas of the body and reapply frequently. Thus, ingredients in sunscreen should not be irritating or cause skin allergies, and should be able to withstand powerful UV radiation without losing their effectiveness or forming potentially harmful breakdown products. People can potentially inhale ingredients in sunscreen sprays and ingest some of the ingredients they apply to their lips, so ingredients must not be harmful to lungs or internal organs. Further, sunscreens commonly include ingredients that act as “penetration enhancers” and help the product adhere to skin. As a result, many sunscreen chemicals are absorbed into the body and can be measured in blood, breast milk, and urine samples.

Research by the EWG (Environmental Working Group) reveals that the chemicals commonly used in sunscreen are endocrine disruptors, estrogenic, and may interfere with thyroid and other hormone processes in the body.  The most common sunscreen chemical, Oxybenzone, was found in 96% of the population in a recent study by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. This is especially alarming since oxybenzone is considered an endocrine disruptor, can reduce sperm count in men, and may contribute to endometriosis in women.  The EWG warns against using oxybenzone, especially on children or pregnant/breastfeeding women.

Even more alarming? Of the 1,400+ sunscreens tested by the EWG, only 5% met their safety standards and over 40% were listed as potentially contributing to skin cancer.

These health concerns are why we carry all natural mineral based sunscreens by Badger and Jason to provide you with an alternative from the chemical laden suncreens you commonly see.

Badger uses zinc oxide as the only active ingredient in all of their sunscreens. Zinc oxide is a safe mineral that sits on top of your skin, scattering, absorbing and reflecting UVA and UVB rays before they reach your living cells. We consider it the safest and most effective active sunscreen ingredient. Their natural and organic sunscreens contain simple, safe, USDA Certified Organic ingredients. The only active ingredient, zinc oxide, is also the main ingredient for commonly used products such as diaper rash cream and calamine lotion, and it is approved for use even on sensitive skin. Badger is a signer and “Champion” of the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics, which means they’re committed to making products that are free of questionable and potentially harmful ingredients.

Pick up the right kind of sun protection for your family now for those fun ski trips and sledding adventures as well as be prepared for the soon coming warmer weather!

Read the complete EWG article by clicking here.

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Dr. Jocelin’s Health Tip of the Week – Sugar…and Cancer

This is a deeper tip than normal…with some technical information.  The key point I hope you hear is that sugar is now being shown in studies to be a very likely cancer trigger!

Published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation and titled, Increased sugar uptake promotes oncogenesis via EPAC/RAP1 and O-GlcNAc pathways, researchers addressed a common perception (or misperception) in the cancer research community regarding sugar’s relationship to cancer: namely, “increased glycolysis [sugar based metabolism] is frequently viewed as a consequence of oncogenic events that drive malignant cell growth and survival.”

Contrary to this conventional view, the new study “provide[s] evidence that increased glycolytic activation itself can be an oncogenic event…”  That is to say, the activation of sugar-based metabolism in a cell – driven by both the presence of increased quantities of glucose and the increase glucose receptors on the cell membrane surface (i.e. “overexpression of a glucose transporter”) – drives cancer initiation.

Moreover, the study found that “Conversely, forced reduction of glucose uptake by breast cancer cells led to phenotypic reversion.” In other words, interfering with sugar availability and uptake to the cell causes the cancer cell to REVERSE towards its pre-cancer structure-function (phenotype).

So what are we to do?  Reducing and controlling the amount of sugar as well as the source is the key.  Consider desert to be a treat not a daily occurrence.  Use limited amounts of honey, maple syrup, sucanat, and evaporated cane juice.  Avoid corn syrup and especially toxic chemical sweeteners such as aspartame.  Even the “natural” alternative sweeteners such as Stevia and Xylitol have negative health affects including neurological.  So the real key is self control and portion control to enable your body to focus on the more nutrient laden foods such as vegetables!

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Dr Jocelin’s Health Tip of the Week – Fungi, Mold, & Sinus Infections

We are excited to now be posting Dr. Jocelin’s Weekly Health Tips from our Newsletter to our blog.

 

Fungi and mold spores are alive in our environment.  They flourish in the air we breathe because of rain and the subsequent moisture that settles.  They enter our bodies through nasal passages and then thrive upon the sugar in our diet.  Consequently, it is very important to not only keep our environment free of the things that allow mold and fungi to flourish, but also our bodies.  Unfortunately, these environmental factors can render some defenseless against sinus infections.

Sinusitis is very prevalent in the American population and has been found to affect up to 37 million people, which is nearly 1 in every 7 Americans.  Nearly 70% of sinus infection suffers are prescribed antibiotics, which may not only be ineffective but also may lead to antibiotic resistance.  Many health practitioners agree that the use of a saline solution to flush out the nasal passages is the best approach.

SinuOrega is the superior choice to aid in the cleansing process of the nasal membranes.  Combine with the powerful, wild-crafted essential oils of Oregano P73, sage, bay leaf, and clove, the pure sea salt in springwater base acts as a powerful saline wash.  SinuOrega is a truly natural nasal spray, free of all chemicals and additives. You will find SinuOrega near our checkout counter.

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Yalissa’s Story in Local Newspaper

We are thrilled that our daughter, Yalissa’s, story made the front page of our local newspaper!  Anytime we can share her testimony of Yahweh provides and heals, we are thrilled to do so.  You can read the whole store at http://www.thebellvillestar.com/features/health/9910/yalissa-whitakers-journey-into-life.

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Newsletter Now Available on our Website

We are pleased to now offer you the ability to sign up for our weekly newsletter via our website. You can do so at http://www.whitakersfarmmarket.com/newsletter-signup/.  Please share the link with your friends and family!

You can also now read all the past newsletters from 2017 on our Newsletter Archive page at http://www.whitakersfarmmarket.com/newsletter-archives/.

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Nature’s Shield

Nature’s Shield is an essential oil I am never without in the house.  With its antiseptic properties, it is my first go to oil in the case of someone even feeling like they are fighting an illness.

I try to keep a running list of ways to use Nature’s Shield.  My personal favorite way is to apply a drop (neat or undiluted) directly to my tongue to kill any germs lurking there.  This is a great way to get rid of a sore throat.  I still remember the one and only time I have ever had strep, I used the Thieves oil directly on my tongue and literally felt like I did not have a sore throat for about 15 minutes.  What a relief!  It also kept working to continue to improve my soreness.

Here are some various ideas that I have saved from multiple sources such as blogs, e-mails from other essential oil users, and books:

  1. Mix with a tablespoon of water, gargle and swallow for a sore throat.
  2. Add 1 drop of thieves and 1 drop of lemon essential oils to warm water and drink as tea.
  3. Apply to upper chest, lower back, upper back of thighs, and throat diluted with carrier oil for bronchitis, colds, or flu.
  4. Put a drop on your thumb and apply to the roof of your mouth for a headache; may take repeated applications.
  5. Put 4-8 drops in a capsule with olive oil and swallow daily for longevity and colds.
  6. For acne, apply to the skin diluted with a carrier. Some people even suggest undiluted if you do not have sensitive skin.
  7. Put a couple drops directly on the soles of your feet to protect you from colds and flu. Can be diluted in carrier oil depending on skin sensitivity.
  8. Diffuse in your home to keep the germ count down.
  9. Breathe in the vapors when you have lung congestion.
  10. Add a few drops to your dishwasher for cleaner dishes.
  11. Add to your laundry cycle for cleaner clothes. You can put a few drops of Nature’s Shield in the dryer on a wet washcloth or one of the articles that has just come through the wash. This gives the clothes additional deodorizing capabilities.
  12. For Insect bites such as mosquito, bee, and wasp stings, apply thieves to bite or sting to reduce inflammation, relieve pain and counteract toxins.
  13. You can lick 1 drop off top of your hand and swallow or you can drop 1-2 drops directly on your tongue, swish around in mouth to mix with saliva, and swallow slowly.
  14. For head and lung congestion, you can place a few drops in a steaming bowl of hot water, cover head with towel and inhale vapors.

Stop in the store today, to purchase your bottle.

***Many people are familiar with Thieves oil which is the same ingredient’s that Now’s Nature’s Shield Essential Oil blend contains.