I’ll try to keep on track of just going through an average, everyday life. I say “try” because I do tend to wander at times! Today, I’ll start upon rising from bed! Or should I say stumble out of bed!

As you crawl out of bed and stumble to the kitchen, first thing is to make that amazing cup of energy, Joe, liquid life, or whatever you want to call your coffee. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not going to talk you out of coffee. It’s my vice and I’m proud of it! But I do enjoy a chemical free, happy cup of my morning elixir.

The media has done some great things recently about publicizing the chemicals, pharmaceuticals and nasties in public and bottled water. I’m not diving into water in this article. Maybe another blog. Until then, I do suggest some research on your own if you need to learn more.

First we’ll talk about what you make your coffee in. There are eco-friendly coffee pots that don’t use filters and barely any energy. A french press or a percolator is to name a couple. No need to throw away your coffee pot, just yet! If you have a drip model, there are healthy ways to have that morning elixir!

If your coffee pot has a filter, to be green and healthy, I recommend you really look into the kind of filter you use. There are options for eco-friendly, chemical free ways to filter your coffee. There are organic, reusable ones on the market that you wash after each use. Just dump your grounds into the compost and wash the filter. The Swiss Gold basket type are readily available in department stores. Some gold ones do come with some issues of various low quality wire and the mixing with coffee acids, so buyer beware. There are reusable ,organic hemp or muslin that are great and come with a bit of getting use to because they are floppy. I prefer the fabric to the gold ones.

If you don’t want to get rid of your paper filters just yet, please be cautious of what kind paper filter you do use. The standard white coffee filter is white because it has been bleached. In the bleaching process the coffee filters are left with dioxins from the chemical bleaching process.

The term “dioxin” is referred to a group of toxins that have a toxin level near radioactive waste. Dioxins have been stated by EPA as “likely human carcinogens and are anticipated to increase the risk of cancer at background levels of exposure.”

Dioxin accumulates in the body’s fat and stays there and disrupts the endocrine system. According to National Institute of Environment Health Sciences, studies have shown exposure to high levels of dioxins have an increased risk of cancer. Other studies have shown dioxins can cause reproductive and developmental problems, and an increased risk of heart disease and diabetes. All that in your morning cup? What do I suggest then?

Unbleached, recycled filters are my choice. They can put in your compost as they break down quickly. Using recycled paper causes 74% less air pollution, 35% less water pollution, and creates 5 times the number of jobs than producing virgin paper from trees. It saves old-growth trees, forest eco-systems, native habitat and biodiversity. (Data from World Centric)

Take your green bite, bit by bit. Do what you can, when you can and how you can. It all accumulates too.

Stay tuned for our next in Your Green Life: Bit by Bit, Bite by Bite for an exchange about your actual coffee.

]]> http://greenhypnotist.wordpress.com/2009/07/22/morning-exposure/feed/ 0 greenhypnotist http://greenhypnotist.wordpress.com/2009/07/21/blog-series-your-green-life-bit-by-bit-bite-by-bite/ http://greenhypnotist.wordpress.com/2009/07/21/blog-series-your-green-life-bit-by-bit-bite-by-bite/#comments Wed, 22 Jul 2009 02:22:01 +0000 greenhypnotist http://greenhypnotist.wordpress.com/?p=63 Continue reading →]]> Your Green Life: Bit by Bit, Bite by Bite

As I sit here answering a couple emails with questions from a client regarding green, chemical free living, I do realize that everyone’s effort into the big green world is exactly what they can or want to do at that time. When clients ask just where they can start or what they can do to eliminate some, most or all of the chemicals in their life, I always suggest to take a small bite, so to say, and green bit by bit.

Parts of my hypnosis business involves motivation. Some of my clients come to be assisted in motivation in many different facets of their lives. From sales, public speaking to weight loss; the self talk, motivation you need to be successful comes from your subconscious. Your body listens to your mind. I assist you and your mind to talk nice to your body! Most of my clients know my eco-green values.  They also are holistically minded and are always interested in greening their life. Hence, the Green Hypnotist blog was born in 2008.

Your Green Life: Bit by Bit, Bite by Bite is a blog series educating how we are exposed unknowingly to chemicals in our everyday lives but also how easy it will be to avoid them. Small steps and actions that you can do without any large amount of effort.

Green gets addictive! The more you remove chemicals, eat healthy and live well, the more you want to do.

Stay tuned tomorrow for Morning Exposure!

]]> http://greenhypnotist.wordpress.com/2009/07/21/blog-series-your-green-life-bit-by-bit-bite-by-bite/feed/ 0 greenhypnotist http://greenhypnotist.wordpress.com/2009/07/17/acetaminophen-use-after-mmr-vaccine-may-be-linked-to-autism/ http://greenhypnotist.wordpress.com/2009/07/17/acetaminophen-use-after-mmr-vaccine-may-be-linked-to-autism/#comments Fri, 17 Jul 2009 11:00:32 +0000 greenhypnotist http://greenhypnotist.wordpress.com/?p=58 Continue reading →]]> A good portion of my private practice is pediatrics. I’m active in the pediatric wellness community. The term Pediatric Wellness means just what it sounds like. Wellness is key. Prevention, toxin free, not to overload their little bodies is a great way to start life. I don’t preach (well most of the time) but when I come across info from well trusted colleagues, I pass it on. Based on all my research, the increase in autism and ASD has grown in my children’s lifetime beyond comprehension. I have my beliefs, it’s not the post for it right now. But please take note of the following, it just could be a piece to the puzzle. Especially taking into consideration that acetaminophens use was an 80s birth…. just when autism started to rise.

It is something to think about. So please read below and pass it on!! Don’t take for granted that docs know about this.

In May 2008, scientists of a University of California San Diego reported that acetaminophen use after measles-mumps-rubella vaccination was associated with autistic disorder.

Let me repeat this once again. “Acetaminophen use after measles-mumps-rubella vaccination was significantly associated with autistic disorder when considering children 5 years of age or less.”

(Source: Acetaminophen (paracetamol) use, measles-mumps-rubella vaccination, and autistic disorder: the results of a parent survey. Schultz ST, Klonoff-Cohen HS, Wingard DL, Akshoomoff NA, Macera CA, Ji M. Autism. 2008 May;12(3):293-307.)

Why?  Acetaminphen suppresses glutathione levels  which doesn’t allow detoxification of vaccine ingredients such as mercury and aluminum.
Do your own research, come to  your own conclusions, but please pass the information along.

The word natural is used quite loosely in the health and beauty industry. There have been a few companies that have been around since green and chemical-free became mainstream. Some have gotten the reputation as being all natural and chemical free. I only wish these companies would be consistent. Take for example Toms of Maine. Now owned by Colgate Company. Their inconsistencies in my opinion are outrageous. In my humble opinion *grin*, they ride their reputation from the beginning or their company and now some of their products have fluoride, SLS among other ingredients that they consider natural! It’s a cop out. Sure, it all comes from nature. If that’s the case, everything in the universe is natural as it’s derived from nature. I know people buy Tom’s based on their reputation of being safe and chemical free. People who can’t be bothered or who don’t take the time to actually look at the ingredients, use the reputation of the company to make their decisions. Toms are not the only ones who do this. Buyers beware, check all labels.

Raising a chemical free child in a not so chemical free world is a daily job. Aveeno natural products company is also riding the natural wave. Mothers all over are scooping up their products to keep their little babies as chemical free as possible. Their products have mineral oil (question cancer causing), PEG-80 (allergen, immunotoxicity) cocamidopropyl betaine (allergen, immunotoxicity), quaternium-15 (Allergies/ immunotoxicity, Organ system toxicity, could contain formaldehyde) to name a few. Not something, I’m sure, green mommies are aware they’re slathering their babies with.

I’m really not bashing Toms and Aveeno, just using them as an example. SLS and Fluoride have their own controversies too. My opinion, why use them if there are any issues with it. We don’t need foamy toothpaste (SLS) nor do we need exposure to yet even more fluoride than we get already in water. (Fluoride is an entire other subject for another time!) The term natural is not meant for the faint of heart. Just reading it on packaging these days has me thinking the company is hiding behind chemical. May not be the case all the time, but more and more it’s getting like that. The real companies are starting understand the misuse of the word! Reputations aren’t valued like they use to be.

Buyer beware, just because it’s a reputable company today with chemical free products, doesn’t mean next weeks trip to the grocery store will yield same results. I’ll go back and do more research on if there lies a genuine, safe hair color treatment. Yes, I’m getting grey and would like to fight it naturally!!

The more I read and investigated about these jeans, the more once again big company and marketing is just plain deceptive. First of all, the jeans are made in China. Therefore, the carbon footprint of the jeans isn’t a plus. Second, the jeans are made ‘with’ organic cotton. Nowhere does it have to state the percentage of organic cotton that goes into the jeans so it can be very minimal. Third and most important. After the jeans are made, they are dipped and bathed in chemicals to soften, dye and break in. The fact that they have organic cotton somewhere in them is a moot point by then.

I have been a naturalist for many years.  I am informed and stay well informed regarding eco and green living.  What really makes me mad is that people who are uninformed regarding terms and labeling policies will buy these products thinking they are doing some good for their family and/or themselves.  They pay the extra to only to purchase items creatively labeled. This is what led me to the second half of the synchronicity.

The birth of a baby last week sparked some conversation regarding the clean slate of a newborn. How the little child coming into this world is unadulterated chemical free. Well, that’s actually an article for another time, but lets assume that babies come into this world chemical free. We try to introduce the best of the best and the healthiest of the healthiest for the baby. We breast feed, buy organic food, filtered water, chemical free baby detergent and so on. But what about their beds, the furniture or crib decor?

Chemicals from flame retardants used in pajamas, bedding and furniture have been found in toddlers’ blood. Flame retardants pass government standards when they do not wash out after 50 washes, so don’t think you’ll simply wash the items a few times.

According to a recent study, children under 4 years old had three times more of the neurotoxins known as PBDEs (polybrominated diphenyl ethers) in their blood as their mothers. The study was released by Environmental Working Group, a nonprofit based in Washington, D.C. that advocates protecting public health and the environment.

PBDEs have been linked to be hormone disruptors and interfere with brain development. Infants’ clothes up to 9 months size are exempt. Doesn’t mean it’s not added, just means they don’t have to include the chemicals. But infants sleep on sheets, are exposed to bedding and furniture.  The least we can do is allow their little faces to come in contact with natural, untreated sheets.

So the next time you purchase crib sheets, do your baby a favor and buy sheets made with 100 percent organic cotton, naturally dyed, untreated. If the extra expense is an issue, consider only buying a couple and rotate/wash daily. Every bit helps and contributes to a healthy child and mother earth.

I was invited to hold two one-hour workshops on stress management tools for kids. Since this is an expertise of mine, I was excited and ready to explore an outline for the event.

About 50% of the clients that I see on a private basis are children. The stress management workshops I hold are majority corporate or adult groups such as battered women or spiritual, self-enhancement groups. So outlining such a workshop would be a bit different and possibly challenging since the kids are kids and focus is at a minimum.

Once I got started on the outline, exercises, and innovative ways to hold their attention, I began to think, “Oh my, how on earth am I going to get all the information I would love to share in one hour?” How can I teach these kids the multiple tools I have to alleviate some of their stress in hopes that they will walk away with something that they can use.

Of course, I finished the outline with much packed into the hour. But confirmed once again to myself, the point that school systems across the country really need stress management workshops for their children of at least… the very least…. two two-hour classes.

In these times where education funding is at an all time low and outside monies are not available, I can understand why this isn’t a priority. But just think of the enhancement that children would have using techniques taught at a stress management clinic. They would test better. They would focus more. They would identify just where their stress may lie physically. And most of all, they would come out having a better understanding of stress, how it affects their body, mind and self-esteem and those tools needed to combat it for life.

I really feel and urge educators that teen stress management is equally important as notebook organization and to take time and money out of their budget to adequately inspire children to de-stress !!

Our winter has been colder and snowier than recent years. World affairs bombard us daily and are overwhelming and insurmountable. Media continually reminds us how bad it is everywhere. Economy, lay offs, top it off with global warming, excess chemicals in our lives and trying to live green in a not-so-green world, it’s no wonder why stress is at an all time high.

Stress can be good for motivation and keeping us safe in emergency situations, but the majority of the time, stress does a lot of negative things to our body, mind and spirit. Stress is well known to lower the immune system, inhibiting us from fighting colds, flu and other illnesses. Stress is a contributing factor to many negative feelings we have both physically and emotionally. Symptoms of excessive stress include feelings of anxiousness, problems sleeping, focus, muscle tension, headaches, stomach, digestion issues, social withdrawal to only name a few. According to Mass General Hospital, roughly 60 to 90% of doctor visits are for conditions related to stress. The mind/body is a vital component of effective health care.

Stress creeps into our psyche without our knowing. When was the last time you really focused on a song’s words to learn them. I’m sure not often. But you’ll sing to the songs on the radio and know the words. Just how did you learn them? When the media is playing in the background of your life, the negativity of the news will creep into your unconscious mind just as the words to the songs and stress you out!

It is helpful to identify where we hold stress in our physical body. Take a moment and close your eyes. Think of a stressful event. Scan your body. Where is it affecting you? Is your jaw or fists clenched? Are your shoulders up to your ears? Observe your stomach and breathing patterns. Notice where and how you are physically holding on to stress, so when life happens, you can identify the physical traits and use techniques to reduce them.

Take some time to practice even small stress management techniques. You’ll be surprised how even small blocks of a couple minutes here and there help.

Common stress busters are yoga, exercise, eating well, drinking plenty of water and calming music. Other effective ways to cope are:

• Turn off for a while. Turn off the news, your cell phone, PDA and other communication devices. Turn off your brain from thinking, analyzing and just be in the moment. Take a walk, focus on nature or even your footsteps. Be in the moment not matter what you’re doing and however mundane.

• Belly breath. Most of us breathe using only the upper portions of our lungs. Learning correct belly breathing promotes blood flow and increases oxygen supply. Put one hand on your chest and one hand on your stomach. Take a deep breath by expanding your stomach and chest at the same time. Doing a few belly breaths, you’ll see your shoulders drop and a relaxation response begin to happen.

• Take a vacation in your mind. Visualize a place of imagination or a favorite place you’ve been. Use all your senses in this visualization. If your favorite place is Crane’s Beach in the summer, see the sand, feel the warmth of the sun enveloping your entire body, hear the waves roll in and out as your breath. Visualizing touching a shell as you pick it up. Be creative in your visualizations. Taking a 10 minute mind vacation is a great afternoon pick me up from stress.

• Neuromuscular relaxation is tightening muscles for a few seconds and then releasing them. The process naturally forces the muscles to return to a relaxed position. Working from head to feet or feet to head, flexing and releasing muscle groups.

Relaxation is a powerful antidote to stress. As stress management is practiced, the body learns to cope in times of need. Do yourself a favor, teach it to cope.

At 7:25 am (GMT) on February 14, 2009 (the day dedicated to the patron saint of love, St. Valentine) and for the following 18 minutes, the Moon in Libra enters the seventh house of relationships. And Jupiter and Mars are aligned in Aquarius in the twelfth house of spiritual transformation. How wonderful, an alignment of love and relationships!

The cosmos will be at a perfect alignment to support our collective manifestation of love and peace

Forty something years ago, a song titled Aquarius was on the charts.

When the moon is in the Seventh House
and Jupiter aligns with Mars
then peace will guide the planets
and love will steer the stars
this is the dawning of the Age of Aquarius

The astrological combination in first two lines – The moon in the Seventh House with Jupiter aligning with Mars in Aquarius – has actually occurred twice since the song came out. Once in 1973 and again 1998. However, when it occurs again this year, it does so along with other auspicious alignments. All the other planets are also in astrologically significant positions emphasizing change, cooperation and creativity. This rare alignment inspires the possibility for a breakthrough for tranquility in seemingly impossible situations. Just what humanity and Mother Earth needs at the moment!

There are 12 astrological ages. Each representing one of the zodiac signs. Each astrological age is approximately 2,150 years long, on average. Ages are believed by some astrologers to affect mankind while other astrologers believe the ages correlate to the rise and fall of mighty civilizations and cultural tendencies. Aquarius traditionally “rules” electricity, computers, flight, democracy, freedom, humanitarianism, idealists, modernization, rebels and rebellion, mental diseases, nervous disorders, and astrology.

For a lot of astrological believers, this is a great influence on our Earth, her events, consciousness and vibrations. Many people from around the world have attached much impact to this event and date that I believe collectively it will energize a wave of positive high vibrations and intention around the globe. I believe it will boost our vibrations and consciousness a little closer to a greater place. Some believe that greater place is toward the 5th dimension. How funny..The name of the group that brought the song to light!!

As an energy lightworker, I plan on setting a bit of time aside on February 14 in boosting our earth’s vibration. Why don’t you too! Collective consciousness is real.

Happy Valentines Day has an entire new meaning this year!!

Peace.

Well, my friends, this is the Mother of all tips and I am passing along the email.   Am I the only one that didn’t know this????

Was this something we were supposed to learn from our Mom’s?????
I can’t believe it’s been there all this time.

I had to go into the kitchen and check this out for myself.
Whoever looks at the end of your aluminum foil box?
You know when you try to pull some foil out and the roll comes out of the box.
Then you have to put the roll back in the box and start over.
The darn roll always comes out at the wrong time.
Well, I would like to share this with you.
Yesterday I went to throw out an empty Reynolds foil box and for some reason I turned it,
and looked at the end of the box. And written on the end it said, Press here to lock end.
Right there on the end of the box is a tab to lock the roll in place.
How long has this little locking tab been there?
I then looked at a generic brand of aluminum foil and it had one, too.
I then looked at a box of Saran wrap and it had one too!
I can’t count the number of times the Saran wrap roll has jumped out,
when I was trying to cover something up.
I’m sharing this with my friends.
I hope I’m not the only person that didn’t know about this.

I know you’re going to go and check your boxes, so go ahead

but come back and comment about your AHA moment!