Unfortunately, almost on a daily basis I am confronted with the illnesses that are running rampant in this day and age, and quite often I am tempted to ask “why”.Why so much pain? Why are so many of us sick and many sick unto death.In spite of all the medical advances, in spite of all the technological advances, in spite of millions of dollars spent on research, the hospitals, rehabs, and assisted living facilities are filled to the brim.In spite of all the above, millions who are not hospitalized are still walking around not feeling well, barely making it from day to day.
Has it occurred to you that it is now almost impossible to eat an ordinary meal, feed a child, drink milk, or come in contact with anything that is not contaminated with chemicals and pesticides? Believe it or not hot dogs, and most of the processed meats that we eat, could very well be filled with blood, pork lungs, nitrites, detergents, water, sodium sulfite, teeth, and other throw away parts.
Ten pesticides that cause the outbreak of cancer are still found in foods today; deaths from hidden food additivies still occur; and illnesses from bacterial, viral, and chemical contaminations in food continue to increase. Our air is filled with toxins; our water supply can contain parasites, pollutants, detergents, fluroide, sewage, and industrial wastes; and even if toxins are not consumed, they enter the body through showering, bathing, swimming, and chemical-laden personal care. Add all of this to people who smoke too much, drink alcohol too much, overuse prescription drugs, and sleep too little; and you can see why so many of us are gravely ill with most not getting any better and many getting much worse.
My interest in alternative care for spirit-mind-body wellness began when I was in my teens.As with some teens, I suffered from a terrible acne condition on what otherwise was a wonderful face.My parents were barely making ends meet so going to a dermatologist was out of the question.In fact, I don’t even know if we knew about dermatologists at that time.One summer I had an opportunity to visit my grandmother for a few weeks who lived in San Jose, California.When I arrived in San Jose, she ran to greet me; but instantly she noticed my acne.She said, “What is wrong with your face?”.The next day I was at the dermatologist’s office.My face was thoroughly examined, and I was given some sort of cream.While there, my face began to clear up.In conjunction with the cream and the beautiful sunny California weather, my complexion got somewhat better as the days went by.However, when I returned home, the condition continued.I tried products containing benzoyl which left my skin almost burned.I tried toners from the drug store that mostly contained alcohol, products and procedures recommended by others; but it was only until I purchased my first book on natural healing that I began to see the light and understand why my face was in the condition it was in.After that first book, I became ferocious in my reading and began studying every health and wellness book that I could get my hands on.I believe the first book I read was “Back to Eden” by Jethro Kloss and that was many years ago; today, I have read and studied books and materials too numerous to count.I have shelves full of them in my office at the store and at my home library. And all the time while I was building a career in technology, I always knew that I wanted to share this knowledge with others.In 2002, after working as a systems analyst for some 20 years, I made the decision for better or worse--profit or loss.
Over the years, I have tried all kinds of plants and oils to see what works and what is mostly hype; and I am telling you now from the depths of my heart, phytonutrients (plant medicines) can save our lives!Most of us are not going to farm--growing our own vegetables and raising our own cattle--most of us are not going to dig wells for spring water, and most of us are not going to go completely green, nor completely vegetarian.Therefore, we must provide our body with foods (nutrients) that can clean it and remove toxins; that can rebuild our cells, and nourish our minds.As opposed to foods that fill our blood with toxins, promote free radicals that ravage our cells, or fat-laden ones that clog our arteries until life-sustaining blood cease to flow.Most of us do not have to look like Twiggy because we are not models; but we shouldn't become so large that we can barely walk.If any woman is over today’s Dress Size 18, you are courting serious health issues.
I am not against physicians or all commercial medicines.I thank God for every doctor on the planet who is dedicated to helping us get well.My son is a doctor!I thank God for every medicine that eases the pain of the cancer patient or the patient going into surgery.But over the years, I have learned that health and well being are our responsibility.Eating right, exercising, regular physician visits, taking supplements, managing stress, clean living, using natural products, and eating healthy food (organic when possible) is all up to us.No one can do it for us.Every daily activity dictates whether we are sick or well; or getting sick or getting well.
I believe that physicians and commercial medicines were never meant to be a crutch, but to restore wellness when it is beyond our control--such as being injured in an accident, bitten by something poisonous, injury from extreme weather conditions, and whenever life threatening surgery is needed.We should not be in the position to where we are running to the doctor every week and taking toxic and often dangerous and fatal medications. First of all, let’s be proactive.Let’s not even get to the point where hypertension and diabetes are serious issues for us.Let’s eat right now, let’s exercise now--let’s be preventive (proactive) and not reactive.
Why are so many people sick?--because of a lack of knowledge or an ignoring of knowledge.You must know that you can’t eat fast foods, high calorie deserts, tons of sodas, etc. on a daily basis and expect to feel well.And yet, you do not have to eat tofu and bean curd every day to achieve and maintain excellent health.Don’t be fooled by today’s system of medical practices.Drugs and office visits are big business.Kevin Trudeau’s book, “Natural Cures They Don’t Want You to Know About”, contains many truths--be in the know--ignorance is not bliss.
A final word--no matter how many times you go to see a doctor, or how many times you are in and out of the hospital, or how much medicine you take for symptoms--it is the ultimately the BODY that heals itself.It is up to us to give it the nutrients that it needs to keep us alive and well.Even though, God equipped us with taste buds out of love for us so that we could enjoy the process of eating--food’s main purpose is to provide nutrients so that our body can rebuild from the cellular level forward.
This is not to say that we should never be sick.Perhaps, we can all become ill at some time; but this should be the exception, not the rule.What illness(es) are you claiming today and not doing the right things about it?What are your daily eating habits?Check yourself--you could be eating your way to an early grave.
Please choose Embellir for your wellness needs as you take control of your well being.Let us help to empower you.
With love, be well, Diane Bradley Higgs, CEO Natural Healing Practioner Holistic Care, Beauty, and Wellness Expert Holistic & Herbal Suppplement Consultant (Consultants who will help to educate consumers about the benefits of natural supplements and other areas of holistic health and wellness.)
To preserve health is a moral and religious duty, for health is the basis for all social virtues. We can no longer be useful when not well.---Dr. Samuel Johnson
You won’t stop being sick until you stop doing the things that make you sick--Unknown
Let food be your medicine and medicine be your food----Hippocrates
Sugar, a sweet way to die---Mary Ann Crenshaw
What is Beauty?
"A thing of beauty is a joy forever"--Keats "For beauty is but the spirit breaking through the skin."--Rodin
What is beauty? What are its constituents? On what does it depend?
These questions have been often asked and have had many various answers which have not yield any universal accepted conclusion. I can tell you what beauty is not--it is not what is defined by the modeling or fashion industries.
According to Burke, beauty is smallness, smoothness, delicacy, and a sense of tenderness and affection. This theory, however, would eliminate the beauty in bulk, boldness, and ruggedness. Others say that the essence of beauty lies in certain lines--external form. Sill others have stipulated that "unity is the uniform form of beauty"--order and proportion. Some have said color, perfect symmetry, and absolute fitness. One man responded that beauty exists only in the female form. Another response was that beauty is as simple as when a person or an object pleases the senses.
At embellir, we define beauty thusly... Beauty surely consists of elegance, grace, and ease of attitude; yet, it can still exist without these. Beauty is irrespective of the color of skin, size, or ethnic origin. For humans, the most beautiful are those with a healthy body and mental vigor. Based on that statement, then ill health, when evident in the features of thinness, obesity, and the like, are incompatible with notions of human beauty. From our own observances, bad temper, ugly attitude, obesity, ignorance, lack of grace, and lack of compassion represent the effect of ugliness. On the other hand, the happy union of a sound mind and moral excellence does not merely compel, but illuminates a true work of God.
The complex structure of our bodies and the various functions of our numerous organs on which both physical and mental life depend are governed by certain laws and require for their integrity and well-being certain accompanying conditions that cannot be violated, nor even neglected, with impunity---pure air, healthy and appropriate food, exercise, peaceful sleep, and proper hygiene.
In the name of wrinkle-free skin, taut thighs and abs, and bigger breasts, many women are undergoing dangerous procedures. There are as many horror stories as there are successes. The horror stories range from disfigurement to death. At Embellir, we believe that there is no "holy grail" of beauty or "fountain of youth". Plus, many people who take extreme measures in the name of beauty generally have unrealistic and even unattainable goals. Even when drugs and procedures are FDA approved, that does not mean that they are neccessarily safe--remember Fen-Phen and Vioxx?!
A few years ago, Botox was ranked at the top of the list of risky procedures along with mesotherapy and hydroquinone. it is not wise to have a devil-may-care attitude when it comes to choosing these risky treatments. Botox continues to grow in popularity despite some dangers such as botulism and paralysis. Botox is reported to contain human albumin, so if you have an allergy to eggs Botox injections may not be for you. Too much Botox has been said to lead to flatten out eyebrows, droopy lower and upper eyelids, and drooling (when injected near the mouth).
Mesotherapy, the injecting of a cellulite-reducing, fat-melting cocktail, has been known to cause skin lesions and ulcerations. Too much of the injections has been said to cause hot flashes, heart palpitations, pain, and bruising.
Hydroquinone, generally thought of as safe, is used to lighten the skin; however, in some cases, it has made the skin darker. It is FDA approved for up to 2% in over-the-counter products, and a doctor can write a prescription for products containing up to 4%. Studies have shown it to cause tumor growth and pigment cell damage. For safer alternatives, try some of the natural lighteners like kojic acid (found in mushrooms), licorice extract, papaya extract, and pure lemon juice supplemented with Vitamin C.
When going under the knife for beauty sake, please choose your doctors very carefully--do your homework and be realistic. Remember, though, that no amount of physical alterations can make up for low self-esteem or a poor self image.
