Radio Show December 19, 2014

If you missed our Radio Show on December 19, 2014, hosted by our good friend,  Dr. Carole Kunkle-Miller , the link below should allow you to listen online.

WKHB Sharon Satterfield Radio Show 12-19-14

Tune in every first and third Friday of the month at 9:00 a.m. to 620 AM Radio Station WKHB.

Thank you to WKHB Radio for a copy of the broadcast!

Radio Show December 5, 2014

If you missed Sharon's radio show on December 5, 2014, this link should allow you to listen online.

WKHB Sharon Satterfield Radio Show 12-5-14

Tune in every first and third Friday of the month at 9:00 a.m. at 620 on your AM Radio dial.

Thank you to WKHB Radio for the copy of the broadcast!

Radio Show 11/21/14

If you missed Sharon's Radio Show on Friday, November 21, 2014, this link should allow you to listen in.  Enjoy!  Thank you to WKHB Radio (620 on your AM dial) for the recording.

Tune in to 620 on your AM radio dial, every first and third Friday of the month, at 9:00 a.m. to hear the original broadcasts.

Sharon Satterfield WKHB Radio Show 11-21-14

HOLIDAY PARTY

We're having a Holiday Party on December 1, 2014 at 6:00 p.m.!

Join us for fun, games, food and a raffle! Learn how to make personalized gifts for friends, family, and yourself.  The informational session is free, but there will be a $5.00 charge to cover cost of supplies if you decide to make any oil blends.

We will also be raffling off a gift basket with over $100 value.  Each raffle ticket is a $5.00 donation and all proceeds go to the Greater Pittsburgh Food Bank.

Radio Show 11/7/14

If you missed Sharon's Radio Show on Friday, November 7, 2014, this link should allow you to listen in.  Enjoy!  Thank you to WKHB Radio (620 on your AM dial) for the recording.

Tune in to 620 on your AM radio dial, every first and third Friday of the month, at 9:00 a.m. to hear the original broadcasts.

Sharon Satterfield Radio Show - 11/7/14

PAJAMA PARTY!!!

PAJAMA PARTY!!!!  Monday, October 27, 2014 at 6:00 p.m.  We will be discussing ways to relax and sleep better.  No charge for the class, but there is a $5.00 fee if you decide to make a personalized oil blend (just to cover cost of oils).  WEAR YOUR FAVORITE PAJAMAS! And bring a chair (or pillow!) to sit on.  Blankies and stuffed animals are also welcome. ;-)

Monday, October 13, 2014

On Monday, October 13th the store will close at 5:30 p.m., instead of 8:00 p.m.

Sharon will continue to take appointments up until 7:00 p.m., as usual, but will need to close the store as no one is available to run the front.  Normal Monday store hours (10:00 - 8:00) will resume on Monday, October 20th.  Sorry for any inconvenience.   

Happy Labor Day!

Back to Basics will be closed Monday, September 1, 2014 in honor of Labor Day.

MEDICINE CABINET MAKEOVER

Join us at Back to Basics on September 13, 2014 from 1:00-2:30 for an informative workshop on using essential oils to help you take charge of your own health, and even replace some common (and pricier!) medicine cabinet items.

We will be offering 10% off all supplements, a raffle for essential oils, healthy refreshments, and a chance to mingle and talk with other health conscious people.

Please bring a folding chair, a notebook, and a FRIEND! (bringing a friend earns you an extra raffle ticket).

Most importantly we're going to have FUN!

Radio Show 08/15/14

If you missed Sharon's Radio Show on Friday, August 15, 2014, this link should allow you to listen in.  Enjoy!  Thank you to WKHB Radio (620 on your AM dial) and Carol Kunkle-Miller for the recording.

Tune in to 620 on your AM radio dial, every first and third Friday of the month, at 9:00 a.m. to hear the original broadcasts.

Sharon Satterfield Radio Show (with Carol Kunkle-Miller) - 8/15/14

Customer Education

To all my customers or potential customers,

As many of you know I have owned this shop 30+ years and have had many great employees. Mary Beth and I have been recently having pow wows as to many of the concerns we have for both the store and our customers.

We are receiving many phone calls from people asking advice on products they have bought online or somewhere else, and not actually a health food store which is even worse. We cannot give or will not give give advice on products bought elsewhere. Not only is it a bit rude, but it is an insult to the great extent we go to, to provide only the best products for our customers and ourselves, as well as the education and hours we have put in to learn how to take care of everyone's needs to the best of our ability.  Also, we love you all dearly, but it's frustrating when we spend 20, 30, 40 minutes giving you advice in person or on the phone and then you turn around and buy your supplements online to "save money."

We BEG you, do not buy supplements from Amazon.  Amazon is rife with counterfeit and tainted products.  Don't get me wrong, I love Amazon for a good deal on books and household goods, but I would NEVER buy something from them that goes in or on your body.

We understand times are hard, believe me we struggle also.  But if people don't start to support local small businesses they won't be here much longer..any of them. Walmart, Giant Eagle even many of the big Health Store franchises do not know how to advise on supplements or health issues. Please keep that in mind.

My intention is not to offend anyone, but rather to educate you and give you the best possible customer service as possible in the interest of your health.  We cannot tell you where to shop or what to buy.  We can only promise you that we will always carry the best products we know of and educate you to the best of our ability on our products. We cannot educate you on others people's products.  We do not know them or their standards. Many "discount" companies buy what our suppliers won't use because it is not up to their standards.

Thank you :-)

Sharon and Mary Beth

ALERT! Do not get scammed!

It has been brought to our attention that there is a possible scam being directed toward our customers.  A customer reported today she was contacted by a man by the name of Tom Harbor stating he was from Back to Basics, and because she had previously shown an interest in supplements and natural health products, he wanted to offer her a "deal" on some sort of supplement, to the tune of $240.00!!!  When I tried the phone number he left with this customer, I was told my call could not be completed as dialed.

We at Back to Basics will NEVER EVER call you to solicit business or sales.  If you call us and ask that we order something for you we are happy to do so and we will of course request a credit card payment to place that order.  But we will never contact YOU and try to sell you something.

If anyone has received, or receives, a call like this from anyone, male or female, claiming to be from Back to Basics, we ask that you contact us right away!

My English Friend

Jean L. Hubbard - April 20, 1934-July 8, 2014

So very few of us ever get to meet someone we can truly call our soul mate, or kindred spirit.

This is who Jean was to me from the very beginning. I will always believe she was my angel.

Jean was my employee, my mentor, my teacher, my strength and comfort, my closest friend.

It has been my honor and privilege to have known her for over 30 years.  Jean was a true

example of unconditional love. She gave her love without hesitation, or expectation, she asked for

nothing in return, but gave her all to those she loved.  Even to those who barely knew her,

or were merely acquaintances, she treated everyone equal as if you were the only person

in the room or world when she talked to you. She had inner strength that was equal to none

and a spirit of total joy, no matter what was going on in her life. She was always honest and

 to the point, even if you didn’t want to hear the truth. She was true to herself and her God.

I only hope I can aspire to be the kind of woman Jean is and was. Though I know I will fall short,

her example will always be in my mind and heart, even Jean knows that and she loved me in spite

of my simple country ways. We were from different worlds, hers refined and mine rough. But

we were both of the same feisty independent spirit, maybe that’s why God put us together.

Her words, "you silly cow," "you bugger," and  "hello love," along with the sound of her heart filled

Laughter will ring in my heart and soul forever . I now also know how to make tea properly!!!

Thank you Jean for everything but most of all your love and loyal friendship, until we meet again..

Sharon

Closed Saturday, July 19th

Back to Basics will be closed on Saturday, July 19, 2014 so that we may attend the memorial service for our beloved Jean Hubbard.

We hope you understand......

Our Medicine Cabinet Makeover class scheduled on July 19th at 1:00 p.m. has been canceled.  We will let you know when we reschedule.

Our beautiful friend Jean was very important to all of us here, and will be celebrated at a Memorial Service on July 19th at 1:00 p.m. at St. Paul's Episcopal Church.

Ionic Foot Cleanse

An Ionic Foot Cleanse is one of the most relaxing and pleasant ways to detoxify and cleanse the body of impurities, heavy metals, and toxins.  Some people say they immediately feel energized, less achy, and one gal even says she has clearer vision following a foot cleanse!

How does it work?
An ionic array is placed into a warm saltwater foot bath.  The array releases a low level electric current that alternates between releasing positive and negative ions into the water, drawing out heavy metals and other impurities.

What happens during an ionic cleanse?
You may feel or see a very faint bubbling from the array as the ions are released into the water.  As you soak your feet, one of the most interesting things to see is the water as it changes.  Depending on individual issues, you may see the water turn orange (joints muscles), green (gall bladder, inflammation), you may see bubbles (immune system, lymph), or even white cheesy flecks (uric or fatty acid or more commonly, yeast).  Black flecks are almost always found (heavy metals) and sometimes red (blood clots) or brown (liver, tobacco products, free radicals).  We have even seen a wide variety of odors coming from the water depending on what's being pulled from your system and how toxic you may be.

In a February 2002 study by Doctor's Data of St. Charles, IL, the water sometimes showed up to a 905% increase in certain heavy metals after an ionic foot cleanse.

What happens after?
We recommend that you drink a complimentary "shot" of  either Body Balance or Ionic Trace Minerals.  It is also important that you replenish your fluids after a cleanse.

We offer ionic foot cleanse any time we're open.  We ask that you call for an appointment (412-343-8156), just to be sure we can offer you the comfy chair in the quiet office, but we can also do them in our semi-private table area. 

We have a loyalty punch card!  Present your punch card each time you have an ion foot cleanse and your 9th cleanse is free.  There is no time limitation to fill your punch card, however we cannot replace lost "punches."

If you would like EXTRA savings, purchase a package of four ion foot cleanses (a $120 value) for $100.00 or for even more savings, a package of eight cleanses (a $270.00 value) for only $200 and still receive a ninth cleanse for free.  A prepaid package of eight cleanses saves you SEVENTY dollars!

WE'RE FAMOUS!

Well sorta.  Kinda.

Ok, not really.

But we ARE back on the radio! Tune in every 1st and 3rd Friday at 9:00 a.m on 620am dial.  Feel free to call in and ask questions, Sharon would love to hear from you!!  Dial (412) 825-6262 if you'd like to talk on air.  You can be famous too. ;-)

Store Policies

Hey all! We pride ourselves on being different because we're a small business.  We love that we know many of you personally and remember your names and remember your preferences.  I will be the first to tell you, I'm a research nerd, and I actually genuinely ENJOY researching supplements and finding things you've been searching for - even if they ARE recommended by Dr. Oz ;-)  I know I speak for all of us when I say Sharon, Jean, Donna, and I love our customers.  And we think you probably know that and come to see us BECAUSE we take that time and we're a small business.

But, because we're a small business, we have to enforce some of our store policies.  If you need us to special order something for you that we don't normally carry, we are HAPPY to do this.  But we have to ask that all special orders are pre-paid upfront.

Our return policy is 30 days, unopened, with store receipt.  We cannot accept returns on opened items, unless there is something wrong with the item.  No returns on special orders.

When making an appointment to see Sharon, we will ask you to provide us with a credit card number to hold the appointment.  We will not charge your card at the time of the appointment, but we do ask that you give us 24 hour notice if you need to change or cancel the appointment so that we can give that time to another client.  No shows will be charged for a consultation.

We hope that you understand and want you to know how grateful we are to have the best loyal customers!

    ~ Mary Beth

Hello Everyone :-)

Once again I am running behind schedule...so sorry. However I have great news, I am going back on the radio, so this has taken up some of my time planning and writing intros and commercials. Yes, I have listened to all your requests and 620 radio/Bob Stevens called and asked me to come back, so I guess that was the sign I was waiting for.  I will be back on radio this Friday at 9:00 a.m. on 620 am dial on your radio station. I hope you all join in, your calls and questions are most welcome for the BIG DEBUT'!!!

Spring is here and summer is approaching so time to put those first aid kits together for home or traveling. I personally never leave home without them. So many people ask me what to use when traveling abroad, cruises or flying and my favorite is always ginger.  Take 2 capsules 3 times per day about 3 days before flying or a cruise and then staying on during the duration of the trip is advisable. Motion sickness is NOT fun, been there did that, so now I always use ginger and have never had the problem again. If you are a person who tends to build up water weight while flying, or has swelling of feet, ankles, etc. B6 100 mgs. is very good to use.  Take just one daily, but also make sure to drink water, as much of the problem with flying is the compression your body experiences and dehydration. We also carry a unique product called Hydration by Energetix.

If you are taking a long flight over seas I would suggest melatonin, to help keep that pineal gland working well and not get out of sync with time changes.  Add some Royal Jelly to help with energy and adjusting to time differences.

If you have stomach and colon issues due to traveling and eating things you don't regularly eat, (Hey and why not you're on vacation!! That's what I tell everyone...I am going to enjoy myself and no stress, chaos or problems allowed. But that can come with some stress of it's own, so be prepared!) try some slippery elm or DGL for gas and heartburn and some LBS to keep those bowels moving. Many people suffer with constipation when traveling.

Always load up on Olive Leaf or Oregano before traveling, along with some Vitamin C to prevent viral or bacterial attacks. Take along some Greens Paks, because chances are you are not going to be eating all your veggies on vacation...just sayin :-) and always, always, ALWAYS probiotics!!

Traveling, to me, is the greatest, and also simply enjoying the season and being outside for ANY reason. However this also the time of pesty bugs and creepy crawlers, not to mention accidents and poison ivy or poison oak. We have a homeopathic remedy for poison ivy and poison oak and also a topical cream which relieves the itching and dries it up quickly. For nasty critters, eating some garlic and using lavender and neem oil topically will deter mosquitoes and such. Tea tree oil for bites applied topically helps heal and stop itching.One must always have lots of Aloe on hand for those nasty sunburns!!

For those bumps and bruises or sprains Arnica tablets and Arniflora gel is great to give relief and control pain, plus speed up healing. Herbal Ca for broken bones is fantastic, we have even used it for major bones loss or brittle bones!! Summer is a time for fun but stock up on some of these products if you have children and even if you don't but are outside working a lot and the travelers products a must for those planning trips.So stop in and get your supplies!! Enjoy your summer where ever you go or whatever you do. God Bless from all of us at Back to Basics!!

Your in Health,

Sharon and staff

Happy Easter!

Back to Basics will close at 4:00 p.m. on Friday, April 18, 2014, in honor of Good Friday.

God Bless and Happy Easter!

Spring Into Health!

SPRING SPECIAL!

Have you started your spring cleaning yet?  Well guess what?  Your body needs a spring cleaning too!  That's right.  Springtime is the perfect time to address allergy issues, nutritional needs, and consider colon and liver cleansing.

For a limited time, all initial consultations with Sharon have been reduced to $95.00.  That's a 25% savings over the standard $125.00 fee!

Initial consultations include full Zyto Scan; Iridology; Sclerology; Face, Tongue & Nail Analysis; Nutritional Counseling; pH Testing.  New clients only.  Limited time.

Dear Customers,

So many have been asking about what is going on with the Naturopathic licensing in Pa. Well...so far not a thing it seems it is still hung up in the "rules committee" and who knows how long it will take for the Senate to actually see it and vote. In the meantime I still urge you all to contact your local Senators and Congressman and tell them to vote "NO" on Pa house bill 612.It is important we all stand up for what we believe in and have a voice in this country before we can't at all..and that time may well be coming..sooner than we think!
It is up to US the "citizens" of this country to say what we want and don't want. Do not leave it up to someone else or put it off We NEED all of you to act on this!!

Thank you,
  Sharon

March Newsletter

Happy Spring Everyone!!!

So sorry about not getting a newsletter out last month, it was a crazy time here with Mary Beth being off. However she is back in the saddle and all I can say is thank God!!! Her health is great, problem solved!
She is my left and right hand so she was missed terribly by not just me but many of you too I know. We have decided to use our blog to keep you informed and put out our newsletters, it makes a nice way for you to ask questions and keep up better with all the goings on here!!

So lots to catch up on and talk about. First spring is here though it may not look like it and allergy season right around the corner..IF we ever warm up that is!! Wanted to get you all prepared for that before your allergies go bonkers!! So here are some things I suggest to get started on now:

Allergy Fighters by Twinlab: 2 twice daily with meals. This helps as a preventative so get on this ASAP
                                                                        OR
Allergy Essentials by Pure Encapsulation: 2 with each meal: this also does the same thing.

Nettle tea is another good one to start drinking as it also works as a preventative and anti-inflammatory to the sinus's.

If you are not using local honey, I would suggest you do. One teaspoon a day everyday helps to build your resistance to the various pollens and irritants that usually bother you. Basically local honey desensitizes your allergies.Plus it tastes great too and goes well with tea and biscuits or crumpets. LOL That is if your English!

Once allergy season hits and if you are still having some issues I would suggest using any one of these products:

ALJ / this is great for the entire respiratory system.
Sinus Support / works like a antihistamine, helping with sinus drainage, watery or itchy eyes.
Histablock / Opens nasal passages and work as an anti-inflammatory to the sinus's.

All of the above products are by Natures Sunshine.

Many people have also found relief using the Nettie Pots also. A wonderful to clear out the sinus area and if you add colloidal silver to the solution it clears up a sinus infection. As the silver works like an antibiotic. We also carry many specific allergy products in a homeopathic form too which is great for many people as some are sensitive to herbs in general.

Remember allergies are an auto immune issue so avoid Echinecea and Golden Seal. Support your adrenals with B-complex, extra pantothenic acid, Royal Jelly, any adrenal formula and also Grape seed extract. You don't want to stimulate the immune system you want to balance it out!! Now certainly you do not need to take ALL of these, pick one,any one and it will support your adrenals.

With the spring comes also the time to cleanse the LIVER and COLON!!

We have many great products to do that job from just about every line of supplement companies we carry. However if you are NOT a pill taker drinking some Dandelion root tea and Milk thistle is a good way to go to detox that liver .Adding in local honey of course:-) Drink 2 cups each daily for the next month or 6 weeks.
For the colon again we have many combinations here that will do that job nicely and turn those brown eyes blue!! Just kidding, though it may lighten them up a tad. I kid you, but believe it or not at one time my Iris was as black as my pupils. After much cleansing my eyes are more Hazel...so you know what I was full of!! Hey I came from a blue eyed family so there you have it!! Though my mother and one brother had green eyes, this is a sign of serious kidney issues and both of them had a lot of problems. My mother even had one kidney removed and half the other. So eye color mean many things.But that is another news letter in itself...

We also have brought in some new supplements by Barlenes:

 A 1500 mg form of fish oil in liquid citrus flavor. For our arteries and vessels.
 Liquid swirl COQ 10 for heart health and circulation, including blood pressure.
 Liquid swirl coconut oil for brain health and memory
 Liquid swirl CLA for weight loss, especially belly fat.

They are delicious as all their fruit swirl products are. So stop in and see us and oh by the way all products we have mentioned in this newsletter for allergies, liver and colon health are 20% off. So take advantage of this sale and stock up!!

God Bless you all and again Happy Spring and Good Health to all of you!!!

Sharon, Mary Beth and Donna

Sharon Does "House Calls"

Remember the good old days when the family doctor would drag himself out of bed to see to a sick family member?  Well.....those days are long gone.

But, if you would like to share some holistic health expertise with friends, family, co-workers, social groups or anyone else, Sharon does come to your location to do seminars and/or lectures.  She recently had a wonderful time speaking to some AT&T employees as well as a lovely homeschooling group.  She has spoken at hospitals, retirement homes, and schools.  She can do small groups gatherings or large seminars.

Give us a call at 412-343-8156 to discuss having Sharon attend your gathering and we can advise you on scheduling and fees.

In Favor of your Morning Joe

 Coffee.  Depending who you talk to, it's good for you or it's bad for you.  The truth is the health benefits generally outweigh any possible risks.  When we were kids we all heard "Coffee will stunt your growth."  I confess I even tried this line on my kids, mostly because the little heathens do NOT need any help staying awake!  Luckily there is no evidence coffee inhibits development or growth, but it's still probably not a good idea to give the little darlings a stimulant if you'd like them to go to bed at a decent hour, because coffee indeed contains the well known stimulant, caffeine.  Another myth linking coffee to heart disease and/or increased mortality, is an outdated theory, most likely because at the time, it was not taken into account that heavy coffee drinkers were more likely to also be heavy smokers. 

So, on to the benefits!

1)  Caffeine may help protect brain cells from Parkinson's, Dementia, and Alzheimer's disease.  And because coffee beans are in fact BEANS, they contain those lovely plant antioxidants which may also protect your liver.  In fact according to an article published by The American Gastroenterology Association (Gastroenterolgy, Volume 144, Issue 4, Pages 670-672, April 2013), coffee may be a valid adjunct to therapy for liver disease.

2)  Coffee boosts your brainpower.  A cup of java before a big test or other brain intensive task can sharpen your memory and keep you alert.  Millions of college kids can't be wrong!

3)  Coffee may help in weight-loss or weight maintenance efforts.  Caffeine can give your metabolism a boost, increasing your fat burning power.  Decreasing your BMI to a healthy range can prevent Type 2 diabetes and heart disease.  Additionally black coffee is one of the lowest calorie drinks you can find. 

4)  There is evidence caffeine can also improve your athletic performance.  Caffeine increases adrenaline levels in the blood. This is the “fight or flight” hormone, designed to make our bodies ready for intense physical exertion.  Caffeine makes the fat cells break down body fat, releasing them into the blood as free fatty acids and making them available as fuel for physical activity.

5)  Coffee contains nutrition!  A single cup of coffee contains:

• Riboflavin (Vitamin B2): 11% of the RDA.
• Pantothenic Acid (Vitamin B5): 6% of the RDA.
• Manganese and Potassium: 3% of the RDA.
• Magnesium and Niacin (B3): 2% of the RDA.

If you are like most people, and drink more than one cup per day, these nutrients add up!

6)  Coffee may fight depression.  Depression is a serious mental disorder that causes a significantly reduced quality of life.  It is incredibly common and about 4.1% of people in the U.S. currently meet the criteria for clinical depression.  In a Harvard study published in 2011, women who drank 4 or more cups per day had a 20% lower risk of becoming depressed.  Another study with 208,424 individuals found that those who drank 4 or more cups per day were 53% less likely to commit suicide.

7)  Coffee is a significant source of antioxidants in a Western diet. For people who eat a standard Western diet, coffee may actually be the healthiest aspect of the diet.  Coffee contains a massive amount of antioxidants.Coffee has an ORAC (Oxygen radical absorbance capacity) value ranging between 15,000 - 17,000 per CUP.  In fact, studies show that most people get more antioxidants from coffee than both fruits and vegetables… combined.

Now go have a cup of java!  It's GOOD for you! We recommend our delicious Ruta Maya 100% organic whole bean coffee. Mmmmmmmmm.
   
    ~  Mary Beth

Ruta Maya 100% Organic Coffee is BACK!

Back to Basics now featuring...........

Ruta Maya 100% organic coffee

 Stop by today and pick some up!

Sick and Tired of being Sick and Tired!

 Nature’s Sunshine Seasonal Defense is another great supplement that keeps me healthy all year long.  I have three young children, and let’s face it, kids are little petri dishes.  They bring home every contagious bug out there.  And I might as well set up a looped recording of “WASH YOUR HANDS,” and play it day and night for all the attention they pay me.  Seasonal Defense contains a proprietary blend of 5 immune boosting herbs.

Andrographis is a flowering plant native to Asia and India and is commonly used in Ayurvedic medicine for humans and pets.  Andrographis is known in northeastern India as 'Maha-tita', literally 'king of bitters', as well as various other names. It is also known as 'Bhui-neem', since the plant, has a similar appearance and has the same bitter taste as that of Neem (Azadirachta indica).  The Mayo Clinic Book of Alternative Medicine, states, "A specific product (Andrographis combined with Eleutherococcus senticosus) may shorten the duration and lessen the symptoms of common cold.” 

Thyme Leaves are beneficial for more than making tasty culinary dishes.  Thymol, the compound in thyme leaves responsible for its aromatic pungent odor (it’s a phenol with similar properties as I discussed in my praises of olive leaf extract) is acknowledged by mainstream medicine to have antibacterial, anti-fungal, and anti-viral properties.  In fact, thymol is as effective as bleach solution at killing bacteria and viruses on surfaces, and non-toxic to humans and the environment.  Used since ancient times as a remedy for respiratory disorders, it also offers anti-viral, antiseptic, anti-fungal, antibacterial, antioxidant and disinfectant benefits.  In a 2007 German study, scientists tested a syrup made of extracts of Thyme herb and ivy on children and adolescents with acute bronchitis. Their study concluded that a ten-day treatment of the syrup clearly improved symptoms and, in some cases, cured the illness. Coughing decreased an average of 81.3% by the tenth day of treatment.

Bitter Orange Fruit Extract contains synephrine, which acts as a natural decongestant.  It may also be useful for upset stomach.  D-limonene is the other beneficial component of bitter orange fruit that has been shown to have anti-bacterial properties. 

Eleuthero Root sometimes referred to as Siberian Ginseng (not to be confused with Korean or American Ginseng), is an adaptogenic herb that helps the body deal with stress.  I don’t know about you, but just thinking about catching another cold or the flu stresses me out!  In this case though, Eleuthero is being used in combination with Andrographis for cold virus relief.  According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), when taken in combination with Andrographis, a 2004 study of 130 children (published in Phytotherapy Research) found that an herbal formula containing Eleuthero and Andrographis helped reduce cold duration and severity when treatment was started at the early stages of the cold.

Oregano  Oregano how I love thee, let me count the ways!  Mmmmmm I love homemade pizza sauce seasoned with oregano.  And there’s nothing better than the smell of oregano spiced spaghetti sauce simmering away in the kitchen.  Oregano oil in supplement form (also known as oil of Mediterranean oregano or Oreganum vulgare) is not quite the same as the oregano I love in my spaghetti sauce (Oregano Marjoram).  Mediterranean oregano is effective due to its anti-inflammatory, anti-fungal, and anti-bacterial properties.  It also contains thymol and is a rich source of Vitamin K and antioxidants.  Portuguese researchers found that oreganum vulgare was effective against 41 strains of the food pathogen Listeria monocytogenes.  Oregano oil is a powerful antimicrobial, because it contains another one of those fabulous phenols called Carvacol.  A team of British and Indian researchers reported that oil of oregano has strong antibacterial properties that can even kill the hospital “Superbug” MRSA (Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus).  Biologists at the United Arab Emirates University reported in the journal PLoS ONE that oregano exhibits anticancer activity by encouraging cell cycle arrest and apoptosis (a fancy word for cancer cells committing suicide).  I could go on and on about the various health benefits of oregano, but in this case, I love it because it helps my body fight the cold and flu viruses flying around this time of year.

I take Nature’s Sunshine Seasonal Defense in a similar manner to olive leaf extract.  I take one a day all winter long to maintain my immunity and bump it up to 2 or 3 a day when I feel “under the weather” or if I’m outright SICK.  

~  Mary Beth

January Newsletter

Happy New Year Everyone :-)

Well another year has come and gone and I hope this year is your best year ever!!!! :-) I have had a wonderful year, lots of changes both good and bad but then that is true for all of us. Thank you all for continuing to be a part of my life and I look forward to continuing to serve you. We are always looking for new and wonderful products or services to help you regain or maintain your health. It is our mission, my life and our belief to bring you the best. So of course I have some new ones to share with you.

For you ladies, well I suppose men too. I have come upon something fun and wonderful. Many of you have heard of body wraps over the years, which basically help reduce water weight in the body and loose inches. They do work but I have found something even better. This botanically-based body contouring treatment helps to detoxify, tighten, tone and firm the body. Minimize the appearance of cellulite and even help to repair skin and rebuild collagen anywhere on the body including the chin and neck area. This wrap does not contain any mineral oil, lanolin, artificial colors, fragrances or animal products, nor has it been tested on animals. Now the aging process is going to get us all in the end. But I for one want to go out as gracefully and youthful as long as possible. I am 92 you know!! Just kidding. So as an introduction to this new product I am holding a FREE WRAP PARTY on Saturday February 8th from 1:00 to 5:00. I hope you can come and join us. Please dress comfortably, allow 45 minutes per wrap and we will make sure you drink plenty of water and are comfortable. The wraps will be done in private in my office. Walks in welcome!!

The skin is our largest organ. So what you put on it is absorbed. So be careful to use only natural botanical products of any kind,including deodorants,shampoos etc., makeup and skin care.There are many things to help maintain beautiful skin and a youthful look. First:the skin needs plenty of water to keep it's elasticity, prevent dryness and to hydrate every cell, organ and gland in our body. It is one of the most important things we can do for ourselves. I see clients almost daily and this is one of the biggest issues. Dehydration!! Secondly: keeping a healthy diet is another. Plenty of dark leafy greens, small amounts of animal protein, lots of berries, all kinds. Avoid white sugar, white flour, preservatives,hormones and antibiotic injected meats, food colorings, GMOs, MSG. In other words if God made it eat..if man made it don't. I know you have heard me say this before but it is so important to avoid bad foods. Eat as much organic as possible.Thirdly: Keeping the colon and blood clean  is also very important for skin health not to mention the rest of the body. Fourth: Plenty of sleep, at least a good 8 hours. Fifth: good old exercise!! Some added things are massage, or acupuncture, very helpful and also a huge stress reliever, not to mention relaxing.

BPX and All Cell Detox are two excellent products for cleansing the skin and body. BPX I have used for years with teenagers for acne it clears the skin up very quickly. Both these products believe it or not are great if you run into poison ivy or poison oak as they keep it from spreading and actually clear it out of the system. Many have used them for ridding the body of toxins from medications and or surgeries. So they work on many issues not just the skin.
Collagen with Vitamin C by Neo Cell has been touted by Dr. OZ who by the way annoys me to no end!!!Anyway I have been a huge fan of this product for years. It can be taken in liquid form or tablets. Great for rebuilding collagen in the skin also. In fact we begin to loose collagen at about the age of 35 or younger so replacing it early helps prevent the skin from aging too quickly and maintain a youthful look.
Thai Go a liquid product made entirely of berries such as Goji, Mangosteen, Red Grapes, Blue Berries, Acai, Raspberries and many more including green tea is one of the most power antioxidant formulas there is out on the market. It fights free radicals, pain and inflammation, high in Vit C. Great for vision, hair, skin, nails and many auto immune disorders like arthritis and fibromyalgia.

We only get one body so we need to take care of it. Many people take better care of their pets and cars or grown up toys than they do themselves. Now taking care of those things is good too especially our pets, but we must come first!! I hope to see you all on Feb. 8th, please bring a friend if you like, we will have fun!!

God Bless and good health!! :-)

~  Sharon

Work In Progress

Hi there! We're joining the 21st century and doing this blogging thing!

Just as we are all on a journey through life and our lives are a work in progress, so is this blog.  So bear with us.  We're not professional bloggers (YET!) and it might take us a little while to get the hang of this.  But we hope you'll join us and enjoy our writings and musings on natural products, supplements, herbs, healthy living, and life, the universe, and whatever the heck we might feel like talking about! :-)

~  Mary Beth

Olive Leaf Extract - Why is it So AWESOME?

Everyone is familiar with olive oil. You know it’s good for you. You’ve probably heard of “The Mediterranean Diet” and stories of amazing health in people who regularly consume diets rich in olive oil.

But do you know WHY?

Olive oil contains a substance called oleuropein. Oleuropein is a phenol. Phenols are chemical compounds that are characteristic of strong, pungent odors. Raspberries and Thyme plants also produce, and therefore contain, phenols. Plants produce phenols as protection against predators, either by repulsing them or poisoning them. Sometimes phenols also serve as an attractant to creatures that prey on the creatures that eat the plant. Phenols also sometimes serve as anti-fungal or antibacterial protection for the plant.

Phenols are the “magical” components that make olives, olive oil, and olive leaves beneficial to the human body, not only due to the obvious anti-fungal and antibacterial action, but also due to the way the body uses plant phenols. Phenols have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-clotting properties when used by the human body. All three of these actions have positive effects on heart health! In a 2005 Spanish study by a team at the Reina Sofia University Hospital in Cordoba, consumption of phenols was shown to have an immediate effect on the efficiency of the cardiovascular system and blood flow.

One of the ways we measure antioxidant benefits is something called an ORAC score. I’ll admit, I had to look up ORAC! ORAC stands for “oxygen radical absorbance capacity.” In English, that basically means the ability of a particular food to destroy free radicals. Free radicals are the outlaw atoms that are responsible for aging and destruction of cells or even formation of cancerous cells. So essentially antioxidants, like the phenols found in olive plants, are the good guys, and free radicals are the bad guys. It makes sense to do everything we can to supply our bodies with these wonderful antioxidant good guys to help slow the aging process, maintain our good health and immune system, and fight cancer.

Olive leaves contain a high concentration of the beneficial phenol oleuropein, often even higher than olives or olive oil, which is sometimes stripped of its beneficial phenolic compounds, and loses most of them when heated for cooking. Olive Leaf Extract, such as the Barlean’s brand that I personally use, has an ORAC score of 7,608 per dose of the liquid extract, or 10,000 per dose in the soft gels.

 My favorite thing about Olive Leaf Extract is the dose is exceptionally customizable and I have noticed absolutely no side effects. On a daily basis I consume a tablespoon of Olive Leaf Extract to maintain my immunity, blood pressure, and heart health. When I feel something coming on, like cold or flu symptoms, I simply up my dose to 2 or 3 tablespoons per day and continue to consume at that level until I feel better. If a sore throat is involved I also use the Olive Leaf throat spray that contains peppermint oil, which soothes and relieves my throat pain. The great thing about it is it can be used as often as needed, unlike anesthetic throat sprays which can have side effects, such as upset stomach. It’s even completely safe for children! My kids keep a bottle by their beds when they’re feeling under the weather.

So go enjoy a little shot of olive leaf today. Your body will thank you.

~ Mary Beth