Month: January 2013

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FLU… (Rolling my eyes)


Month: January 2013 By Laurianne Macdonald

At first I wondered why I would want to write anything on this subject. It seems everybody and their grandmothers have already done so. But I went to several of my favorite blogs, articles, and post (checking out the competition) and saw that they all said pretty much the same thing. What a surprise.

Anyway… how many of us don’t already know that what is commonly known as the flu is a contagious virus caused by one of the many strains of influenza germs that are easily spread and attack the upper respiratory tract and mucus membranes. Well, some 60% of Americans don’t need me to tell them that. They already know all about this year’s flu, and that it is a bad one. Terrible, in fact.  Like most A strain viruses, it comes on strong and fast with chills, fever, body aches, sore throat, cough and extreme fatigue. Other symptoms include headaches, sinus congestions, runny nose, stomach ache, vomiting, and, of course, the dreaded diarrhea. For most, these symptoms will usually resolve in about ten to fourteen days, not to detract from your pain…

But for some these primary conditions are dangerous. According to the CDC children under five, adults over sixty-five, pregnant women, and those with preexisting conditions like asthma, chronic obstructed pulmonary disease (COPD), and congestive heart failure (CHF), obesity and immune disorders, all have a higher risk of suffering complications that may require medical treatment or hospitalization. In worst cases, they can result in death. Last week the CDC reported that 8.3 percent of deaths nationwide were the result of the flu epidemic.

So, what can you do to protect yourself?

Most allopathic doctors, the CDC, and probably even your own mother will tell you to get vaccinated. Reports indicate a 62% efficacy of this year’s flu vaccine, and even I’m thinking that’s pretty good odds. But then, when I see that needle and fluid and remember that I really have no idea what’s in that liquid or what it will do to me, ‘one size does not fit all’ rings in my head. I remember that just yesterday a report came out: Over 800 children in Europe now suffer narcolepsy linked to the swine flu vaccine. I remember we’re not supposed to talk about stuff like that here in America; it is not good for the free market, pharmaceutical companies, and the westernized medical industry that thinks they have it right after only two hundred or so years of trial and error.

But, when was the last time one of those high-profile ‘Health and Nutrition’ or “Medical News’ blogs reminded you that the knowhow behind herbs used in Ayurvedic and Chinese, hell, even Native American medicine, is over three thousand years old, or said, out loud, there is more behind things like astragalus, Echinacea, goldenseal, and even simple cayenne pepper not being approved by the FDA as immune boosting medicine than the old wives tale excuse? It certainly isn’t lack of effectiveness.

What about once you have symptoms?

You can get $10.00 off your Tamiflu prescription. Tamiflu has been clinically proven to reduce and relieve symptoms a whole 1.3 days faster than without taking the drug within 48 hours of your first symptom. Why? Because it has the same antiviral (stops the virus from being able to reproduce) as onions, thyme, oregano, honey, and that home-made chicken soup your mom used to make.

Tamiflu, or oseltmivir, have the following side effects: allergic reaction, difficulty breathing, swelling of face, lips, tongue and throat, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, dizziness, headache, nosebleeds, sleeping problems, cough, rashes, blistering and peeling skin, sudden confusion, delirium hallucinations, unusual behavior, and self injury.

So, again, I ask why?

As someone who suffers from chronic lung disease, I know I’m at risk. I know there are people who wish I’d get the vaccine. Because I can’t give statistics on how well my onion soup and daily astragalus supplements or oregano oil disinfectant work to keep me healthy, they think I’m wrong to believe in them. I hope me and Simply Natural & Cafe, where I get my astragalus, Echinacea, and good advice on other products that help keep my immune system strong, will beat this flu season. I just wonder… do they have Laurianne’s Onion Soup on the menu yet?

Laurianne’s Onion Soup

Ingredients

1/2 cup salted organic butter

4 onions, sliced

2 garlic cloves, chopped

2 fresh thyme sprigs

Freshly ground black pepper

1 cup burgundy

2 quarts organic beef broth

1 fresh baked baguette, sliced and toasted

Organic goat’s cheese (optional)

Directions

Melt the stick of butter in a large pot over medium heat. Add the onions, garlic, thyme, salt and pepper and cook until the onions are caramelized. Add the wine and reduce until liquid is gone. Discard thyme sprigs. Turn the heat down to medium low. Add beef broth and bring soup to a simmering boil. Serve with dollop of goat’s cheese on baguette toast centered in bowl. (Caution, cheese can cause phlegm: serve without if there are signs of congestion.)

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There is no OZ when it comes to your health


January 7, 2013 by Laurianne Macdonald, B.Sc., MPH, CHt, Licensed RTT Practitioner

DEP recalls, GMOs, Monsanto… Oh my!

With growing concern over the use of pesticides, low nutritional value of hydroponic or commercially grown produce and the Frankenstein abomination known as genetically modified organisms (GMO) being the scariest thing to come out of food science laboratories since high-fructose corn syrup, the health food and supplement industry is now a $20-billion dollars a year business. Unfortunately, not everyone has your health and wellbeing in mind when they offer advice, that latest cure-all elixir, or that next best supplement.

Now more than ever, it is important to be a well informed consumer.

The last time I went to Whole Foods I brought a handful of questions about the herbal tincture everybody was talking about. I walked out confused and with a bag full of product I paid too much for. After taking my son to the local GNC with hopes to learn which protein supplement is best for an athlete of his age and activity, I realized I knew more about the products on the shelf than the store manager.  I find the same to be the case at most health food suppliers and vitamin shops. That may seen an unfair statement as I am working toward my degree in alternative medicine, but making sense of the endless array of product… brain enhancers, gout relievers, natural anti-inflammatory or holistic cures for allergies, is daunting to say the least. You need a degree to wade through the plethora of propaganda and marketing mumbo -jumbo if only to avoid worrying that something you’re taking may have contraindications, be toxic if used incorrectly, or counteract the effects of your current blood pressure medicine.

I’ve been fortunate enough to find a place and people that have sifted through all the holistic hoopla-la and commercialized confusion plaguing the health food and supplement industry today. After witnessing the shift in philosophy and commercialization of the market, Richard Pearl and Sharooz Taheri decided to open their own shop. At Simply Natural Shop and Cafe, they keep some of the old ways intact: things like personalized attention, experienced and knowledgeable staff, and a true commitment to protecting the holistic lifestyle… all while keeping pace with the latest industry and medical developments.

When I first walked into Simply Natural, the hometown feel was comforting but a little disconcerting; I’d grown accustom to being confronted by shelves and walls stacked ceiling high and six layers deep—not by a friendly “hello”. Then, I was allowed to shop at my leisure, not prodded and probed at every turn. I was encouraged to ask if I had any questions and found that after a while all I wanted to ask was why there weren’t more places where the staff was so well versed or how come other stores don’t treat me so well.

I came to find out Richard and Sharooz believe everyone who enters their shop in Sunrise is an honored guest. That is why they serve only the best time proven products, supplements and organics, provide news and information from reliable, unbiased sources, and offer advice backed by thirty years of experience. Sharooz is even a specialist in iridology and Neurofeedback (Brain Training), offering diagnostics and holistic counseling.

So, you don’t really need to get your degree in Alternative Medicine to take better care of yourself or your family. But your health and wellbeing is a precious treasure you must protect by staying alert, capable of telling the difference between market trends, diet fads and current medical findings. Be aware of pharmacological threats, nutritional guidelines, and always bring your questions, concerns, and need for unbiased, honest answers to someone you trust.