Goals

What's it going to be this year?
Weight loss? Finally jettisoning that extra 11-16 pounds that have been limiting my wardrobe for the last couple years?
Exercise, eating right, taking time to learn something new?
A quick perusal of old goal lists reveals that I haven't changed much over the years, well psychologically anyway.
A couple things have fallen off or been added to the let's call it bathtub list - it's full of too many general life improvements to be a bucket list, but generally it reads the same.
This can be disheartening if I look at the long-standing items as failures or missed opportunities or inadequacies.
I'm going to focus positively. 
 Look beyond the bathtub list to the successes of the let's call it water glass list. The million and one small things I got done all year.
Aggressive productivity I'll even call it.

2012 will be the give myself a break year. That doesn't mean I'm satisfied or complacent, just kinder to list maker.
Wishing you a positive and renewing review of your 2011 accomplishments.

Tip for You: Vitamin D

Make sure you're getting enough Vitamin D. Most don't and the suggested daily allowance according to Life Extension and other reputable nutritional agencies has gone up. This can be checked through a normal blood test.Vitamin D is fat soluble. Be aware of what dose can be toxic to your body.

Don't forget that we're all very different and that what is best for your friend might be very detrimental to you. Be aware of your body and what works for you and what doesn't.

Stress is huge. It impacts us in function, but also in quality of health and longevity. Analyze what is going on in your life and strive to improve for your own sake.

Tip for You: Lavender

Lavender is amazing for burns. First time you've ever heard this information? Sad, but often, this is the case. We get to adulthood, survive countless burns without ever knowing how the essential oil Lavender is really wonderful for healing burns.

I heard about a story of a man who suffered third degree burns on his forearms. They were far from a medical facility. His massage therapist friend filled a utility sink with room temp. water and dumped a large bottle of essential oil of lavender in the water. The young man immersed his arms in the water for somewhere between 3/4 and 1 1/4 hours. He had only the most minimal scarring. His pain was diminished greatly. He suffered no infections. I personally use Lavender for burns whenever it is necessary and I'm always surprised at the discomfort relief that the lavender provides.

Take caution when using essential oils. They aren't meant to use undiluted directly on the skin, with a few exceptions. Consult your doctor, but remember on top of everything. Your health is your own responsibility. Read, learn, choose. Hold the blame. Nobody will ever care as much as you do. God bless. Heal well.

Tip for You: Hydration

If I think about hydration and close my eyes, I can see the ocean, feel the mist on my face, the water splashing around my ankles. If I open my eyes, it is Fall and the hydration is dismal rain. Somehow I'm already dry, cracking hands and dry skin, and it isn't even Winter yet. Eight to ten glasses a day is daunting. I love water and keep a stainless steel water bottle with me all day, but still it is tough to drink enough. I love coffee and wine, both big dehydrators.

Here's the tip 'o the day - lemon and lime juice are big hydrators. I even know of some people that put a little lemon juice in their coffee to counteract the dehydrating effect of the caffeine. I'm not there yet, more power to you if you are. I do however, consciously disregard that research article I read laying out the unsanitary state of much of the cut lemon available to us and I squeeze away.  I figure that any of the public things I ingest might fare similarly if targeted. Here's to a strong immune system. You can cut your own lemons and should. Incorporate them into food, yes, but squeeze them into water, tea, soda, whatever. Add a little vitamin C and extra hydration, good stuff.

Tip for You: Immune Support

There's a phenomenon in the natural health world where an herb that has existed so long that there are depictions of it on cave walls becomes the "new" big thing. Any positive attention to natural remedies would seem to be a good thing, but the rubber band gets pulled way back and the hot item - echinacea, let's say, gets full force thrown down the consumer's throats. A ton of it gets sold usually without any clear direction as to dosing or application or synergists or contraindications. You certainly can't find any of that information on the label, thank you FDA for having our health and well being at the very top of your priority list. Invariably some vaguely unfavorable article comes out, usually just prior to the launch of a similarly aimed pharmaceutical. People talk and then, bam, helpful innocent herb is out of favor. I'll hop off my soapbox now.

Echinacea

Echinacea is a great boost to the immune system, but you aren't supposed to take it for long periods of time. I've read no more than 4 months at a stretch.

Astragalus

Astragalus is another herb that is also a wonderful immune supporter and it is fine to take for long periods of time.

Reishi Mushrooms

Reishi mushrooms are also beneficial. Regular consumption of red Reishi can enhance our body's immune system and improve blood circulation, thus improving better health conditions. Red Reishi is also used to help treat anxiety, high blood pressure, hepatitis, bronchitis, insomnia, and asthma.

Sage Tea

Sage tea when drunk at the time that your throat gets scratchy can knock the illness out before it takes hold.
Vitamin C remains king.

Zinc helps many and certainly the body when ill runs low in zinc, but some people don't tolerate it well.
The deficiency symptoms of zinc include:

• Low blood pressure
• Loss of appetite
• Loss of sense of smell and taste
• Depression, rough skin
• Weight loss
• Pale skin
• Diarrhea
• Hair loss
• Fatigue
• White spots under finger nails

As usual, the best advice is know yourself, pay attention to your body's signals.

Welcome to the Blog

Hello and welcome to the blog for Hands on Health Scents! Please follow the blog to receive information and updates on new products, specials, as well as tips for you for better health. Your comments, suggestions, questions, concerns, and feedback are greatly appreciated as I read each and every one of them. Enjoy!