healthy living reviews

Review of The Etheric Weaver

2010-01-26T16:46:00.000-08:00

Introduction:

There are many tools and gadgets that are available that purport to heal and help a person. As someone who has been interested in health and well-being for a long time, I have had the opportunity to experience a really easy to use yet powerful crystal called an Etheric Weaver. I have suffered with asthma for around 20 years, and wanted to get off the medication that was needed to control the symptoms. Whilst the medicine helped control the disease, I knew it wasn't really healing the cause - it was masking the symptoms. This understanding led me to trying out the Etheric Weaver.

About the product:

The Buddha Maitreya Etheric Weaver^® is a simple to use healing tool and can be used by anyone for deep meditation, self-healing and healing others. Simply hold by the teardrop, and let the crystal hang like a pendulum over your hand or the area being treated. Relax and clear your mind and allow the Etheric Weaver^® to begin moving gently on its own as it works to calm, heal and align to the Soul - radiating the vitality of one's attunement to God. The crystals are available in a variety of colors and you simply choose the color that you are attracted to - it's as simple as that.

How I tested the product:

Well, I have been using this particular healing tool for a long time now. It is part of my daily care program that I use whether I am sick or not. I simply hold the crystal over my lung area and allow it to move. Sometimes I hold it over my hand and the really interesting thing is that I can often feel heat and tingles in my body. This has been explained to me as a movement of chi or vitality and is similar in concept to acupuncture where tiny needles are placed along specific meridian points to increase the person's own vitality. This in turn can lead to healing of ailments, pain, emotional disorders to name a few.

Pros:

Easy to use, does not require any specific knowledge or interpretative skills.
It works! I have had an 80% improvement in my lung function - verified by my decreased use of medication and improved breathing.
Easy to order with an excellent website that details exactly how to use the etheric weaver as well as customer care service, both online or by calling in.
Many testimonials to support the healing efficacy of this product.

Cons :

None - this powerful crystal has done more for me and my lungs than I could have hoped for. With regular use my symptoms are kept at bay. Remember though you do have to use it, not just leave it in the box!

I give it 5 stars out of 5.

Etheric weavers can be purchased here.

A Review of Mambino Youth Glow Omega Face Complex

2010-01-12T15:36:00.000-08:00

Introduction

My complexion has a tendency to be dry and sensitive to many products. I have monthly flare-ups with areas of breakouts that can be quite painful. Recently I tried a new product to help combat the dryness and soothe the inflammation. I was looking for something that would moisturize my skin without causing oiliness that would lead to more breakouts.

About the product:

Youth Glow by Mambino Organics is designed for all skin types, including sensitive skin. It contains rosa mosqueta, evening primrose and sea buckthorn and is high in essential fatty acids which nourishes the skin. The product describes itself as " revealing fresher, smoother and more radiant looking skin."

How I tested the product:

I have been using it for one month now.

Pros

Does not irritate my sensitive skin.
Certified organic ingredients.
Pleasant smell - although for people who like fragrance free the aroma might be too strong. I am sensitive to many perfumes but I really like this. It has an orange/rose aroma.
Reasonably priced - cost me $24 and as you only need a couple of drops the 1 fl oz bottle should last as long as most serums. In my opinion you don't need a serum with this product and you may not need a moisturizer on top, although I still use a moisturizer in addition to this product.

Cons

I don't know that any of the ingredients specifically target anti-aging as do many serums that are currently on the market.
The scent might irritate some.

Conclusion

I like this product and was quite impressed that it did not cause any more breakouts. I used it on inflamed areas and it did not irritate. I feel the product lives up to its promise of calming sensitive skin. It actually feels like it has healing properties too and the ingredients look good. My skin feels moisturized hours after I have applied it. I am happy with my purchase.

I give it 4.5 stars out of 5. Anything that calms my skin is good in my book.

Where to buy it:
Online

An alternative to False Teeth?

2009-12-27T13:18:00.000-08:00

I read an interesting article today in The Guardian.co.uk about a procedure that holds promise in growing new teeth. This could offer a viable alternative to dentures and considering that the average Briton has lost up to 12 teeth by the age of 50, there would seem be no shortage of takers.

You can read the full article by clicking here.

Review of Bach Flower Rescue Remedy

2008-06-02T11:34:00.000-07:00

I have used Bach flower remedies for many years now. There are 38 different Flower Essences that work to correct emotional imbalances, replacing negative emotions with positive ones. In this review I am going to write about "Rescue Remedy".
Rescue Remedy is actually a combination of 5 different flower essences and has been specifically created to be used in stressful or traumatic moments. For example, before taking an exam, or after getting bad news, before a job interview, those situations where we lose our emotional and mental balance and can feel off kilter.
Please refer to Bach Flower Remedy website for more in-depth information. Here you will also be able to read about Dr. Edward Bach , the founder and creator of these amazing essences.

About the product:

The essences are made from spring water that has been infused with wild flowers. The remedies work at a vibrational level to help restore equilibrium to the emotional body. Consider that every living thing emits a vibration, and then think about the vibration or essence that certain flowers and plants have. How does it feel to be around flowers? How does it feel when someone gives you flowers? What effect does the scent of certain plants have upon your senses? How do the different colors effect you?
When we feel out of sorts , our bodies and minds are essentially out of balance. The theory is that using certain vibrational remedies such as Bach Flower Remedies can help to address the imbalance, by restoring a positive in place of the negative. So for example if you woke up one morning feeling anxious, then the positive expression of anxiety would be calmness. There is essentially a flower remedy that can help balance this emotion. For further insights about healing the emotions click here.

How I tested the product :

I first came across the products over 14 years ago, and Rescue Remedy has become a staple in my medicine cabinet. I use it whenever I get uneasy feelings, or when am nervous . I have used it to great effect when I want to wind down before bed. I use it for my child if he gets nervous before an exam, and when he was little I used to give it to him if he got scared. I find it to be a subtle yet highly effective remedy for me . If I have butterflies in my stomach, or feel agitated I take a few drops of the remedy in water and gently I can feel the unease lifting. It's a totally holistic and natural way to address emotional upsets and has zero side effects.

Pros :

Available in a spray bottle , a dropper bottle , pastilles and an alcohol- free formula suitable for kids or people who need to avoid any alcohol whatsoever. (Otherwise the essence is in a small amount of brandy as a preserver).
Available in a cream formula called Rescue Remedy Cream that can be used on external traumas such as bruises, cuts, sprains, rashes etc.
Readily available online or in health stores.
Non -habit forming, promotes the body to self heal.
Has a good website with plenty of information
Easy to take, can be used on plants and animals too!

Cons :

None in my opinion. This remedy is the real deal.

Conclusion :

Safe, gentle, natural, homeopathic....it works! Carry one in your purse and use it whenever life throws its curve balls at you. I have found that it relieves stress, fear, anxiety, anger, impatience.... those conditions that are universal in all of us from time to time. It is perfectly safe for children, animals, plants, pregnant women, sick people. It won't contradict any other medications or vitamins/herbs you may be on.
I give this product 5 stars out of 5 because for me it has worked wonderfully well. I love the philosophy behind it and it fits in with the way I want to live my life.... healthily!

Review of Tweezerman Slant Tweezers

2008-06-01T13:43:00.000-07:00

Wow, these are the best tweezers I have ever used. If you can feel or see a hair then these tweezers will grab it and pull it out, even tiny ones that are just breaking the surface. I got the slant ones, as I felt they would be better/safer for my hands when plucking hairs than the pointed ones. I have not been disappointed and consider these a staple of my beauty care box.

About the product :

Tweezerman tweezers. Use for extracting stray hairs, eyebrows, removing splinters.....

How I tested the product :

I bought these two weeks ago from our local health store, as I had lost my other tweezers. I had heard of tweezerman before, and felt it was time to invest in a pair. I have used the tweezers for tidying up my brows and they are easy to use, and pretty pain free. My previous tweezers were not anywhere near as effective, and often times I ended up gouging my skin with the tips as they were not so precise, especially on shorter hairs. Most tweezers seem to work ok on long hairs as there is something to grab, but fair badly when working on the shorter regrowth hairs. Tweezerman tweezers are perfect for these pesky stubby hairs that grow back, finally a tool that works for me!

Pros :

easy to use/easy to clean
comes with a plastic cap to cover the pointy ends when not in use
readily found at drugstores, health stores, online
handy information leaflet explaining the best way to pluck hairs
pretty economical considering the excellent guarantee that comes with the product. Mine cost $20 from local health store. The guarantee states that they will sharpen the tools that have become dulled through normal use for FREE. They also pledge to replace damaged /dropped tools for half the purchase price. Bent tips can be repaired for $5. There are no S/H charges. Pretty good deal I think.

Cons:
Honestly can't think of any. If any come up with further use , I will post but right now I am really happy with my purchase.

Conclusion:
I give this product 5 stars out of 5! I recommend you get a set for your beauty/medicine box, you won't be disappointed.

Review of Deodorant Crystal Roll-On

2008-05-24T18:32:00.000-07:00

Introduction

You probably are aware of the dangers that regular deodorants containing aluminum pose to health. Over the years there has been much educational material published regarding this. Click here for more information regarding dangers of aluminum salts in deodorants and especially the link to breast cancer.

I have not used deodorants containing aluminum for years, and over the course of time have tried many different healthy alternatives , with varying results of efficacy. The latest one I have tried is:

About the product:

It's called "Naturally Fresh Deodorant Crystal Roll-On." Its a liquid roll-on deodorant, with clear, salty liquid in it. You roll it on and let it dry.

How I tested the product:

I have been using it once every day for the last 4 months now.

Pros

great value - cheap, lasts a long time. One bottle cost me around $5 in the health food store.
nontoxic - it has only 5 ingredients
effective - It works well at stopping odor.
non-greasy - it has a light feeling on the skin, doesn't seem to clog pores much
non-staining - no white stuff to get on clothes
no strong scent - I am pretty sensitive to perfumes and bought this deodorant because it says it is fragrance -free. However, I find it to have a faint flowery smell, it is not irritating or chemically smelling though and doesn't bother me.

Cons

not heavy-duty - it goes on light, so it doesn't stand up to heavy exercise as well as some deodorants .
has slight scent , although its supposed to be scentless
takes time to dry - you may find yourself fanning your armpits to get them to dry faster.
loooong name - the name of the product is long, generic, hard to remember, and hard for people to search for due to how generic it is.

Conclusion

Overall I think this product works well, and I know it isn't going to harm me as it contain no harmful aluminums or parabens and is made with pharmaceutical grade mineral salts. Its very cheap and lasts a long time. This is great value being inexpensive, nontoxic, and does the job for me. I give it my recommendation.

I give it 4.5 Stars out of 5. Its not perfect, but it's good enough, safe, and cheap.

Where to buy it:
Health store, online.

Review of Buttoneer

2008-01-19T12:02:00.000-08:00

The Buttoneer is basically a cheap, flimsy version of the device clothing stores use to attach those little plastic tags that hold on price tags and hold pairs of socks together, with a few differences. While that sounds like a great idea, the Buttoneer uses tags that are so tiny and flimsy they are practically useless. The tiny tags are so weak they pull out with the slightest effort, making them inadequate for holding a button on. They might be useful for attaching buttons to doll clothing, or perhaps shirt collars or some other place that doesn't require the button to actually hold anything in place. For buttons that actually have to hold something close, the Buttoneer is completely useless, as the buttons pull out with the slightest force. Its hard to see how the designers even thought this device could work, since the plastic tabs are so tiny and weak. Anyone who has tried the Buttoneer can see its completely useless, so either the people selling it have never even tried the thing, or they're intentionally selling a useless product.
The sad thing is, that using plastic tabs to hold on buttons is actually a pretty good idea, and the Buttoneer could probably hold buttons on securely if the device were not so poorly designed. If they just made the plastic tabs as strong as the ones used in clothing stores this would probably be a great product. Unfortunately, they used cheap, tiny, ineffective plastic tabs instead, making this product totally useless for anything except ripping off unsuspecting consumers lured in by those late-night TV commercials

Review of Episilk Lip Balm

2008-01-19T11:44:00.000-08:00

This is a silky smooth lip balm that contains Hyaluronic Acid. Simple definition of Hyaluronic Acid is " a viscous slippery substance that lubricates the joints, maintains the shape of the eyeballs, and is a key component of connective tissue. "(From medterms .com)
The lip balm is very moisturizing and protective in cold and hot weather. It is scent free making it ideal for those sensitive to perfumes. I also use it as a base under lipstick, as it plumps out my lips and allows the color to go on more smoothly. All in all a great product and pretty inexpensive to buy, plus it lasts a long time.

Footnote, I have just got over a nasty cold and found that this lip balm was really good for soothing my poor chapped nose , cracked and painful from all the nose blowing. It didn't sting at all when rubbed into the delicate skin under my nose and protected it when further nose blowing was necessary!

Review of Aerolatte milk frother

2008-01-19T11:25:00.000-08:00

I just got this milk frother and I love it! It is the easiest way to make frothed milk without having to use steam. I don't know if you have used a steam frother , but they can be pretty scary not to mention noisy!
With the Aerolatte frother you whip the milk up right in the cup. I used it this morning for my cappuccino and the froth came out perfect. I am a bit of a froth coinesseur and I was pleased to note the thickness and smoothness of my froth this morning. It wasn't just frothy on top and watery underneath, but a thick and creamy consistency all the way through. What a treat and it took just 30 seconds or so to whip it up!
The milk frother runs on two AA batteries, it really couldn't be easier.

Review: Throat Rescue Spray

2007-09-12T22:19:00.000-07:00

This is a really handy product to have in your medicine cabinet, particularly if , like me, you have children who have just gone back to school and already have encountered outbreaks of strep throat! I actually believe I have staved off strep throat in the past by liberally pouring this product down my throat at the onset of symptoms.
It is a not too bad tasting concoction of purified water, peppermint oil and ionic silver. Silver is well known for its anti-bacterial, anti-fungal and anti-viral properties and is as least as potent as antibiotics without the troubling side effects.
The spray is very soothing to aching throats and promotes a healthy environment to discourage the growth of germs. It has a useful dispenser whereby you can aim it towards the back of the throat which comes into its own when administering to a child's inflamed throat...
I have tried a lot of different alternative remedies for sore throats and this remains my favorite as it works quickly so long as you nip the symptoms in the bud, ie as soon as you feel tickles in the throat start spraying!

Review : Salting technique for steak and chicken

2007-09-12T21:40:00.000-07:00

I came across this adventurous cooking technique via an interesting article that actually used cheaper cuts of steak but I tried it on a whole chicken. Essentially you douse the meat with good quality salt (recommended is Kosher salt or sea salt). Don't be shy at this stage of the proceedings, you literally cover the meat till it looks like snow has fallen and leave it there for one hour. Then , rinse the salt off and pat said meat very dry. I encourage you to check out the article where I got this info as it is very informative and has some interesting diagrams about the process of salt with meat!
It is such an easy way to prepare a tasty treat, all I did was stuff a bunch of home grown sage, rosemary and garlic into the cavity, smear butter and pepper over the bird and pop it into the oven.
Did it taste too salty? No , it was flavorsome, tender and seasoned to perfection. It was pretty hassle -free cooking too, no basting required and the skin, crispy perfection which I confess to eating!
I made sure the chicken was organic , as there is no way I am going to eat chemical chicken. That set me back $12 but it fed four people so I consider that pretty reasonable.
I plan to try this salting technique on some NY steaks next, will update on results.....

Review : Veggie Wash

2007-09-12T21:21:00.000-07:00

All Natural Veggie Wash for your fruits and veg. This is a citrus based cleaner that has been lab tested to remove wax, soil, chemicals from your produce. Smells nice too! Reasonably priced at around $4.50 for a 16 fl.oz spray bottle , this should keep you going for a few months .
Why use a cleaner for your fruits and veggies versus plain old water rinsing? According to this products website " Pesticides and other agricultural chemicals are specifically engineered to be "waterproof" so that they are not washed off by rain and irrigation. Many fruits and vegetables (grapes, apples, cucumbers, etc.) are also coated in wax to preserve the quality and appearance of the produce from the fields to your kitchen table.

Studies suggest that some of these chemicals may be toxic to the human body. Specifically, pesticides have been linked to cancer, reproductive problems, and neurological disorders and can be especially harmful to children, the elderly, and anyone suffering from a deficient immune system. In addition to agricultural chemicals and other residues, 20 or more strangers may have handled your fruit or vegetable before you put it in your mouth."

Pretty compelling. I like this product , it doesn't have a chemically smell and rinses clean away. It makes a pretty good counter top cleaner too. Psychologically, I must confess , it gives me comfort to use a product such as this on the foods I am going to ingest that may have come into contact with God knows what....

Review - Safeways storebrand Organic extra virgin Olive Oil

2007-08-17T11:47:00.000-07:00

Increasingly we are becoming aware of the healthful benefits of including olive oil in our diet. Sometimes referred to as The Mediterranean Diet, the attributes of olive oil are impressive.

Of course if we are going to eat something as part of a daily regime, it needs to taste good. Some extra virgin olive oils have a very overpowering taste , for my palette anyway. Not so with this offering from Safeways. I find it incredibly complimentary with all different foods, still allowing me to taste what it is I am eating without being overly oily.

I am really rather happy with this item and find it to be consistently good quality, and this from a person who buys quite a few bottles a month!

Tastes good- mild , smooth texture
Readily available from your local Safeways
Cheaper than many other extra - virgin oils - especially when you use your Safeways Club card!
Encourages Safeways in their Organic venture
Has plenty of documented health benefits

There aren't really any negative points about this product, except I would like to be able to buy it in even bigger jars as we seem to guzzle it by the gallon in our house....

Hope you find this review helpful...Happy Eating....

"Eat drink and be merry...."

Review Simply Pure 5 Elements Shampoos from Anthony Morrocco

2007-08-02T17:36:00.000-07:00

Welcome to my corner of the web!

I hope you find the following review helpful to you on your journey to optimum health. This is my first post and I plan to review many more "natural" goods that purport to enhance our health, vitality, wellbeing, even Soul. It has become a Goliath industry in many ways and there is a huge array of choice when it comes to what we put in /on our bodies. Many products make BIG claims as to what their products can do for you. But do they work ? Are we getting our money's worth when we buy healthy products that promise to be the panacea we have all been waiting for ?

With this in mind I am going to start Healthy Living Reviews with shampoos, namely Morrocco Method Shampoos, a line of holistic haircare developed by Anthony Morrocco . I first came across this line around four years ago when surfing the web looking for healthy personal care products. I had recently become aware of the damage that SLS's (sodium laurel sulfates) could wreak on a person's health . Moreover, it seemed to be in many personal care products ...shampoos, conditioners, toothpaste, body washes, mouth washes....

Basically it is a sudsing agent that puts the lather into products. There is a lot of weight behind the thought that SLS is possibly the most dangerous ingredient a consumer can find in most shampoos. So potent is SLS, studies have linked it to serious skin and scalp irritation and disease, hair loss and damage and the ability of the chemical to create nitrate compounds which have been linked to cancer and cell damage. It was originally used as a degreaser for industrial parts! Seriously would you want to wash your hair/body/teeth with that?
What got me searching for products that were SLS free was a tenacious case of periodontal acne ( that's clusters of small painful bumps around the mouth). I just could not seem to heal from this ailment so I started researching on the internet. That was when I found out my ailment "could" be due to SLS in my toothpaste. Well I was willing to give it a shot so I started using toothpaste without SLS ( that will be another review!) and lo and behold the condition cleared up.

During the course of this research I came across a most interesting website about healthy haircare that really piqued my interest www.morroccomethod.com
To cut a long story short , I ordered four of the travel size shampoos just to check it out. They were a little expensive ,but after due poring over their website I became quite excited about the claims Mr Morrocco made.

"Simply Pure 5 Elements Shampoos detoxify, nourish, stimulate, and cleanse hair and scalp in the most holistic way possible, leaving no harmful chemical residues. Good for the whole body. Nontoxic, gluten free, and non-allergenic. Safe for the whole family.

The safest, most naturally vital shampoo available in the marketplace today."

The exotic sounding ingredients include organic botanicals, trace minerals, and herbs, pure southwestern white healing clays natural, soapbark from Chile, Chinese green tea from Shanghai, cactus from Mexico aloe vera, apple cider vinegar, essential oils of eucalyptus, frankincense, myrrh, rosemary, safflower, sage, sesame, vetiver..... and more....
Sounds good enough to eat doesn't it , which when you think about is a pretty good barometer of how healthy something is when deciding if we should use it or not... food grade or not?

There are four shampoos in the line relating to the different elements. For best results it is recommended that one rotates each shampoo. Sea Essence is for Water, Pine Shale is for Air, Earth Essence is for Earth and Apple Cider Vinegar is for Fire. They smell great and make for a good face wash too!

Well I have been using the products pretty religiously for 4 years now and I love them, I really do. The few times when I have run out and had to resort to using other shampoos my scalp has felt itchy and the life seems to be washed out of my hair.
I have also noticed that my skin has remained pretty clear of acne which I would suffer with from time to time before. Also my asthma does not get triggered by the natural aromas in this product unlike many of the supermarket bought ones. My hair feels shiny and healthy and I feel good that I am not putting chemicals and toxins into my body,thereby taking some control over my health and being responsible about which companies I wish to support.

The hair regime seems quite pricey , but the way I look at it is this - it costs way more to be sick! I believe that by using wholesome products that are organic and thoughtfully prepared that I will remain as healthy as I can be . Also, because the products are super concentrated, you don't use as much, so overall they really don't end up costing too much more than your regular shampoo. Be warned though, there are no big bubbles in this product and it can take a little while to get used to shampooing with a product that has little lather. But it absolutely cleans the hair without stripping the guts from it . You may go through a period of de-tox where your hair looks a bit sorry, but that is just the purge of all the chemicals that have been on your scalp from other products containing SLS's and other toxins. A major plus about this company is that Mr Morrocco answers your hair care concerns via his question and answer forum..I consider that to be excellent customer service.
Stick with it and in my opinion you will be taking a big step towards great hair health!

I really hope you found this blog helpful and I look forward to writing some more. I am an avid reader/user of healthy products and if my forays into this can help you, then all the better!