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Having had many children, something we thought about during several pregnancies was banking cord blood. I’m sorry to say that we never did take the steps necessary to do this with any of our children. I find myself wishing after the fact that we had done this…you just never know if or when you are going to need or want stem cells banked.

If I had it to do over again another time, I would definitely spend some time researching and getting information about banking cord blood.

The benefits are many…here are a few:

Umbilical cord stem cells are known to treat seventy diseases. This includes leukemia, anemia, lymphoma, diabetes and cerebral palsy, to name only a few. Did you know that approximately 30,000 people in the United States are diagnosed every year with a disease that could be treated with cord blood stem cells? The thought of treating diseases with stem cells is just such an awesome and exciting idea.

By the year 2015 it is predicted that there will be 10,000 cord blood transplants world-wide every year using publicly banked cord blood. This is amazing! The value of cord blood is an exponential thing that really cannot be measured by anything we can use.

Cryo-cell is one of the world’s largest and most established family cord blood banks. They have over 150,000 clients worldwide.

July is Cord Blood Awareness Month. If you have the opportunity to do this for your family, I hope you will consider it.

I am about to find out! I’ve been using Vista Premium for over a year now and for the most part I like it fine. I have had a few compatibility issues here and there with certain software…and RAM also seems to be an ongoing issue I’ve noticed…but otherwise I’m satisfied.

BUT - thanks to one of the coolest websites I’ve found in a long time, I’m going to be able to try Vista Ultimate and see how much better it is.

I will let you all know what I think of this upgrade.  Stay tuned!

There are many religious traditions that have long believed that burning frankincense incense (made out of resin from the Boswellia plant) is good for the soul. There is now a new study that says it apparently is good for the brain.

The research (published on-line in the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology (FASEB) Journal) concludes that burning frankincense activates specific ion channels in the brain. The result? Incense appears to quell anxiety and depression.

According to the National Institutes of Health, major depressive disorder is the leading cause of disability in the United States for people ages 15 to 44. This affects about 14.8 million American adults. Anxiety disorders affect 40 million Americans.

To study frankincense’s psychoactive impact, the researchers administered incensole acetate to mice and discovered that it significantly impacted areas in the brain that are intricately involved in emotions. Nerve circuits that are targeted by modern-day drugs were also affected.

The discovery of how incensole acetate (purified from frankincense) works on specific targets in the brain should also help us understand diseases of the nervous system. This study also provides an explanation for ancient spiritual practices that have persisted across time.

Burning incense really does make you feel better.

I’ve been having some back problems lately and I really think it has a lot to do with the way I sit at my laptop (for way too long every day). So, I’ve been looking at different styles and options in office furniture.

I found this chair and I have decided that I am going to own this chair before long. I just think that this chair looks like such a comfortable and ergonomic chair - looks like exactly what I need!
This site that I found has great office furniture, as you can see…but that isn’t all! From furnishing your office to choosing the perfect preschool furniture, this site truly has it all!

Nearly 65 percent of young American women report experiencing disordered eating behaviors. Ten percent report symptoms of eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa and bulimia, or binge eating disorder. These statistics are according to new study findings published in HealthDay News.

Over 4000 women participated in an online poll conducted by SELF Magazine in conjunction with the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC). The women’s ages ranged from 25 to 45.

These eating behaviors cut across racial and ethnic lines and were not limited to any one group. Women whose ethnic backgrounds were Hispanic or Latina, white, black or African American, and Asian were all represented among the women who reported unhealthy eating behaviors.

The most disturbing return was the unexpectedly high number of women who engage in unhealthy purging activities. More than 31 percent of women in the survey reported that in an attempt to lose weight, they have induced vomiting or had taken laxatives, diuretics or diet pills at some point in their lives. More that 50 percent of these women engaged in purging activities at least a few times a week and some reported doing so daily.

Eating habits such as skipping meals, avoiding carbohydrates and, in come cases, extreme dieting, were thought by some women to be normal. But the study finds that these habits may actually be signs of disordered eating. This behavior is often linked with emotional and physical distress.

There is widespread belief that eating disorders affect mostly young women, however the study found that a surprising number of women in their 30s and 40s had about the same rates of disordered eating as younger women.

Additional findings:

* 67 percent of the women are trying to lose weight.

* 53 percent of these dieters are already at a healthy weight.

* 39 percent of the women said concerns about what they eat or weigh interfere with happiness.

* 37 percent of women said they regularly skip meals.

* 27 percent said they’d be very upset if they gained five pounds.

* 26 percent have eliminated entire food groups from their diets.

* 16 percent have consumed only 1,000 calories per day.

* 13 percent smoke to lose weight.

* 12 percent often eat when they’re not hungry and 49 percent sometimes do.

Free radicals are deadly chemicals formed in your body when stress, illness, or injury causes ischemia or diminished blood supply to tissues. Ischemia is scalar as to amount of involvement but the path to cell death for each cell is the same. Wherever there is pain, shock, coma or death, free radicals are involved.

The only defense to neutralize free radicals are antioxidants.

Every cell in the body is made up of molecules, which are comprised of atoms. Each atom is made up of a nucleus surrounded by layers of electrons and it is the electrons that form stable molecules by bonding with the electrons of other atoms. Free radicals are formed when normal metabolic reactions within cells sometimes leave some of these electrons unbonded and their molecules are then destabilized.

This is a perfectly natural process and free radicals may even be useful in helping the body?s immune system to fight threats like viruses and bacteria. Normally the body can handle free radicals, but problems can arise when they?re produced in high numbers or if insufficient antioxidants are present. Left unchallenged, free radicals multiply themselves through chain reactions which can lead to cellular damage and then disease.

The importance of antioxidants is that they seem to counteract the effects of free radicals by using their own electrons to bond with and stabilize them.

Following injury and illness, the body produces free radicals more quickly than antioxidants can neutralize them. The injury zone widens and the illness worsens while we attempt other means to change the balance. Antibiotics, fluids, blankets — all of these are common remedies to illness and injury. Too many drugs used in trauma can also impair healing and may contribute to higher death rates. Anti-inflammatory drugs, cortisone, local anesthetics, and narcotics are among these drugs.

Diets high and supplemented with Vitamins C and E are vital to protecting and neutralizing free radicals in the body.

One of the worst enemies to our human body is something called free radicals. These are produced in the body because environmental toxins, additives, pesticides, and foods cooked at high temperatures. Free radical damage is systemic and it works its way from the inside out. It will accelerate aging resulting in wrinkles.

Antioxidants are compounds that can arrest and reverse the damage free radicals wreak in the body. In addition to faster aging, serious diseases like cancer are a very common result. Free radicals get inactivated through the large amounts of antioxidants contained in raw fruits and vegetables. Antioxidants combat free radicals that deteriorate collagen and elastin, the fibrous materials that support skin structure. This makes skin firmer, smoother, and softer.

Phytochemicals are natural compounds found in plant foods. They work with other nutrients and fibers found in fruits and vegetables to fight deadly diseases and slow down aging. More than 900 phytochemicals have been identified. Generally, the brighter the color of the fruit or vegetable, the more phytochemicals and nutrients it contains. Phytochemicals have been associated with antioxidants and so they also protect us from disease.

Amino acids (the building blocks of protein) are necessary for repair and formation of new cells, tissue, skin, hair, teeth, and bones.

This is a list of nutrients needed to build a healthier, better-looking body:

Glutathione is absolutely the most powerful antioxidant that can be produced by the human body. It detoxifies harmful substances so that they can be eliminated through the bile. This antioxidant has gotten its popularity from its scientifically-proven properties for reversing aging. Animal flesh contains the highest concentration of Glutathione but the problem is that you’d have to consume it raw since glutathione is an antioxidant enzyme. There are other natural raw sources of this amino acid. Spinach, broccoli, walnuts, tomatoes, carrots, grapefruit, asparagus, garlic, avocado, purslane, squash, okra, walnuts, potatoes, and apples are good sources. Glutamine, cystine, glutamic acid, and glycine are also needed by the liver to make satisfactory levels of glutathione. You could also take glutathione supplements.

Superoxide dismutase is an anti-aging enzyme that scours the body looking for free radicals. SOD can be found in broccoli, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, and most green vegetables, as well as in superfoods such as barley grass and wheat grass.

Catalase is another antioxidant enzyme that is needed by the body to control radical activities. Leeks, onion, broccoli, bananas, parsnip, zucchini, spinach, carrots, radish, cucumbers, cherries, red cabbage, apricot, and cherries are good sources of catalase.

Coenzyme Q10 is a potent anti-aging nutrient which plays an important role in tissue oxygenation. Eat spinach, peanuts, and fish to give your body lots of this nutrient.

Vitamin A is an antioxidant vitamin that regulates oil balance in the skin and also helps prevent and treat acne, psoriasis, and eczema. It is necessary for new cell growth and helps lessen wrinkles. It is found in carrots, egg yolks, dark leafy greens, parsley, arugula, mangoes, watermelon, nettle leaves, watercress, and sweet potatoes.

Vitamin B7 (biotin) is the foundation of healthy skin, hair, and nail cells. Biotin is found in nuts, soybeans, egg yolks, swiss chard, fish, tomatoes, romaine lettuce, cabbage, onion, almonds, cucumber, cauliflower, and carrots.

Vitamin C is needed by the body to maintain healthy skin, bones, teeth, and gums. This vitamin is necessary for replacement and generation of tissue. The best food sources of this antioxidant are citrus fruits, acerola berries, strawberries, rosehips, broccoli, and parsley.

Vitamin D provides for the assimilation of calcium and magnesium for healthy bones and teeth. Very few foods contain adequate amounts of this vitamin so exposure to sunlight is necessary to help the body create its own vitamin D. Mushrooms, salmon, and cod are some food sources of this vitamin.

Vitamin E has been known to smooth fine lines on the face, repair connective tissue, and increase your skin’s protection against sun damage. Food sources of this antioxidant are goji berries, nuts, berries, green leafy vegetables, egg yolks, wheat germ, soy, and oils like olive oil.

Calcium is necessary to maintain healthy bones and teeth. Spinach, broccoli, kale, lima beans, apples, bananas, oranges, blackberries, kiwifruit, tomatoes, sardines, dairy, peas, soy products, salmon, seaweed, artichoke, kale, avocado, peanuts, almonds, Brazil nuts, pumpkin seeds, cashew, pistachio, sunflower seeds, strawberries, lemons, and grapes all have good amounts of calcium.

Copper works with zinc and vitamin C to produce elastin. Kiwifruit, apples, lima beans, artichoke, avocado, broccoli, bananas, carrots, cauliflower, cantaloupe, grapes, and cucumber all contain copper.

Magnesium is necessary for producing new cells and for healthy bones and teeth. Sources of this mineral are raw cacao, kelp, kiwi, bananas, oranges, tomatoes, avocado, summer squash, artichoke, spinach, broccoli, sweet potato, Brazil nuts, pumpkin seeds, pine nuts, almonds, corn, potatoes, peas, kale, and cashews.

Phosphorous promotes healthy teeth and bones and is also necessary for the acid-alkaline balance in the body. Kiwi, tomatoes, blackberries, asparagus, mushrooms, lima beans, bananas, sunflower seeds, pine nuts, peanuts, walnuts, potatoes, kale, avocado, artichoke, lime, cantaloupe, strawberries, and oranges all contain phosphorus.

Silicon increases bone, skin, hair, and nail strength. It improves wrinkles, skin thickness, skeletal health, and teeth formation. Foods high in silicon are bell pepper, cucumber (with skin), spinach, tomatoes, apples, strawberries, oranges, beets, carrots, radish, romaine lettuce, burdock root, and marjoram.

Sulfur is required by the body for collagen production and maintenance of healthy skin, hair, and nails. Sulfur can be found in broccoli, kale, pumpkin seeds, asparagus, garlic, onion, watercress, and red peppers.

Selenium enables the body to efficiently use oxygen. Brazil nuts, mushrooms, onion, garlic, asparagus, tomatoes, broccoli, whole grains, parsley, blackstrap molasses, wheat germ, sesame seeds, poultry, fish and eggs are very high in selenium.

Zinc maintains and builds healthy collagen, assists in wound healing, and prevents the formation of stretch marks. Zinc sources are pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, nuts, parsley, wheat germ, oatmeal, and eggs.

Essential fatty acids prevent skin dryness and inflammation and the formation of white heads and black heads. The body needs EFAs but can’t manufacture it so it is important to get your omega fatty acids from food. Omega-3 fatty acids are found in flaxseed, flax oil, safflower oil, evening primrose oil, and cold-water fish such as mackerel, sardines, and salmon. Omega 6 fats can be found in sunflower seeds and oil, olives and olive oil, safflower and soybean oil. If you have dry, flaky skin that is a sign of EFA deficiency.

Chlorophyll is blood builder and purifier. This phytochemical produces an unfavorable environment for bad bacteria. It draws out toxins stored in cells and tissue and dumps them into the bloodstream for elimination. Chlorophyll is also very alkalinizing. Eating green leafy vegetables and seaweeds to make sure you have enough Chlorophyll.
Carotenoids such as beta-carotene are pigments responsible for the colors of many orange, yellow, red, and green fruits and vegetables. Carotenoids slow down the aging process. Get your beta-carotene from orange and golden-colored fruits and vegetables such as mangoes, papaya, apricots, carrots, sweet potatoes, pumpkins, and the superfood goji berry. Green vegetables such as spinach, kale, and broccoli are also good sources of beta-carotene.

Alpha-lipoic acid increases the power of other antioxidants such as vitamins C and E. This antioxidant is present in peas, swiss chard, collards, broccoli, spinach, and tomatoes.

Alanine is an amino acid that aids in the development of skin, hair, and scalp. Alanine speeds up wound healing. Alanine is found in apples, avocado, almonds, olives, and cucumber.

Arginine aids in the healing and repair of skin and connective tissue. It facilitates weight loss by helping your body increase muscle mass. Sources of this amino acid are cacao, carob, hemp seeds, celery, coconut, peanuts, wheat germ, soy, dairy, walnuts, almonds, cucumber, sunflower seeds, beets, and oats.

Aspartic acid helps build healthy bones and teeth. It is found in almonds, grapefruit, hemp seeds, lemon, sprouts, cucumber, and apples.

Cystine contains sulfur, a mineral that helps build strong nails, healthy skin and hair. It promotes skin elasticity and assists in the production of collagen. This amino acid destroys free radicals and binds to heavy metals so that they can be safely eliminated from the body. Poultry, egg yolks, red peppers, apples, yogurt, alfalfa, garlic, onion, hazel nuts, broccoli, brussels sprouts, oats, wheat germ, and cucumber all contain cystine.

Glutamine plays the biggest role in the body’s metabolic processes among all the other amino acids. It is no coincidence that glutamine is the most abundant amino acid in the body. Glutamine prevents muscle loss. Glutamine food sources include spinach, beans, parsley, dairy products, and fish.

Glycine is needed by the body to build proteins and other amino acids, repair damaged tissue, and accelerate healing processes. Glycine is in fish, dairy, almonds, okra, figs, raspberries, lemon, oranges, and beans.

Lysine aids in building muscle mass, tissue repair, and collagen formation. Symptoms of lysine deficiency include hair loss, bloodshot eyes, and retarded growth. Eat lima beans, dairy products, fish, potatoes, yeast, soy products, and eggs to increase your lysine levels.

Methionine is an essential amino acid that contains a high amount of sulfur. This amino acid is vital in collagen formation and in building strong hair. Methionine is also a powerful antioxidant that neutralizes free radicals and detoxifies the body from heavy metals. Get methionine by eating more garlic, dairy, onions, fish, soybeans, lentils, and other seeds.

Proline helps in the breakdown of fats. Coconut, avocado, almonds, olives, and cucumber are sources of proline.

Phenylalanine helps the body get rid of waste matter. Cacao, tomatoes, pineapple, cucumber, apples, carrots, fish, poultry, eggs, dairy, nuts, millet, sweet potatoes, avocado, spinach, corn, millet, green peas, chards, and potatoes are phenylalanine-rich foods.

Serine is needed for muscle growth. Eat pineapple, papaya, apples, cucumber, and radishes for serine.

Tryptophan helps the body generate new cells and tissue. Get more tryptophan from peanuts, soy, dairy, celery, beets, fennel, carrots, spring beans, fish, eggs, and oats.

Threonine is also an essential amino acid that plays an important part in the formation of collagen, muscle tissue, and elastin. Soy, chickpeas, lentils, wheat germ, fish, egg yolks, flaxseed, and peanuts are high in threonine.

Tyrosine affects hair color, tissue, and cell growth. Apricots, cucumbers, bananas, lima beans, pumpkin seeds, almonds, green pepper, strawberries, fish, oats, avocado, and sesame seeds contain tyrosine.

Valine is an essential amino acid that is needed by the body for proper muscle metabolism and tissue repair. Valine is found in mushrooms, dairy, peanuts, soy, and grains.

Tomorrow: We conclude with some tips for a successful natural make over!

Chantal Burnison is a successful biologist, chemist, attorney, and inventor. She is the force behind the successful Chantal Pharmaceuticals Corporation, which is the creator of the compound Ethocyn.

As we age, unfortunately, our skin loses its elasticity. But the Ethocyn skin care line has successfully increased the level of elastin in skin and even lines and wrinkles can be lessened.

The Chantal Pharmaceutical Corporation has created an extensive line of products suitable for both men and women who are searching for natural ways to inhibit aging. Some of these products include cleansers, masks, serum, eye cream, moisturizer, hand and body cream, body mist, and more.

I keep an oak lazy susan on my kitchen table that holds our dining essentials. Sea salt grinder, peppercorn grinder, napkin holder, and Butter Bell butter crock. I actually have two Butter Bells that I rotate, because I find I need little changes like this in my kitchen.

Have you heard about Butter Bells? No? Well - if you use real butter then you know how awful it is trying to spread cold, hard butter. Doesn’t work! Nicely spreadable butter is best at room temperature, but this can be risky due to safety issues. So…the answer is a Butter Bell! These attractive little crocks are a “low tech” storage solution to keeping your real butter safe and spreadable.

I’ve had my Butter Bells for years and would never go back to any other storage method for butter. These great crocks make unique gifts too!

I just entered this blog into an interesting Blog List this morning. It’s called Million Blog List and the goal is to see how long it will take to get 1,000,000 blogs to list themselves on their site. This blog was #1171.

It should be interesting to see how long it takes to reach a million.