Tuesday, June 28, 2011

The Truth about Pesticides in Your Fruits & Vegetables




According to the EWG's 2011 Shoppers guide, 98 percent of conventional apples had pesticides, celery tested positive for 57 different pesticides and strawberries was contaminated with as many as 13 different pesticides. This is just a small list of the top 12 (Dirty Dozens) of conventional fruits and vegetables that were highly contaminated with pesticides.

Why are pesticides sprayed on produce?
A pesticide is any substance or a mixture of substances intended to destroy or mitigating pest. If you think about the purpose of a pesticide, does it make you wonder how much damage it can cause on the inside of our body?

How harmful are pesticides?
According to the United States Environmental protection agency, pesticides can cause the following health problems:
  • Birth defects
  • Nerve damage
  • Cancer
  • May harm a developing child by blocking the absorption of important food nutrients necessary for normal healthy growth
I recommend that you check out the EWG's 2011 Shopper's Guide, 12 Dozen and Clean 15 list. See entire list 

Now that you know the truth about pesticides, do you plan to change how you shop for fruits and vegetables? Will you buy Organic? Will you buy the clean 15 convential produce?

To your health & wellness,
Shiketa
Recommended Links
http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/factsheets/child-ten-tips.htm
http://www.epa.gov/opp00001/food/pest.htm


Sunday, June 26, 2011

New Study about Major Toxins in Cosmetics




According to the Organic Consumers Association, a new report revealed that virtually every cosmetic product tested contained a potentially dangerous or proven toxic heavy metal.

Lead and arsenic aren't listed among the ingredients of lip gloss and eyeliner. However, Environmental Defence, a Canadian environmental group tested dozens of common cosmetics products and found that virtually all of them were contaminated with heavy metals.

The environmental defense tested 49 cosmetic products including: powders, concealers, mascaras, eyeliners, lipsticks and glosses. Ninety six percent of the products contained lead and many other heavy metals.

After being a beauty consultant for two years, I decided to only use all natural skin care and cosmetics to reduce the amount of toxins that are absorbed in my body. As a beauty consultant, I wanted to become very knowledgeable about the products that I sold.

Moreover, after much research on the products that I was selling, I was not happy to discover that the products contained ingredients that were virtually toxic to my customers skin. Furthermore, it was a tough decision, but I decided to promote and only use all natural skin care products.

Check out my latest article, Your Lotions may be causing harm to your body. Read all about heavy metals on the United States Department of Labor website.



To your health & wellness,
Shiketa

Thursday, June 23, 2011

The Natural Way to a Happier You!


Happiness seems to be something that everyone is in search us. However, I strongly believe that happiness comes when we are whole in all areas of our lives includings:
  • Relationships
  • Purpose
  • Mind
  • Body
  • Soul
I pay close attention to what makes me feel happy and what drains my positive energy. In fact, I find that when I excersie, eat healthy and strive to have peaceful relationships, I am so much happier.

Now, happiness to you may have a totally different definition. However, I want inspire you to plan a quiet time daily and focus on what makes you happy. Moreover, strive to exercise, do more of what you love, eat more foods that contain life such as; fruits & vegetables and journal about your feelings daily.

In summary, I know that every day may not be a perfect day, but the good book tells us that this earth is full of the goodness of God and when you focus on the goodness of God..you can't help but to feel happy.

Check out this great blog that I recently discovered. Visit A Happier Self.com and be sure to share your thoughts about this post.

To a Happier You!
Shiketa


Wednesday, June 1, 2011

Gardening is Great for Your Health


Flowers always make people better, happier, and more helpful; they are sunshine,
food and medicine for the soul.
 ~Luther Burbank



In a May 29, 2011 article, Gardening can be good for your health says local health expert, Carol Zimmerman wrote about the many health benefits of gardening, including:
  • lower blood pressure
  • increased immune function
  • reduced stress. 
  • you can also get a full workout
  • muscle endurance
  • muscle strengthening
After reading Zimmerman's article, I was glad that I decided to start a patio garden in my back yard. In fact, I do not have time in the evenings to dig in the yard, so I decided to start my garden in flower pots, because it takes very little time to maintain flowers in pots.

After a busy day or on the weekends I love to relax  in my backyard and enjoy the view of the flowers. Furthermore, after spending time in the backyard surrounded with flowers, I feel so refreshed and rejuvenated.

I hope that you have been inspired to start your own garden or get involved in a community garden for your health & wellness.


Have a Healthy Day!
Shiketa Morgan

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