Natural Deodorants Put to the Test

By Donnie Williams, Makeup Artist/ Receptionist

With the increasing trend of going natural, switching to cleaner, more pure home and personal care products seems to be a no brainer. With all of the hype nowadays it’s not uncommon for me to be asked about natural deodorants; in fact, it’s actually pretty common. After almost 8 years experience here at Natur-Tyme, I have run the gamut on natural deodorants and after doing so here are my top three picks.

During the winter and cooler times, I like Aubrey Organics E Plus High C Roll-On. The classic scent has a fresh and clean smell, which I enjoy. On cool days, this deodorant can get me through the day without my having to reapply halfway through the day, which is a major pet peeve for me. Last fall, the company released the same formula in two new scents, coconut sugar and lavender. I still have yet to try them, but I do know they both smell great and can only imagine they work just as well.

The second runner up is Schmidt’s Lavender Sage Deodorant. This deodorant scared me a little at first. It comes in a jar with a spatula and you apply it with your finger tips, a method that was foreign to me at the time. The baking soda base is very absorbent and I feel it keeps me drier than any of my other top three picks. This deodorant is second runner-up only because of the application method, which I know will deter some folks. This deodorant is a great pick for any time of the year and it even holds up in the hot, sweaty summer months. Schmidt’s is also available in a variety of scents and they have recently released a stick form, which I am very eager to try!

Lastly, my number one pick is Nubian Heritage Honey & Black Seed 24 Hour Deodorant. This is the winner for me hands down! I love the variety of scents available for this deodorant and it actually has the ability to work for 24 hours! With this deodorant, I don’t have to worry about pesky mid-day reapplication and most days I can go longer than the 24-hour mark. The formula doesn’t stain my clothes and holds up beautifully in the dead heat of summer. I will reach for this deodorant first, every time!

To conclude, I must note that I believe natural deodorants vary somewhat from person to person, as they work with our body’s natural chemistry. You may find that one works better for you than another, that’s awesome! These are just the findings of my own personal trial and error as well as the helpful feedback and purchasing habits of the many customers I speak with day to day here at Natur-Tyme. I hope you find my discoveries helpful!

Natural Hiking and Camping Beauty Must-Haves

By Jessica-Anne Manson, Licensed Esthetician

In the recent weeks of amazing weather, it’s without a doubt that my boyfriend and I take advantage of our days off together. We go hit a hiking trail or take the weekend to head up into the Adirondacks to hike a mountain for a couple days. We also make sure that we pack some essentials, other than water and snacks, to make the trip more fun. Sometimes it is a small drawstring bag and other times it’s packed into a backpack for the longer trips.

When there is little to no water, we like to bring some face and body wipes. We carry natural, biodegradable wipes in order to keep ourselves clean while hiking. I prefer the Acure Fragrance-Free Argan Wipes, which are durable and clean the skin of dirt, oils, and sweat as we trek along. For those who have sensitive skin, Aubrey Organics also makes wipes for sensitive skin with calming ingredients like Sea Aster and Aloe.

Another item that really is good if you do have access to water, even if it’s a natural source, is Alaffia’s Liquid Black African Soap. This is similar to having a castile soap, but is biodegradable and won’t harm the eco-system. Preferably, I would recommend getting the unscented soap, but the Eucalyptus Tea Tree or Lavender Ylang Ylang scents would make for a good minor bug repelling bonus.

Next would be a DEET-Free Insect Repellant. DEET, also known as diethyltoluamide, has a bad rap for causing many health issues with consistent use. So far, an essential oil based insect repellant works very well against pests. My boyfriend and I both swear by Quantam’s Buzz Away, especially with the higher geranium oil used in order to deter ticks. Another reputable brand would be All-Terrain, which has been awarded “Best Gear” by National Geographic Adventure and has excellent feedback on its effectiveness.

Before we hit the sunscreens, did you know your lips can also be a susceptible to sunburns as well? When purchasing your sunscreen, it’s best that you get a lip balm with SPF in it as well. Good ones that we’ve tried and carry are jane iredale’s Lip Drink with SPF 15 and Badger’s SPF 15 Lip Balms, which both do a wonderful job.

The best part is sunscreen, which I saved for last. Along with keeping covered with a hat, sunglasses, and wearing clothes that cover skin, sunscreen is still very important. Lately, it’s been Mychelle Sun Shield Clear Spray with SPF 30. It has broad spectrum protection and helps cover the most forgotten, hard to reach places without too much of the chalky white appearance from the zinc oxide. It also protects you from both UVA and UVB Rays!

In the end, we come back with happy memories, lots of pictures (selfie sticks are very handy for trips like this), and we still have a lot left over for the next adventure.

 

Difficulty Losing Fat? This May Be the Cause

By Ronald Grisanti D.C., D.A.B.C.O.,D.A.C.B.N., MS

Obesity has hit epidemic proportions and the world is desperate to do anything to lose their unwanted fat.

Although eating a healthy diet and exercise is paramount to losing fat, there is one little unknown fact that will prevent millions of people from ever losing fat.

According to the US government, this one thing is considered the number one pollutant in the human body and will put a quick halt to ever reaching your desired level of fitness and fat loss.

One of the major causes of the obesity epidemic is the unprecedented level of phthalates or plasticizers.

The problem with these toxic environmental toxins is the fact that they are difficult and near-impossible to avoid. Today, they are found in every species even in the most pristine wild.

These toxins have so damaged the chemistry of even animals in the wild that the polar bears in the Arctic have human diseases such as hypothyroidism and osteoporosis.

Phthalates are the highest pollutant in the body and are more than 10,000 times higher than any of the thousands of other environmental toxins.

In fact, they are so pervasive that now children six years of age have levels that used to take adults until the age of 40 to accumulate.

The government agencies’ scientific and medical literature have clearly documented that a huge amount of these environment toxins (phthalates) come from our water, soda and infant formula bottles, food packaging, cosmetics, nail polish, mattresses, couches, carpets, clothing, medications, styrofoam cups, IVs, vinyl flooring, construction materials, home wiring, computers, industrial and auto exhausts, etc.

The sad point is the fact that these toxins stockpile in the body and overwhelm our ability to detoxify them.

We routinely measure them with a wonderful test called Phthalates & Parabens Profile(https://www.gdx.net/product/phthalates-parabens-test-urine).

In addition to the damage these environmental toxins do to the biochemistry of losing fat, they have also been known to be associated with difficult to treat chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, ADD, syndrome X, diabetes, arteriosclerosis, allergies, and much more.

The label that a disease has is now less important. All we care about is what caused the disease and what biochemical corrections are necessary to get rid of it and actually bring about a true solution, a word you rarely hear in drug-oriented medicine.

What is even worse is the fact a pregnant mother’s phthalate levels (look at how many are continually drinking from plastic water bottles, etc., thinking that it’s something healthful) hugely influence not only the development of the child’s brain and glands, but even future fertility and cancers in their unborn children, not to mention, of course, obesity.

What you need to understand and something the researchers have forgot to mention is the fact that fat stores a huge amount of our chemicals, so the more overweight you are the more difficult it is to lose fat. Interesting, but at the same time depressing.

The bottom line is many people will never lose weight or solve their medical problems because they have not gotten rid of the phthalates and other environmental pollutants that have damaged their chemistry and genetics.

One of the key ingredients to ridding the body of these harmful toxins is first to do what you can to avoid it (STOP DRINKING OUT OF STYROFOAM CUPS and PLASTIC BOTTLES) and invest in a far infrared sauna.

 References:

Heindal JJ, Endocrine disruptors and the obesity epidemic, Toxicol Sci 76; 2:247-49, 2003

Baillie-Hamilton PF, Chemical toxins: a hypothesis to explain the global obesity epidemic, JAIt Complement Med 8;2:185-92, 2002

Alonso-Magdalena P, et al, The estrogenic effect of bisphenol A disrupts pancreatic B-cell function in vivo and induces insulin resistance, Environ Health Perspect 114:106-12, 2006

The Hundred Year Diet in the Wall Street (May 10, 2010, A I5)

Vom Saal FS, Welshons WV, Large effects from small exposures. II. The importance of positive controls in low-dose research on bisphenol A, Environ Res, 100;1:50-76, Jan. 2006

Feige JN, et al, The endocrine disruptor monoethyl-hexyl phthalate is a selective peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma modulator that promotes adipogenesis, JBiol Chem 282:19152-66, 2007

Hatch EE, et al., Association of urinary phthalate metabolite concentrations with a body mass index and waist circumference: a cross-sectional study of NHANES data, 1999-2002, Environ Health 7:27, 2008

Clark K, et al, Observed concentrations in the environment. In: The Handbook of Environmental Chemistry. Vol 3, Part Q. Phthalate Ester (Staples CA, ed). New York: Springer, 125-177, 2003

Feige JN, et al, The pollutant diethylhexyl phthalate regulates hepatic energy metabolism via species-specific PPARa-dependent mechanisms, Environ Health Persp, 118; 2:234-41, Feb 2010

Jaakkola JJK, et al, The role of exposure to phthalates from polyvinyl chloride products in the development of asthma and allergies: A systematic review and meta-analysis, Environ Health Perspect 116:845-53, 2008

Article was provided by Functional Medicine University: www.FunctionalMedicineUniversity.com

 

Why Avocados are Amazing

By Shannon Morehouse MA, CHHC

Avocados are high in oleic acid (also known as Omega-9), a mono-unsaturated fat that research indicates may help prevent heart disease and even cancer! As if that isn’t enough good news, avocados can actually help increase the absorption of nutrients from other vegetables! This is a concept known as nutrient fusion. For instance, a salad with lettuce, carrots, some spinach, and salsa is rich in carotenoids such as beta carotene, which are extremely health-promoting. Add an avocado in your salad, and you automatically increase your body’s ability to absorb those nutrients! Why? Because these carotenoids are lipophilic (which means they are soluble in fat, not water); if you eat them along with a healthy fat, like avocados, you enhance their bioavailability!

A 2005 study published in the Journal of Nutrition proves this point. Adding avocado to a salad increased absorption of alpha-carotene, beta-carotene, and lutein 7.2, 15.3, and 5.1 times higher, respectively, than the average amount of these carotenoids absorbed when an avocado-free salad was eaten. Amazing, isn’t it!?

If you are not a big fan of the avocado texture, try avocado in other forms. Avocado oil is great to use in cooking. If you haven’t the time to cook, try some healthy snacks made with avocado oil. All of the following are available at Natur-Tyme.  I love good health’s Avocado Oil kettle chips! And when I watch a movie at home, it is usually with a bowl of Lesser Evil’s Buddha Bowl Avocado Oil popcorn. Sandwiches are so delicious with a thin spread of Chosen Foods’ Avocado Oil Mayo.

If you are a dessert lover like me, you must try Avocadough cookies. You would never guess that avocado was hiding in these treats! Made locally in Central New York, the cookies are amazing. They are all-natural with a mixture of whole grains, sugar (or cane juice), egg, butter (or healthy oil)…and avocado, of course. In the mood for Oatmeal Raisin, try “Raisin the Bar.” Looking for a chocolate fix, try “Peanut Butter Me Up” or “Choc it Up.”

How will you incorporate avocados into your diet?

 

 

Address Health Concerns with Apple Cider Vinegar

By Shannon Morehouse, MA, CHHC

 

Some health trends last forever and Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) is one of them! Its benefits are numerous!

Taking a tablespoon of ACV before meals can help stabilize blood-sugar levels, which is very useful for digestion of high-carbohydrate meals, especially for those who have diabetes.

One of the benefits of ACV is that it can ease an upset stomach. Are you feeling bloated? Nauseous? Simply add two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar to a small glass of water to solve your discomfort. The stomach discomfort is typically because of bacteria and the vinegar contains pectin, which has soothing properties.

ACV can also help with a variety of cold symptoms. Gurgling with two ounces of apple cider vinegar mixed with two ounces of warm water will soothe a sore throat. Along with alleviating a sore throat, ACV will clear your nose of congestion and stuffiness. The potassium in the vinegar makes your mucous thinner, while the acid reacts with the bacteria. This can relieve your stuffy feeling almost instantly.

Not only can ACV help with your cold, but also, it can help in the cold months with dry scalp. You may experience dandruff, which can be embarrassing. Mixing the vinegar with water and then with your shampoo will help your dry scalp. Again, the acidity in the vinegar prevents germs from invading your skin and prevents a dry scalp.

You are probably recognizing a trend; ACV helps almost any condition that is bacterial in nature. It can even be helpful in treating acne. It kills the bacteria on the surface of your skin and leaves you with clear, smooth skin that will be sure to make you happy.

Falling asleep during work? Instead of grabbing another cup of coffee, try grabbing some ACV. Having one tablespoon of vinegar gives you the same amount of energy as a cup of coffee.

The most effective ACV is in a glass bottle, organic, and unfiltered, such as Bragg’s Apple Cider Vinegar. Natur-Tyme sells the 32-ounce Bragg’s ACV for 30% off MSRP everyday; it is one of our customers’ favorite L.E.A.N. (Lower Everyday at Natur-Tyme) products!

Natur-Tyme Employee Profiles

 

As a way for you to get to know our friendly staff members, we are going to start posting some profiles of the Natur-Tyme Family on our blog. What better of a person to start with than the owner, Wendy Meyerson.  And what better of a day to post it than the day of Natur-Tyme’s 16^th annual health fair at the New York State Fairgrounds. This is CNY’s premier health and wellness event. Come on out and join us! Mention this blog to get in the door for $7.00 (the price of our advanced sale tickets) instead of $10.00 (our “at the door” price).

Here are Wendy’s answers to a variety of thought-provoking questions

Wendy Meyerson
Natur-Tyme Store Owner
With the business for 20 Years

Q: Where were you born and raised?
A: Syracuse, New York

Q: If there is one piece of advice that you think applies to most people, what is it?
A: Always follow your gut! It will never fail you!

Q: If you won 10 million dollars, what would you do with the money?
A: Pay off our business loans but still keep doing what we are doing!

Q: What are your favorite local hangouts?
A: Natur-Tyme of course!

Q: If money was no object, what would you do all day?
A: Exactly what I am doing today!

Q: For what in your life do you feel most grateful?
A: Of course my family’s health and happiness, but also the wonderful community support we have had for the past 30 years!

Q: Who’s your personal hero?
A: Not one, but all the Natur-Tyme employees who are committed everyday to uphold our mission while juggling his or her own life challenges. They are inspiring!

 

Lifestyle Factors to Keep in Mind for Alzheimer’s Disease Prevention

By Jennifer Morganti, ND, Needs Director of Education

 

As Alzheimer’s disease (AD) rates continue to rise, many of us are wondering what our own risk is of  becoming a statistic. Current data says your chances are one in nine if you are over 65 years old, and if you’re over 85, it’s one in three. With such high risks, wouldn’t it be great to better understand what we can do to prevent it? There isn’t a good treatment to reverse AD and we still are not clear what causes it. Genetics and lifestyle factors seem to play in to the scenario, but the picture is fuzzy at best.

A recent study was published in the Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Psychiatry, which may help provide clues as to which lifestyle risk factors can be modified to help decrease the chances of developing this devastating disease.  This study was a meta-analysis of other studies that contained data about AD risks. The diligent researchers initially browsed through almost 17,000 relevant studies, then narrowed it down to 323 which were appropriate to include in the review. There were over 5,000 patients included in the 323 studies.

The review of these 5,000 patients brought to light some interesting findings. They found a strong protective effect from five dietary factors: coffee intake, light to moderate drinking (alcohol), vitamin E, vitamin C, and folic acid. They found a significantly increased risk of developing AD when homocysteine levels were high or if a person was depressed. Risk also increased in the presence of other health conditions such as obesity (in middle age), atherosclerosis, high blood pressure, and having type-2 diabetes. Interestingly, the study found a seemingly contradictory risk factor; a “low” BMI (being underweight) also is a hazard. Smoking or having a lower education level increases a person’s risk. Frailty (lacking strength and not exercising) puts a person at risk as well.

Some of the results were surprising and all in all, some were familiar. Although nothing is conclusive from this one review, the information is useful.  I think it does help point us in the right direction to make smart lifestyle choices for AD prevention, and those choices are also generally wise recommendations for overall health and wellness. 

Reference:
Xu W, Tan L, Wang H, et al: Meta-analysis of modifiable risk factors for Alzheimer’s disease. Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery & Psychiatry 2015;August 21, 2015.

Make your Own Antioxidant Tea

By Sam Derbyshire

One thing I love about Natur-Tyme is the bulk department. We carry more high-quality herbs than any other place in CNY.

I rely on the bulk department for ingredients for my immune-boosting tea:
– 1-part hibiscus
– 1-part rosehips
– 1-part red tea

Lay out a tea ball and fill half of one side with red tea and half of that same side with hibiscus, then on the other side, fill half way with cut/sifted rosehips. Hang that tea ball in a gallon pitcher of cold water. Let it steep overnight in the fridge.

The rosehips have lots of vitamin C, bioflavonoids, and carotenoids, making them great antioxidants.

The hibiscus also has a lot of vitamin C, is a diuretic, and is great for high-blood pressure. Studies have also shown it to be helpful in atherosclerosis, reducing triglycerides, LDL, and overall triglycerides.  It is an overall antioxidant, contains phytosterols, and vitamin E.

The red tea (or Rooibos tea, or red bush tea) has the same antioxidant and polyphenol qualities as green tea, but without the caffeine and with much lower tannins.

The combo is a great option as a cold summer tea, which, in my opinion, needs no sweetener.  It is also great as a warm tea with just a dash of honey.

Aging Gracefully: Tips from the Experts

By Shannon Morehouse, MA, CHHC

In 1946, 3.4 million babies were born in the United States—a 22% increase in the number of babies born the previous year. And so it began, the start of the Baby Boomer generation. Are you one of them? If you are, chances are you have started to notice some signs of aging. Perhaps your joints aren’t as nimble as they once were. You may have a few more wrinkles than you would like. Your memory may be becoming fuzzy. What tools do you need to assure that you age as gracefully as possible?

Come to Natur-Tyme’s all-day Annual Health Fair at the New York State Fairgrounds on Sunday April 10^th. At 11:15 AM, you will want to attend the keynote panel on aging and listen to five experts discuss how to take control of your life and age with a positive attitude!

Here are some tips they have to pique your interest.

“To quote Jane Fonda, ‘Stay curious, keep learning, and keep growing. And always strive to be more interested than interesting.’”

Marilyn Pinsky, Moderator

 

“My advice is to sit less, and move more. Go for a brisk walk. As Dr. Kenneth Cooper of the Cooper Institute says, ‘We do not stop exercising because we grow old – we grow old because we stop exercising.’”

Kevin Heffernan, PhD
Nutrition & Exercise Expert

“Figure out ways to be creative; do what you can to keep your imagination alive. Give the inner artist a chance to be taken seriously, even if your inner artist has not been acknowledged. Artists are energized by other artists.”

David Keith, MD
Families & Chronic Illness Specialist

“Keeping the mind and body active is the best way to age gracefully. This is the time to take up those deferred hobbies, or try something new. Taking an exercise class is a great way to meet people and have fun. The best programs target four key areas: strength, flexibility, endurance, and balance. “

Katherine Beissner, PT, PhD
Physical Activity Expert

“Studies have shown the importance of being social to healthy aging. Social media is today’s tool for reaching that goal.”

Heidi Holtz
Social Engagement Specialist

How to Go Organic Affordably

Excerpt from Jordan Rubin’s book, Planet Heal Thyself

Organic fruits, vegetables, meats and dairy products are more expensive, generally anywhere from 20 percent to 100 percent more than conventionally grown and raised groceries. [However], there are ways to get a lot of organic bang for your buck:

• Stock up at sale time. Yes, even organic products go on sale at health-food grocery stores.
• Shop at farmers markets. Food that’s grown, produced, and sold locally is a great way to help the planet heal itself, and without middlemen between you and the grower, the prices can be excellent. Farmers market produce tastes better than fruits and vegetables that have traveled thousands of miles from farm to plate.
• Eat organic food instead of going out to a restaurant. Yes, this means time spent preparing and cooking organic foods, but eating organic food is cheaper than taking the family to a fast-food place or “fast casual” restaurant—and much healthier, of course. A family of four would have to pay a minimum of $20 to $25 for a meal out, but you could pay for a wonderful home-cooked meal, complete with organic, grass-fed beef or wild-caught fish for that amount—even less. [However], if you are interested in eating out, search for local organic restaurants as more and more of them are opening their doors in major and even smaller cities all across the U.S.
• Eating organic is cheaper than going on a special diet. And there’s a good chance you’ll lose extra pounds that wouldn’t come off with any other diet.
• If you’re taking nutritional supplements, shop organic as well. Surveys suggest that 40 percent to 70 percent of Americans consume nutritional supplements, so look for products that are certified-organic (Check for the USDA seal) as more and more leading brands are taking the giant leap and producing nutritional formulations using organic ingredients.

When you get down to the nitty-gritty, the decision to eat organic foods boils down to what’s important to you. What you spend your money on shows where your [interests lay] and where your heart is.

Do you want to live a healthier life and leave a smaller footprint on the planet? Do you see organic foods as a down-payment for your future and your health?

Let me leave you with this little saying that puts everything in perspective:
You can pay the farmer now, or you can pay the doctor later.
If you would like more inspiring healthy-living tips from Jordan Rubin, be sure to attend his April 10^th lecture from 2:15-3:45 at Natur-Tyme’s 15^th annual health fair, held at the New Your State Fairgrounds. Tickets are available on our website.