Do We Need Water Filters?

Whilst researching contaminates in our water supply one of the first conclusions I came to was the need to install a water filter system.  I had always purchased bottles of water from the super market as we get through a lot of water in the household.  This was an expensive habit and very inconvenient due to the bulk of the bottles.  I decided one day, after pulling a muscle whilst rushing to unpack my shopping in the pouring rain, that there must be an easier way!  That day was the clincher. I had also heard people say that water in plastic bottles was probably more dangerous than straight from the tap due to the chemicals that plastic bottles can produce!

My first investment was the normal carbon filter jug type with the granular carbon filter.  Now these are just a minimal requirement in my opinion, and reviewing the product I discovered that a far more effective water filter is the solid block carbon type.

I have recently purchased a separate shower filter, it was again my own research that prompted this decision.  (Please have a look at my previous blog on chlorine to see why this became a priority of mine.)  The difference this filter has made is tremendous.  A young member of my household suffered with eczema and really dry skin and was constantly miserable as a consequence.  The impact of fitting the shower filter has made is nigh on a miracle!  The young man in question  is now an eczema free, confident and happy individual.  I could not believe the difference this device has made!

The other water filter that I am now considering is the reverse osmosis type that you fit on your rising main, thereby treating the whole your water supply. I cant think of a better gift to my family and the peace of mind this water filter system will give me.

Nervous Dog Behaviour!

We have all come across a nervous dog at some time in our life.  This dog behaviour can take three forms. they either freeze, flee or fight.  When the animal freezes it is trying to appear insignificant and invisible.  If this fails it will run away.  If it cant run away then it will have no choice but to stand its ground and fight or bite!

So how can we help the poor animal?  What causes the dog to behave this way?

Well yes, of course we can help.  We can take our pets to a dog obedience class, we can take lessons from an animal psychiatrist, we can slowly build the animals trust with positive reinforcement, we can desensitise the dog over a period of time or, in my opinion the quickest route, we can  introduce a natural remedy for the animal to ingest.  Its all about the animals coping mechanism and naturally helping to put his body back into balance so he can cope better with the confusing world he lives in!  After we have introduced this any of the above procedures will be more successful!


Think of the pressure that we put our dogs under inadvertently.We expect them to behave like humans, and have the same feelings of responsibility that we process.  We tend to forget that the dog is a totally different species to us.  We berate our dogs if they 'don't do as we tell them', the animal gets confused!  We feed them what we believe to be a good nutritious diet, when in fact there is as much nutrition in some of these preparations as what can be found in the packaging that the food comes in!  We expect them to live alone when the dog is a pack animal. In extreme cases they are kicked and abused and put into a re homing facility, only to be taken and introduced to yet another environment where there is a whole new set of rules that he is expected to obey and understand.  The list goes on and on, and i am aware that i am pointing out the worse case scenarios!  Some dogs can have a perfect home but are just of a shy and nervous disposition.  If this is the case then the need to investigate further a safe natural calming product is the best way to deal with the dog behavior.

Animals Going Green!

Introducing our brand new project and site that can be found at www.animalsgoinggreen.com.  This is a site aimed at all the family, but is of particular importance to our youth and children, as it concerns their future.  It is designed  for young people to get involved now and have a say in the world they have inherited..

This site is different enough to make a huge difference to our planet and the environment.  Our kids get to join forces with our talking animal friends, choosing an environmental mission of their own choice, and together they go on Journeys to help save the planet.

Our canine leader is Commander Lacy, she has several of her friends that have become canine associates.  Adam is our  human youth leader, he works side by side with  Commander Lacy.  It is the responsibility of this pair to take care of all the green knights that join us at the site.

If you really want to have fun and at the same time encourage a real feeling of  responsibility to our children, then this project will be perfect.  We welcome ideas and input and really positively encourage suggestions, it is after all our children's future environment we are concerned with!

Give Your Pets A Natural Boost!

No matter how careful you are you simply cannot avoid coming into contact with animals that are contagious with kennel cough.
 I have Pointers which i take to dog shows and agility on a regular basis.  As puppies they were taken to puppy training classes where puppies were positively encouraged to play together.  Then you take them out for their daily exercise where more often than not they come into close contact with their buddies. Sure enough, in the past, mine  became infected and started showing the first signs of this virus with a hacking cough.  What did I do?  Simple, as I am a strong believer in giving natural remedies to my pets, I trawled the Internet and came up with what I consider to be one of the best natural  treatments available.  Since discovering this amazing company and their products I have never looked back as they have successfully come through any out break without so much as a sneeze!  The trips to the vets are a thing of the past, so I save money, which is the added bonus!
Can you imagine then how I felt when recently I enquired about having to put my dogs into boarding kennels for a couple of days?  They informed me that my dogs would all have to be vaccinated against kennel cough!  Why would I want to introduce this bug to my dogs, and then put them into kennels where the virus will most definitely be lurking and in effect expose their immune systems twice?  Now don't get me wrong, I am confident that my pets will be more than capable of warding off this exposure, but that still does not answer the general point I am making when it comes to the 1000s of unsuspecting owners who unwittingly vaccinate as they have no choice! There are numerous reports of owners vaccinating only to find out a few days later that their pets have 'caught' kennel cough.  At best this virus can be very irritating for your pet, at worse it can turn to pneumonia and prove fatal.  Your money really would be better spent on buying natural products that will build up your pets immune system,  Our poor animals immune system is compromised in the first place due to over vaccination of all the other diseases.
 I am convinced that if you trust your pets will be capable of fighting off any invasion by just changing their diet and supplementing with safe natural products, you will soon become so confident that you too will relax, safe in the knowledge that your pets are fit and healthy!

Here Comes The Sun!

I think the most powerful reason to consider investing in solar energy is in the knowledge that I am doing my bit to save the world!  I am helping to clean the planet, and in doing so I feel I am doing my bit in putting a stop to the damage that using fossil fuels is creating!
The Sun will be around for another 5 billion years, it is free, it is sustainable and it is the most natural of all our alternative energy sources.
We may be forgiven for thinking that it is far too expensive to even consider. Well, I am pleased to say that governments the world over are offering incentives to house holds to install, and as with any relatively new technology, it is becoming more and more within our reach.  It needs to, we are all becoming aware of the catastrophic effects of this continued use of gas oil and coal is producing.  We must look up because our salvation is through that big yellow ball of fire in the sky! ( please have a look at the earlier post entitled 'The World Belongs To Us All', click on the link to the film and you will be shown all the proof you need  that we are in a 'do or die' situation)
So other than the incentives that are being offered what other reasons do we need to consider solar panels? Well they require very little maintenance, just an annual check up but as most companies offer a 30 year guarantee, this is just for peace of mind. Solar panels have no moving parts and are very durable.  They are also recyclable, so in 30 years or so when you upgrade you will be safe in the knowledge that they will be removed and broken down and used as something else.  They are a very low pollution item both in their manufacture and usage.
So Apart from the most important factor, saving the earth, the energy produced is free, and I for one cant think of any thing more satisfying!

To Vaccinate Or Not To Vaccinate?

Canine Parvovirus!  How many dog lovers dread hearing those words uttered  at the veterinary clinic? 
The virus seems to be very active at the moment.  Ask any vet in an inner city practice about Parvovirus and they will give you some shocking statistics.  It is rife!

It is a most horrid virus and the symptoms for the poor dog include vomiting, bloody diarrhea and severe stomach cramps.  The animal can very soon become dehydrated and death will follow very quickly.  It is very hard to treat with traditional medicine.

I have discovered a natural organic product that is not a vaccine.  I believe that this is a powerful alternative to vaccination.  I am very concerned about vaccinating my dogs as evidence is suggesting that not only are these vaccines unnecessary, but worse, can actually cause the ailment it is supposed to prevent.  My research also raises the concern that vaccine is causing our pets immune system to be so overwhelmed that normally fit healthy dogs are unable to respond to fighting off any invading virus!

Now I absolutely believe that our vets are doing a magnificent job.  They are the most dedicated profession you could ever wish to come into contact with.  They genuinely want your loved pet to be healthy.  However, when any vet goes through their rigorous training they are sponsored by the massive pharmaceutical industry, who of course want these trainees to be using and prescribing their drugs.  Its the way of the world.  Now I know that in recent years vaccine, and its effects have been debated massively.  It is a subject that disturbs me greatly.  I always felt 'cornered' a damned if you do and damned if you don't scenario tormented me.  I knew the Parvovirus was rife, so I dutifully took my pets yearly for their vaccinations!  Of course this was on the advise of the vet who believes that annual vaccination is necessary!  

I am now in a position where I no longer have this dilemma!  I feed my dogs a  healthy natural diet and I supplement with a powerful aid to the immune system.  I am happy in the knowledge that my dogs natural defences will ward off any contact they may have with this dreadful killer virus!

Natural Feeding For Your Pets.

When it comes to feeding my best friends, my dogs, only the best will do!  I remember as a child any pets we had  were fed the left overs off the dinner table.  I do not re-call visits to the vets, I had not even heard of Cancer in dogs and all my  pets lived a long and happy life. Whats happened, whats so different today?  As a young adult who had left home, the time came for me to bring home my first puppy.  His name was Charlie and he was a Border Collie.  I purchased what I believed to be the best food that money could buy, tins and mixer.  That little boy was plagued with ill health.  I seemed to go 2 good days followed by 2 bad days.  On the 'good days' I tried to feed him up and I would give him extra portions of his food!  Needless to say it was like a vicious circle.  The up shot was that Charlie lived to be 10 years of age and he died with Cancer of the pancreas.  At the same time as having Charlie I had another 2 dogs.  Beau who was a mixed breed lived until she was 11, and died of, you've got it, Cancer.  The other dog was a little Jack Russell Terrier called Callie who lived to be 18!  It occurred to me in later life what had been little Callies 'secret'.  Well, that little dog was such a fussy eater that she would simply not touch prepared 'dog food'.  She was actually fed from my dinner table, not just the scraps, I used to cook extra for her!  It dawned on me,albeit too late for poor old  Charlie and Beau, that animals too can fall victim to the fast food culture that is so damaging to human health.

So what have I done that has altered the health and longevity of my pets today?  I source my animal food from a pet supplier that specialises in natural organic food.  It would be totally out of the question to cook my own food, and this would not be advised as there would always be a deficiency of some thing from their diet, so I leave it to the specialists.  I am also very particular on the ingredients and how they are packaged.  I also believe that variety is the spice of life and therefore vary the meals, taking care to 'change' their food gradually.  This policy is serving me well, all my dogs are fit and healthy and trips to the vets are relatively rare.

As a little foot note, I always make sure that they drink pure filtered fresh water!

Lead In Our Drinking Water?

 I remember as a child being told to run the taps before I drank a glass of water.  As I lived in a property that had been built in the 1920s, the pipes supplying the water were made of lead, and there was growing concern, even then, about lead in our water supply.  Well, as it happens, that proved to be sound advise.  It has since been proved that we can indeed give ourselves lead poisoning from drinking water.

The damage to our health can be devastating,our liver and kidney's can be damaged irrevocably, convulsions, brain damage, and hearing loss are common.  There are still a large number of properties around today that s have old lead pipes.  Most have copper pipes, but it is the lead used in the soldering that can cause water contamination. . You must also consider the network of pipes that supply our water from the actual water plants, how can we be sure that there is not  corrosion some where along the line?

Our bodies simply can not cope with any lead in our blood stream.  Lead from our water must be eliminated at all costs.  You can't see, smell or taste lead.  The first indication of a problem might even go undetected, you might just think you have a bug!  A complete water test is the only way you will find out if you have lead in the system.  There are a lot of remedies you can use if your test proves positive.

Water Water Everywhere But Not A Drop To Drink!

Some of the worst scourges mankind has faced have come about as a result of contaminated water supplies infested with microbes that bring on cholera, dysentery and a whole host of other fatal syndromes.  So bringing water to the public is a very complicated and responsible business.  To kill off  any bacteria and contaminants chlorine is introduced to the water supply, and therein lies our first concern. Too much chlorine and you are susceptible to a whole host of problems.

Too much exposure to chlorine has been found to damage the skin, causing  dry skin, dandruff, acne, premature wrinkling and baldness. Researching this subject I have noticed problems that I have suffered with myself over the years, namely itching and sore eyes.  It dawned on me that this was predominantly after I had showered or bathed. The chlorine in showering water has harsh drying effects on the hair and skin. When showering the heat of the water will cause your pores to open thus allowing the chlorine to enter our bodies. Also the confined space you are in when showering allows the vapors to be inhaled which has been shown to aggravate asthmatics, and can cause problems in the lungs and sinuses.
Inhaling chemicals is a far quicker way of getting poison  into the blood stream than actually drinking the water.  In fact, you have a better chance of the digestive system destroying some of the chlorine before it can cause the damage.

Dreadful isn't it?  We are potentially exposing our children to this danger, after all, bath time is fun time!

 So what must we do?  Well take control by having a complete water test done on your water supply.  This will test for other potential contaminants that I shall review in following posts.  If you do get a high reading then there are filtering systems that will eliminate the problem.

The World Belongs to Us All - It is All Our Responsibility

Many of us talk about the way the world is heading and perhaps many more of us are now beginning to listen. I for one am, and I think this has partially become a realty for me because I see the devastation and destruction when I walk out my front door. Where at one time the pollution and dwindling resources, seemed to be something that only plagued unfortunate countries that seemed far beyond the corner of my world.

Yet now when I think back much of what I have seen there such as the shortage of water, the dwindling power and the foul air is something that I too have been exposed to, albeit on a much lesser degree but there both within and without my home atmosphere.

Yes! It has been there all the time, but gone unnoticed by me and more than likely many of you as well. How could this happen? Simply because we have come to take for granted what the earth has always provided for us, but now because of our lack of appreciation and squandering of so many of life's resources the abundance of them is no longer.

I write this not to sit in judgement of other's but only to share my discovery and "wake up call", that we must become aware of our surroundings and the shape it is in, for after all it is truly our lifeline and is the legacy that we leave for our future generations.

The following is a movie I came across at YouTube. It is dynamic and a movie that every individual that has a care for life at all should take the time to watch. I hope that you will take the time to watch this most amazing and interesting movie about our world.

                                 Click here to see             A story you don't want to miss!

Good Bacteria Or Bad Bacteria?

We need bacteria to survive. Bacteria keeps our planet 'balanced', and our bodies healthy and functioning as they should.  We have probably all heard of the 'good' bacteria present in our stomachs for example. However, with the pressures of everyday pollutants in our atmosphere, we very often upset the equilibrium. 'Bad' bacteria can colonise in clusters causing ill health and can prove fatal.

The bacteria that can cause problems are called pathogenic bacteria.  These bacteria can invade the body and cause illness and disease.  A few examples of the complaints that these bacteria can cause are meningitis, pneumonia along with chest and throat infections.

These bacteria can be carried in the air, on people and animals and can even be introduced to the home via plants and soil.  They can sometimes form colonies and it is at this stage we can pick up the illness.

What can we do to help prevent this from happening?  Well ironically enough,one of the main causes is when we destroy the 'good bacteria' with our harsh chemicals that are in our cleaning products, (remember how we need the good to destroy the bad!) it is a case of getting the balance right, I will cover this problem in later posts.  Suffice to say, you need to recognise if you have the colony  by conducting a bacterial  test.  So, I am not implying that we all live in dirty homes, just that we should be vigilant and be extremely careful of the harsh chemicals we are using.

Can Fiberglass Cause Cancer?

Another air test that i consider to be of paramount importance is the carcinogenic fiber test.

90% of properties in the USA use fiberglass loft insulation. 

Have you ever touched the insulation in your loft and noticed how it irritates your hands and can make them red and itchy?  Well, there is a lot of debate around at the moment regarding this issue.  I am very concerned by this, and intend to take extreme action.  Surely if the material has this much effect when touching it, what must it be doing if you inhale it?

A  study in 1970 on fiberglass inhalation states that "fibrous glass of small diameter is a potent carcinogen" (source 'Consumer Law')

Now I totally agree that we must indeed insulate our homes , but there are safe alternatives.  More and more people are turning to the alternatives.  People are using cotton, newspaper,corn cobs, cork and bricks to name but a few of the innovative ideas.

Asbestos used to be the material of choice, and some older properties still have unacceptable levels of this fiber in the atmosphere to this day, and we all know the dangers of asbestos!

Do yourself and your loved ones a favour and get the levels of your home checked out.

The Misery Of Pet Allergens.

Dander is the by product shed from the body of various animals, very similar to dandruff.  It contains flaky dead skin, hair or feathers.

70% of Americans have a cat or dog.  11% have an allergy to their pet. For cat and dog dander allergies, the symptoms can be chronic.  There is no such thing as a non allergic breed, and there is no correlation between the length of the pets hair and allergic reactions.  It is important to remember though that shed hair can attract other allergens such as mold, bacteria and pollen.

Any caged animals should be kept as clean as possible.  Bird droppings can horde some horrible bacteria along with molds and fungi which can be very detrimental to our health.  The same applies to any pet mice, hamsters or similar that are very often kept as pets.

I was surprised to learn that pet dander can be found, albeit in lesser amounts, in places of work, public spaces and schools.  As dander is a 'sticky' substance it would make sense that it can very easily be transported on peoples clothes and shoes.

If  you suspect that you may be exposed to excessive dander, remember the good quality air test kits will be your first port of call.  This will give you a full break down to your amount of exposure.  You will be pleased to know, especially if you are a animal lover, there is an awful lot of preventative actions you can take.  I intend to cover more of these tips in a later post.  For now though , the absolute best advise would be to bath your pets on a regular basis and to keep living areas scrupulously clean.

Mold Spores

Airborne mold spores can dramatically effect your health.  They are a serious problem, and you probably don't even know of their existence.
Here is a list of ailments that you could develop if you are exposed to the spores:
allergies
asthma
bruising and bleeding
memory loss
hearing loss
dizziness
flu like symptoms
severe breathing problems
bleeding from the lungs

25 million Americans suffer from the effects of  inhaling mold spores and most of them just do not realise that the mold spore is the cause of their complaint.

There are numerous varieties of mold.  They thrive in moisture, oxygen warmth and something to feed on.  They are not always obvious and they can be lurking in the most unlikely of places.  Mold will thrive in our bathrooms, closets and basements.  They are present in our refrigerators, and any where where fresh food is stored.  These are the most obvious of locations, however remember the mold can be prevalent in places that we just cant see. The only safe alternative is to conduct an airborne spore test on your property, and then take the relevant steps to eliminate the mold itself.

A Mitey Problem!

This is a picture of dust mite under microscope. A single ball of dust can contain as many as 250,000 Dust Mites!

 
 
House dust mites -


cause of most asthma, nasal allergy and some eczema.  It is impossible to eliminate this problem, but you can take steps over a period of time to drastically reduce the amount of dust mites present in your home.  You will be astounded at the difference the effects of reducing even by just 10% will make. 



 
You will need a starting point if you want to do this correctly.  Invest in a good air quality test kit, and find out  the concentration of mites on your premises.  Then to work.  I found the best place to start is your bedrooms.  Cover every thing on your bed, not just the mattress.  Eventually it would be wise to remove all carpets from the rooms, there are so many better alternatives nowadays.

We Are A Product Of The Air We Breathe.

Indoor pollution has become a major problem in the Western World.  You would be forgiven for thinking that the  air you breathe in the sanctuary of your own home would be safe.  Ask yourself this -  have you or member of your family , or indeed one of your pets been suffering with allergies. fatigue, skin problems or just generally being unwell. Well, if you can say yes, then maybe you should consider an organic vapor screen check.

  Sadly our bodies are continually being bombarded with toxins that are being omitted from the most innocuous of sources. Plastic containers, household cleaning products, toiletries, cosmetics, air conditioners and heating systems, plants and even the food we are consuming can all be giving off harmful toxins.  It is the amount that is being generated that should be our main concern.

Our bodies are amazing in so much as they will respond and destroy low level exposure to organic vapors.  However, ignore higher levels that we may be inadvertently allowing ourselves to come into contact with and sooner or later our bodies immune system will collapse. We will leave ourselves open to any one of the major medical complaints that is rife in our world today.

What can we do to lessen this impact?  Easy, find the source, and replace with a safe alternative.  You can purchase an organic vapour test kit and test your home.  In my opinion it will be worth every cent.  This test will measure and identify each chemical.

Formaldehyde The Invisible Odorless Killer

Did you know that excessive formaldehyde exposure can cause increased allergies, sinus problems,  respiratory problems and extreme fatigue.  Worse, long term exposure can cause lung dis function, skin hardening, flaking and swelling, dermatitis, allergic eczema and even cancer. Yes, the International Agency For Research on Cancer, which is part of  The World Health Organisation, have designated formaldehyde as a known cause of several types of cancer.

Formaldehyde is used in hundreds of processes, including paint manufacture, plastic products, paper, textiles, carpets, pesticides, MDF, chipboard, furniture, glues and resins, the list goes on.  As you can imagine almost every one is exposed to formaldehyde either at work, home or in the community.

The main source of formaldehyde vapour is in furniture.  The vapour can be active for many years after manufacture.  Cavity wall insulation, loft insulation is another source. Cosmetics, toiletries and household cleaning products are another example.

Formaldehyde is more potent in the warmer months, as the temperatures rise so do the gas levels.  Obviously humidity will play its part too.

It is extremely important therefore that you test your environment for excessive exposure.  A good quality testing kit should be purchased.  The good news is that when the source is found, preventative measures should be taken as a matter of urgency.  There is always a safe alternative and I shall reveal some key tips in later posts.

Say Hello To A Greener World Everyone!

Well hello there!
This is my first blog and I am super excited about it because a greener earth and the environment have become a real passion of mine. I hope as you read my blogs, and hopefully you will because you will want to keep coming back to read all about the good stuff you are going to find here. I firmly believe that by hearing what I and others have to say about we can do about this planet of ours that it will encourage you to have a healthier life for you and your family.
Something I really want you to check out though when you get a chance is this amazing book. I have written it in order to pass on a lot of information all contained in one area. What is even more important though is that it shows ways to involve the whole family. Just think no more yelling..."turn out the light"!.