There are so many reasons to love the summer time: the green grass and warm sunshine, longer days and warmer evenings, more time to savor all the beauty of the outdoors. But the best part by far is the amazing abundance of healthy, fresh, whole foods everywhere you look. In celebration of the richness of the season, here are 10 reasons why there’s no better time to eat well.

20 Ways To Keep Your Pet Safe This Summer

Higher temperatures may translate into more time spent outdoors, but for pet owners, they can also mean more visits to the veterinarian. “In the summer, we see more skin and ear infections and an increase in injuries overall,” says Sandra Sawchuk, DVM, a veterinarian at the University of Wisconsin–Madison.

Here are 20 ways to protect your pet during the warmer months:

How to celebrate a safe 4th of July

Independence Day brings lots of great activities but also lots of opportunities to come into contact with toxins. Pregnant women and parents with young children might want to pay some extra attention to the additional toxins their little ones are exposed to at this time of year. While no one likes a Debbie Downer, being mindful of our health is not the same as denying yourself and your family a fun time. Getting sick is certainly no fun!

Most kids and adults can handle occasional treats, but toxins do accumulate in all of us. We know from the Environmental Working Group that babies are born now with over 200 chemicals in their umbilical cord blood, including BPA. Adults and children who are already compromised in some way or who have poor detoxification for genetic reasons, liver issues, or unhealthy diet would be served well by paying attention to their choices this holiday.

Although most things in moderation can be tolerated by most people, here are some of the issues those with young children and compromised systems might want to consider to stay safe and healthy

Toxins in Fireworks

It’s best to see them from afar to limit what you breathe in and skin exposure as well. See articles about the chemicals in fireworks from Holistic Help and Newsweek and more thoughts on safe firework use from Healthy Child, Healthy World.

Lead in sparklers

Breathing in lead fumes can cause permanent damage so best to avoid those sparkly sticks. See this article from Lead-Safe America.

Air quality

Most large metropolitan areas get an F for air quality and you can look up your city in the American Lung Association analysis. If the air is especially unhealthy, it really is best to stay inside.  Limit outdoor activity to morning when there is less ground-level ozone, or smog. See AirNow.gov  for real-time levels and the American Lung Association for general information about air quality at its State of the Air website.

Face Painting

Some face paints have lead and other chemicals that you would not want to eat. Your skin is your body’s largest organ, so best practice is to treat it like another mouth! Check out these articles on face paint from A Child Grows in Brooklyn blog and Baby Center.

Temporary Tattoos

Yes, there are some chemicals there, too! Learn more at The Stir, Eco Child’s Play and from the FDA, which cautions against using them.

Plastic

Whether it’s food storage or trinkets from the dollar store, plastic seems to be everywhere. But there seems to be ample reason to avoid it when you can. There is evidence that BPA-free is not good enough and that its alternatives have issues too. See related articles at Mother Jones and Scientific American and a guide to plastics from Healthy Child, Healthy World.

Many dollar-store trinkets are health hazards. See this NBC News report for starters and “1 in 3 Toys Contains Toxins, Study Finds” a great recap on Healthy Child, Healthy World of the research from The Ecology Center’s Healthy Stuff project.

Even knockoffs of Loom Bands may be problematic. See this article by Mother Jones that talks about cancer-causing phthalates.

Beads and decorations

All kids like to dress up, but many of them also like to chew on things that could be filled with bad chemicals. Check out this article from Alternet on the toxins in Mardi Gras beads with lead and endocrine disruptors. Plastic flags and the like could have a host of other problems.

Food

The less healthy our food choices, the more work our body has to do to detoxify from all the chemicals we come into contact with. When possible, choose local or organic. Some foods, like sweet corn, should be certified organic or else are likely to be genetically-modified. Other foods that are harder to grow in certain places may be polluted with pesticides if not organic. See the Dirty Dozen and Clean Fifteen lists from the EWG. Seek out local produce grown by farmers who, even if not able to pay for organic certification, tell you they do not spray with pesticides and/or use Integrated Pest Management (IPM).

Quick Tips for a Safe, Healthy & Non-Toxic 4th of July … and the rest of summer!

• Play outdoors in the morning and away from highways.
• Consult the EWG’s 2015 Guide to Sunscreens
• Watch fireworks from afar and avoid home fireworks or sparklers
• Eat healthy foods of lots of colors, including fresh berries rich in antioxidants and phytonutrients
• Do your best to say “No, thanks,” to trinkets and beads. A disarming smile and “We are swimming in stuff right now and trying to purge” may do the trick. Or try “I can’t keep things out of their mouths, so we’d better pass, but thanks for the offer!”
• When possible, use metal and glass containers to serve and store food. Some local health food stores carry great options, and many are available online through numerous retailers, including Reuseit.com
• Try to pass on the face painting or bring your own non-toxic paints
• Limit temporary tattoos in number and tell kids they will stay on for only one day
• Smile, breathe, and drink a lot of water!

Favorite Homeopathic Remedies for Traveling with Children

Summer time schedules are often rife with traveling. Family reunions, vacations, camps, and other road trips can keep us on the go during these busy months!

Today, I want to share my most essential homeopathic remedies for road trips especially with young children.

Motion sickness :

For children’s motion sickness, letting them have a dose of cocculus indicus every half-hour makes sure you don’t have to deal with them vomiting.

SafeCareRx Nausea and Motion sickness works well and is a water base pump spray.

MBi Nutraceuticals Nausea Drops European is in a dropper format.

Ginger is known for its ability to reduce nausea and we have it in a herbal extract for capsules.

Peppermint essential oil can have a calming effect on upset tummies, reduces nausea and vomiting and it smells wonderful. Put a few drops on a wet towel for soothing effect.

To sooth or reduce tension:

Chamomilla vulgaris 200k is a must have remedy for every mother with babies and young children! It can be used for everything from teething and irritability to restlessness and exhaustion after a busy vacation or a long trip. The herbal extract can sooth and relieve tension.

For boo-boos, bruises, cuts and general first aid:

Nelson Bach Arnica Cream is an ideal first aid application, effective for all types of bruises resulting from injuries, bruises and falls.

Arnica Montana 30K granules has ability to soothe “boo boos”, prevent bruising, and soothes sprains and swelling.

Make sure you also have the Sovereign Silver or Argentyn 23 travel sizes for pink eye, swimmers ear, cuts, throat, sinus, food poisoning and so many other applications.

Aromatherapy Essential Oil Gifts for Dad (And Other Men Too)

Amrita has something for all kinds of dads / men:

• Bugs BeGone is a DEET-free natural insect repellent, made with six different oils whose aromas, so pleasing and attractive to humans, keep the bugs away. The essential oils are combined in a synergistic way to magnify their effectiveness and then blended into a base of water, aloe vera, and polysorbate. The main essential oil is Eucalyptus Citriodora, or Lemon Eucalyptus, which has a fresh, sweet, lemon-like fragrance. The Center for Disease Control states Eucalyptus Citriodora is effective against mosquitoes carrying the West Nile Virus and Zika virus. The other oils are Rosemary, Sweet Lavandin (Grosso), Eucalyptus Citriodora, Peppermint and Catnip. It effectively repels mosquitoes, ants, fleas, chiggers, ticks, gnats and other insects. Also consider the Bugs BeGone Synergy Blend to make your own mixture.
• Muscle Tension Roll-On Relief is packed with anti-inflammatory, pain-relieving essential oils. It is a convenient and cost-effective way to keep muscle pain under control with no side effects. Keeping fit can result in sore muscles and (if we’re not careful) sprains, strains and soreness. This blend is excellent for easing occasional aches and pains that come from living life. It contains Birch, Eucalyptus Radiata and Lemongrass essential oils. Birch is anti-inflammatory and said to be excellent for massaging sore muscles, sprains and painful joints. It is also said to be anti-spasmodic and antiseptic. Eucalyptus Radiata is said to be warming and pain-relieving. It is traditionally used for arthritis, muscle and joint pains, rheumatism, sports injuries and sprains. Lemongrass is soothing and helps to warm and relax tense muscles. Together, the essential oils in this roll-on will help tense bodies feel better.
• Muscle Tension & Cold Relief Body Oil is a warming, analgesic blend of Amrita’s fine body oil base with luxurious essential oils. Birch is traditionally used to reduce pain, whereas Eucalyptus Radiata is used to increase blood flow to the tissues, and Lemongrass to warm and relax tense muscles. This body oil is ideal for the cold and flu season and helps relieve stress.
• Certified Organic Sandalwood Perfume is easy to use. It can just be rolled on. Sandalwood is like taking a deep breath in a luscious forest. It is said to clear the mind of superficial concerns, provide a sense of higher purpose and remove anger. According to Ayurveda, it is cooling, so it’s good to use during summer.
• Deep Rest Roll-On Relief is a blend of essential oils for sleep. It contains Red Mandarine, Lavender Extra, Sweet Marjoram and Mandarine Petitgrain Essential Oils. Red Mandarine and Mandarine Petitgrain are said to be mood-enhancing and tension-relieving, and give the blend its sweet citrus scent. Lavender is known for its relaxation effects and it is said to help dissolve negative thoughts and the worries of an overactive mind, thereby preventing insomnia and enabling sleep. Sweet Marjoram is said to be calming and stress-relieving. This blend may also be used during the day as a secret weapon against times of intense stress. Consider the Deep Rest Synergy Blend as well.

By Michael Huxley, a registered nurse from the U.K. and writes about his travels on his blog Bemused Backpacker

Getting sick is a part of everyday life, and being on the road doesn’t exempt you from that fact, especially when travel itself it exposes you to a whole new range of bugs, parasites, and environments. The fact of the matter is the longer you are traveling, the more likely you are to pick up a bug or two.

The key to minimizing the chances of this, however, is to actively combat the risk factors of becoming sick in the first place. The last thing you want to do is to expose yourself to any more risk than you have to. Prevention is far better than any cure.

Wash your hands

I know this sounds basic, but it is surprising how many people forget it, and as a nurse, the simple act of washing your hands has been drilled into me since day one of basic training as a key component in infection control. The National Health Service (NHS) in the UK has had a huge impact on controlling infection in a clinical setting simply by reinforcing the importance of washing your hands, but the same is true for every aspect of day-to-day life, and traveling the world is no exception.

Hand hygiene is essential to stop the spread of infection and can dramatically reduce your chances of diarrhea, vomiting, food poisoning, gastroenteritis, flu, norovirus, MRSA, or even hepatitis A.

Many travelers carry small bottles of hand gel, and these are great as a backup, but they aren’t a replacement for good old soap and water. Wherever possible, wash your hands under hot water for at least thirty seconds before and after eating and always after going to the toilet.

Drink bottled water

When you can’t be sure of the purity of the local water or you are traveling in areas where sanitation is not that great, then it should go without saying that you should avoid the local tap water. Even if locals drink it without any problems, your stomach may not have the right bacteria to protect you from becoming ill, avoid local water — even ice in your drinks — in countries that don’t purify their tap water.

I recommend that at the very least you should always drink bottled water and double-check that the seal is intact on the bottle top too (a common scam is to sell bottles refilled with tap water). It is also a good idea to use bottled water to brush your teeth. But personally I prefer to use a water bottle with a built-in filter as this reduces the need to buy bottles of water constantly, saving both money and the environment.

Be careful of food contamination

Food contamination is one of the biggest causes of traveler’s diarrhea and gastrointestinal problems on any travel adventure. If you are not careful with your food on your travels, you could potentially be exposing yourself to diarrhea, E. coli, Shigella, Salmonella, Giardia, Entamoeba hystolytica, Campylobacter, Cryptosporidia, Cyclospora, cholera, and much more nastiness.

You should always ensure — as much as is practicably possible — that any food you eat is fresh, cooked thoroughly, and served piping hot.

I love street food for this very reason, as you can see how clean the cooking environment is, and the food is often prepared right in front of you. But look out for signs of good hygiene practice at any street food stall or food court you eat at. Does the person handling the food wear disposable gloves and change them frequently? Is there a separate person handling the money or, at the very least, does the person cooking the food remove and replace gloves every time they handle cash? Is hand washing a regular occurrence? Is raw food left out in the open or is it stored correctly? These things may seem inconsequential but they are important.

You may want to avoid — or be very careful of — the following:

• Salads that may have been prepared in local untreated water
• Raw fruit and vegetables that you haven’t peeled or skinned yourself (if you have, they are generally fine)
• Food that has been left out and exposed for a period of time
• Food that is shared, such as in buffets undercooked, raw, or reheated food, especially meat, fish, or rice.

You probably aren’t going to avoid a bit of stomach upset completely on your travels — especially if you are traveling long term — but if you are aware of good food hygiene practices and follow them as much as possible, then you can at the very least minimize the risk of becoming ill.

Don’t be afraid of having familiar food

Eating local food and delving into the local cuisine is one of the absolute true pleasures of traveling and one you should never miss out on, but that said, a degree of common sense is needed too. Jumping straight into a diet of spicy curries or predominantly red meat is a good way to ensure some form of gastrointestinal upset if your stomach isn’t used to it.

Food intolerances happen when your gut can’t properly digest the food you’ve eaten, or you’ve introduced something completely new and different to it, which can irritate the digestive tract and lead to stomach pain, cramps, gas, diarrhea, vomiting, and heartburn. Don’t worry — this generally isn’t serious and will pass relatively quickly. The trick to trying new foods and new cuisine is to mix it up a little bit.

If you have a sensitive stomach, take it easy at first and don’t be afraid of eating familiar food from time to time.

Try and stay active

One of the best ways to stay fit and healthy and fight off unwanted infections is exercise. The benefits of exercise are well known and well documented: it improves your overall health and well-being and strengthens your immune system, which makes you less susceptible to illness. And if you do get sick, your body is better able to fight off the infection and more quickly get you back on your feet. It isn’t foolproof, of course, because fit people still get sick, but in general the fitter you are, the better your body will be at shrugging off that annoying bug or illness. I always try and maintain a healthy lifestyle, and that doesn’t change because I am traveling.

If you aren’t active or fit before you start traveling, use it as an excuse to start! Go on a jungle trek, go hiking into the countryside or up a mountain, swim in the sea, go for a jog — whatever tickles your fancy as long as it gets you a little out of breath.

Protect yourself against the sun

Sunburn can seriously ruin a good travel experience! I got very badly sunburned years ago in Thailand after snorkeling for too long and forgetting to reapply sun cream. It is not an experience I want to repeat!

Current recommendations on sun protection say you should use a minimum of factor 15, though I recommend at least SPF 30.

Protecting yourself from the sun goes beyond getting bad sunburn though. You should also stay well hydrated if you are traveling in a country or region with a hot or tropical climate, as well as cover up with loose clothing and even a hat or scarf. If you don’t, then dehydration can set in very quickly, and that can lead to more serious conditions such as exposure, heat exhaustion, and heatstroke, which if left unattended can become a medical emergency.

I once cut a day’s sightseeing short in Egypt when I spotted the signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion developing in another traveler and had to help her to get rehydrated and cooled down. It happens a lot more easily than many people think so be sensible, use sunscreen, cover up, and stay hydrated.

Protect yourself from mosquito bites

Mosquito bites are an absolute nightmare for any traveler. At best they will simply annoy you with painful and itchy welts, but at worst they can transmit a whole variety of diseases, such as yellow fever, dengue, Japanese encephalitis, and chikungunya, not to mention malaria.

Mosquitoes can be a problem in many parts of the world, but the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the World Health Organization, and the NHS’s Fit For Travel site are excellent places to find out where there are outbreaks of diseases such as dengue or malaria.

Even if you are in a low- to no-risk area, it is still a good idea to prevent mosquitoes from biting you in the first place, even if it is only to avoid the annoyance of painful bites. It should go without saying that the best thing you can do to protect yourself from being bitten is to use preventive measures:

• Air-conditioned rooms are great for minimizing mosquito bites, as they are often better sealed and less likely to let them in.
• Cover up. Wearing the right clothing is essential. Wear light, loose cotton clothing that covers most of your skin, especially around peak exposure times and places, for example, near bodies of water or at twilight or after dark, the peak time for malaria-carrying mosquitoes to feed.
• Sleep under permethrin-coated nets where necessary.
• Use anti-mosquito coils and plug-in devices where appropriate.
• Always apply a good dose of 30–50% DEET spray, and reapply it regularly. Some people prefer more natural alternatives, but these are often not as effective or are often not clinically proven to be effective at all.

It is important to remember that none of these methods is completely foolproof. You can do everything right and still get bitten. I once caught dengue fever in India despite taking all the usual preventive measures, and it was one of the most unpleasant travel experiences of my life. It isn’t nicknamed “breakbone fever” for nothing! However, you can always minimize your risks with the tips above.

Being fit and healthy before traveling will reduce your chances of falling victim to a nasty travel bug, but it is never foolproof and nothing spoils a holiday more than getting sick! So pack some natural remedies ‘just in case’ and follow our tips to overcoming the most common travel ills.

For some unfortunate travelers, getting to their holiday destination is marred by motion sickness. Symptoms usually involve nausea, dizziness and a cold, clammy sensation. Travelers who feel nauseous should look as far away out the window as possible to restore the body’s normal balance mechanisms. Some effective natural options for motion sickness include inhaling Amrita Peppermint Essential Oil or consuming the anti-nausea herb Ginger. Available in capsule form, Ginger should be commenced a few days before travel. You can also munch on some glacé ginger but there is no guarantee you’ll receive a therapeutic dose as you would from taking a supplement: MBi Nutraceuticals Ginger Capsules! MBi Nutraceuticals Nausea Drops Homeopathic Formula eases the pain and discomfort associated with nausea from motion or morning sickness.

Fighting infection
On long plane trips, breathing recirculated air – and the inevitable viruses and bacteria circulating with it – is unavoidable. To build your resistance to infection, take immune boosting herbs for at least a week before you travel. One of the best choices is Davinci Labs Olive Leaf Extract, which is well recognized for its ability to help the body’s immune system fight against illness. Another great choice during the flight  is to spray the Argentyn 23 vertical spray 1 oz travel size in the nostrils and afterwards to kill microbial and sooth mucus membrane.

Those long flights
Long plane trips and changes in climate can also lead to fluid retention, particularly in the hands, feet and ankles. MBi Nutraceuticals Bio-Diuretic Herbal Combination is useful for combating this situation. Read up on the exercises provided by your airline to prevent deep vein thrombosis and do them regularly during your flight. For long cross country or international flights, SafeCareRx Jet Lag Homeopathic assists with fatigue, sleeplessness, irritability and nervous tension associated with travel and the time zone changes.

Gastric upset
This is one of the most likely conditions to interrupt your holiday and the chances of gastric upset increases when you travel to countries where food and hygiene standards are less rigorous than what we are accustomed to in Australia. Symptoms of gastric disturbances can range from mild diarrhea and an upset stomach to the more serious condition of gastroenteritis caused by bacteria. By populating your digestive tract with good bacteria such as probiotics, your body is more capable of eliminating any bad bacteria you may come into contact with. The Innate Response Flora 50-14 or Pharmax HLC Multi Strain would not have to be refrigerated.

If you suspect you’ve picked up an infection, take a tsp of Argentyn 23 1 oz travel size repeat at least 4-5 times. Another option take MBi Nutraceuticals Golden Seal Herbal Extract as this herb possesses antimicrobial properties, which means it can inhibit the growth of microbes such as bacteria, viruses and parasites. MBi Nutraceuticals Pau D’Arco Herbal Extract also helps to repel nasties. These two herbs help to kill gut bugs when they come into contact with the stomach, so if you take these herbs at the same time you eat a meal, they can really help guard against infection caused by proliferation of bacteria. Transformation ReleaseZyme is useful to take when traveling to naturally jump start the sluggish colon encouraging a bowel movement which may help prevent or manage constipation.

Other natural travel remedies

Psyllium Hulls: Prevents constipation (take daily)

Vitamin B complex CWS: Promotes general well being (particularly if frequent alcohol intake)

Bugs BeGone: a DEET-free natural insect repellent

Tea Tree oil: Topical reflect for bacteria, viral and fungal infections and soothes incest bites

Argentyn 23 travel sizes include the gel, fine mist, screw top and vertical spray

Caution: When traveling overseas, it is advisable to declare any herbs you are carrying to customs. As long as you have the herbs in their original containers (which have an Aust L on the label) there shouldn’t be any problems.

Travel Essentials

by Stephanie Chambers 

As school is about to go back, many people have to travel. Here are some tips that might help make it a bit easier on your body.

Keep Vata at bay

According to Ayurveda, traveling increases the Vata body type. Vata is already the quality of “movement”, so by traveling you are making it worse. This can cause your skin to feel dry and for you to get what I call a “travel tummy” where you end up spending far too much time in the bathroom.

To reduce Vata while you are traveling, try as much to stick to a normal routine (e.g. go to bed on time) and eat warm oily foods. Listen to calming music and to rest whenever you can. You may like to put a Vata tea bag in the bottle of water you buy once you are in the actual airport. If you can, giving yourself an oil massage with Calming & Regenerating Body Oil each morning will help.

Diffusing whichever of the following essential oils appeals to you (e.g. in your car as you drive back), can help:

• Lavender Essential Oil (good for first aid and for a variety of issues)

• Fennel Essential Oil, Anise Essential Oil or Caraway Essential Oil

• Ginger Essential Oil (a drop on the tongue is good for travel sickness but be very careful – it is a very heating, sharp oil)

• Jasmine Essential Oil (good for the heart and helps make your travels blissful) (Try the Organic Jasmine Perfume)

• Rosemary Verbenone Essential Oil Organic (prepares you for action).

You may be interested to know that Amrita has a new car Dashboard Diffuser. And our Ceramic Angel Car Diffuser is also still available. The Amrita Ball Diffuser is small enough to take with you so you can even diffuse in your hotel rooms at night.

If you have any trouble sleeping (which often happens in strange beds), consider the Deep Rest Oil or Deep Rest Roll-On Relief.

Boost your immunity

Because traveling is so hard on the physiology, it can be a time when you are more susceptible to germs and other pathogens. To boost your immunity, try these solutions:

• Diffuse Invincible Immunity Synergy – which contains Bay Laurel, Eucalyptus Radiata, Oregano, Tea Tree, Thyme Borneol, Red Thyme and Thyme Thujanol Essential Oils
• Diffuse Sweet Restoration Synergy – which contains Rosemary, Lavender Extra and Sweet Lavandin Essential Oils)
• Take Golden Shield Tri-Essence Power Blend.

Recover from jet lag & travel tiredness

Jet lag can cause fatigue, headaches, insomnia and make it hard for you to recover from your trip and to go back to work or school.

Take a 3oz mist bottle, and add pure water and a few drops of whichever essential oils appeal to you from the list below to create a blend. Ideally create a blend to use each morning and another to use each evening as this will help you to reset your internal clock.

Shake it well and then spray it on your face, body or around the room and take deep inhales. Avoid spraying into your eyes.

Morning oils:

• Basil
• Peppermint
• Lemon

Evening oils:

• Rose Geranium
• Sweet Marjoram
• French Lavender

Remember to enjoy it

Travel time is part of your vacation. So bring a good audio book or some classical music on your phone, relax and savor your journey!

Disclaimer: The statements made in this blog have not been evaluated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). They are not intended to diagnose, cure or prevent any disease. If a condition persists, please contact your physician or healthcare provider. The information provided is not a substitute for a face-to-face consultation with a healthcare provider, and should not be construed as medical advice.