Georgia's premier country pursuits playground for the active outdoor enthusiast! Modeled after an old English sporting estate, the club offers a variety of outdoor activities ranging from historic pursuits such as archery, falconry and quail hunting to more modern games such as sporting clays, paintball and even an off road driving course.
http://www.sportinggeorgia.com/ for more details or contact Rhonda Young @ (706) 990-7787 or info@sportinggeorgia.comRefreshments and Entertainment
All moms receive 25% off all services all month! In honor of Memorial Day, all military receive 25% off all services all month. Moms who are in the military (or veterans) receive 30% off all services all month.
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... and why is it so important?
Every breath we take, every move we make... so goes the song.
Yet every move we make does depend on every breath we take and every drink (or meal) we take, because our movement is fueled by energy that we store in the body. We receive our energy from the triune sources of air, food and water.
Energy doesn't just 'drop' out of the air, food or water that we ingest. In its usual form it is not chemically available. It can't always be called upon to support every move we make because it is not always ready for chemical reaction.
For any chemical reaction to occur there needs to be two molecules involved, and each of these molecules must have something to 'trade', in the form of compatible atoms that are either positively or negatively charged. Positively charged molecules (and the atoms within them) will easily and naturally unite with negatively charged molecules of equivalent and compatible charge.
Put simply, all of your body functions rely on the energy released from the unity of the 'charge' of the molecules in it and the opposite 'charge' in food water or air that enters it.
So what is an ion?
An ion is any atom that has a positive or a negative charge. A positively charged ion will seek a negatively charged one to unite with, have a glorious 'coupling' and then turn into something totally new and available.
So why do we rave on so much about negative ions? Because the result of every move you move (a net spending of energy) is a positively charged body. The molecules in your body are left holding a positive charge. They are unavailable for future 'couplings' unless we get a new batch of attractive and giving negative ions in quickly.
As we hear so often these days, things ain't what they used to be. The air is different. Putting it very frankly and unscientifically, it's full of crud. Positively charged crud. Nothing ever 'goes away' on our little green planet and every exhaust, every chimney plume, every cow fart, stays within our thin and fragile ionosphere. It stays in the air we gulp as we run along the beach, it stays in the water we drink, and it stays in the food we eat. And all of it this pollution is useless for energy production within the body.
The air we breathe in our garden, only 500 meters from the beach, contains only around 150 negative ions/cc/sec. but it also contains around 700 positive ions. This means that even as we lay on the beach doing absolutely nothing, our bodies are getting short-shifted by 2000 (required) plus 700 positive less 150 negative ions = 2550 ions/cc/second.
Because the environment can no longer supply our basics , our bodies have to negatively ionize the air, water and food that enters our bodies just to get bare minimum ionization needs, and lying there in the sun, they are working non-stop just to supply enough available energy for us to get up off the sand and walk to the car!
Did we always have to do this?
No. We have managed to take our beautiful planet from garden paradise to techno trash in less than a century, and we have done one helluva 'good' job. Where once clear air and spring or glacial water gave us all the negative ions we needed, today the same basics actually rob our bodies of energy.
Like the idea of drinking pure rainwater?
Don’t. It robs you of electrons. It is also acidic, having combined with CO 2 and pollutants as it falls from the clouds, and so it only contributes to the acidic state of your body.
Want to go to the beach and reinvigorate on pure ocean air?
That air just blew all the way from a Brazilian chemical factory and now it's your turn to breathe it in.
So we are suffocating in our air, drying up in our water, and toxifying as we eat our clean supermarket food.
In a radical state, radical action is required - and we are indeed in a radical state of personal bodily survival. We have lost the negative ions, the life energy we need to even breathe freely.
It's not hard to understand how we age the way we do. Suddenly we are old and we wonder how it happened. Yet it's been happening for years because every day our wonderful, amazing bodies have been slugging it out and losing the battle to keep aging at bay. Instead of performing daily housekeeping functions, it is flat out ionizing water food and air to make it energetically available for energy storage.
The Chinese adepts well knew the power of this ionization process. They call the energy in the body chi, and they say it comes from the air, from water and from food. In his book The Tao of Health, Sex and Longevity, author and longevity expert Daniel Reid says, "Since there exists no equivalent term in English for ' Chi' or ' Prana’, we shall refer to it as 'bionic ' or ' bioelectric ' energy. This combines the idea of living energy uniquely associated with living organisms (bio-) with that of electricity (-electric) and negatively charged ions (-ionic)...”
In 1838, deHufeland wrote in The Art of Prolonging the Life of Man,
“A careful study of the phenomena of the vital force in the organized world leads us to recognize in it the following properties ands laws: the vital force is the most subtle, most penetrating, most invisible agent we have known until now in nature ; in this respect it surpasses even light, electricity and magnetism, with which in other respects it seems to have the greatest analogy...We find a striking analogy between the vital force and magnetism. The life force can exist in a free and latent state, and in this respect has a close analogy to heat and electricity."
More recently, French Scientist Dr J. Belot said,
"When we consider organic life in the light of biophysics, we find that electrical phenomena are at the root of all cellular life and we conclude that the end of everything is an electrical charge."
In March 1968, 36 years ago, Le Monde reported that the presence of negative ions or ionization facilitates oxygen absorption, aids elimination of CO2 in the alveoli of the lungs, yet positive ions have precisely the opposite effect. Gases, dust, chemical fumes, all enter the body as positive ions, trapping the tiny negative ions in their large absorbent form, rendering your air technically 'dead'.
When we read the work of Dr Otto Warburg, Nobel Scientist, we begin to understand the absolute importance not only of oxygen, hydrogen and nitrogen, but the utter importance for our longevity of their entry into the body in negatively charged form. We also begin to see the extent of the effect of common-use substances. A plastic seat (I am sitting on one now!) will accelerate mental fatigue, as will plastic wall coverings. Objects covered in polyethylene produce fields of between 5 and 10,000 volts/meter. In a space enclosed by polyethylene the rate can skyrocket to 100,000 volts/meter. Certain synthetic clothes are strong enough to set up a field that repels all negative ions in your immediate vicinity! Go stand on a mountain; it won't help much if you're wearing your favorite synthetic ski jacket!
Without adequate negative ions, we are literally working ourselves to death and we don't even realize it. Yet the technology now exists to replace the body's load, to support the immune system, and to promote not just a long life, but a strong, vital life.
With ionization (ionized water), you are now able to derive huge quantities of negatively charged ions as Hydroxyl ions in a micro clustered form that will flow between cell walls and react with acid wastes that are causing energy loss, lethargy and a predisposition to almost every major illness; all in water direct from your tap.
With the ionization of air you will receive ionized nitrogen and oxygen that gives itself away immediately to facilitate energy conversion and storage. The ionized nitrogen acts on your cellular communication system and dilates the blood vessels to maintain not only a strong nutrient transport system, but an efficient messaging service, allowing your body to reinstate real communication. You begin to know your own body again.
The cost, when we look realistically at a future that statistically means ill health, cancer, heart disease and bodily degeneration, is incredibly small. Like the tiny negatively charged atom, this technology is easy to dismiss, but deceptively powerful.
Disclaimer: We do not directly dispense medical advice or prescribe the use of herbs or supplements as a form of treatment for illness. The information stated is for educational purposes only to empower people with knowledge to take care of their own health. We disclaim any liability if the reader uses or prescribes any remedies, natural or otherwise, for him/herself or another. Historically all of these herbs & vitamin supplements may nutritionally support the body’s biological systems.
Please consult a licensed health professional should a need be indicated. 11:21 AM GMT | Read comments(0)What causes poor digestion?
Let’s talk about digestion. We see so many drugs advertised on television today to help relieve bloating, gas, GERD or gastro-esophageal reflux, hiatal hernias, burping, ulcers, constipation, and diarrhea. Many people have tried them all and have only found themselves to be more uncomfortable than they were before they took the medicine. They are confused, disappointed, and don't know where o turn or how to really spell RELIEF! When I am working with clients, I like to try to find the cause of the problem. In finding the cause, we can find the answer. Most of the time, the cause of poor digestion begins with poor choices in what and how we eat and drink. People make poor choices for many reasons. As children, they were not taught proper food combining or how to choose foods that are pure, whole, organic, fresh, and natural. And, as children, they didn't suffer as much from gastro- intestinal disorders as much as they do after they reach middle age. People believe if they have always eaten a certain way, then why change.
People don't seem to realize that the body doesn't break down overnight. As a matter of fact, depending on one's genetics, the body can take years of destructive abuse before it starts wearing down. Something else people aren't aware of is that the body begins to have fewer enzymes in the stomach around the age of thirty. What they might have gotten away with earlier in life, just isn't working any more. Eating processed, canned, fried, denatured fast foods on a regular basis because they are convenient will eventually create havoc in the stomach or intestines. White flour, pasteurized milk, and sugar, are three major inhibitors of proper digestion. Foods that are too spicy, too hot, or too cold can irritate the stomach lining. The body is a magnificent, living organism and requires foods that are as close to natural as possible in order to maintain health. It is sad these days that many of our children don't even know where a carrot comes from! Vegetables and fruits that are picked fresh from the vine, tree, or bush are loaded with natural enzymes, vitamins, and minerals necessary for proper digestion. Thus, one of the reasons for digestive disorders is eating denatured foods.
Physical & Emotional tips for digestion
Another reason for stomach and digestive problems is eating too fast. Everyone seems to be in a hurry! Proper digestion begins in the mouth with chewing. We must chew, chew, chew our food, twenty times for each bite. Too many people are eating on the go with a cell phone in one hand and driving through a fast food lane with the other. They then try to eat while driving and talking on the phone. Their stomachs are churning due to stress and they gulp down loads of sugary soda or iced tea to wash everything down. Drinking too much liquid during a meal will dilute the enzymes in the stomach and greatly impair digestion. Drinking fluids full of caffeine and sugar will destroy the enzymes needed for the food. If you must drink with a meal, sip a small amount of room temperature or warmed raw vegetable juice, purified water, or herbal tea between bites.
Good rules for proper digestion are as follows:
1. Combine vegetables with proteins or carbs
2. Do not combine proteins and white flour products
3. Soaked, sprouted nuts and seeds blended make a nice protein - very high in enzymes
4. Eat fruit for the most part alone. However, avocadoes, tomatoes, and even apples because of the enzymes and pectin seem to combine fairly well with other vegetables.
5. Eat melons alone
6. Do not drink with meals unless it is to take tiny sips in between bites.
7. Chew each bite of food twenty-five times.
8. Eat foods that are fresh, whole, organic, and natural.
9. Avoid white flour, white sugar, artificial sweeteners, pasteurized cow's milk, foods fried in deep grease, caffeine, and micro-waved foods.
10. If you have a problem with digestion, try blending your salads and soups.
11. Take digestive enzymes and probiotics.
12. Eat in peace. Stress is a huge culprit to the digestive process.
13. When your body tells you to visit the restroom, go, do not hold it in. Create a rhythm with times to eat and times to release.
14. Exercise and good posture can greatly improve digestion by helping to strengthen the abdominal muscles and facilitate nerve flow from the spine to the stomach and intestinal tract.
There are many kinds of stress that can impair digestion, both internal and external. Try to organize your life so you can eat three meals a day sitting down and chewing your food slowly and peacefully. Do not watch a horror movie or even the news while trying to digest your foods. Do not talk on the phone while eating. If you do talk during a meal, wait until you are finished chewing and speak about pleasant things. Pause before you begin eating, bless your food, and become peaceful before you begin to eat.
What are Enzymes and Why are They So Important?
We are born with 22 pairs of enzymes. When we are middle aged that means we now have 11- what does that tell us about the 80 year old whose topic of his conversation is having a "bowel movement?" That's because he has hardly any enzymes to break down his food. Nothing is being digested or absorbed. Enzymes are natural protein chemicals found in all living organisms. Enzymes are very valuable in the digestive process because they break down foods so our body can use them. When we eat cooked food, our bodies actually sacrifice their own metabolic enzymes to digest it. Our bodies only contain a limited amount of "enzyme potential". This enzyme potential is like our bank of metabolic ability and it has to last us a lifetime. When we consume foods in their raw natural state, all foods, contain high amounts of enzymes. Research has proven that cooking foods destroys the naturally occurring enzymes in food. Enzymes are responsible for every biological function that takes place in our bodies and is the determining factor between living and dead matter, the primary function they provide from a dietary perspective is the digestive process. Enzymes have the ability to begin and complete the digestion of food upon consumption before the body is called upon to manufacture the pancreatic enzymes necessary to digest and to properly assimilate the nutrients in that food. The following is a brief summary of the enzymes that should be considered most critical to supplementation for pre-digestive needs.
Protease -for protein digestion
Amylase -for carbohydrate and starch digestion
Lipase -for digestion of fats and oils
Cellulase -for digestion of dietary fiber
Lactase -for digestion of dairy products
Sucrase -for sugar digestion
Maltase -for digestion of malt sugars and grains
To assist with digestion, you might try taking a couple of very good, high quality digestive enzymes made from plants just before you eat. Many people think they should take their enzymes after a meal, but it's best to take them just prior to (15-30 minutes)eating so they can go in and be there ready to work when the food comes down to the stomach. If you are going to be traveling or eating at a restaurant or going to a friend's house to eat, it is definitely a good idea to take some enzymes along with you... especially if you are trying to achieve weight loss. For people batting allergies, enzymes can help when taken in between meals.
What are Probiotics and why are they Crucial to Proper Digestion?
A Probiotic is a naturally occurring and beneficial bacteria that lives in our digestive tract and exists in harmony with other good bacteria in our system. The word Probiotic means "in favor of life".
How do Probiotics Work?
Probiotics are living microorganisms (bacteria) in our intestines. These friendly microorganisms offer a large variety of benefits such as: assisting in proper digestion of foods, defense against infectious bacteria, delivery of micronutrients, and synthesis of key nutrients. Friendly bacteria are the ultimate form of intestinal support. When their populations are high, and we eat foods conducive to their health, they keep our intestines healthy and working properly. However, if their numbers are reduced (by high fever, illness, trauma, stress, antibiotics, chemicals, sugar, alcohol, caffeine, etc.) infectious bacteria can take over and cause severe health complications.
Pathogens
If our intestines undergo stress such as antibiotic or drug use, physical or mental trauma, dietary deficiencies, or exposure to chemicals and adverse environmental factors, the unfriendly bacteria (Pathogens) can take over and create major health concerns. Pathogens that use undigested protein as a food source create by-products that are toxic to our system through a process called putrefaction (rotting of proteins). The more undigested protein that is available, the larger population of pathogens will be. This creates a struggle between Probiotics and pathogens for colonization. If high populations of pathogens are present and the body undergoes further stress as previously described, infiltration and infection can ensue. Cumulatively, all of these adverse responses can contribute to more complications like Irritable Bowel Disease (IBD), Colitis, Intestinal Ulcerations, Polyps, Diverticulitis and so on.
What can you do to help maintain good intestinal health?
General - If we continually introduce new populations of Probiotics into our intestines, we replace any Probiotics lost due to adverse conditions.
Increase Probiotics in Time of Need- If we increase Probiotic supplementation during and after times of intestinal stress, we further re-enforce our Probiotic.
Dietary Considerations - If we eat a diet conducive to Probiotic growth such as easily digestible proteins and fresh fruits and vegetables high in fiber, we significantly reduce the Pathogens' growth medium and populations. Many of you have heard of acidophilus and bifidus as types of probiotics available on the market. It was our concern that many of these products are dead in the capsules with no viable activity left. Or, if they were living in the capsules that they may never survive all the way to the stomach or intestinal tract. Probiotics are the forgotten soldiers that we need to keep strong in our digestive tract so they can fight for us. Enzymes and Probiotics have been used to help relieve all of the health issues mentioned below as well as many others:
Most digestive disorders
GERD, Gastro-esophageal reflux
Dairy intolerance
Prevention of malabsorption
Intestinal toxemia · Food allergies
Indigestion
Sugar intolerance
Liver/Gallbladder stress which may show itself with these indications:
Nausea following meal
Headache prior to meal or following meal
Diarrhea
Constipation
Bloating
So if you are having any problems with digestion, please STOP and take some time to rearrange how you are living your life. Your digestive health affects every other part of your body. Remember, you DESERVE to be well, healthy, and full of vibrant energy; so do whatever is necessary to take care of YOU!!! 11:32 AM GMT | Read comments(0)October 18Thoughts about the flu and how you can protect yourself naturally
I have received several questions about flu vaccines, flu and H1N1 lately and hope to address them all here.
Here are some websites with information about the flu: CDC Seasonal Flu Vaccine, About the Flu (Flu.gov), CDC H1N1 Flu Resources, and ABC News' Behind the Scenes of the Flu Vaccine.
Vaccine Information Sheets from the CDC can be found here: H1N1 Flu Shot, H1N1 Nasal, Seasonal Flu Nasal, Seasonal Flu Shot
Seasonal Flu:
Basically the vaccine being used this year is based on strains of flu that were most prevalent last year. Does that mean the same strain will be most prevalent this year? No. It is also important to keep in mind that the flu virus is constantly evolving. This means that the virus goes through changes from year to year and so the vaccine which is based on last year's flu virus may not work at all this year. Even if we have the same strain of flu, it has most likely evolved and so the vaccine will not work against it.
Do people get sick after having the flu vaccine? While the "official" answer is no, I disagree. People who receive the flu vaccine and then start showing signs and symptoms of flu are told that they have a different strain of the flu than what was in the vaccine. While this may be true to a degree, I have seen too many people get the flu within days of having the vaccine. As far as most people are concerned, the flu is the flu and it doesn't matter which strain you have...you've still got the flu. While the flu that you have after the vaccination may not be a direct result of vaccination, the vaccination failed in my opinion.
What's the difference between the nasal flu and shot vaccine? The nasal flu is a live virus while the shot is an inactivated or killed virus. The live virus vaccine is generally recommended for people who are healthy and whose bodies can quickly recognize the virus in the vaccine and build antibodies right away. The inactivated virus is recommended for those who have chronic health conditions or are immunosuppressed and cannot take the risk of having a live virus vaccine. If you are considering the flu vaccine, it is very important to speak with your doctor about all of your health concerns to be sure you get the correct vaccine.
H1N1 Flu:
This is the flu strain that is getting everyone sick right now. This is a new strain of flu and has gotten so much media attention and hype it is hard to determine what is fact and what is fear tactics. The H1N1 is a flu type A which is the same as seasonal flu. Since it is not the time of year for seasonal flu to be spreading, all Flu A results are being called H1N1. Is there a way to tell the difference? Yes but the testing to do so costs approximately $300 and tests are not being performed on an outpatient basis. This means that only those people who are sick enough to be hospitalized are having the test performed (at the determination of public health officials and doctors) to see if it is H1N1 or not. The symptoms are the same as for seasonal flu: high fevers, body aches, stomach aches, sore throat with cough, nausea/vomiting and diarrhea.
Can people die from the flu? Well yes and no. Of the cases reported of people who have died from flu, the individuals all had other medical problems. Most hospitalizations for flu do not come from the virus itself, but rather dehydration or complications of other medical problems. People who have COPD (asthma, bronchitis, emphysema, etc), or immunosuppressed (AIDS, Cancer, Pneumonia, etc) have a greater risk of secondary infections. When a healthy person contracts the flu, they have a stronger more active immune system that can attack the virus and heal the body on its own without too much stress on the immune system. If a person is already sickly and has a weak immune system, contracting the flu will further weaken their immune system and allow the way in for any number of other bacteria, virus, or fungi that is around. This is where the secondary infections come in to play. These secondary infections further weaken the immune system to the point that the body just cannot fight anymore. It is these cases where we see the hospitalizations and deaths occurring. Another thing to consider is that in some individuals, their body may produce a hyper-response. This is where the body automatically goes into overdrive to attack and fight the disease right away, causing immune system fatigue and weakness more quickly than normal. This can also cause more health concerns for the person than the actual virus itself. These hyper-responses are not common, but still worth considering. The hyper-response can cause the same issues in the body of a health person as the response in a person with a very weakened immune system.
Is the H1N1 worse on the body than seasonal flu? In my experiences of seeing clients with H1N1, I would have to say no. It is basically the same symptoms as the seasonal flu and I have not seen any cases that I would consider to be worse than if the same person had the seasonal flu.
What to do?
Currently, physicians can prescribe Tamiflu or Relenza to those who have the flu. Some physicians will also prescribe these antivirals to family members living with an infected individual in an attempt to prevent infection. Flu.gov Antiviral Medication Information can be found at that website. Do these medications work? In my opinion, no. Some people who have taken the Tamiflu have contracted flu a second time, some patients have reported no difference in the symptom severity or length of sickness. Some patients who have taken it preventatively have contracted the flu anyway. Something else to consider with the antivirals is that they are not always covered by insurance and they can be very expensive.
Healthcare professionals agree that good handwashing, avoidance of sick people, avoidance of crowds, stay at home if you are sick, covering your mouth when you cough or sneeze, and using disinfectant cleansers in the home a the basics for preventing disease spread. In addition to these practices, it is important to keep the body well rested, to get plenty of sleep, eat a healthy diet and exercise. People often times ignore the importance of spirituality, mentality and emotions in health. These facets of life have a direct and profound effect on our health. People who are balanced in these areas as well as physical health and generally more healthy and less sick than those who are not. Trying to stay calm and focused, positive, relaxed, love and enjoy life can be a huge boost to your health.
Using homeopathics and herbal supplements can also be a huge help in keeping healthy. There are several supplements that can be used to support the immune system. It is far better to prevent a disease by supporting a healthy body than it is to treat a sick body. Some very important vitamins to consider using include Vitamin C, Vitamin D and Zinc as they have all been shown to support the immune system. Studies have also shown that people who are sick are generally deficient in these vitamins, especially Vitamin D. These supplements and more can be found on my website, www.madameapothecary.com.
Nature's Sunshine is running a great special for the month of October called the Silver Shield Defense Sponsoring Package which contains Silver Shield Gel, Silver Shield with aqua Sol, and VS-C; these are some of the BEST supplements to use to keep yourself healthy.