Save it today - do not delay. We can not wait to have you!! lizcotterevents@gmail.com
Monday, December 31, 2012
START IT WITH A BANG!!!
Save it today - do not delay. We can not wait to have you!! lizcotterevents@gmail.com
Sunday, December 30, 2012
Saturday, December 29, 2012
Friday, December 28, 2012
Oh ya green juice!
Getting geared up for our Puerto Rico adventure this Feb. and lining up the menu. You better believe you will see a lot of this!!!
What's that? You haven't made your reservation yet?!!! You better! E-mail: Lizcotterevents@gmail.com for the best week ever!
What's that? You haven't made your reservation yet?!!! You better! E-mail: Lizcotterevents@gmail.com for the best week ever!
Thursday, December 27, 2012
Do your beauty products contain SLS? Mine don't and yours houldn't either!!!! We have to get you off this toxic stuff!!!!!
(Already know the dangers of SLS and SLES and just want to get some safe products? Go here www.useloveshare.com/ic/bloom and sign up as a client. INSTANTLY I will send you a free 3 day supply of safe skin care!)
Both SLS and SLES are known to have many effects that can potentially be detrimental to health. Among the possible dangers are the following
The AJT report staes that "Other studies have indicated that Sodium Lauryl Sulfate enters and maintains residual levels in the heart, the liver, the lungs and the brain from skin contact. This poses question of it being a serious potential health threat to its use in shampoos, cleansers, and tooth pastes."
Skin Irritation
SLS is used routinely in clinical studies. This may suggest a level of comfort, however, the way in which it is used is disturbing. Despite being the number one active ingredient in virtually all soaps, shampoos and cleansers, the sole purpose of using SLS in clinical studies is to cause skin irritation that can then be used to identify the properties of other chemicals!
Amazing isn't it? For years, we have been applying known irritants to our skin on a daily basis. To quote the ACT report "The abbreviated symbol for Sodium Lauryl Sulfate is used around the world in clinical studies as a skin irritant. SLS is the universal standard, by which a measured percentage is evaluated to promote a given level of irritation and reaction. By this SLS standard level of irritation, it is then possible to evaluate the healing or modifying characteristics of any ingredient or formula used on the SLS irritated skin."
Most worryingly, irritation has been shown to occur at concentrations of 0.5%, which is 1/60th the concentration found in some hand soaps. Caveat emptor!
Hormone Imbalance
In the last 100 years or so, many new health problems have come to light. These include PMS / PMT, the so-called "menopausal symptoms" which never used to exist, and more recently a massive drop in male fertility which threatens our continued existence in many western countries. SLS is most likely a major contributor to all of these problems due to its oestrogen mimicking activity.
Oestrogen is a hormone found quite normally in both men and women. Like all other hormones, it's circulating levels are rigidly controlled by the glands of the body due to the potent effect of its presence on virtually all cells. Not only does SLS irritate the skin, it is also absorbed through the skin (high levels of skin penetration may occur at even low concentration). Once in the body, the SLS molecule attaches to oestrogen receptors, mimicking the effects of the hormone in various body systems.
The result is hormonal chaos. The body can no longer control it's own oestrogen levels (or at least, what it sees as it's own oestrogen levels - it can't tell the difference between endogenous oestrogen and SLS) and therefore loses control of many normal endocrine (hormonal) functions.
In men, whose oestrogen levels are normally extremely low, this massive increase causes breast enlargement, reduction of male hormone levels and a massive drop in both sperm count and sperm motility (ability of the sperm to fertilise an ovum). Gender confusion may also be related to SLS levels, either in the male himself or in his mother during pregancy.
In women, the reproductive system, which is totally controlled by oestrogen and progesterone, goes haywire. Rapidly shifting oestrogen levels and their effect on progesterone levels mean that the body is totally confused, leading to menstrual problems, menopausal symptoms and potentially infertility. Because this subject is so important, we have devoted a whole section of this site to womens health.
Eye Irritation / eye deformities in children
Have you ever got shampoo in your eyes? Yes, so have I - not pleasant is it? However, the potential effects of SLS on the eye are much more worrying. In animal studies, 10% SLS caused acute corneal damage. However, it is not just direct eye contact that is the problem. According to the American College of Toxicology, "tests show permanent eye damage in young animals from skin contact in non-eye areas".
In other words, because SLS is absorbed through the skin, it can cause PERMANENT eye damage WITHOUT ever directly coming into contact with your eyes. As a result, you would expect that childrens products would be SLS-free. Unfortunately not, most childrens shampoos contain just as much SLS as those for adults.
Thankfully, alternatives DO exist, though you would be hard-pressed to find them in your local chemist or supermarket.
Protein Denaturing
Our cells are made from protein. The development of those cells is strictly regulated by the reproductive processes that are continually at work removing damaged and old cells and replacing them with healthy new ones. Virtually every cell in the body is replaced at least every 7 years.
SLS exerts its effects on proteins by forming a chemical bridge between the fat-soluble and water-soluble parts of the protein moecule. This disrupts the hydrophobic forces needed to maintain the protein structure and the molecule collapses, rendering it useless. This effect is usually irriversible.
The result of this is two-fold. Firstly, existing proteins are damaged, leading to an increase in the amount of healing required by the body. Secondly, new proteins can be damaged and cells disrupted while they are under construction. It is exactly this type of activity that can lead to the early stages of skin cancer.
In the skin, this process can be so severe, that skin layers may separate and inflame due to its (SLS's) protein denaturing properties.
Carcenogenicity
Quite apart from it's potential to cause pre-cancerous conditions by denaturing proteins, the oestrogen mimicking effects of SLS also offers massive potential to cause cancer. It is known that many cancers, not least breast and ovarian cancer are directly related to oestrogen levels, in fact some cancer cells actually secrete their own oestrogen, which contributes to the growth of the tumour.
Clearly, by disrupting normal oestrogen levels AND by causing similar effects at a cellular level as endogenous oestrogen, SLS exhibits MASSIVE potential to both cause and worsen cancerous states. The incidence of breast cancer has increased several-fold in the last 50 years, both in women and in men. Currently, according to the American Cancer Society, men account for approximately 1% of all breast cancer cases. This subject is discussed in more detail in our womens health section.
There is also a third way by which SLS can potentially cause cancer. Carcinogenic nitrates can form in the manufacturing of Sodium Lauryl Sulfate or by its inter-reaction with other nitrogen bearing ingredients within a formulation utilizing this ingredient (many shampoos contain nitrate compounds). A single shampooing can produce more cancer-causing nitrates in the body than eating a pound of bacon, which is VERY high in nitrates!
Whether it is by these means or not, SLS in a known mutagen - it is capable of damaging the genetic material found every cell in your body. As mutagenicity has been strongly linked to cancer, this is a major concern.
IF you are worried about the effects of SLS on your health, please contact us and we will do our best to help and advise you on ways to limit both your exposure and your risk.
Take control of your health and exchange your toxin-filled household with the following SLS-free products
Holy crap! Right?!!!! I know!
E-mail me today at lizcotterevents@gmail.com and let me send you some beauty/skin care products that are free of this stuff!!!!!!!
Both SLS and SLES are known to have many effects that can potentially be detrimental to health. Among the possible dangers are the following
The AJT report staes that "Other studies have indicated that Sodium Lauryl Sulfate enters and maintains residual levels in the heart, the liver, the lungs and the brain from skin contact. This poses question of it being a serious potential health threat to its use in shampoos, cleansers, and tooth pastes."
Skin Irritation
SLS is used routinely in clinical studies. This may suggest a level of comfort, however, the way in which it is used is disturbing. Despite being the number one active ingredient in virtually all soaps, shampoos and cleansers, the sole purpose of using SLS in clinical studies is to cause skin irritation that can then be used to identify the properties of other chemicals!
Amazing isn't it? For years, we have been applying known irritants to our skin on a daily basis. To quote the ACT report "The abbreviated symbol for Sodium Lauryl Sulfate is used around the world in clinical studies as a skin irritant. SLS is the universal standard, by which a measured percentage is evaluated to promote a given level of irritation and reaction. By this SLS standard level of irritation, it is then possible to evaluate the healing or modifying characteristics of any ingredient or formula used on the SLS irritated skin."
Most worryingly, irritation has been shown to occur at concentrations of 0.5%, which is 1/60th the concentration found in some hand soaps. Caveat emptor!
Hormone Imbalance
In the last 100 years or so, many new health problems have come to light. These include PMS / PMT, the so-called "menopausal symptoms" which never used to exist, and more recently a massive drop in male fertility which threatens our continued existence in many western countries. SLS is most likely a major contributor to all of these problems due to its oestrogen mimicking activity.
Oestrogen is a hormone found quite normally in both men and women. Like all other hormones, it's circulating levels are rigidly controlled by the glands of the body due to the potent effect of its presence on virtually all cells. Not only does SLS irritate the skin, it is also absorbed through the skin (high levels of skin penetration may occur at even low concentration). Once in the body, the SLS molecule attaches to oestrogen receptors, mimicking the effects of the hormone in various body systems.
The result is hormonal chaos. The body can no longer control it's own oestrogen levels (or at least, what it sees as it's own oestrogen levels - it can't tell the difference between endogenous oestrogen and SLS) and therefore loses control of many normal endocrine (hormonal) functions.
In men, whose oestrogen levels are normally extremely low, this massive increase causes breast enlargement, reduction of male hormone levels and a massive drop in both sperm count and sperm motility (ability of the sperm to fertilise an ovum). Gender confusion may also be related to SLS levels, either in the male himself or in his mother during pregancy.
In women, the reproductive system, which is totally controlled by oestrogen and progesterone, goes haywire. Rapidly shifting oestrogen levels and their effect on progesterone levels mean that the body is totally confused, leading to menstrual problems, menopausal symptoms and potentially infertility. Because this subject is so important, we have devoted a whole section of this site to womens health.
Eye Irritation / eye deformities in children
Have you ever got shampoo in your eyes? Yes, so have I - not pleasant is it? However, the potential effects of SLS on the eye are much more worrying. In animal studies, 10% SLS caused acute corneal damage. However, it is not just direct eye contact that is the problem. According to the American College of Toxicology, "tests show permanent eye damage in young animals from skin contact in non-eye areas".
In other words, because SLS is absorbed through the skin, it can cause PERMANENT eye damage WITHOUT ever directly coming into contact with your eyes. As a result, you would expect that childrens products would be SLS-free. Unfortunately not, most childrens shampoos contain just as much SLS as those for adults.
Thankfully, alternatives DO exist, though you would be hard-pressed to find them in your local chemist or supermarket.
Protein Denaturing
Our cells are made from protein. The development of those cells is strictly regulated by the reproductive processes that are continually at work removing damaged and old cells and replacing them with healthy new ones. Virtually every cell in the body is replaced at least every 7 years.
SLS exerts its effects on proteins by forming a chemical bridge between the fat-soluble and water-soluble parts of the protein moecule. This disrupts the hydrophobic forces needed to maintain the protein structure and the molecule collapses, rendering it useless. This effect is usually irriversible.
The result of this is two-fold. Firstly, existing proteins are damaged, leading to an increase in the amount of healing required by the body. Secondly, new proteins can be damaged and cells disrupted while they are under construction. It is exactly this type of activity that can lead to the early stages of skin cancer.
In the skin, this process can be so severe, that skin layers may separate and inflame due to its (SLS's) protein denaturing properties.
Carcenogenicity
Quite apart from it's potential to cause pre-cancerous conditions by denaturing proteins, the oestrogen mimicking effects of SLS also offers massive potential to cause cancer. It is known that many cancers, not least breast and ovarian cancer are directly related to oestrogen levels, in fact some cancer cells actually secrete their own oestrogen, which contributes to the growth of the tumour.
Clearly, by disrupting normal oestrogen levels AND by causing similar effects at a cellular level as endogenous oestrogen, SLS exhibits MASSIVE potential to both cause and worsen cancerous states. The incidence of breast cancer has increased several-fold in the last 50 years, both in women and in men. Currently, according to the American Cancer Society, men account for approximately 1% of all breast cancer cases. This subject is discussed in more detail in our womens health section.
There is also a third way by which SLS can potentially cause cancer. Carcinogenic nitrates can form in the manufacturing of Sodium Lauryl Sulfate or by its inter-reaction with other nitrogen bearing ingredients within a formulation utilizing this ingredient (many shampoos contain nitrate compounds). A single shampooing can produce more cancer-causing nitrates in the body than eating a pound of bacon, which is VERY high in nitrates!
Whether it is by these means or not, SLS in a known mutagen - it is capable of damaging the genetic material found every cell in your body. As mutagenicity has been strongly linked to cancer, this is a major concern.
IF you are worried about the effects of SLS on your health, please contact us and we will do our best to help and advise you on ways to limit both your exposure and your risk.
Take control of your health and exchange your toxin-filled household with the following SLS-free products
Holy crap! Right?!!!! I know!
E-mail me today at lizcotterevents@gmail.com and let me send you some beauty/skin care products that are free of this stuff!!!!!!!
Monday, December 24, 2012
Your Pre-Feast Prevention Strategy
Arriving with some pre-meditated dining do’s and don’ts is a great way to avoid a train wreck. You know you’re going to be facing dozens of food decisions no matter what your diet is. And if you are on a restricted diet you already know what you can eat and what you can’t. Therefore, it is pretty easy to set down a few guidelines about what you should eat and what you shan’t. Even write yourself a reminder! Putting it to pen can solidify your intentions. Establishing boundaries means being prepared. Winging it through a holiday feast is like a boat in a storm without a rudder.
The Rule of Quantity
“How much” is the big one. Go into your meal with a strategy. Maybe something like: ‘I’ll try many things but only take small portions.’ Or, no matter what the temptations, ‘I’ll enjoy the entrees but skip dessert.’ Above all, it is important to protect your plate from disembodied food implantation---in other words, don’t let anyone else fill up your plate except you. Serving yourself keeps you in control. Take small portions to start. There is always an option for seconds. Only you know how much volume you can tolerate before you max out your capacity. Repeat this mantra: “Small portions.”
The Rule of Variety
Holiday meals are usually replete with a wide selection of special foods. The temptation is high and if you are not anchored it portends a monstrous intestinal contest wherein nut proteins clash with beans, and beans battle cheeses and cheeses mash with meats...you get the idea. All this weighs heavily on you as your gullet goes acid, your stomach turns, your head aches, and you eventually shut down into slumber. The digestive track can accomplish amazing things, but it is not a cement mixer. Sure, you will recover. You’ll wake up. The acid will recede. The bloat will subside. But the byproducts of incomplete digestion linger. They will hunker down in your gall bladder and in your liver and fatty tissues waiting to one day impact your immunity and longevity. Unless...
....Unless you follow your meal mission. You’ve got your goals. Follow the rules and stick to them no matter how many tantalizing temptations, bells, whistles, flashing lights, guilt-laden wisecracks, parental protestations, and to-die-for desserts are thrown in your path.
Having a good time does not require pigging out. Food is only part of the holiday. How about feeding off of good conversation? Maybe talk about tomorrows exercise program to relieve some today’s feast! The mind can endure much more stimulation than the stomach.
Here are some practical tips to help you feel great before, during, and after the feast.
1) Drink Before. Sip During. Water is a great cleanser. Drink plenty before the eating begins. That cleans your stomach and prepares it to receive the approaching bounty. Lots of liquids during the meal dilute your digestive enzymes. During eating sip enough to keep dry foods wet and moving, but don’t "wash down" your food. Food needs to spend time in your stomach in contact with concentrated “undiluted” digestive enzymes.
2) Small Mouthfuls. Small Portions. Discipline starts before food enters your mouth. After those taste bud receptors start firing, it is hard to slow them down. Before the fork touches your lips, you must make a conscious decision to minimize. Consider choosing a small plate. Seconds are always available. Chew slowly and thoroughly.
3) Talk or Chew, not Both. Didn’t your mother tell you this? Either you’re going to do a good job of talking or a good job of chewing, but probably not both. Chew every forkful until it is virtually digested in your mouth, then swallow. Is that 30 crunches? Fifty? Whatever it takes. We’re supposed to enjoy the food anyway, right? Take your time.
4) Go Light on Carbs. Breads, crackers, cakes, potatoes, chips, desserts....these foods fill us up with little redeeming nutritional value. Eschewing these foods leaves more room for the good stuff. The overabundance of carbs and sugars in our society is the number one cause of diabetes and obesity.
5) Choose. You Can’t Eat Everything. The smorgasbord is radiating with comestible magic and seducing you to taste everything in sight! The temptation is magnetic. Your only hope for survival is the discipline you decided in your pre-feast plan. You can’t eat everything. Make an executive decision before it’s too late! Choose what to eat and what to shun.
6) Break the Overeating Cycle. If you find yourself overwhelmed, here’s the rescue remedy. Step away from the table. Go to the bathroom and rinse out your mouth. Even use toothpaste or mouthwash, anything to cleanse your taste buds. That breaks the enzymatic engine. It’s the antidote to craving. Once the lusting for food is neutralized, you can return to the scene of the buffet. When there, use your mouth to chat, not chew.
Saturday, December 22, 2012
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