Tag Archives: product of the week

Ground Cherries

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Last weekend I was introduced to this delightful fruit. Chef Mike Mustard of Epiphany Farms shared them with me!

Mike also gave me the greatest lesson about the manual settings for my new camera. The sepia image below was the result of that! Isn’t that just the coolest?

So what are these?? They are ground cherries. They parallel gooseberries apparently. You can tell they are ripe when they fall to the ground, thus their name. The fruit is surrounded by these amazing tomatillo like sleeves. They taste a bit like mango and pineapple combined. Very mild and very lovely.


above images by Karen Hanrahan

Winter Skin Emergency Kit

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Over the weekend the weather shifted, it got cold, the heat was on and the humidity swiftly vacated the premises. Yikes!

I have four products I am never without in the winter.

Consider me armed and dangerous with protection against the evils of winter dryness.

Perhaps you too could benefit from this winter dry skin emergency kit!

Or perhaps you might know someone who would appreciate a gift like this for the upcoming holiday? 

Cracks at the corners of your mouth,hang nails and dry skin are often a B Complex deficiency.
 
Not  to mention that B’s are completely depleted by stress – a significant detail this time of year – would you agree?

I always always take my B Complex

Something about this time of year has my lips need constant moisture. 

I use and appreciate this healing spf 15 lip balm tremendously!

My hands, feet, and generally my skin seems thirstier in the winter – this hand and body lotion absorbs deeply and quickly into your skin – none of that surface rubbing and rubbing – it’s intensly moisturizing!

We have a serum that we call the “after” product – after a bite, after a sunburn and in the winter sometimes after a brisk dog walk I experience wind burn.  This delicious calming product is positively invaluable this time of year


the beauty of winter flickr image

Quality Vitis Rotundifolia!

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Quality WHAT ??? 

Vitis Rotundifolia is the Latin name for our super grape, resveratrol anti-aging product!

Talk about a conversation starter!  Quick!!  Try saying it fast three times!

This new addition to our high quality nutritional supplement line currently has a one month waiting list.

We can not keep up with the demand!

groovy fun graphic designed by sales leader Terri Longfellow Fuller – thank you.

When you search the internet there are multitudes of resveratrol products out there. 

Whats to stop you from getting this one for example at your local Costco. 

It’s way cheaper. Hey Resveratrol is Resveratrol.

Or is it??

Let’s talk comparison shall we ??

Reversitall Plus™ found at your local Costco is an antioxidant juice that includes a very small amount of resveratrol and ingredients from Muscadine grapes.

Our product is an Anti-Aging Tonic Dietary Supplement,a breakthrough product with ingredients shown in laboratory studies to address cellular anti-aging*

Our patent-pending formula provides 100 milligrams of over 98% pure, natural trans-resveratrol per serving, where Reversitall Plus™ provides less than 2 milligrams of trans-resveratrol per serving—far lower than research-tested levels and far lower than the resveratrol level found in our product.

The amount of resveratrol in our quality anti-aging was carefully determined by evaluating the findings of studies conducted by Dr. David Sinclair of Harvard Medical School  ( A Scientific Advisory Board member ) and many other scientists around the world.

The resveratrol level found in our product was also concluded to be a safe level in an independent safety evaluation by a Professor of Toxicology and Pharmacology.

The resveratrol in our product has been shown in laboratory studies to address three key mechanisms of cellular aging while the Vitis rotundifolia extract has been shown to address the four key mechanisms of cellular aging and is particularly effective at addressing the 4th mechanism (inhibition of AGE protein formation).

In fact, the combination of our proprietary Vitis rotundifolia extract combined with resveratrol has been shown to have 10-fold higher inhibition of AGE protein formation than resveratrol alone, as well as powerful synergistic antioxidant effects with resveratrol, as shown in several laboratory studies¹.*

Reversitall Plus™ contains an assortment of ingredients, including red wine, Muscadine grapes, grapevine, pomegranate, and grape seed. Although compounds in these ingredients are known to be beneficial at some levels, the actual amounts of these ingredients provided by the product are unknown.

In fact, the only ingredient with a specified amount on the label is Resveratrol. Please also note that the amount of Resveratrol is listed as 2000 mcg, which is the same as 2 mg (compared to the 100 mg found in our product).  We employ standardized extracts of resveratrol and Vitis rotundifolia, which ensures that the product delivers key polyphenol levels essential to product efficacy.

Now that’s a detail. Standardized extracts ensure delivery of key polyhenols!

In addition to cellular anti-aging benefits, our product also has significant antioxidant properties. We don’t focus on this effect as we believe the cellular anti-aging story is the unique one that the world is interested in.

Our competition does.

Antioxidant activity is measured through the well established ORAC value.* Consumers should be aware that the Vivix™ ORAC value is significantly higher than that of Reversitall Plus™.

(The Reversitall Plus™ product label states “>6000 ORAC”. However, an independent third party laboratory report lists the ORAC value of one serving of Reversitall Plus™ at 1893, while one serving of our anti-aging  tested at the same time, provides an ORAC value of 5048. ²)

In summary, Our Cellular Anti-Aging Tonic* is a unique dietary supplement with a one of its kind patent-pending blend of polyphenolic compounds that is not found in any other product on the market.

While there are other companies selling products with similar-sounding ingredients, laboratory studies have shown our ingredients ensure greater polyphenol delivery and the ability to positively influence key mechanisms of cellular anti-aging.

* Most importantly, the formulations for  our resveratrol prduct are based on sound science and guided by the latest scientific research.

1. Farrar JL et al. Inhibition of protein glycation by skins and seeds of the muscadine grape.Biofactors. 2007; 30(3):193-200.

2. ORAC test conducted by independent third-party laboratory in July 2008 using Reversitall Plus™ sourced from standard commercial channels and is valid only for the named product tested at that time.

sourced from a field ready response sheet.


stunning vitis rotunifolia image from flickr

Other Posts of Interest on this product:

What is Resveratrol ?

Cellular Anti-Aging Tonic

What is ORAC?

I’d love to be the source for your high quality Vitis Rotundifolia needs!

K a r e n     H a n r a h a n
Wellness Educator/Nutritional Consultant
Mentoring YOU to Health Success
708.482.0678
 
Websites:
Nutrition
Weight Loss 

Say NO to Sugar Substitutes.

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Each October I am reminded of sugar, it’s prevalence in our lives and the health damage it can cause along the way.
Some might ask what’s the big deal about sugar. Truthfully, if eaten in moderation absolutely nothing is wrong with it.  Moderation. That means very occasionally.  This is not the case for most Americans.  An exploration of most folks pantries and freezers will unveil many hidden sugars.  Obesity and diabetes are at epidemic proportions not only for adults, but for children as well. 

When the weather shifts to cool and we start celebrating ’candy-centric holidays’ we see significantly reduced immune function.  It’s even more prevelant with our elderly and youth.

This is classically when the flu, virus and ear infections begin

I have an even larger concern about sugar substitutes.

Dr. Weil, an internationally recognized expert on alternative health has these comments on Seven Substitutes for Sugar and why to stay away from them  

(excerpted from his June 2006 newsletter. Thank you)

 
We are all born with an innate craving for sweetness, a desire that served our ancestors well in the form of fruit or honeycomb that offered a quick source of natural energy. Now hidden sugars in foods, drinks can cause problems; including obesity. Many turn to artificial sweeteners as weight loss aids.
 
84% of Americans use sugar substitutes. (This is SUCH a staggering percentage).
 
Dr Weil does not recommend them. He says there is little evidence that they help anyone slim down and some research says that artificial sweeteners may interfere with the body’s natural ability to judge a food’s caloric content by sweetness, making people more likely to over indulge in sweet foods and beverages.
 
Most artificial sweeteners have seemed safe at first, only to prove harmful later.
 
Dr. Weil says sugar in moderation, I tend to agree with this philosophy, and for those who can not tolerate sugar he recommends stevia or tagatose.
 
Here is a list of seven substitutes for sugar and which ones to stay away from :
 
Acesulfame potassium also known as “SweetOne” is 200 times sweeter than sugar, this is often paired with aspartame or sucralose. Known to cause breast tumors in rats. Stay away from this one.
 
Aspartame also known as NutraSweet or Equal and is 220 times sweeter than sugar and has a funny taste to it. Recent studies show rats had elevated rates of lymphomas, luekemia and other cancers. (environmental health perspectives, march 2006) . Many say aspartame makes them feel dizzy, gives them headaches or may affect central nervous system activity. Some woman  comment that it aggravates their PMS.
 
Dr. Weil considers aspartame very dangerous and to stay away from it.
 
Click here for more on the negatives of aspartame
 
Saccharin also known as Sweet’NLow, is the oldest of the artificial sweeteners and is 300 –700 times sweeter than sugar, It has a bitter metalic taste to it. The National Cancer Institute found evidence of increased bladder cancer in people who heavily consumed saccharin. He suggests to avoid this one completely.
 
The label below is found on toothpaste, gum, and many other products that contain saccharin
 
“USE OF THIS PRODUCT MAY BE HAZARDOUS TO YOUR HEALTH. THIS PRODUCT CONTAINS SACCHARIN WHICH HAS BEEN DETERMINED TO CAUSE CANCER IN LABORATORY ANIMALS.”
 
 
Sucralose also known as Splenda is now the best selling artifical sweetener and tastes 600 times more sweeter than sugar. Recently the FDA was petitioned to withdraw it’s approval of splenda until more research can be done on it’s safety. Consumers report stomach pains, other GI concerns, headaches and skin rashes. Dr Weil says while it’s unclear these concerns are related to the sweetener, why risk it – stay away from it.
 
More on the toxicity of Splenda can be found here.

Sugar alcohols; natural sweeteners also known as sorbitol, xylitol, erythritol and others are about 60 times sweeter than sugar – they do not promote tooth decay and they have little effect on blood sugar levels. Those with digestive disorders can sometimes find these sugar alcohols upsetting, but if tolerated Dr. Weil says these are OK to use in moderation.
 
Tagatose also known as milk sugar ( lactose) is a natural sweetener that is 92 % as sweet as sugar yet with about 1/3 of the calories. Brands include Shugr, Sweet Fiber, and TheraSweet.  Tagatose does not raise blood sugar levels, is often paired with sugar alcohols so those with digestive problems may not handle this one very well. However if tolerated well, he recommends this natural sweetener.

( I personally have mixed feelings about this one )

 
Stevia, a non – caloric natural sweetener that is 250-300 times more sweet than sugar, is derived from the leaves of a shrub native to South America. Available as a powder or a liquid it has a licorice-like taste. It is considered a supplement vs a food additive and not approved by the FDA. Stevia has a long history of use in humans with no side effects. Some brands are better than others and can be bitter. Above all Dr. Weil recommends this natural sweetener

(At home we use liquid Stevia by Sweet Leaf– it’s less bitter)
Our topic theme this month is about sugar related health concerns:

Diabetes and Nutritional Supplements

Chromium and Diabetes

Regulating Glucose Naturally


sugar coated yummy flickr image credit

K a r e n     H a n r a h a n
Wellness Educator/Nutritional Consultant
Mentoring YOU to Health Success
708.482.0678
 
Websites:
Nutrition
Weight Loss

Member of BNI – West Suburban BNI: “Chapter Mentor”
Member of West Suburban Women Entrepreneurs www.wswe.org
WSWE Board Member and Programming Chair 

 

Nutrition and Autism

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This post is a rather comprehensive commentary. It’s a bit long.

Most of the commentary is not mine.

I am sharing the information below with the permission of Laurence Becker, whom as small as our wonderful world is, I met at my national convention 2 years ago.

I had no idea of his involvement with autism or the breadth of his sharing and expertise.

All I knew is that he and I both have daughters who sing and that we kept running into each other over and over all the convention.

I wanted to share him again during the month of September when my nutritional focus is on Children’s Health.

I believe his commentary below can be a profound resource for those searching for answers

I have been privileged in my career to work with quite a few autistic children and their families. Mostly in the arena of blood sugar issues, healthy eating, alternatives to medications and general supplementation.

What I can say emphatically is that when a child of any special need is given nutrients that are specific to their challenge – it helps. It helps without the use of drugs.

If you find this information of value, Laurence Becker has given all of us permission to pass it on – please do!!

Thank you again to Mr. Becker who put all these resources into just one email.

I have additional files that he has since shared with me. Email me if you’d care for me to forward them

This was not an email that came directly to me, but was originally shared by Paula (who also met Dr. Becker at convention) and then again by Brenda in our field.

Bloggers Note: For the sake of this blog and guidelines for posting I have made minor edits when our nutritional company name was mentioned


Autism and Nutrition

This article appears as a chapter in the OFFICIAL AUTISM 101 MANUAL published by Autism Today, 2006.

Contributing Author Laurence A. Becker, Ph.D., Creative Learning Environments
First, let me introduce myself. I am an educator and networker through whom information flows across many different disciplines.  My Ph.D. is from The Union Institute and University in the area of Creative Learning Environments.  I am not a medical doctor.

I have worked since 1977 with Richard Wawro, an internationally known autistic savant artist from Edinburgh, Scotland. In 1983, I produced WITH EYES WIDE OPEN, an international, award- winning documentary film about his life and art.

Since 1996, I have shared the work of Christophe Pillault, another autistic savant artist from France. And since 2005 I have worked with Ping Lian, a 12 year old autistic savant artist from Malaysia.

I have also worked since 1992 with a young man who cannot speak, cannot walk, and cannot feed himself.  He is not autistic; he is not a savant.  He is a prodigy, and his physical condition is, as of now, still largely undiagnosed. Marshall Ball, however, is an amazing writer and thinker. KISS OF GOD: The Wisdom of a Silent Child, a collection of his writings, was published in 1999 and in the first three months sold over 200,000 copies.  I wrote the Foreword for the book.

I have had the opportunity to speak at many conferences throughout the years and have shared with many parents and researchers my experiences directly related to the fields of autism, disability, and creativity.  I was the keynote speaker at the 10th Annual State Conference on Autism in 2001.  The title of my presentation was “Seeing: Beneath and Beyond.”  I looked at hope, faith, destiny, openness to new learning, nutrition, creativity, and art.

My wife, Rosanne, and I have been involved in nutrition since 1974, and in 2001, we became sales leaders with the number one nutrition company in the United States.

In 1981 & 1982, I was part of the design team for the largest conferences ever held on “Nutrition and Behavior” (at that time violent and criminal behavior and hyperactivity.  Autism was not considered at those conferences.)  Speakers included: Dr. Doris Rapp, Dr. William Crook, Dr. Linus Pauling, and Dr. Bernard Rimland.

Since that time I have shared the work of Dr. Rimland, founder and director of the AUTISM RESEARCH INSTITUTE His Autism Research Review International, a quarterly publication, reviews biomedical and educational research in the field of autism and related disorders. In 2003, Dr. Rimland edited with Dr. Stephen Edelson Treating Autism: Parent Stories of Hope and Success, one of the most important, readable, and useful books I know about.

In addition to 30 chapters written by parents of autistic children, many of whom are medical doctors, telling of their success in treating their children, the book also contains a chart that shows the results of 22,300 responses to a survey on the treatment effectiveness of DRUGS, SUPPLEMENTS, DIETS,  & MISC. THERAPIES OR CONDITIONS. What an incredible source of information for parents and doctors!

Please write ARI to obtain a copy of the survey and the results or to order a copy of the book.  One example of the data is the survey: “Bar graphs depicting the rating of 49 drugs and 8 nutrients by thousands of parents of autistic children

Note that Ritalin, the most frequently used drug, helped only 29% of the children, while making 44% worse (based on 3082 parent surverys).

Compare that with the ratings of nutrient therapies

One of the most significant books to enter my life has been Karyn Seroussi’s UNRAVELING THE MYSTERY OF AUTISM AND PERVASIVE DEVELOPMENTAL DISORDER: A Mother’s Story of Research & Recovery.  It reads like a detective story.  I was given a copy, and I read the entire book in two days.  It brought together some of the people and information that I had gained in the conferences in 1981 & 1982 and connected them with autism.  It also reaffirmed Dr. Rimland’s statement that “In the past 40 years the most significant research in the field of autism has not been done by men in white lab coats, but by mothers!” I cannot tell you how important this book is.  Each Appendix is filled with resources.  Page 262 has information about the Autism Network for Dietary Intervention. Both authors frequently speak at the DAN (DEFEAT AUTISM NOW) conferences.

At a FUTURE HORIZONS conference I received Vol. 1 No. 1 of YOUR LIFE by the Living Sensibly Foundation, a newsletter with articles by Karyn Seroussi and Lisa S. Lewis, Ph.D., author of Special Diet for Special Kids

In 2003 I met for the first time Raun Kaufman, subject of SON RISE: The Miracle Continues. I had first encountered SON RISE in 1978 while living in rural Maine and was introduced to the word “autism” for the first time.   The book documents the development of the Option Institute and the Son Rise approach to treatment.

An excellent VHS produced by the BBC titled I WANT MY LITTLE BOY BACK is a stunning presentation of the method of treatment.

The second person I met was Annabel Stehli, author of THE SOUND OF A MIRACLE, which describes her journey with her autistic daughter Georgie.  They found the miracle which transformed Georgie through the work of Guy Berard, M.D. who developed Auditory Integration Training. The book is an incredibly moving account of Annabel’s journey to find the key to unlock her daughter’s prison.

New on the conference scene and joining the acknowledged scientific leader DAN conferences founded by Dr. Bernard Rimland is the CASD (Center for Autism Spectrum Disorders) Conferences.  Organized by Kazuko A. Irie-Curtin, the CASD conferences have in a very short time brought together some of the leading researchers in the field of autism.

Check their web site www.mycareclinic.com
Also see Dr. Amy Yasko at www.holistichealth.com

I hope these resources will provide you with valuable new information in your own journey to,
as Karyn Serrousi says, “track down and slay the beast that has invaded my child’s body.”

Another recent book (2005), EVIDENCE OF HARM, by David Kirby explores in great depth the relationship between vaccinations and autism.

Resources for Art and Autism:
Sandy McMurray at www.autismarts.com
Email: autismarts@cs.com.

Karen Simmons author of SURROUNDED BY MIRACLES, produced ARTISM, Art by Those with Autism and a CD Peace of Mind for Autism (caretoday@shaw.ca) or 1-877-482-1555.
See also Autism Today. Released in 2006 is OFFICIAL AUTISM 101 MANUAL .

See also“Living in the Spectrum“ vol 1: Autism & Ausperger’s is a CD produced by Lecia Macryn at

Look at the art of autistic savant artist Richard Wawro, who passed away in February 2006. The M.I.N.D. Institute has published a book of its permanent art collection. It is a wonderful book that contains a biography of each savant artist and a full color reproduction of the art.

Also see Dr. Darold A. Treffert’s for artist Chirstophe Pillault, 12 year-old savant artist Ping Lian of Malaysia, and many other savant artists.

I have the feature article in the July 2006, issue of KALEIDOSCOPE Magazine (Exploring the experience of disability through literature and the fine arts)  on the topic of the portrayal of disability in film.

Many new and wonderful films are coming out seemingly each month.  The latest to be added to my list of must see films is KEEPER OF THE KOHN about the life of Peter Kohn.

For a copy of a film course that I developed including many of these extraordinary people, email me at rbecker64@aol.com.

As you discover new and helpful resources, I hope you will share them with me. This listing of resources is constantly being updated.  I look forward to adding yours.

My life has been blessed by so many people, and the synchronicities are almost overwhelming at times.  But “IF we be TRUE to the integrity of the moment, who knows, what or where, wonders, beasts, adventures will sweep us UP into their flood!”

“Persons are gifts…wrapped. Each meeting of persons in an exchange of gifts.”

I have written a two-page statement to point people in the right direction.  While it does not talk about specific nutritional supplements to use with children who have autism spectrum disorders, it does provide a broader context of the research and knowledge in the field.

Some of the nutrients mentioned in the Parent Survey used by Dr. Rimland are: Calcium, Folic Acid, Vitamin A, Vitamin B3 & B6, Magnesium, Vitamin C, Zinc, Digestive Enzymes, Fatty Acid, and St.John’s Wort.

The parent survey gives parents a broad knowledge of what a large number of other parents have tried and the behavioral changes that they have experienced. Our company can be used to provide the supplements used in the survey in a number of instances.

I am confident that the purity of the ingredients used in our high quality nutritional supplements and the nature of the processing of the ingredients is unmatched in the supplement industry. Our company has been at the forefront of the science of nutritional supplements for 50 years.

Blogger Note: See Nutrients for Optimal Learning and Behavior

One other and final resource needs to be mentioned: THE WILDEST COLTS MAKE THE BEST HORSES by John Breeding, Ph.D. From the book jacket:  This timely book calls for a halt to the epidemic drugging of young people in our society today for so-called ADHD.  John Breeding is  a clear, strong advocate for young people and a great ally to parents wanting support to resist pressure to label and drug their children.  He offers a wealth of information and guidance to concerned adults on biopsychiatry, on schools, and on counseling children. ”The truth about Ritalin, ADHD, and other ‘Disruptive Behavior Disorders.”

Thank you for giving me the opportunity to share some of my experience with you.
Please feel free to duplicate this material.

Laurence A. Becker, Ph.D.
CREATIVE LEARNING ENVIRONMENTS:
rbecker64@aol.com,

Thank you so much again Dr. Becker!


flickr image happy face image drawn by a 5 yr old – soooo makes me smile!

Karen Hanrahan ~ Wellness Educator/Nutritional Consultant/Blog Author
708.482.0678 ~ Websites: Nutrition, Weight Loss, and Green Clean