Pure'ity Blog

Muscle Mass…When do we start to lose it?

2010-08-09T12:54:00.000-07:00

Dr. Duane Paterson of Universal Chiropractic & Functional Rehabilitation in Elk Grove, CA, also known by his colleagues and friends as “Dr. P.” Dr. Paterson is a Doctor of Chiropractic and a Certified Performance Enhancement Specialist through the National Academy of Sports Medicine. Also he’s the Strength and Conditioning Coach for Franklin High School in Elk Grove.

Dr. Paterson is a former construction worker and while working on the railway, he sustained an injury to his back and neck. After experiencing pain that wouldn’t subside and with the advice of his father, he reluctantly decided to seek chiropractic services. Upon his experience, and the encouragement of those treating him, he decided to seek a career as a chiropractor.

When asked, “At what age do we start to lose muscle mass?” According to Dr. Paterson, at the age of 25 when most of us feel invincible we’re actually losing muscle mass. Research has shown between the ages of 25-50 we could lose up to 15 percent of our muscle mass naturally. From age 50 on, the decline can become quick and we can lose up to 30 percent of our muscle mass, for a total of 45 percent loss of muscle mass. It’s one of those processes that is very insidious; otherwise it’s very slow, so we’re not aware that it’s going on until one day we realize, “We’re unable to get out of this chair, we’re having trouble getting up the stairs and we try to figure out, “When and how did this happen?” It happens slowly, over a period of time and then it reaches a level when you start to notice the decline.

This is what Dr. Paterson does when he has a patient that complains of hip pain. He administers the chair squat test. This allows him to see if the patient can get out of the chair without using their arms or swaying their body (leaning your body forward to get up.) If they can’t perform this test, then he knows they have some level of muscle loss and the medical term for this condition is called Sarcopenia. Dr. Paterson stated, “In the 10 years he’s conducted workshops, unless the individual is associated with the medical community they had never heard of Sarcopenia.“ According to Dr. Paterson, the interesting thing about Sarcopenia it affects all us, none of us can escape it – we all have a natural amount of muscle loss as we age. This condition costs the health care system approximately $18 billion a year to treat. What we see from Sarcopenia is this; it’s the number one reason for early disability in seniors. It leads to their inability to get up from a chair, get out of a vehicle, or climb stairs. It also contributes to instability, because they don’t have the strength to recover so it contributes to falls. We know that the loss of muscle mass decreases the amount of protein available to our immune system, so our immune system becomes suppressed. Due to the loss of muscle mass, we’re unable to maintain our body temperature, so we get cold easily. There are other symptoms that occur, but these are some of the main things that surface. Loss of muscle mass actually contributes to osteoporosis because we don’t move and as we become weaker, we don’t move as much and that contributes to the loss of bone.

According to Dr. Paterson, the amazing thing about this condition, it’s very, very easily fixed – without medicine, without a trip to the doctor, but with the right coaching and the right exercise techniques.

According to Dr. Paterson, studies have been conducted on individuals who were over 80 years old who were experiencing significant muscle loss and the inability to move. The seniors were placed on a twelve week weight lifting regimen. You can imagine the small measure of weight suitable for someone 80 years old. It’s a very light amount. At the end of the twelve weeks, they measured most of the people in the study at a 30 percent increase in muscle mass. There was also a 30 percent increase in strength. The most amazing part of that study found that when you reach a certain level of muscle loss your body metabolically will quit using protein to build muscle, so it doesn’t matter how much protein you eat at that point your body won’t take it in. When the individuals in the study started lifting weights and had a need for the protein, their protein uptake in their muscles measured 182 percent. Dr. Paterson stated, I’ve had individuals say to me, “Am I too old to lift weights.” I’d tell them, “You’re never too old to lift weights, but you need to start at the level that you can. Dr. Paterson stated, “So the whole point is to get people to start doing exercise to increase their muscle mass to prevent this from happening to them. We start people at every age level. We have 80 year olds that come in for treatment and we start them on very simple weight lifting and squatting techniques to help to increase their muscle mass and it does make a big difference for them.

Dr. Paterson stated, “We have seniors who come in for treatment who are experiencing hip problems, who can’t even get out of a chair. We work with them for a period of time and eight to twelve weeks later they’re getting out of the chair, their balance is better, they feel more energized and they are a lot stronger. According to Dr. Paterson, an elderly patient’s fear of falling and ending up in the hospital is their primary motivation for participating in the exercise programs.

Studies have shown the number one reason for early death in seniors is an accidental fall. A senior citizen has a greater chance of death from a fall where a hip is broken, than from a diagnosis of cancer or heart disease. That is a statistic that should make all of us take notice – for ourselves as well as for an aging loved one. A broken hip is a big deal…

For more information about Dr. Duane Paterson and Universal Chiropractic & Functional Rehabilitation you can visit their website www.universalchiro-rehab.com, or you can contact them at 916-683-3900.

The Importance of Avocados For Your Beauty and Health Needs

2010-07-20T12:00:00.000-07:00

In every woman’s agenda of their personal beauty needs is one thing, to look and feel beautiful, and rock their beauty in the public. The simplest way most want to achieve that is using the products that are appealing and have worked on others, not knowing that the products may cause their beauty to fade over time. To achieve beauty. You need to make sure you hydrate your hair and your skin.

Avocados is that ingredient that’ll help your hair and skin look and feel hydrated. Rich in Vitamin A, Vitamin K, fiber, folate, Vitamin B6, Vitamin C, copper and potassium, avocadoes are rich in the necessary vitamins that are meant to combat dryness and brittle hair, as well as dry and ashy skin. In addition, avocados have fatty acids that the hair needs in order to feel strong and fortified. Lastly, Avocados contain oleic acid, a monounsaturated fat that may help to lower cholesterol.

After going through the day of wearing make up and having chemicals in your hair, or after sweating from hard work, your hair and skin need to hydrate. There are two types of avocado mixtures that treat the hair, scalp, and your skin. You can find the recipes from this article: Avocados Hydrate Skin & Hair! The best thing about having the avocado mask for your hair and skin is that it takes 15-20 minutes to do daily, which can determine the outcome of the look and feel of your hair and skin.

Review and use those recipes to reduce the hair and scalp problems you’ve been having. It’s better than always taking that trip to the salon or a dermatologist. Use these basic methods of skin and hair care and you’ll always look and feel hydrated.

So What Are Parabens??

2010-07-16T20:30:00.000-07:00

A few months ago, I was listening to the Yolanda Adams morning show. Actually, I happened to catch the tail end of her Wellness Wednesday show. She shared with her viewers the importance of limiting the use of parabens in their personal products because of her own personal experience.

One of our contributing writers, Nancy Yilk, owner of Optimum Health, spoke about the importance of using paraben-free products. This subject was discussed in our October 2009 e-mail newsletter. Once again, I would like to share Nancy’s article on this subject.

So What are Parabens?

Parabens are used to extend shelf life in products such as shampoos and personal body care products from shaving cream to lotion. What I often refer to as our personal jams, jellies, lotion and potions, items that we use on our skin to keep us looking good and keep us clean. Parabens are found in toothpaste, used as a food additive, and are found in products such as pharmaceuticals and even added to health food products. Parabens widely used, are not hard to find in products that you use daily throughout your home. Concerns surrounding parabens are that daily chemical use on a minute-by-minute case is giving us an over- exposure. Parabens broken down to their chemical structure (as our body breaks them down) mimics the structure of estrogen in our body. So much so, that our bodies mistake these chemicals for estrogen and receptors on our cell membranes are locking onto these artificial chemicals. That causes hormonal disruption. Natural hormones produced by our body move in and out of the cell receptors as needed. These chemicals from personal health care products appear to accumulate in tissue at unnatural and unsafe levels.

Eighteen years ago, I began making efforts to share with clients the health risks of chemicals called parabens found in personal care products. I first became aware of them when breast cancer researchers were identifying them with breast cancer. There was a PBS documentary called, “Exposures” hosted by Olivia Newton -John that reported to the public the concern. Unfortunately, over the last two decades, more clients came to me looking for paraben-free products because they were dealing with hormonal cancers. Many felt frustrated that information of the health risks of parabens had not reached them earlier. Universally, they felt they could have easily chosen differently if they had known the risk of parabens and the benefits of a paraben-free product.

When it comes to these chemicals, experts are divided on the discussion and the public is concerned that their best interests are not being kept in mind. The public is definitely taking the side of caution, voting on the issue with their dollars. Consumers are re-assessing any product with parabens and actively seeking alternatives. Bottom line is this; it is a concern that is not going away and it affects not just your clients, but you too. as salon owners. Your exposure is even higher, putting you at even greater risk than the public as you have your hands in these products daily.

Salon owners, think of it this way, our skin is what separates us from each other... it makes me, me and you, you. However, you must look at your skin the way your body uses it. Your skin cells are epithelial cells which are the type of cells not just on our outside skin, but are the same type of cells that run the entire pathway of our internal mucosal barrier from our mouth and digestive tract, to our bowels. This is why the skin is the largest organ in the body. Our skin is not what separates us from the world it is what connects us to the world and lets the rest of our body know what is safe or threatening to us. The primordial chemical fact of how our body communicates to its environment cannot be avoided. It is this communication that globally tells all our other body cells what is going on… whether we are exposed to a toxin found in nature or a raindrop that nourishes.

What’s being added to the mix of this time- tested communication is the fact that when you add up all the synthetic chemicals that are considered “within normal limits” allowed in our air, water and food source it equates to over sixteen pounds ANNUALLY. Since our creation, the human body has never before encountered these levels of synthetic chemicals. We have been exposed and over-exposed for just the last 50 years. Think of the fact that we’ve had dairy in the diet for a couple of thousand years and the human body has yet to mutate to fully handle dairy, so there is a legitimate concern of the over burden of these multiple chemicals. So, with all this in mind, you can bet your bottom dollar that clients are looking for sources of healthier choices of products across the line, from their foods to their shampoos.

Your clients are people who have the discretionary dollars to invest in their appearance and you can bet they are also investing in their health as well.

The End

In closing, the goal is to limit products that contain parabens and introduce paraben-free products into your life. Let’s be real; you would go crazy trying to eliminate everything that is bad for you. Do your best, educate yourself and change one thing at a time for your health’s sake.

Darlene Alexander

When less is better… the use of personal care products

2010-07-14T07:27:00.001-07:00

If we tally all of the personal care products we use on our skin externally and products we use internally on a daily basis it would probably look like this: soap or shower gels, shampoo, conditioner, styling products, lotions, deodorants, shaving gels, toothpaste, mouthwash, makeup, and perfume. Now if I left anything out, please let me know. Here’s something to think about, if we use all these products seven (7) days a week, three hundred sixty-five (365) days a year that’s a whole lot of chemicals we’re exposing ourselves to year after year.

As a person who has chemical sensitivities, I’ve found using less is better. Heaven forbid, by no means am I suggesting you skip using deodorant, or toothpaste and mouthwash – I’m sure I’d receive some distasteful letters by doing so. I believe we all should rethink, limit and use quality products when we can. What we apply to our skin and consume in our bodies maybe detrimental to our health.

See that is what led our family to develop Pure’ity Hypo-allergenic Hair Care Products. I had experienced enough unpleasant symptoms that warranted a solution. Some people believe I went to desperate measures to seek a solution – I have to disagree. When you’re sick, you’ll seek high and low for a remedy. I’ve tried natural, organic and mass market products to no avail. Natural and Organic products are wonderful products, but not for someone with sensitivities. However; hypoallergenic products maybe the best choice for someone with sensitivities, but it doesn’t mean you won’t be allergic to an ingredient in the product. And by no means do I hold our products on a pedestal, it was my solution. Yet I can say it has helped many others with skin and scalp sensitivities and those without.

If you haven’t tried our products and would like to, visit our website, check for our email promotions in your inbox or possibly in your junk mail. Refer a friend and if they purchase, we’ll discount your next purchase.

Accepting Illness and Disease as the Norm?

2010-07-13T13:40:00.000-07:00

Written By: Christina Margo

When was the last time your were pain free? Had a full nights sleep (without getting up to go to the bathroom) and woke up excited about your day? Felt good about your body when you undressed at night? Had the energy to carry you through the whole day without energy drinks, caffeine or sugar?

When did we as a society start to accept illness and inevitable disease as the norm? Yes, we are fortunate that we have not experienced any major disease outbreaks for along time i.e.bubonic plague, malaria, cholera, polio, small pox and typhoid fever. Maybe we have just forgotten what it is like to have vibrant health. I am here to tell you that you can have vibrant health. In fact it is your God given right. I would like to introduce my Whole Healthy Body checklist. In this newsletter and those to follow, I will be sharing the Mind ~ Body ~ Spirit aspects of the Whole Healthy Body. Let's get started!

Body ~ Digestion
The main purpose of digestion is to break down our food and absorb nutrients. In order to help the digestive tract do its job it is suggested that we include the following elements.
1) Fiber: Fiber is the brush for our intestines. Fiber has been said to reduce the risk of colon cancer and reduce blood cholesterol. Good sources of fiber are raw fruits and vegetables, flax seed, brown rice and whole grains.
2) Omega Oils: Essential Fatty Acids a.k.a. EFA are made up of 2 basic groups LNA Omega 3) and LA (Omega 6). Having the sufficient amount of Omega Oils in your body has been known to reduce the risk of coronary heart disease. These oils help with the passage of waste, especially with a diet high in protein. Good sources of Omega Oils are wild Atlantic salmon, flax seed, hemp oil or walnuts.
3) Probiotics: The purpose of probiotics is to regulate the bacterial colonization of the intestinal tract. They can assist in great absorption of nutrients and increase your immune system. Good sources of probiotics include yogurt, miso, tempeh, some juices, kefir and soy beverages. You can also purchase probiotics in capsule formulas.
4) Enzymes: They properly break down all food. Although we have the capability to create the enzymes to breakdown our food that does not have enzymes (processed and foods heated over 118 degrees) in the aging process it is suspected that our bodies are taxed by this process and may end up deleting our ability to generate more. Good sources of enzymes are raw fruits and vegetables. It is common that people do not get enough raw fruits and vegetables and they are recommended to supplement with enzymes. Go towww.CMargo4JuicePlus.com to ensure you are getting your 7 to 9 servings of fruits and vegetables.

If you are currently experiencing challenges with your digestion like gas, bloating, constipation, diarrhea, crohn's disease, colitis or taking medication for digestion problems please check out this link www.greattastenopain.com.

For additional resources to increase the efficiency of your digestion, please contact us.

Remember to take 1 small step at a time for permanent change and when you get stuck, seek a helping relationship to help you reach your health goals and dreams.

Christina Margo is a successful health coach, helping small to mid sized businesses and employees set up and implement their own custom health and fitness programs that will fit their needs. For more info on how you can get help on having your own program to increase your energy, and live a healthier life, visit http://healthyandabundantliving.com.

Inside Fibromyalgia by Mark J. Pellegrino, M.D.

2010-05-20T14:01:00.001-07:00

I purchased a book recommended by my chiropractor. It’s called, “Inside Fibromyalgia” by Mark J. Pellegrino, M.D.

Dr. Pellegrino is a fibromyalgia survivor and has been helping others through education, diet, supplements and medicine to cope with their flare-ups.

Dr. Pellegrino’s Fibromyalgia diet has been very helpful to me. Personally, I have a lot of food intolerances. The most common foods: sugar, wheat, dairy products, citrus fruits, eggs and chocolate products are usually the ones that create problems.

Dr. Pellegrino combined some of the features of different diets, Dr. Adkin’s Diet and The Mayo Clinic Diet, to come up with the HIPLOC diet designed for individuals with Fibromyalgia. It is a high protein and low carbohydrate approach in promoting steady weight loss, improving energy, reducing appetite naturally, and consistently improving overall fibromyalgia symptoms.

Here are a few of the foods you should avoid:

1. Sugars (dessert, candy, cookies, most fruits, sugared drinks, yogurt and potato chips)

2. Breads and starches (bagels, muffins, pancakes, waffles, noodles, pizza, breaded meats and pasta )

3. Certain vegetables (potatoes, sweet potatoes, corn, popcorn, cole slaw, peas, navy beans, black beans, kidney beans and rice)

Foods that are okay:

1. Meats (steak, hamburger, chicken, fish, lunch meat if it doesn’t contain sugars)

2. Most red and green vegetables

3. Dairy products, cheese, cream, butter, skim milk

4. Any salad dressing, mayonnaise, or olive oil. Salad garnishes which include nuts, olives, bacon, grated cheese, mushrooms, and allowed vegetables

5. Certain fruits such as avocado, raspberries and strawberries

6. Artificial sweeteners and beverages with no sugar

For more information on Dr. Pellegrino’s book visit www.barnesandnoble.com.

Good and Healthy Treat

2010-05-10T10:28:00.000-07:00

German Chocolate Cookie

This recipe is from Better Homes and Gardens September 2009 issue. In order to make these cookies more healthful we used dark baking chocolate. For a classic German chocolate flavor, use sweet baking chocolate. Prep: 25 min. Bake: 8 min. Cool: 1 min. Oven: 350

1/4 cup butter, softened
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/8 tsp. salt
1 egg
1 tsp. vanilla
2/3 cup all-purpose flour
2/3 cup rolled oats (oatmeal)
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
3 oz. dark or sweet baking chocolate, chopped
1/3 cup flaked coconut
1/3 cup chopped pecans, toasted Chopped pecans, optional Flaked coconut, optional

1. Preheat oven to 350. In a large mixing bowl beat butter with an electric mixer on medium to high speed for 30 seconds. Add brown sugar, baking soda, and salt. Beat until well combined, scraping sides of bowl occasionally. Beat in egg and vanilla until combined. Beat in flour. Stir in rolled oats, flax seed meal, and cocoa powder. Stir in chopped chocolate, coconut, and pecans (dough will be thick).

2. Drop dough by rounded teaspoons 2 inches apart on to ungreased cookie sheets. If desired, sprinkle tops with additional chopped pecans and flaked coconut. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes or until edges are just firm and tops are set. Let cookies cool on cookie sheet for 1 minute. Transfer cookies to wire racks to cool.

Makes about 35 cookies.
Storage: Store cookies for 2 days at room temperature or freeze for up to 3 months.
Each cookie: 84 cal, 4 g fat (2 g sat. fat) 10 mg chol, 45 mg sodium, 11 g carbo, 1 g fiber, 2 g protein. Daily values: 1% vit. A, 1% calcium, 3% iron.

For a healthier treat, you can substitute the brown sugar with Lundberg Sweet Dreams Organic Brown Rice Syrup. If you're allergic to nuts, omit them from this recipe.

Is Olive Oil Safe For Your Hair?

2010-05-06T08:16:00.000-07:00

Recently I viewed some information pertaining to olive oil. In light of the fact that olive oil is natural, it can be used to moisturize your hair and skin. A site I visited had an individual asking, “Whether olive oil is a good idea to use on your hair? You can check out the site by clicking here. You can draw your own conclusion by viewing the site that expands on olive oil and determine whether or not it fits your need.

If you have dry, damaged hair you can apply a small amount of olive oil after shampooing. By leaving the olive oil in your hair it will slowly work into hair and scalp to moisturize and restore shine. For the best results, use olive oil with a conditioner, leave in for approximately three minutes and rinse. Another individual from this site mentioned her dermatologist suggested she use olive oil because her hair was extremely dry.

Although it’s a healthy option, use it in moderation. It can leave your hair too soft and difficult to style (In layman’s terms: Bad Hair Day).

If you’ve used olive oil as a treatment for dry hair - let us know about your experience. Did it solve a hair care problem or was it ineffective? Please share your experience by commenting at the bottom of this post. We look forward to hearing from you!

Heavenly Essence Announces Hair Care Presentation at Skyline Beauty College

2010-05-06T08:10:00.000-07:00

Sacramento, CA - May 4, 2010 – Heavenly Essence, Inc. Creators of Pure’ity Hypo-allergenic Hair Care Products will be presenting their products to the students and teachers of Skyline Beauty School, on Wednesday, May 12^th @ 1:30 p.m.

The purpose of this event is to educate the student’s of Skyline about products that will best suit their present and future clients who are health-conscious and/or experience sensitivities to hair care products. At some point in their career, they will encounter a client with sensitivities. What training and information they possess will enable them to assist that client and then direct them to the right products.

"I'm elated to be able to educate the students on products that will best suit their clients who have sensitivities to hair care products," Darlene said, who’s looking to bring impact into the hair care industry. “It feels good to help the people who are looking to finally have healthy looking hair.”

Based out of Elk Grove, CA, the Pure’ity brand was created by the company’s founder, credentialed cosmetologist Darlene Alexander, and her husband Michael Alexander. Their vision of healthier hair care products was prompted by Darlene’s severe allergies. For years, she suffered from Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome caused by exposure to synthetic chemicals and other allergens. After experiencing allergic reactions to a wide range of hair care products, Ms. Alexander was inspired to develop an entirely new, hypo-allergenic line of products.

For additional information, contact Sheldon Alexander at 916-501-3766. Email: Sheldon.Alexander@heavenlyessence.net. Fax: 916-714-0616. Visit our website: www.heavenlyessence.net .

“Knowledge is Power,” Product Knowledge at 4HM Beauty Supply

2010-04-29T17:25:00.000-07:00

We had a wonderful experience at 4HM Beauty Supply. We met and welcomed individuals as they came by our table where we introduced them to the Pure’ity Brand. The purpose of these events is to educate the consumer about our products. Whether or not our products are the answer to their particular needs, we are proud to provide knowledge that helps them make the healthiest, safest and most effective choice. That is what we strive for.

Many questions were asked and answered. Several individuals with fragrance and chemical sensitivities along with their children, who experience similar issues, received the answers they were seeking. Pure’ity is specially formulated to meet those very specific needs and match or surpass other hair care products in the bargain! We were happy to be on hand to inform, educate and to present samples of Pure’ity to the public.

We’re looking forward to conducting more of these sessions – because Knowledge…truly is Power!

Lose Weight and Look Your Best With Low Calorie and Carbohydrate Intake

2010-04-21T14:35:00.000-07:00

How can one lose weight and maintain a healthy lifestyle? By developing better eating habits and exercising regularly. What you eat will determine how you look and feel. So if all you eat is junk food and you’re not incorporating any healthy foods into your diet, eventually your body will let you know it doesn’t like your choice of foods. Do you remember the saying “You are what you eat.” It’s true!

The recipe we chose is called: Grilled Beef with Root Vegetables & Orange Vinaigrette. This recipe is from a cookbook written by Deb Roussou. I’m sure you’re familiar with George Foreman’s Lean Mean Fat Grilling Machine. Well The Next Grilleration cookbook is included with the grill. Click here for more information on the grill bundle.

Here are the nutritional facts:

Calories 362

Total Fat 27g

Saturated Fat 5g

% Calories from fat 6g

Carbohydrates 19g

Protein 14g

Cholesterol 40mg

Sodium 581mg

Recipe:

1/2 Pound lean beef

2 tablespoons low sodium soy sauce

2 tablespoons pomegranate juice

1 1/4 teaspoons black pepper, divided

1 large celery root

2 large carrots

6 medium beets, cooked (substitute 8.5 oz can cooked beets)

1 shallot minced

2 tablespoons fresh orange juice

1 tablespoon white wine vinegar

1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 tablespoon orange zest (optional garnish)

Remove any visible fat from the beef and cut into very thin slices. In a resealable plastic bag, combine the soy sauce, pomegranate juice and 1 teaspoon of pepper. Add the beef slices and seal the bag tightly. Turn and squeeze the bag to coat the beef with the marinade. Refrigerate for 1 hour.

Cook the beef and let it cool. Peel the celery root and carrots. Cut the celery root, carrots and beets into matchstick pieces and place in a large bowl with the cooled beef. In a small, whisk together the shallot, orange juice, white wine vinegar, oil, salt and the remaining pepper. Pour the dressing over the salad and garnish with the orange zest. Cover tightly and refrigerate for 1 hour and then serve. Serves 4

Testimonial of a Customer With Fibromyalgia Who Now Has the Healthy Looking Hair She Desires

2010-04-19T14:01:00.000-07:00

Below is a testimonial from a customer who recently tried our products and experienced great results she couldn't get from using other hair products. This is an example of person who has allergies that can't use products that contain chemicals and fragrances, but can use our products since they're safe for people with allergies. Read below:

"I have fibromyalgia and multiple allergies to many chemicals and fragrances. I have to be very careful about the products I use and I have never experienced a reaction to any of these wonderful products. Pure'ity is the best money can buy!"

- Lucinda Wolinski

So if you are one of those people that has fibromyalgia or any other kinds of allergies, and are looking for hair care products that are safe to use and give you great results, we recommend you check out and purchase our hair products. The testimonial above is written proof that our products can work for you. To learn more and purchase our products, visit www.heavenlyessence.net.

Testimonial of a Pure’ity Customer Satisfied and Achieving Her Hair Care Goals!

2010-04-07T10:07:00.000-07:00

There are lots of us who spend too much money trying to find a suitable hair care product. We want a product that will restore and moisturize dry and damaged hair, detangle while leaving hair manageable, smelling and feeling ‘just clean’. Unfortunately, it’s even more difficult to locate products designed especially for people who also have chemical and fragrance sensitivities.

Quinne, who is our branding expert and the person responsible for our Pure’ity brand identity, had ALL those challenges with her own hair! She had a problem with dry hair that is also very fine. It took a lot of work, hit and miss, in finding the right products to suit her needs. One day she decided to try Pure’ity. We will let her tell the rest of her story…

“Quinne’s Testimonial”

It’s been inspiring to work with this client, Darlene Alexander, who has developed a hypo-allergenic product. Sustainability is the way to go. I use it, my hair looks great, and I no longer worry about chemical exposure from my shampoo and conditioner. I’ve given it to my mother, who has sensitivities, as well as to many friends, one of whom no longer has an itchy scalp thanks to Pure’ity shampoo and conditioner!

As we receive more testimonials of satisfied customers, we’ll be sure to post them for everyone to view. If you already use Pure’ity and love the results from using our products, send us your story at pureity@heavenlyessence.net.

Our Products Will Be Sponsored at the Ontario Federation of Home and School Association Event

2010-04-01T09:36:00.000-07:00

Heavenly Essence, Inc. Creators of Pure’ity Hypo-allergenic Hair Care Products will present products to the Ontario Federation of Home and School Association for their annual “Spring into Action” meeting and conference held on April 16-18, 2010.

Pure’ity products will be given in the gift bags and presented to the delegates.

The Pure’ity Brand was created by the company’s founders, credentialed cosmetologist Darlene Alexander, and her husband Michael Alexander. The vision of healthier hair care products was prompted by Darlene’s severe allergies. For years, she suffered from Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome caused by exposure to synthetic chemicals and other allergens. After years of experiencing allergic reactions to a wide range of hair care products, Ms. Alexander was inspired to develop an entirely new, hypo-allergenic line of products.

For additional information, contact Sheldon Alexander at 916-501-3766. Email: Sheldon.Alexander@heavenlyessence.net. Fax: 916-714-0616. Visit our website: www.heavenlyessence.net and follow us on Twitter, Facebook and MySpace.

Knowledge is Power – Product Knowledge Day

2010-03-11T16:42:00.000-08:00

Sacramento, CA – Heavenly Essence, Inc. Creators of Pure’ity Hypo-allergenic Hair Care Products will be participating in a Product Knowledge Day on Saturday, March 13, from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. at 4HM Beauty Supply located in the Hilltop Mall, in Richmond, CA.

The purpose of this event is to educate the consumer on how to choose products that will work best for their hair. We’ll be on hand to answer questions and to hand out free samples.

An Inquiring Mind Wants To Know…

2010-02-17T10:20:00.000-08:00

A few weeks ago, I wrote an article titled, “Sodium Lauryl Sulfate or No Sodium Lauryl Sulfate – You decide.” We are still in the process of comparing products with SLS and without SLS.

An interesting question came to mind, and I felt this avenue should be explored. We know Sodium Lauryl Sulfate is a foaming agent. We also know it’s slightly toxic and it can lead to scalp irritations. However, what if the product you’re using contained SLS AND it contains added ingredients to combat the ill effects of this agent? Do you think you would be less or more likely to purchase the product? This inquiring mind wants to know!

How do we really know what is setting off our skin irritations and allergies? Is it this one ingredient (SLS) or a group of ingredients found in these products causing a variety of allergic issues such as scalp itch, scalp rash, scalp sores and other adverse reactions? This is the reason manufacturers’ recommend a “patch test.”

A close friend of mine mentioned she just stopped using Pure’ity Hypoallergenic shampoo (Citrus scent) because she ran out of it and so she decided to purchase another brand. As she was shampooing and rinsing her hair in the shower, the lather irritated her skin. By the time she finished her shower, her skin was red as well as itchy. Curious as to whether the shampoo she was using contained SLS, she confirmed it did. However, I would like to examine this product and its label further to see if there are any other irritants that may have contributed to her reaction.

When you have skin irritations, I cannot stress how important it is to conduct a patch test. Skin irritations are no joke. They can be mild to severe reactions and the best way to avoid them is by reading labels, patch tests and paying attention to your bodies’ response to something new you are applying to your skin or scalp.

Sodium Lauryl Sulfate or No Sodium Lauryl Sulfate – You decide

2010-01-27T09:12:00.000-08:00

On my personal journey of living with fragrance and chemical sensitivities, I’ve encountered many people along the way with a similar condition. As our environment becomes increasingly toxic, people are encountering sensitivities that they’ve never had before. What amazes me is the fact that some people would rather use products such as laundry detergent, hair products, cosmetics, deodorant with these allergens knowing without a doubt that it’s triggering a reaction.

Over the years, because of my own sensitivities, I’ve educated myself about the numbers of untried, unchallenged chemicals in most of our products; I felt it was necessary for my health and well-being to find out first hand.

So with all that said, let’s examine a chemical that’s found in our hair care products, toothpaste, etc. If you conduct research on this particular ingredient - Sodium Lauryl Sulfate on the internet you may discover, just as I did, two sides to this story, myths and facts. Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) is a foaming agent and is considered to be a skin irritant. To those who are highly sensitive it can trigger an allergic reaction. You’ll notice a lot of products on the market today contain “No SLS”. The majority of these types of products are found at your local health food store.

Now, if we look at SLS-free shampoos, specifically, most of the complaints stem from the product’s inability to lather or clean their hair properly. The result is that the health-conscious consumer has to use half a bottle to get their hair clean.

In the coming weeks, we’re going to conduct a product comparison. We’re going to test SLS products against Non-SLS products. Stay tuned for the results.

The Urgent Need For Checking The Safety of RX and Supplements Interactions

2010-01-27T09:01:00.000-08:00

This past Christmas was a time of celebration; I celebrated the birth of our Lord and Savior and I celebrated family. Sometimes we forget how important it is to celebrate and appreciate people while they’re still alive. The gifts are not important. I believe the anticipation of receiving gifts ceased for me a long time ago. It was probably when I found out there was no Santa Claus, or it could have been the time I opened a gift before Christmas and I had no clear tape, so I had to use black tape. Well it goes without saying, I got caught.

A few days before Christmas 2009, my mom became ill. My mom is so cute and ornery; ornery in a cute way and so set in her ways at the ripe age of 79. It’s easy to get mad at her, but it’s easy to forgive her as well. I call my mom every day to check on her and that Sunday before Christmas was no different. I knew my mom hadn’t been feeling well, so I was extra vigilant in doing my daily check in. My mom is not the type of person to request to see a doctor. In fact, she’s just the opposite; she’ll skip a doctor’s visit and provide her own diagnosis! So, when she said she needed to see a doctor, I knew this was serious. I rushed her to the emergency room and they ran tests and determined she was dehydrated and her glucose levels were low. My mom is diabetic and since she wasn’t eating regularly, but still taking her insulin at the same prescribed levels, her glucose took a dive.

After her overnight stay in the emergency room, we returned to her apartment, packed her clothes and brought her over to our house so she could be monitored. I took care of my mom, just as she took care of me when I was a child and ‘did for her’ as she did for me when I became ill a few years ago. With her, I knew I had to take it a step further and play her mom for a while.

As we picked up her mail, I checked around her apartment to see what type of herbs were present in her home as well as checking out all the products she had in her bathroom. The first thing I noticed in her bathroom was Pure’ity Hypo-allergenic Hair Care Products. She gets an atta girl, a high five and a go girl for that move! From that high point - it quickly went downhill. She was using products that a person with her history of asthma should not use. I often wondered what it was that was triggering some of her allergic reactions. My sleuthing turned up a bad combination of products: herbs, detergents and household cleaners. I once told my mom she shouldn’t use a particular brand of detergent because of the fragrance. Well, this is where her ornery side came into play because she quickly told me she wanted her clothes to smell good. I said, “at the cost of you feeling bad!” (Headaches, eye discomfort, breathing difficulties, stuffy nose and fatigue). “You will jeopardize your health so your clothes can smell good?” I asked.

On our last trip to the store, my mom finally purchased a detergent with no fragrance. I threw out her super cleanse supplements that she was taking for her colon. My mom didn’t realize that they too, were triggering some of her allergic reactions.

Now that my mom is back on her feet, she was allowed to return home- with daughter supervision. For those of you with parents who are aging, keep in mind they may not realize that they’re harming themselves by the products they’re using. Research whether those herbal supplements taken with prescription drugs, household and beauty products will lead to harmful interactions. As their responsible adult, you need to be pro-active and use careful oversight. Our story had a happy ending and so should yours.

This is the official online Physician’s Desk Reference website for RX and Supplements.

Check it out for your safety and the safety of loved ones.

http://www.pdrhealth.com/drugs/drugs-index.aspx

Which products are best for you Organic or Natural?

2010-01-21T13:26:00.000-08:00

As a person speaking from experience, I’ve lived the last few years being cautious as to what I use on my skin and hair because of sensitivities. I’ve had to learn not to purchase products based upon what they claim the product delivers.

In this blog, I decided to examine the most popular trends on the market today – Organic and Natural hair care products. Clearly you’d think these are the best products to use since they are organic and natural products, right? For the most part, they are the best products on the market, but for whom? For a person with sensitivities they can trigger an allergic reaction.

For a person who has no sensitivities they can be very beneficial.

Organic products speak for themselves. They are usually plant-based, with naturally derived ingredients such as pure essential oils, gentle preservatives and non-petroleum ingredients. As for Natural products they usually contain essential oils, herbs, some will contain chemicals and some products do not. You’ll usually find the ones without chemicals in your local health food stores, where their standards are higher. They will either limit or completely eliminate products with harsh ingredients.

Now let’s say you’re an allergy sufferer like me. you must learn to read labels…period! After a long day of work, I’m sure that’s the last thing you want to do is read labels on hair care products, etc. But in order to save money, your health and your time, you have to turn that bottle around and decipher those ingredients. Since I know I’m allergic to lavender, if I were to pick up a product that stated it contained lavender I’d quickly place it back on the shelf.

A very good strategy if you want to save money is to go to a beauty supply store, ask if they have samples of a product you noticed on their shelf or write the manufacturer and see if they give samples. Then you conduct a skin test. Apply the product in a sensitive area (behind the ear or on the wrist) and you probably will not have to wait 24 hours to determine if you’re allergic to it. With me, there would normally be a fragrance issue, headaches, irritated throat, or my skin would become irritated.

Since knowledge is power, you too can educate yourself and make wise decisions before purchasing your next beauty products. Until next time, read those labels!

Are YOU hyper-sensitive to odors and fragrances?

2010-01-08T08:32:00.000-08:00

There’s no mistaking a person with fragrance sensitivities. We’re the ones who have to venture down the detergent aisle as quickly as possible to purchase our All Free & Clear detergent. We’re the ones who have to make a mad dash through the fragrance counter at Macy’s to reach the mail entrance. Now, I can only speak for myself, but as I go down these aisles I have to hold my breath and pray that I don’t have to exhale before I reach the end of the aisle.

A few years ago I brought this condition to my primary care doctor’s attention. I told him the severity of the problem described above and this was his response, “Stay away from these items.” Well, I thought I’d at least receive a trickle of sympathy…not! However, the remedy was simple – right…STAY AWAY…DON’T VENTURE INTO FORBIDDEN FRAGRANCE AREAS…DON’T PURCHASE PRODUCTS WITH FRAGRANCE AND OTHER IRRITATING INGREDIENTS.

Now this is something to think about. How can you control if a person decides to spray half a bottle of perfume on and you just happen to cross paths with them. Hmmm…the doctor probably never thought about that.

My problem eventually led to us starting our family business, Heavenly Essence, Inc., we’re the Creators of Pure’itytm Hypo-allergenic Hair Care Products. When you become so frustrated because you know you have a problem and you’re unable to find a solution – you have to become the solution to your own problem.

Our products took years to develop – researching ingredients, prototypes, etc. Our Pure’ity line is a proprietary blend of essential oils and botanicals with a hint of fragrance.

In the coming weeks our blogs will focus on which products are right for you. If you have skin and fragrance sensitivities and scalp irritations, which products work best - natural, organic or hypo-allergenic?

In the meantime, if you see an individual rushing towards you in the detergent aisle of your local supermarket, kindly move to the side. They’re on a mission to reach the end of the aisle, so they can finally exhale!

Stand In The Midst of Your Trials

2010-01-04T12:13:00.000-08:00

I recently had the pleasure of reading an article, "Going the Distance" in Whole Living Body + Soul (A Martha Stewart Publication) by Ann Mehl.

After enduring a break up with her first real boyfriend she decided to take up running. Her first experience at running she could barely breathe. She stayed the course and eventually reached her first goal – The Boston Marathon.

Her story truly touched the depths of my soul. As a business owner, I’ve had to take a step by step approach in starting my business. Setting goals and reaching them little by little.

I cannot say the road has been easy, but if you believe what you’re doing is going to help others – you’ll keep going regardless of what circumstances you may face.

There will be mountains you may face…those mountains may come in the form of sickness, the economy and naysayers. Stay your course; focus on your goals…stay in the race.

Here’s the good news, no one in this world is exempt from troubles; everyone has obstacles they must face, but they persevere through them. It is a real revelation when you grow to realize there is no way around a problem. There is no going over, no going under or around, but you must go through to reach your destiny. Then life’s challenges become less challenging.

It saddens me to hear when individuals live in their past. Regretting the opportunities they had to start a business, or write a book. Please don’t spend the rest of your time on earth regretting that you didn’t start that business, or you didn’t receive that degree. You’re here on this earth for a reason…your life has purpose. Now is the time for you to dig your heels in; fight the good fight of faith, tackle your obstacles one at a time and in the midst of your trials and tribulations – STAND.

Why It’s Important to Change Your Shampoo and Conditioner

2009-11-23T14:52:00.000-08:00

Have you ever used shampoo and conditioner for an extended period of time and noticed you’re not obtaining the same results you received when you used it the first time?

If you’ve experienced this – it’s time to make a change. Just as our bodies become immune to using medications, our hair becomes accustomed to the hair care products we use. We recommend you make a change every six weeks. However, we don’t recommend you buy an array of products; you can switch off by using two sets of products.

By visiting your local beauty supply store and perusing their aisles for products, you may find a product that strikes your interest; ask the clerk if they have samples of that product for you to try. In today’s economy - it’s beneficial to try before you buy!

So what are Parabens?

2009-10-26T12:02:00.000-07:00

Parabens are used to extend shelf life in products such as shampoos, personal body care products from shaving cream to lotion. What I often call our personal jams, jellies, lotion and potions that we use on our skin to keep us looking good and clean. They are found in toothpaste and as a food additive in products such as pharmaceuticals and are even found in health food store products. Parabens widely used, are not hard to find in products that you use daily throughout your home. Concerns surrounding parabens are that the daily chemical use on a minute by minute case is giving us too much exposure. Parabens broken down to their chemical structure (as our body breaks them down) mimics the structure of estrogen in our body. So much so that our bodies mistake these chemicals for estrogen and receptors on our cell membranes are locking onto these artificial chemicals. That causes hormonal disruption. Natural hormones produced by our body move in and out of the cell receptors as needed. These chemicals from personal health care products appear to accumulate in tissue at unnatural and unsafe levels.

Eighteen years ago when I began making efforts to share with clients the health risks of chemicals called parabens found in personal care products. I first became aware of them when breast cancer researchers were identifying them with breast cancer. There was a PBS documentary called, “Exposures” hosted by Olivia Newton John that reported to the public the concern. Unfortunately, over the last two decades more clients came to me looking for paraben-free products because they were dealing with hormonal cancers. Many felt frustrated that information of the health risks of parabens had not reached them earlier. Universally, they felt they could have easily choosen differently if they had known the risk of parabens and the benefits of a paraben-free product.

When it comes to these chemicals, experts are divided on the discussion and the public is concerned that their best interests are not being held in mind. The public is definitely taking the side of caution, voting on the issue with their dollars; consumers are reassessing any product with parabens and looking for alternatives. Bottom line is this; it’s a concern that is not going away and it affects not just your clients but you too as salon owners. Your exposure is even higher than the public since you have your hands in these products daily.

Salon owners think of it this way, our skin is what separates us from each other... it makes me, me and you, you. However you must look at your skin the way your body uses it. Your skin cells are epithelial cells which are the type of cells not just on our outside skin but the same cells that run the pathways of our internal mucosal barrier from our mouth, digestive tract, to our bowels. This is why the skin is the largest organ in the body. Our skin is not what separates us from the world it is what connects us to the world and lets the rest of our body know what is safe or threatening to us. This primordial chemical fact of how our body communicates to its environment cannot be avoided. It is this communication that globally tells all our other body cells what is going on… whether we’re exposed to a toxin found in nature or a rain drop that nourishes.

What’s being added to the mix of this time tested communication is the fact that when you add up all the synthetic chemicals that are considered “within normal limits” allowed in our air, water and food source it equates to over sixteen pounds ANNUALLY. Since our creation, the human body has never before encountered these levels of synthetic chemicals. We’ve been exposed and over-exposed for just the last 50 years. Think of the fact that we’ve had dairy in the diet for a couple of thousand years and the human body has yet to mutate to fully handle dairy, so there is a legitimate concern of the over burden of these multiple chemicals. So with all this in mind, you can bet your bottom dollar that clients are looking for sources of healthier choices of products across the line from their foods to their shampoos.

Your clients are people who have the discretionary dollars to invest in their appearance and you can bet they are also investing in their health. Pure’ity Hypo-allergenic Hair Care Products are the right choice to support your client’s efforts to create the health they want to enjoy, not regret.

By Nancy J. Yilk, HHP
Owner
Optimum Health
3220 Riverside Blvd
Sacramento, CA 95818
916-443-6795
www.wellnessknowhow.com

Why I care that you and your clients become part of the “raving fans” crowd.

2009-10-20T17:43:00.000-07:00

Nothing makes me happier than contributing to another person’s life, so as a natural healthcare provider I’ve been waiting 2 years to share the health promoting benefits of Pure’ity Hypo-allergenic Hair Care Products with my clients. I felt it would be a win, win situation. Little did I know that I would get the triple win, win and win in my own life. As my clients began to use the shampoo, I was impressed by how great their hair looked. Remembering to take a bottle home myself, I was blown away by how amazing my hair felt and looked with my first shampoo and I joined the crowd as a raving fan!

I get a kick out of giving my clients more than they expect from a retailer. Due to our clients response to the product, which we’re needing to order weekly to keep up with the demand, we’re so bold that we just tell the clients that they might as well save themselves a trip back into the store giving them a sample at the same time suggesting they buy the bottles and if they don’t like the results with the samples they can bring back the unused bottles. We’ve yet to experience a customer bring back the bottles. Instead they are calling us and thanking us for such a great product and on their next trip buying two to three bottles of each for friends and co-workers.

Even on my last trip to Los Angeles, while having dinner with my sister, ten minutes into dinner she asked me, “How in your mid 50’s do you have such great looking hair?” The next morning as I was leaving to return to Sacramento, I left her my shampoo and conditioner. If anyone knows of a salon owner in the Pasadena area, my sister will need to make her next purchase locally. That’s how fast this product is moving - becoming what I think should be on Oprah’s Favorites list.

So how can you experience the win, win, and win with your clients? My first thought in delivering a great win is making available to your clients a product that profoundly protects their health by being free of the hormonal disruption of parabens; you’ll know that you’ve done them and their body a favor. The second win is that they will be back to purchase a product that isn’t found easily in the mass market which gives you a second chance to help them with other services you offer. Let’s not forget the fact that they will send their friends in for the product adding to your client base. The third win is that the product delivers what they want, great looking hair that’s economical. This triple win is the ultimate goal to any business owner. It’s what drives the referral basis to you and keeps them as your raving fans in your community. Bottom line…never underestimate the power of great looking hair, but you already know that…don’t you?

By Nancy J. Yilk, HHP

Owner

Optimum Health

3220 Riverside Blvd

Sacramento, CA 95818

916-443-6795

www.wellnessknowhow.com

What is Fibromyalgia?

2009-10-20T16:45:00.000-07:00

Fibromyalgia is a common painful condition of the soft tissues, mainly your muscles. This condition causes widespread pain, chronic fatigue, sleep disorders, stiffness, chemical and or food allergies, skin sensitivities, as well as other symptoms. Fibromyalgia is not some imaginary disease – it’s real. There are 5 to 6 million people known to suffer from this condition.

With Fibromyalgia there are good days and bad days. There are days when you’re in so much pain that you don’t want to move, but you must keep moving. There are days when you feel you can literally move mountains – then you overexert yourself- and for the next day or two you try to regain your strength and composure.

You may wonder why I chose to talk about this condition in my blog. In a way it goes hand in hand with why we developed our products.

Several years ago I worked in a building, in which that building was categorized as a “sick building.” I couldn’t figure out why when I was at home I felt fine, but after arriving at work I’d experience sinus headaches, lightheadedness and I had difficulty concentrating. I gradually started having aches and pains that I couldn’t explain. I felt like I had the flu without the other symptoms associated with the flu. Then came the sudden onset of fragrance sensitivities to products and cleaning solutions and eventually it took a toll on my health. Since my immune system was compromised, I was always fighting off viruses. I eventually contributed all these symptoms to stress. However, after being in this building for approximately 2 ½ years, we were also exposed to methane gas.

Life may throw you a lemon (sickness and disease) but it’s up to you to make lemonade. The world isn’t going to change because of your afflictions, especially if your afflictions are not visible to the naked eye. It’s up to you to make a difference. For me, I had a problem and with the help of my family we created a solution to my sensitivities to hair care products – Pure’ity Hypo-allergenic Hair Care Products.

There are many resources available for Fibromyalgia patients. Go to www.fmaware.org – this is the National Fibromyalgia Association website.

If you’re experiencing symptoms similar to the ones I mentioned, please consult with your health care provider.

The Hotty Hoody Cool Sleeve

2009-10-20T16:37:00.000-07:00

Ladies, have you ever gone on a trip and had to wrap your curling or flat iron in a towel to prevent them from burning your clothing or other items in your suitcase?

Well, let me tell you about the Hotty Hoody Cool Sleeve. All you have to do is slip the sleeve over the appliance and you’re good to go! No waiting for the curling or flat iron to cool. The Hotty Hoody sustains temperatures up to 500 degrees. The Hotty Hoody is available in retail stores and is sold on-line. Go to www.hottyhoody.com for details.

Ethnic Hair Care Tips

2009-10-12T21:13:00.000-07:00

Every ethnic group struggles with hair problems whether you’re African American, Caucasian, Hispanic, Asian, or Indian. The complaints are usually the same; hair loss, dry hair, split ends and scalp irritations.

The hair texture for each of these groups is different. For instance, African American hair is super-curly but delicate and should be treated as such. Caucasian hair has many textures, straight, fine, wavy, curly, and coarse. Asian hair is usually straight, heavy and thick. Hispanic hair is similar to Caucasian hair – it too has many textures. Indian hair is usually straight, naturally thick and lustrous.

Different hair textures require different hair care tips and strategies to ensure healthy-looking hair. With that said, we managed to gather websites that contain general hair care tips for ethnic hair.

Caucasian Hair tips: www.hair.becomegorgeous.com/professional_tips/

African American Hair tips: www.locksandlinks.com

Hispanic Hair tips: www.hairfinder.com and www.beautypot.com/latinahairistextured-1-77.html

Asian Hair tips: www.becomegorgeous.com and www.hairfinder.com

Indian Hair tips: www.indiancurry.com/women/indianhaircare.htm

For your hair care questions email us at: pureity@heavenlyessence.net.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month

2009-10-12T15:35:00.000-07:00

I’m sure at some point in your life you’ve had a friend, a family member, or possibly yourself that has had this disease. Breast cancer is not a respecter of persons – it doesn’t discriminate. It doesn’t care how many degrees you’ve earned, if you’re rich or poor, if you’re healthy or not, no one is exempt.

If you’re not conducting regular breast examines each month, start. Depending upon your family history, visit your health-care provider for yearly or bi-yearly mammograms. Your life depends upon it. For more information visit: www.nbcam.org.

In closing a friend of mine wrote a book about her journey; from diagnosis to remission. Her book has touched many lives over the years. If you or someone you know is battling this disease, I encourage you to purchase a copy. The book is called, “Why not me?” by Marlene Holtshouser.

An excerpt from “Why not me?”

Introduction

Everyone has a story to tell, everyone has a book to write. This is my story – the story of how I triumphed over breast cancer and a recurrence. I was a thirty-six year old, active single parent when I was diagnosed with this insidious disease. Like a lot of single mothers, I had to be the homemaker/breadwinner rolled into one, as I fought the fight of my life.

I will take you on a journey of faith, hope and triumph as I share my story with you, the reader.

Chapter 1: Discovery

I remember it so well – the day I went in for my breast biopsy. It was October 17, 1989, the day of San Francisco’s major earthquake, and it was the third game of the World Series with the Oakland A’s winning over the San Francisco Giants at Candlestick Park. Funny, how you think you’re standing on solid ground only to have it suddenly fall out from under you. I, like the people in San Francisco, discovered that day that my foundation was no longer rock-solid.

*****************************************************************************************

To order your copy of Marlene’s book go to www.authorhouse.com $11.50 + shipping and handling, or you can place your order by e-mail whynotme56@att.net $8.00 + shipping and handling.

Healthy Recipe: Thai Grilled Chicken and Broccoli on Napa Cabbage

2009-10-12T10:02:00.000-07:00

From: EatingWell.com

Are you looking for a healthy meal to serve your family? This meal is not only healthy, but it’s delicious.

Nutritional Information (per serving)

Calories 221

Total Fat 7g

Saturated Fat 1g

Cholesterol 67mg

Sodium 405mg

Total Carbohydrate 14g

Dietary Fiber 3g

Sugars --

Protein 30g

Calcium --

Ingredients:

3 tablespoon(s) reduced-sodium chicken broth

3 tablespoon(s) lemon juice

1 tablespoon(s) fish sauce (nam pla)

1 tablespoon(s) chopped fresh lemongrass or 1 teaspoon freshly grated lemon zest

2 teaspoon(s) Thai hot chile sauce or chile-garlic sauce

2 teaspoon(s) honey

2 teaspoon(s) grated fresh ginger

2 clove(s) garlic, finely chopped

1 tablespoon(s) peanut oil, divided

1 pound(s) chicken tenders, tendons removed, cut into 1 ½-inch pieces

Salt to taste

8 ounce(s) broccoli florets

6 thick scallions, trimmed and cut into 2-inch lengths

4 cup(s) shredded napa (Chinese) cabbage

1 small cucumber, peeled, seeded and thinly sliced

¼ cup(s) sliced radishes

2 tablespoon(s) chopped roasted peanuts

For instructions on how to prepare this recipe, Click Here. We hope you enjoy this meal as much as we did.

Seven Reasons Your Hair May Not Be Protected

2009-09-21T14:59:00.000-07:00

Are you struggling to keep your hair healthy and manageable? Here are a few questions you need to ask yourself: What are you doing to your hair on a daily basis? Are you washing it daily? Are you going to a salon to have your hair trimmed and deep conditioned?

There are many reasons that people struggle to keep their hair healthy and manageable. However; here are seven main reasons your hair maybe suffering:

Excessive pulling of your hair
Flat ironing
Blow drying
Color treatments
Using relaxers
Not applying conditioner after washing
Using hair products with harsh chemicals

There is a difference between having good-looking hair and having great-looking, healthy hair. As you relax, color-treat, and blow dry your hair consistently to obtain good looking hair. Over time you may find your hair is not silky and smooth, but has become damaged by these processes. By reducing some of these processes and incorporating products that contain natural ingredients and going to a salon to have your hair trimmed and deep-conditioned, you’ll obtain and maintain the great-looking, healthy hair you desire.

Pure’ity Hypo-allergenic Hair Care Products are good for restoring moisture and shine while providing great protection to your hair. Individuals who have fragrance sensitivities and allergies have benefited from using our products. To find out more about our products, go to our website www.heavenlyessence.net.

“Voice of Consumer”

I've always had thin hair and finding the right shampoo/conditioner combo has been a challenge over the years. Pure’ity's peppermint has done wonders. Not only is the shampoo a wonderful cleanser, the conditioner restores my hair back to life immediately without me using half the bottle or leaving it on my hair longer than suggested for better results. I'm extremely pleased with this product and would recommend it to anyone.

~Leandra Carter

Create a Exercise Program

2009-09-21T14:42:00.000-07:00

There are a high percentage of people who don’t exercise at all. Then there are many that may exercise, but not consistently. Lack of exercise affects you mentally and physically. Check out this article on why you should have an exercise program: http://deepfitness.com/5136/7-Reasons-To-Start-Up-With-an-Exercise-Program.aspx.

Having a program established is the best way to keep you motivated to exercise on a regular basis. If you’re starting an exercise routine, you should work-out for approximately 30 minutes, three times a week, some cardio and light weights to get you started. That way your body can adjust to your new routine without over doing it. Eventually you’ll be able to increase by adding another day to your exercise routine or by increasing the amount of time you work-out. It’s important for us all to exercise; children, teenagers, adults and the elderly – it’s time to get up and get moving – your health matters.

Our Upcoming Newsletter

2009-09-18T11:30:00.000-07:00

If you've already signed up for our email newsletter, stay tuned for the next newsletter we'll have out shortly for you.

The topics for our upcoming October Newsletter are: 1) What are Parabens? 2) What is the cause of hair loss? Can it be prevented? 3) The Beauty Corner.

Our email newsletter provides beauty, hair and health tips you can apply in order to look great, and feel good about your hair and health. If you haven't signed up for our email newsletter, there’s still time to sign-up for the next edition. Go to www.heavenlyessence.net and click on Newsletter.

Limited Time Offer Update: Free Shipping and Product Discount

2009-09-09T09:26:00.000-07:00

If you tried our products and experienced great results, here's a special offer for you. Free shipping and 10% off Pure’ity Hypo-allergenic Products = a total savings of 35%. Offer ends at the end of September, so don't miss out on this offer. Visitwww.heavenlyessence.net to get started.

Free Samples Update

2009-09-09T09:22:00.000-07:00

Samples have been mailed to the following areas Mid-August: OR, AK, PA DC, ND, RI, and some FL residence. At the end of August, samples have been mailed to the following areas: NM, NV, HI and some GA and MA residence. During the week of September 7, samples are being mailed to the following areas: AR and CT.

Metropolitan areas in WA, GA, FL, CO, TX, OR, VA, TN, SC, PA, OK, OH, NY, NJ, NC, MN, MI, MD, IL, MA, LA KY, KS, & IN. We're locating stores in these areas, so we can send you directly to the stores to pick up your free samples. We'll notify you by e-mail of the store location near you. By going to the store location you'll receive all 4 samples to try. Check our website, Twitter, Facebook and MySpace for sample updates. To ensure that future sample updates and promotions are delivered to your inbox and not your bulk or junk mail folders, please add pureity@heavenlyessence.net to your address book. Thanks again for your patience!!!!

Promotions: Free Shipping and 10% Off Pure'ity Products

2009-08-14T12:29:00.000-07:00

If you've had a chance to try our free samples of Pure'ity, and were amazed of the results, here's an offer you can't afford to miss. For a limited time, receive 10% off of Pure’ity Hypo-allergenic shampoos and conditioners through the months of August and September. This is a chance to save some money and take advantage of the amazing results you'll continue to receive after purchasing Pure'ity.

That's not all. We are offering free shipping for the first 100 people who order a full set of Pure'ity Shampoo & Conditioner. That's even more savings for you if you take advantage of this offer now. To find out more about our promotions and how to take advantage of them, contact us at 916-501-3766, or you can email us at pureity@heavenlyessence.net.

Pure'ity Free Samples Update

2009-08-03T12:42:00.000-07:00

Thank you for your request for Pure’ity Hypo-allergenic Hair Care Products. Due to the overwhelming demand for our free samples, we’re still processing the orders. However, in order to speed up the process, we’re referring individuals to stores in their area. If you reside in the Georgia, South Carolina, Texas, California and Toronto, ON an email was sent referring you to local stores in your area that carry both our free samples and our products. Your free samples are waiting for you! Simply ask for free samples of Pure’ity Hypo-allergenic Hair Care Products by Heavenly Essence, Inc.

If you didn’t receive an e-mail, please visit our website and click on “Products” and then click on “Promotions for store locations.

Thank you again for your requests and most importantly your patience.

Do you need to consider adding an acidophilus supplement to your diet?

2009-07-20T23:10:00.000-07:00

By Darlene Alexander

For your health’s sake, take a moment to consider the following facts.

Lactobacilli Acidophilus is the good bacteria that your body needs to maintain a healthy digestive track. When your good bacteria becomes depleted by antibiotics (antibiotics rid the body of the bad bacteria, which is good, but it also rids the body of the good bacteria – which is bad). You need to replenish the good, so your system can function normally.

If your colon doesn’t have a healthy percentage of lactobacilli (approximately 85% of good bacteria), you may notice bloating, constipation and gas. Even more importantly, you may experience malabsorption of important nutrients your body needs. Taking an acidophilus supplement will help to combat these problems by returning the intestinal flora to a healthier balance.

One brand that has worked well for us is Opti Care Probiotic Defense. This product is distributed by Optimum Health, 3220 Riverside Blvd., Sacramento, CA 92818, 916.443.6795, or you can find other brands at your local health food store in the refrigerated area.

*Before using any supplements, you should consult your physician.

Business of the Week: 4HM Beauty Supply

2009-07-20T23:08:00.000-07:00

By Darlene Alexander

4HM Beauty Supply, Owners Ronda and Fred Berry, 2230 Hilltop Mall Road 2nd Floor, Richmond, CA 510.223.8845. www.4hmbeauty.com. Follow 4HM Beauty Supply on Twitter.

Have you ever met someone for the first time and immediately you were inspired and motivated to overcome obstacles in your life that may have held you hostage? That’s how I felt when I met Ronda Berry of 4HM Beauty Supply. Ronda is an inspiration to her customers and a credit to her profession. She provides outstanding care to individuals who have hair loss due to chemotherapy and alopecia.

With a wide selection of wigs, hair care products and hair accessories available in one location, you’ll leave their store with the utmost respect for the owners and the customer service you deserve as a consumer.

Presently 4HM is promoting their new wig line and they are seeking a face for the print work for advertising their line. YOU may be the face they are looking for! If you’re interested in submitting a packet, simply join their mailing list, visit www.4hmbeauty.com/curve/modelcallIndex.htm for more details.

Cool Down with a Healthy Smoothie

2009-07-20T23:02:00.000-07:00

By Darlene Alexander

The heat is on and I don’t know about you, but where we live the temperature is above 100 degrees.

Naturally, you should consume plenty of water to stay hydrated. However; at some point you may want to add some nutrition and healthful variety.

Here you go – my favorite smoothie recipe:

¼ cup of pineapple

¼ cup of frozen or fresh peaches

¼ cup of frozen or fresh mango

1 scoop of peach sorbet

¼ cup of ice

½ cup of orange juice

Blend it up and enjoy!

Promotion: Free Shipping for the First 100 Purchasers

2009-07-11T13:17:00.000-07:00

For a limited time, we are offering free shipping for the first 100 people who order a

set of Pure'ity Shampoo & Conditioner. They are available in peppermint and citrus. If you've tried a free sample of our products, and loved the results, this is your opportunity to experience the great results Pure'ity offers for a lower price than normal.

To take advantage of this promotion, visit www.heavenlyessence.net and place a order of one bottle of Pure'ity shampoo and conditioner. For more information on how to get the free shipping, you can contact us at 916-501-3766 or email us at pureity@heavenlyessence.net.

This promotion will end soon, so take advantage of it now!

We Appreciate You!

2009-07-10T18:20:00.000-07:00

We would like to take this opportunity to thank you all for requesting our free samples. We received an overwhelming number of requests. Sadly, we have had to suspend this promotion temporarily in order to meet the current demand without falling behind in our committments to your orders.

Due to your welcome response,we can definitely tell you that it will take longer than 10 days to receive your samples – but you will receive them. Our best estimate is 4-6 weeks. Please check our website, blog, twitter, Facebook and MySpace pages for distribution updates.

We are especially thankful to Shopping Frugal, Marys Freebies and all the other "freebie" sites – that care enough to keep the consumer informed about discounts and legitimately free offers.

We’re reviewing every request and checking your area to see if there are retailers near you that carry our free samples. We can speed up the process by referring you to the store for your free sample. If we find a store near you, we’ll respond to you directly by email.

Thank you for your overwhelming and wonderful response and your patience.

Sincerely,

Darlene & Michael Alexander

Heavenly Essence, Inc.

Creators of Pure’ity Hair Care Products

www.heavenlyessence.net

Split Ends: Do They Stop Your Hair From Growing?

2009-07-09T14:33:00.000-07:00

By Darlene Alexander

I read some interesting information on split ends and whether or not they stop your hair from growing. You can read the information by clicking here...

On this site, it answers the question, “Do split ends stop your hair from growing?”

The short answer... no! However, some problems that are a result of split ends are the obvious damage and potential for breakage.

I remember as a beautician, clients felt by trimming their split ends they would lose their length. I would tell them the importance of trimming their ends and then suggest trimming their ends every six to eight weeks to maintain a healthy appearance. Otherwise your ends will continue to split, leaving a frayed and frizzy appearance. Wouldn’t you prefer to have a smooth, healthy hairstyle?

I encourage you to read the whole article to get fully informed. The article explains how split ends occur and how you can prevent them.

Lastly, our shampoos and conditioners may assist in keeping those ends smooth. Unfortunately, due to the overwhelming request for our samples, we have had to temporarily suspend our free sample program. Please continue to check our website (www.heavenlyessence.net) for future promotions and ways to purchase the products.

Women in Business: Optimum Health

2009-07-03T10:04:00.000-07:00

By Darlene Alexander

Promoting small businesses is important to our family, especially since we’re in that category. In our present financial crisis we need to come together and support one another. Let’s face it, small businesses are the backbone of our communities; providing jobs, supporting local charities and events. Although considered small by the world’s standard, small businesses are making a difference, they are changing lives and that’s why we consider them mighty and worth promoting.

Business of the week:

Optimum Health, located at 3220 Riverside Blvd, Sacramento, CA 916-443-6795, owner Nancy Yilk.

Our newsletter is due to be released in July, and we were fortunate to obtain Nancy as a contributor. Nancy has been a blessing to her community. Through her years of experience in natural health care, she has touched many lives in a positive and nurturing way. Optimum Health, the name says it all. Nancy thrives for optimum health not only for herself, her family, friends and most importantly her customers. Her facility offers an array of services and products; she carries the top of the line dietary supplements, Perfector Nano Skin care, wellness class programs, Whole body wellness scan and various other programs.

Customer service is the key to a successful business. Nancy and her staff are warm, friendly and always helpful. I enjoy entering that peaceful, friendly environment, knowing I’m going to receive the care I need for myself and my family.

Let 2009 be the year you take charge of your health and strive for optimal health.

Visit her website at www.wellnessknowhow.com. Optimum Health’s business hours: Monday - Saturday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., closed Sunday.

Health Source: Prevention Magazine

2009-07-01T08:44:00.000-07:00

By Sheldon Alexander

Every month we receive a copy of Prevention magazine, which is a good source for staying healthy and looking good. Every magazine contains small articles and tips for healthy meals, workout routines, healthy supplements, etc.

This magazine provides tips and information that is simple and straight forward, so you’re not left searching for the most important information in the articles you’re reading.

You can find more information about them at www.prevention.com. Also they have a free newsletter you can sign up for to receive emails on health and fitness tips. Click here to sign up for their newsletter.

Recipe: Marinated Flank Steak

2009-06-29T17:42:00.000-07:00

Looking for a recipe that will give you the necessary nutrients you need without consuming a lot of calories, fat, or carbohydrates?

If you love steak, here’s a great recipe you can try. It’s easy to prepare and it doesn’t take a lot of time. Click here for the recipe.

This meal only has 179 calories, 1 gram of carbs, and 19 grams of protein. Be sure to add a generous amount of cooked vegetables or a salad. Let the vegetables be your main meal and the steak your side.

We’ll provide additional recipes for you to try (low-calorie, low-fat, etc), so that you’ll stay on the right path to looking beautiful and feeling your best.

When to Conduct Intensive Workouts

2009-06-25T12:11:00.000-07:00

What goals have you set to get in shape; to have the body you always wanted? Have you reached that specific weight loss goal?

When you work-out intensively with the purpose of getting toned, getting ripped abs, or to gain muscle mass, always do it for a limited period of time. What I mean by that is, don't work out intensively all the time. It can cause problems in the long run.

One example was when I was doing an intensive work-out routine. I would work out my whole upper body one day, my whole lower body another day, and then I would spend two days working out my whole body .So that was four days of intense work outs a week. I did that for a few weeks.

Unfortunately, the results I received were short-lived. I started my work-out routine in the fall and I would go to the gym after spending four hours lifting boxes at Fed Ex. What do you think happened to me? Yes I got sick, very sick. I had to take time off work, and I was unable to go to the gym for a week. When I was finally feeling better and I returned to the gym, I was unable to achieve a quality work-out.

Remember when you work out intensively, you're breaking down your muscles and your immune system. Your immune system, when broken down, will increase your chance of sickness or disease. If you don't feed your body with the proper amount of protein it needs after an intensive workout, your health and fitness goals will suffer.

I recommend that you take 10-15 grams of Glutamine per day. For Glutamine helps to support your immune system and stops muscles from breaking down.

Also I recommend working out intensively every other week and then workout light to maintain your strength, stamina, and endurance.

Achieving your fitness goals are important, but you must maintain a healthy balance to your work-out routine.

What Too Much Cola Can do to You

2009-06-23T11:23:00.000-07:00

I had just read an article on what too much cola can do to you. You can read this article by clicking here. Some of the most popular brands are: Coca Cola, Pepsi, Shasta, and Mr. Pibbs.

It talks about how too much cola can make your muscles weak and not able to function as properly. This condition is called hypokalemia. Three ingredients in cola, including; glucose, fructose, and caffeine, are linked to hypokalemia. What you also encounter from too much cola is fatigue, which is the first thing you may notice from drinking excessive amounts of cola. With fatigue your body will not function properly during the day.

I noticed that I stopped drinking cola, but drank orange juice instead, I noticed a huge difference in my workouts when I lifted weights. I felt good without muscle fatigue. But when I had cola with my meals, I noticed I wasn't able to lift as much and not for a long period of time. It wasn't a significant difference, but I had a realization of part of why I wasn't able to lift as much as I normally did. And for those of you who work out, try eliminating cola out of your list of drinks and start drinking more water, milk, and orange juice.

Also, take into account that too much soda can have an affect on your overall health, and the health of your hair. If soda is one of the things you're putting into your body, your hair and skin will likely to suffer in time. So definitely remove cola out of your diet so that you can look your best.

Having a Nice Balanced Diet for Healthy Hair

2009-06-18T11:21:00.000-07:00

By Sheldon Alexander

An article I read on this webpage talks about how to have a well balanced diet in order to have healthy hair. It's very important otherwise your hair will be looking dull and dry.

As suggested from www.mypyramid.gov, you should eat 6 servings of fruits and vegetables a day in order to stay healthy. But it's also a matter of which fruits and vegetables you need to eat. The three best vegetables you should eat for healthy hair are: brewer's yeast, cabbage, and green peas. Three main fruits you should eat are, apples, avocados, and cranberries.

These main fruits and vegetables help nourish the hair and scalp, while adding strength and keeping hair from looking or feeling dry and dull. So you'll get healthy looking hair while improving and maintaining good health.

Try eating these with a combination of other fruits and vegetables. You can mix them with your other favorite fruits and vegetables for best results.

One Reason for Hair Loss: Pulling Your Hair

2009-06-18T11:18:00.000-07:00

By Sheldon Alexander

Are you suffering hair loss currently, but aren't sure why you could be losing your hair. How often do you braid your hair? How often are you grabbing your hair when someone is getting on your last nerve? How often do you experience knotting of the hair?

If you're doing any of these things, you should look at minimizing them. One cause of hair loss is called traction alopecia. This happens from excessive or chronic pulling or traction of the hair. This is mainly caused from braiding and knotting of the hair.

From excessive braiding and knotting you may get some bald spots in some areas of your head, depending on how often you braid your hair and the styles of braids you get. The more intense the traction of your hair, the more hair you may lose. Some people like to have a lot of braids so they get the smaller braids, which means more traction of the hair and increasing chances of hair loss.

This is something to look into if you're interested in getting your hair braided. Be sure to talk to your beautician about how long you should keep your braids. Some people keep them for 6 weeks, others about a couple months. Some may get their hair re-braided in order for them to stay fresh and healthy . But overall, depending on your hair texture, be sure to keep hair pulling at a minimum, and wash your braids at a minimum once a week.

A Great Place to Eat Healthy

2009-06-18T11:14:00.000-07:00

If you live in California, Texas, or Washington, there's a place you can go to for a healthy selection of salads. Last week my two cousins and I went to a place called Fresh Choice (www.freshchoice.com), which is a all-you-can-eat restaurant. I've eaten Labou salads and they were good. I've also had Apple Bee's salads, and even though they were good, they aren't the freshest salads I've had.

I had a Caesar Salad, and added some of their fat free ranch dressing. And after eating their salad, I have to say that my cousin was right. There ingredients were fresh and better than Labou's and Apple Bee's. This website you can check out has a list of the salads offered at Fresh Choice.

You' can also create your own salads, with several ingredients ranging from crumbled garlic bread, peanuts, sunflower seeds, cheddar cheese, broccoli, cucumbers, olives, peppers, etc. There's also other items you can eat like wheat bread, pizza, spaghetti, or soup. Other reasons for eating there is the price and they have estimate calories marked, allowing you to watch your calorie intake as you eat. Overall the place is great if you're looking for a healthier alternative to fast foods. I highly recommend you check it out.

How Much Sodium Are You Taking In?

2009-06-16T17:15:00.000-07:00

I did some reading on some of America's unhealthiest restaurants. You can find it at this site. It was talking about one of Chili's burgers, called the Smokehouse Bacon Triple Cheese Big Mouth Burger, which is rated the worst burger in America. It has 3,810 mg of sodium, more than what the body needs daily in one meal.

Now imagine your self eating one of those burgers for lunch, when you already had one meal for breakfast, and still have to eat dinner. Depending on what you eat for those meals, you could be taking 2-3 days worth of sodium. Sodium retains water, which turns to water weight in the body. Excess intake of sodium can also lower your sugar levels.

The amount your body should take daily is 2,300 mg. The website American Heart is a place where you can find out ways to reduce your sodium intake

Doing High Repetitions for Energy and to Tone Your Body

2009-06-16T17:13:00.000-07:00

A lot of people believe that cardio like running, walking, aerobics, and riding a bike will help them trim off fat and give them energy. Then they wonder what's taking them so long to shed fat after weeks of doing cardio.

A lot of people don't realize that cardio isn't effective when trying to lose weight and trim off fat. The best thing someone can do to tone up is to do weight lifting. Some people may think, "Why weight lifting? I'm gonna bulk up!" No you won't. Not if you do it right.

Doing high repetitions per set of between 15-25 consistently per exercise will not only help you burn the fat, but it'll also help increase your energy. It will cause your muscles to work harder and you'll feel that burn from constant movement of the exercise. Your muscles need energy in order to do the high reps, so it will shed the fat in order to do so.

Please do not use the same 10 pound dumbbells you used 4 weeks ago to do high reps. Your muscles will get used to the weight and you won't get a good workout, and you'll start to plateau. As you get better doing high reps, you should still be adding some resistance, depending on the exercise you do. Try adding 2-5 pounds per couple of weeks or so.

Overall always keep at it. You're guaranteed to feel the burn, but it's that same burn that'll let you know that the fat is on its way to disappearing.

How Your Health Determines the Health of Your Hair

2009-06-16T17:05:00.000-07:00

By Sheldon Alexander

Are you one of those people who cares about the look and feel of your hair? Have you purchased several different types of shampoos, conditioners, hair lotions, hair oils, and hair maintenance systems in hopes of having the best looking and manageable hair? Have you? And you're still not getting the results you want? If you're one of those people, read on.

Have you taken into account what you're putting in your body? Are you stressed out a lot? Do you work outside in the heat or in a assembly line? Are you taking medication? A manager I know at a local Panda Express I go to does, and she has had hair and skin problems. She is a lady in her 40's, and she said she deals with hair loss, irritations of the scalp and skin. Every hair product and lotion she had tried gave her no results. When I asked her if she is stressed out and taking medication, she said yes.

This is an example of what can take place in terms of watching your overall health. What you put in your body, like food, drinks, and medication can have a positive or negative outcome on your hair. Don't rely just on hair products to do the job. If you're eating junk food, drinking coffee, and not getting much sleep, don't expect to receive the best results from your hair products. If you want the best results, change your eating habits, stay focused , try to minimize stress, and get plenty of sleep.

Using Complex Carbs to Boost Your Energy

2009-06-16T17:03:00.000-07:00

By Sheldon Alexander

One of my last blog postings was about simple carbs that are found in junk food, juice and from foods and snacks that raise your blood sugar levels. This time I would like to discuss complex carbs, also know as slow carbs.

I read an article at Ezine Articles about slow carbs. It was talking about the types of slow carbs, what there are, and how they benefit you when consuming them. You'll find slow carbs in natural wholes foods like fruits and vegetables, and in grain foods like bread, pasta, and cereal. What makes these types of foods good for you also is that they have the proper nutrients, vitamins, and minerals your body needs for good health.

Slow carbs are needed; once eaten, they convert into good energy. Through consistent consumption of good carbs you'll be on your way to maintaining healthy weight. The energy comes in handy especially when involved in intensive activities, including working out, sports, aerobics, etc.

In the past when I worked out intensively, I took in slow carbs for that reason, to obtain that much needed energy. I noticed when taking in slow carbs I was able to do more exercises per body part, more reps, and more lifting weights. I also took in slow carbs in order to gain weight. But that weight wasn't in fat, but rather solid mass. Slow carbs can help you to gain solid mass, but only if you have a large intake of slow carbs daily. When working out, for example, the slow carbs not burned from heavy lifting instead goes into feeding your body and muscles to help it to recover quicker, and grow larger.

Normally if you're trying to gain weight, you should take three times as much grams of carbs as your weight. So if you weighted 150 pounds, you should take in 450 grams of carbs daily. For strictly energy or losing weight, I'd stick with one gram per pound or less, depending on your weight loss plans. Never leave slow carbs out of your fitness and health goals. Without that energy, it'll lead to a quick burn out and losing mass. Always include slow carbs in your diet, and watch your intake if needed.

The Importance of Conditioning Your Hair

2009-06-16T16:46:00.000-07:00

By Sheldon Alexander

Some people (most notably African American women) don't condition their hair after they wash their hair with shampoo, primarily cause they don't feel like taking the time to put on the conditioner. People believe that the shampoo is what does all the work to make the hair look its best.

This is not the case. Shampoos are meant for cleansing the hair of everything that's built up inside your hair and scalp, which includes grease, oil, dirt, dandruff, etc. While shampoo washes out everything in your hair, it leaves your hair and scalp dry. Your hair then needs your natural hair oils replenished, and that's where the conditioner comes in. And some conditioners like the Pure'ity conditioner has natural ingredients like Shea Butter, which brings restoration into the hair and scalp.

Always take into account that you can't expect your hair to look its best if you don't give it the proper food it needs. And that means taking that extra effort and time to make sure you leave that conditioner in your hair for 3 to 5 minutes. After you see and feel the results, you'll be glad you did so.

Why You Should Avoid Simple Carbs

2009-06-16T16:41:00.000-07:00

By Sheldon Alexander

A couple months ago, I spoke to someone that attends the same church as I do. I wanted his input on what he thought about the GotX energy drink sample I gave him. He starting talking about how he was trying to watch his diet and stay away from energy drinks. The main reason was because most energy drinks contain what you call simple carbohydrates, sugar, and caffeine. Though GotX has no carbs, sugar, or caffeine, he didn't want it to boost his heart rate.

The point he was trying to make was that carbohydrates enter into the bloodstream and will convert into fat, and that fat will cause problems with blood flow and may also cause blood clots. Carbs turn into energy, but if not used (meaning exercising or other physical activities) it turns into fat. He said, with his poor eating habits, being overweight, means he must watch his carbohydrate intake. The type of food he said he was eating was fried chicken, burgers, fries, among the few and he would down that with soda or juice.

This is an example of what happens when people take in simple carbohydrates. Simple carbs can be found in foods such as: burgers, chips, noodles, and fried chicken. They're found in your favorite sweet treats like ice cream, cake, candy. Lastly they're found in drinks like coffee, soda, juice, milk. Simple carbs can quickly turn into fat. And that fat can take its toll on your health. Simple carbs can also lower your energy levels in a few hours after intake, and can decrease your alertness.

Plain and simple, simple carbs are not the way to go for a healthy body. That's why athletes, models and body builders are good at what they do, for they are disciplined in eating healthy at all times, and staying away from junk food and snacks. So if you're looking to get in shape, live longer, and stay healthy, think twice before you make that next stop to Burger King.

2 in 1 Shampoo/Conditioner: Is it really worth using?

2009-06-15T10:37:00.000-07:00

Written By: Sheldon Alexander

There's many people that may have their views on using a 2 in 1 shampoo/conditioner, and those who have actually tried them before. On this website, people give their views on using them. Though a 2 in 1 shampoo/conditioner isn't always harmful for your hair, it isn't the most effective way to make your hair look its best.

Many people still prefer to use their shampoo and conditioner separately. If you have thick hair, or have dry hair that tangles frequently, then it's best to use them separate instead of using a 2 in 1. Shampoo is made to cleanse your hair of the dirt, oils, and grease that you may put in your hair. It isn't as effective at cleansing your hair when combined with a conditioner, and the conditioner can't fully moisturize your hair when combined with a shampoo. That said, you can only receive the full benefits by using these products (shampoo and conditioner) separately.

I know this because I myself tried using a 2 in 1 shampoo conditioner from Head and Shoulders, and it did nothing for me. My hair was still a bit dry and so was my scalp, mainly because of the synthetic ingredients the product contained. One of my cousins had said she tried a 2 in 1 also, with minimal results. She said she ended up having to use a separate conditioner in order to condition her hair effectively.

Some people may say that they can save money by just purchasing a 2 in 1 shampoo/conditioner, but in reality it may cost more in the long run. If you are looking for the best looking and healthy hair, you'll probably end up running through that bottle of 2 in 1 quicker than you would with the shampoo and conditioner separate. So for those wondering if they should go for a 2 in 1, I recommend sticking with the shampoo and conditioner separate.

Having a Nice Balanced Diet for Great Looking Hair

2009-06-11T13:32:00.000-07:00

An article I read on this webpage talks about how to have a well balanced diet in order to have healthy hair. It's very important otherwise your hair will be looking dull and dry.

As suggested from www.mypyramid.gov, you should eat 6 servings of fruits and vegetables a day in order to stay healthy. But it's also a matter of which fruits and vegetables you need to eat. The three best vegetables you should eat for healthy hair are: brewer's yeast, cabbage, and green peas. Three main fruits you should eat are, apples, avocados, and cranberries.

These main fruits and vegetables help nourish the hair and scalp, while adding strength and keeping hair from looking or feeling dry and dull. So you'll get healthy looking hair while improving and maintaining good health.

Try eating these with a combination of other fruits and vegetables. You can mix them with your other favorite fruits and vegetables for best results.

The Average Times You Should Wash/Condition Your Hair

2009-06-10T14:00:00.001-07:00

For great looking healthy hair that you always wanted, you have to make sure you know how often you need to wash and condition your hair.

On average, you should be washing and conditioning your hair at least once a week. However, there can be a few things that will determine whether you should wash and condition your hair more often. Examples few things to look at include: what you're eating, what medications you're taking, what activities you're participating in, i.e. exercise, working outside, etc.

All these things determine how often you should be washing and conditioning your hair. They all can play a factor on how healthy your hair is and how your hair will look and feel.
If you exercise, this will involve you washing and conditioning your hair more often. For example, if you workout four times a week, you should wash and condition your hair after your workout.

Welcome To the Pure'ity Blog

2009-06-08T13:20:00.001-07:00

Written By: Sheldon Alexander

For those of you reading our first blog, we'd like to thank you for taking the time to visit this page and for viewing our blog.

A lot of what we're going to cover in the Pure'ity Blog are ways to improve and maintain good healthy hair. Not only that, but we also place emphasis on improving and maintaining a healthy body and mind. Why is that? Because the hair can't look and feel its best if you don't eat healthy, or if you maintain high stress levels. We'll cover a wide range of topics, tips, and strategies, including healthy food recipes, steps on relieving stress, ways to workout and increase your energy and stamina, etc.

We care about the users of our products and those who are new to Pure'ity. Where other companies may emphasis achieving great looking hair, we want you and your hair to look and feel its best. We help African and Latin American women who struggle with hair problems and chemical sensitivities to other hair products have the healthy, manageable, shiny, and beautiful looking hair they always wanted .

Our products are hypo-allergenic with natural ingredients to help combat allergies. Our products contain no synthetic fragrances and no parabens. We are offering free samples of our products for those interested. To request a free sample, click here.

Also if you would like to sign up for our, "Look Great, Feel Good" newsletter for hair and health tips, special offers, and promotions, click here.

We hope you take the next step, "To look and feel your very best." We're here to help you every step of the way. Any feedback that you can give us on what topics you would like to read on this blog, please email us at pureity@heavenlyessence.net. We look forward to helping you with your beauty, and health needs.