Tuesday, April 5, 2011

Buying Organic

Some produce is really necessary to buy organic and some produce does not need to be organic, so you can save some moola!
To find out more about why organic is best and what GMO foods are and how our food supply in the US can do more damage than good watch the following videos:

Robyn O'Brien 

Watch the first part of Food Matters here and you can see the rest on YouTube.



Buy Organic! Top Ten Dirty Fruit high in pesticide residue (highest pesticide first):
  1. Peaches
  2. Apples
  3. Nectarines
  4. Strawberries
  5. Cherries
  6. Imported Grapes
  7. Pears
  8. Raspberries
  9. USA-grown Grapes
  10. Plums
Top Ten Dirty Vegetables:
  1. Capsicum (Bell Peppers)
  2. Celery
  3. Kale
  4. Lettuce
  5. Carrots
  6. Collard Greens
  7. Spinach
  8. Potatoes
  9. Green Beans
  10. Summer Squash, eg. Zucchini (Courgette)

Save Money! Top Ten Clean Fruits low in pesticide residue (starting at the lowest):
  1. Pineapple
  2. Mango
  3. Kiwi
  4. Papaya
  5. Watermelon
  6. Grapefruit
  7. Honeydew Melon
  8. Cranberries
  9. Cantaloupe
  10. Bananas
Top Ten Clean Vegetables:
  1. Onions
  2. Avocado
  3. Asparagus
  4. Frozen peas
  5. Cabbage
  6. Eggplant (Aubergine)
  7. Broccoli
  8. Tomato
  9. Sweet Potato
  10. Winter Squash

Nano vs. Micro Silver

Norwex has developed the patent pending silver agent which is part of the fiber. Other microfiber that claims to have silver is not embedded but is a covering which can leach and wear off. Norwex silver does not wear off. Our regular cloths contain 70% polyester and 30% polyamide and 2.9 million meters of fiber which is top quality. We also have a 2 year warranty on our microfiber, but they last a lot longer than that if cared for properly. This includes the silver content as well.

It is not silver nitrate – it is a form of silver which is physically and chemically embedded within the microfiber itself so that it does not leach out of the fiber – it is basically in there for the life of the cloth – which is why it is so safe to use and safe for the environment – because we are not leaving little bits of silver everywhere!  We are the only company that has been able to do what we do.

The silver is a micro-silver-based agent.  When our microfiber is produced, it starts as a molten liquid and it is at this time that the silver-based agent is added.  It is then extruded (forced through) something like a shower head.  It starts out as a liquid on one end, and comes out microfiber on the other end.  The silver-based agent is added when it is in a liquid form and is therefore physically embedded within the fiber – it does not wash out.

The Antibacterial agent is embedded inside tiny microfibers the size of 0.3 Denier or smaller.
  • Denier is a unit of measure for the linear mass of fibers. A single strand of silk is one denier. A fiber is generally considered a microfiber if it is 1 denier or less. 
When microbes come into contact with this agent they tend do die rather rapidly, and we have a measured 99.9% reduction after 24 hours (but the agent is working well before then to destroy bacteria).  

One limiting factor of Silver is it only kills micro-organisms when they are in contact with it for a sufficient period of time.  So cloths that have residual chemicals/fabric softeners/soapy residues on the fibers do not allow silver to contact germs within the cloths. It COATS the fiber, keeping the silver and germ separated.  THUS WASHING and USE instructions are important.

 

There are many microfiber products currently on the market making it complicated for the consumer to determine what the difference is between one product and the next. 

While at first they may appear similar, compare the quality. 
  • Find out if the products are machine washable and for how many washes they are guaranteed to last.  Other products recommend hand washing only, indicating they may not last long.
  • Look at the edges of the cloths; if the edges are not finished well they will fray when washed, reducing the lifespan of the cloth.
  • Prices for microfiber cloths are usually directly related to the quality of the product. If the price is lower, it is a good indication of lesser quality.
  • Any cloth cleans because of its fibers. How well a cloth cleans is determined by two factors:  The density and the absorbency.
Traditional cloths are not designed to pick up dirt particles as efficiently, due to the rounded surface of threads.


  Microfiber cloths have millions of wedge-shaped cross sections that remove and trap the dirt. 
The properties of Norwex microfiber cloths are nothing less than exceptional. Our micro fiber is 200 times thinner than a human hair, yet incredibly durable. The weaving of the microfiber makes up many small pockets for dirt and bacteria to collect rather than passing under the cloth.  The weaving gives the cloth two hundred times the cleaning surface of regular cloths. This process also makes the cloth eight times more absorbent than regular cloths. The pockets created by the fibers work using capillary action.

Why Norwex Microfiber Cloths Different?

1. Antibacterial - Now you might say that is not a concern, BUT this allows the cloths to remain cleaner.  You don't have to launder ours after every use thus being more respectful to the environment!

2. Two year warranty.  Many of the inexpensive store bought microfibers lose a lot of their wicking ability after 5 -10 washes, leaving you with a cloth that no longer works as well or works as well as paper towel.  In this respect these cheap microfibers MUST be used with some type of cleaner to actually clean.

3. Quality - we have 1/200 fiber counts and high quality. 

 

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

The Beautiful Truth

I just received my DVD of the Beautiful Truth from Amazon.  There is just so much information there that it's mind boggling! I've watched it three times now.
The following is from the Gerson Media website: http://www.gersonmedia.com/DVDs.html

Garrett is a 15-year old boy living in the Alaskan
wilderness with a menagerie of orphaned animals. Growing
up close with nature has given him a deep understanding
of nutritional needs required by diet sensitive animals on
the reserve. Unfortunately, the untimely and tragic death of
his mother propelled him into a downward spiral and he
risked flunking out of school. This led to his father’s
decision to home-school Garrett. His first assignment was
to study a controversial book written over 50 years ago by
Dr. Max Gerson.

Dr. Gerson found that diet could, and did, cure cancer.
Gerson's pioneering theories were controversial at the
time (and even today), but Garrett took on the challenge of
researching this amazing therapy, drawing the interest of
his neighbors in the small Alaskan community. With the
help of Dr. Gerson’s daughter, Charlotte Gerson, and
grandson, Howard Straus, who gave him the ammunition
needed to go in search for the truth – Garrett brought
home a truth that would affect not only him, but his entire
Alaskan village – all of whom wanted to know if these
claims were true.

After a number of cancer patients, who were diagnosed as
terminal, shared their stories and their medical records
with Garrett, it became abundantly clear that, contrary to
the disinformation campaign spear-headed by the multi-
billion dollar medical and pharmaceutical industry, a cure
for virtually all cancers and chronic diseases does exist –
and has existed for over 80 years!

Garrett’s mission now is to tell the world.


Time to clean more than my house!!




Sunday, February 27, 2011

My Saturday afternoon project-THE CLEANING CUPBOARD

So, now that I have been using Norwex products for a little over four months and using some methods of natural products for years, I am ready to make the break, a "clean break", with my nasty toxic cleaning products.  Yes, I am doing it!  Cleaning out the cleaning cupboard underneath my kitchen sink. 

Here is my messy, toxic cupboard:


First, I emptied the cupboard and found that the metal hinges on the doors had rust spots on them.  There wasn't any moisture or anything. I imagine it is from the fumes corroding the metal.  Yes, that must be it, because next I find that the paint on the back wall of the cabinet is flaking off in big patches also.
My house is 10 years old and this is not happening anywhere else in the house, even underneath my other sinks, which none of them has cleaning products stored in!


Next, I removed the contact paper from the bottom of the cupboard.  I wiped out the entire cupboard (with water and a Norwex Enviro cloth) and let it dry.
Then I laid down a new layer of contact paper, all the while wondering, just how toxic is CONTACT PAPER?  Okay, don't get paranoid here!
While it was drying I went through the cleaners and looked at the labels.  I pretty much get rid of anything that you wouldn't want your toddler rummaging through and getting on their skin or drinking!  There are still a couple of things that wouldn't be good to ingest at all, but those will be gone when I have used them up and I have no toddlers, so...
Here is what I rid myself of:


About mid-way through this endeavor, I started getting sinus pressure, a sore throat, tired and achy. 

Here is the result of my efforts (besides feeling like crap):

Next, a 20 minute detox bath while drinking young coconut water and later, freshly juiced carrot and apple juice!

Saturday, January 8, 2011

Just a bit more on silver...

I just wanted to point out that the benefits of silver have not gone unnoticed throughout time.  
 
      Silver has been used as a medicine and preservative by many cultures throughout history. The Greeks, Romans, Egyptians, and others used silver vessels for water and other liquids to keep them fresh. Pioneers trekking across the Wild West generations ago faced many hardships. Keeping safe drinking water was one of them. Bacteria, algae, etc. found a fertile breeding ground in the wooden water casks that were carried on the wagons. They placed silver and copper coins in the casks to retard the growth of these spoilage organisms. They also put silver dollars in their milk to keep it fresh.
      Silver water purification filters and tablets manufactured in Switzerland are used by many nations and international airlines. Silver is also used in the water purification systems of space craft. Preventing the growth of algae and bacteria in swimming pools is another problem that people face today. Electrical ionization units that impregnate the water with silver and copper ions are available today that sanitize the pool water without the harsh effects of chlorine.
      Medical applications of silver were recognized by the ancient Egyptians, Greeks, Romans, and in the alchemical writings of Paracelsus. Following the discovery of bacteria as a cause of disease, several physicians discovered the antibacterial qualities of silver and applied them to their practice of medicine. They used silver nitrate successfully in the treatment of skin ulcers, compound fractures, and suppurating wounds.
      In 1881, Carl Crede pioneered the installation of 2% silver nitrate in the eye of neonates to prevent gonorrheal ophthalmia, a technique which has been in widespread use ever since. Von Naegeli and others in 1893 realized that the antibacterial effects of silver were primarily due to the silver ion. He coined the term oligodynamic to mean that a small amount of silver is released from the metallic surface when placed in contact with liquids.
      In the early 1900's silver foil dressings were used for wounds. These dressings were used extensively until just after World War II, and were listed in the Physician's Desk Reference until 1955.
      In the early 1970's, Drs. Becker, Marino, and Spadaro, of the Veterans Administration Hospital in Syracuse, New York, pioneered the study of implanted silver wires and electrodes and silver-coated fabrics for the treatment of complex bone infections.
      Dr. A. B. Flick developed broader clinical applications for silver nylon fabrics, first in partnership with Dr. Becker and later independently. Other university centered research teams also investigated the wound healing properties of silver plated fabrics applied with the application of an electrical potential. The result was the commercial introduction of silver dressings for wound healing and burns.
      Silver sulfadiazine ointment is the number one treatment for burns in U.S. burn centers. Silver coated catheters and silver heart valves are used because they stop the bacterial growth that was commonplace with the old ones. To protect us from food poisoning, silver particles are now being put in cutting boards, table tops, surface disinfectants, washing machines, and refrigerators. Silver is now being used in clothing, for the military, sportsman and businessman. It is woven and impregnated into the fabric to kill bacteria that cause body odor and clothing odors.
      In contemporary times, colloidal silver as a medicinal substance for internal use is something of an orphan. It is popular among alternative medicine enthusiasts but is not approved by the FDA.
      Silver was used as a medicine in the late 1800's and early 1900's. While several metal salts and compounds demonstrated strong germicidal properties, silver alone showed both strong germicidal properties and low or no toxicity to humans. The colloidal state proved to be the most effective form because it lacked the caustic properties of salts (such as silver nitrate) and demonstrated a high level of activity with very low concentrations.
      Medicinal silver compounds were in widespread use in the late 1800's and early 1900's. By 1940, there were approximately four dozen different silver compounds on the market being used to treat every known infectious disease.
      These different silver preparations were drastically different from each other. Some were true colloids of silver, others were silver salts or other compounds of silver. Many were silver proteinates. The actual silver content also varied widely, with some products containing as much as 30% silver by weight.
      With the discovery of antibiotics, interest in silver, as an anti-microbial medicine, declined. There were, at that time, no antibiotic resistant strains of disease organisms and there was a lot of excitement over the new wonder drugs.
      In Ayurvedic medicine silver is used in small amounts as a tonic or elixir or rejuvenative agent for patients debilitated by age or disease. Silver was also used in homeopathic medicine. The dilute concentrations were in the same range as the modern low concentrations of colloidal silver.
      Recently, with the development of antibiotic resistance in many diseases and the increase in new strains of bacteria and viruses worldwide, there is renewed interest in silver. Large companies are developing and introducing new silver compounds for a variety of anti-microbial applications, including protection against the spread of the AIDS virus. (2)
      Today, colloidal silver is sold as a trace mineral supplement without medical claims or claims of specific benefits. Its need, or lack thereof, in human nutrition is not scientifically established. It remains popular as an "alternative" health care modality because of the large number of anecdotal reports of positive benefits.

I have been using the Norwex Enviro cloth (a microfiber all purpose cleaning cloth) and water to clean my house.  I have wiped sinks, counter tops, bathtubs, showers, toilets, cupboards, countertops, appliances, walls, furniture, floors, pillows and table runners!  So far it has removed wax from fabric, rust and stains from the carpet, dirt, stains, dust and grime with ease!  I even wiped the dog...well, she stunk!  
The only downside has been that I think I almost exfoliated my fingertips off because I am wiping everything in the house with it!  The upside is that my fingernails are bleached out white and pretty.  
It feels so good to not be using harsh cleaners in my home and not give myself an asthma attack while cleaning and having my home cleaner than it has ever been!

That's enough for now ;)
Cassy

Friday, January 7, 2011

Antibacterial Properties of Silver

So what's the big deal about having silver embedded into microfiber, anyway?  Well, silver is antibacterial.  Is is antibiotic, antimicrobial, antiviral and anti fungal as well.  It seems that it is all the rage in the areas of technology and health these days.  I did a little bit of research and found it to be in shower heads, hygiene products, toys, personal care products, textiles, and used internally and externally to heal wounds, infections, burns (it is the acting ingredient in burn cream.  I myself have had experience in it healing a burn on my wrist of first, second and third degree burns that were supposed to be grafted, yet didn't need it because of the cream and aloe vera healing it before I had the procedure!).  Other claims are that it kills Anthrax, Athletes' foot, B. Cell Dysentery, Tuberculosis, Boils, Cerebro-spinal Meningitis, Colitis, Cystitis, Dermatitis, Diplococcus Diphtheria, Gonorrhea, Impetigo, Influenza Pneumococci , Ringworm, Sepsis, Shingles, Sprue, Staphylococci, Streptococci, Warts and Whooping cough within 60 seconds of contact.  While there is some controversy in the flood of nano technology used in consumer products lately, Norwex uses silver micro technology, not nano technology.  The silver is embedded in the product and kills these threats against health in our homes.  I have often heard (and said myself!) that we need bacteria for a healthy immune system.  Which can be true.  But let's put that in perspective.  No one needs MRSA or e-coli contaminating their environment.  Back in the day, people were outdoors ALOT.  The germs and bacteria of today are not in the same context of Little House on the Prarie days!  Our indoor air quality is poor due to the air being shut up in houses built with toxic substances, not just a cut down tree stacked upon a cut down tree.  We "clean" our homes, bodies, and clothes with chemicals and substances that can cause more harm than the good of having it clean!  While we should keep things in perspective, because I do really appreciate using an electric wash machine instead of a rock and a stream, we should also think about the impact of the substances we use daily that will effect that rock and that stream.
Ok, I would love to go into this so much more, but I am not a writer, I am a talker.  I just thought I would make a comment on the properties of silver and why it is important that it is the Norwex products.  I'll leave you with this funny example of silver being used in everyday products to kill bacteria:
Stay clean!
Cassy

Thursday, January 6, 2011

Introduction to Norwex Enviro Products

On a typical cleaning day, in a typical home... levels of chemicals in the indoor air can be hundreds, even thousands of times higher than the outdoor air in the most polluted of cities. In fact, indoor air pollution levels would be high enough to trigger an inspection by Health and safety authorities in any workplace setting. (The Nature of Things, CBC-TV 2002)



Norwex microfiber
gives you the opportunity to completely eliminate toxic chemicals from your home, because you are cleaning primarily with water! This is no exaggeration, you can really clean your house using water instead of poisoning your environment!
What exactly is Microfiber?
The incredible quality fibers and highly advanced fabrication of a Norwex Microfiber Cloth enables a cleaning performance that is unmatched. It’s a combination of two basic fibers, Polyester and Polyamide (a nylon by-product).
  • These fibers are split and formed into a fabric of 80% Polyester (the scrubbing and cleaning fiber), and 20% Polyamide (the absorbing and quick drying fiber).
  • These threads are very small in diameter, making them ideal for cleaning because they possess far more cleaning edges to pick up dirt than any other fabric in the world.
  • Rated in denier (the unit for measuring fineness of fabric) a strand of cotton has a rating of 200. A human hair has a denier of 20 and a strand of silk has a denier of 8.  The average microfiber has a denier of 1.0.  NORWEX fiber has a denier of 0.14
  • Each fiber is 1/100th the width of a human hair, resulting in an an extraordinary 2.9 million meters of fiber in every small (35x35cm) Norwex Enviro Cloth!
  • Unlike conventional cloths, as you draw a Norwex Microfiber cloth across a surface, the fibers clean by breaking up, trapping and absorbing dirt, grease, oil, grime and bacteria from all hard surfaces, rather than just spreading it around.

  • Can reach into the tiniest crevices (even those in surfaces which appear smooth to the human eye) and scoop out hidden dirt and bacteria.
  • Has a natural static charge that acts like a magnet to attract even the tiniest particles of dirt

Use Norwex cleaning products and
§  spend less time cleaning
§  enjoy non-toxic cleaning
§  save your money
§  be environmentally friendly 
AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, ENJOY CLEANING!