A Personal Thank You!

Happy Holidays - Christine Segal, Inner Beauty Workshops

Dear Readers:

The year 2011 is coming to a close.  I felt it appropriate to write a short excerpt to express my gratitude to my readers who faithfully come to my blog each week to read my little pearls of wisdom.  As you can already surmise, each week I pick a subject which reflects what I am most passionate about.  There is a sense of randomness to my blog posts, which mirrors life in general.   I like the element of “surprise” and it seems to be paying off as I have almost 10,000 page views!  I am very thankful for all the wonderful comments I receive.  I am very grateful for your support!

I bet you are wondering who takes all my pictures!  There are some people who have helped me behind the scenes and I need to offer them my thanks.  They are:

Dan Krieger  (pictures & videos)

Gabrielle Lofaso (pictures)

Liz Laviola (pictures & edits)

Susan Etts (pictures)

Karyn & Brian Murphy (pictures & edits)

My Mom (pictures)

Jeff, Michelle & Paul Segal (pictures & edits)

I hope you continue to read my blog as I have many fun and exciting projects planned.  Stay tuned next week for one of my New Year’s Resolutions.  I’m sure you will find it interesting!  Wishing you the happiest of holidays....Christine Segal

Happy Holidays!

*If you live locally, Inner Beauty Workshops classes are starting up on January 3^rd.  Please send me an email:  christine@innerbeautyworkshops.com for details.





Happy Holidays - Christine Segal, Inner Beauty Workshops



Can Statins lead to Guillain-Barré Syndrome?

I have spent the last week in the hospital with my Dad who has been diagnosed with Guillain-Barré Syndrome.  Until two weeks ago, I had never heard of this disease.  Basically, it is an autoimmune disorder that occurs when the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks its own nervous system.  The myelin sheath that protects the nervous system becomes damaged, which results in muscle weaknesses that can lead to paralysis in the legs, arms and even chest.  The noted causes of this disease are some “random” viral infection or a flu shot.  I’m going to put myself out on a limb here and suggest that statin drugs may cause Guillain-Barré type symptoms in a person who has taken cholesterol medication for a long period of time. 

My Dad has extremely high cholesterol.  It isn’t due to diet but rather a malfunction of his DNA that leads his body to produce an overabundance of cholesterol.  My Dad has been trying to control his cholesterol for the past 30 years with the use of statin drugs.  Currently, my Dad was taking two cholesterol medications; a statin drug at maximum dose (2 pills – 80 mg per day) and a “cholesterol lowering medication that can be used in conjunction with statins (6 pills – 3,750 mg per day). 

I calculated this out to be:

8 pills a day 56 pills a week 240 pills a month 2,920 pills a year

I’m sure you are scratching your head and wondering what kind of doctor would prescribe this exorbitant amount of medication yearly.  I too was completely floored.  I strongly suspected my Dad’s illness was an effect of him taking almost 3,000 pills a year to lower his cholesterol and mentioned the issue to his doctor where I was told…”statin drugs do not have anything to do with Guillain-Barré disease and they do not cause long term damage.”  Well….I had some “choice words” for the doctor such as going back to school to become better educated.

The question becomes can long-term statin drug usage, independently and/or in combination with other drugs, produce an autoimmune response in the body whereby the body’s own antibodies attack its myelin sheath producing nerve damage. 

My preliminary research led me to a case controlled study published in 2002 in the American Academy of Neurology by a researcher named David Gaist, a MD from Denmark.   He found that long-term exposure to statin drugs may substantially increase the risk of polyneuropathy, a neurological disorder that occurs when many peripheral nerves throughout the body (such as the arms and legs) malfunction simultaneously.  http://www.neurology.org/content/58/9/1333.abstract 

Another mention that statins may cause neuropathy was mentioned in 2004 by Chong, Boskovich and Stevkovic, “Epidemiologic studies as well as case reports indicate a risk of peripheral neuropathy associated with statin use.  They go on to say that statins should be considered the cause of peripheral neuropathy when other etiologies have been ruled out.   http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15460180

Since long term statin usage may produce an antibody attack on the body’s muscles, (http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/news/media/releases/statin_use_linked_to_rare_autoimmune_muscle_disease_study_finds) why can’t statins, independently or in combination with other drugs, cause an antibody attack on the body’s nerves.   I wish I could definitively answer these questions!   However in the world we live in today, most people won’t believe such statements until science proves it.  All we can do is think of it as a possibility.

My Dad is off his statin medication and is slowly improving (also thanks to immunoglobin therapy).  The body is an amazing instrument and can cure itself (1) if it wasn’t pushed too far and (2) if given the right tools.  When my Dad addresses his cholesterol problem in the future, I would like to see him look into natural alternatives such as red rice yeast, fish oil, green tea, policosanol and many others….. (http://www.naturalnews.com/002692.html)

Me with my Rents @ Thanksgiving

*If you are currently taking statin medication either by itself or in combination with other drugs and experience any weakness in your extremities, please do not ignore these symptoms.  Do some independent research and consult your doctor.





REFERENCES

http://213.4.18.135:48080/87.pdf

http://library.thinkquest.org/12875/data/alcohol/a6.html

http://www.naturalnews.com/002692.html

http://www.naturalnews.com/034383_green_tea_LDL_cholesterol_health.html

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001704/

http://www.neurology.org/content/58/9/1333.abstract

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Policosanol

10 Unique Eco-Friendly Gifts for the Holiday Season

Are you having trouble finding gifts for that certain someone?  I have compiled a list of environmentally friendly gifts that you can purchase from the comfort of your own home.  Grab a cup of tea and peruse the following websites.  You may find that unique gift for that special someone…..



Branchhome.com



For The Gardener:  Branch Home offers a wide array of eco-friendly gardening accessories for your home.  You can grow lavender on your windowsill from a handmade bamboo pot.  Kit comes complete with organic soil, organic herb seeds and a ribbon made from recycled plastic bottles.  If you want to try something even more unique, they even offer a kit whereby you can grow your own Christmas Tree!  Check out these selections and many others at:   http://www.branchhome.com/

Upcycled Jewelry

For the Gems in Your Life:  Are you looking for that environmentally conscious gift for the gem in your life?    Upcycled jewelry has earrings made from RoHS circuit boards, earrings made from 8mm film negatives and necklaces made from NYC artifacts. (http://www.upcycled/ jewelry.com ) I’m just loving the film reel earrings….hint!. http://www.etsy.com/listing/72284849/8mm-movie-film-upcycled-earrings

Tavernpuzzle

For The Puzzle Enthusiast: Tavern Puzzles has been making steel puzzles for over 30 years.  These are so cool.  These puzzles are reproductions of old blacksmith forged puzzles and come in different levels of complexity. Your puzzle enthusiast will be absolutely delighted.  Please visit:  www.tavernpuzzle.com to select your design.

Planethappytoys

For Your Child or Baby:  Plant Happy Kids has a wide assortment of “safe & nontoxic” products for your child.  Toys are organic, free of harmful dyes and phthalate-free.  In addition, all is fair traded.   Here is a cricket your young child can paint.  Once the paint dries, you child can use the cricket has a drum… http://stores.planethappytoys.com/-strse-361/Let%27s-Paint%21-Cricket-Drum/Detail.bok

Westpawdesign

For the Pampered Pooch:  West Paw Design has eco-friendly and pet safe products for your dog or cat.  All products are made in the U.S.A.  Your pampered pooch will love the hurley dog chew as it is made from recycled and nontoxic materials and is virtually indestructible.  http://www.westpawdesign.com/ .



Re-cycled Accessories



For the Outdoor’s Man:  Recycledacc has the coolest gift for your favorite adventuresome guy.  If your man loves the fresh air and is environmentally conscious, he will be “styling” in his new belt – made from recycled bicycle tire.  Even the belt buckle is made from recycled bicycle parts.  http://www.recycledacc.com/

ecoist.com

For the Original Gal:  Women of all ages will enjoy receiving a pocketbook made from recycled newspapers.  Ecoist.com has an assortment of handbags made from candy wrappers, soda labels and various recycled materials.  Each product is original as no two can be alike.  Even your young teenager will love this planet friendly purse.  http://www.ecoist.com/

For the Chocolate Lover: 

Dagobachocolate

Nothing speaks of love like chocolate!  Dagoba chocolates are organic, non-GMO and produced by fair trade labor.  Place a chocolate bar in your significant other’s stocking.  What a nice surprise!  www.dagobachocolate.com

Arteco

For The Gizmo & Gadget Lover:  Arteco repurposes electronic items such as industrial, aerospace and military technology into new items.  This is so very imaginative!  Check out this new clock made from recycled computer cabinets:  http://www.arteco.com/c15.htm



Zazzle

For the Person Who Has Everything:  There is not one single person who cannot benefit from a cloth tote.  With virtually every purchase, we acquire plastic bags.  Our consumption of plastic is ridiculous!  Whenever you go to the store, whether it is a grocery store or a department store, you can bring your own bags to cut down on plastic consumption.  Zazzle.com has a wide assortment of cloth totes with silhouettes that are fun and stylish.  Select one for that special someone and, while you’re at it, pick up one for yourself.  www.zazzle.com/silhouette+bags

Don't forget to whisper in Santa's ear what you want

INNER BEAUTY WORKSHOP CLASSES ARE FORMING.  PLEASE SEE MY WEBSITE: WWW.INNERBEAUTYWORKSHOPS.COM FOR DETAILS OR EMAIL ME AT:  CHRISTINE@INNERBEAUTYWORKSHOPS.COM.

MY BLOG HAS BEEN NOMINATED FOR BEST BLOG ON LONG ISLAND.  PLEASE FOLLOW THIS LINK TO PLACE A VOTE FOR ME:  http://www.longislandblogposts.com/voteforblog/innerbeautyworkshops

Don’t Stand So Close To Me…..

That lovely smell of sweet perfume!  How many times have you sat in a car with someone who seems like they poured the entire bottle of perfume over their head or been in an elevator with someone who just reeked of cologne?   How many times have you smelled the perfume or cologne of somebody who just casually walks by you in a store or even on the street?  There’s nothing like getting a whiff of chemicals drifting in the fresh air! Once you smell someone else’s fragrance, it has entered your system.  This is why I have to say, ”DON'T STAND SO CLOSE TO ME!”

I am constantly advocating that you read the labels of what you put in your mouth to avoid chemicals that are in our foods.  You must also read the label of the items that you put on your skin.  Woman today soak up over 5lbs of beauty products each year.  The reason is because the skin is the biggest organ on the body and whatever you put on it gets absorbed into your system.   In our grandparents’ generation, the amount of chemicals in personal care products was measurably less.  The personal care products that we use today are not the same as the ones our grandparents’ used.  A lot of what's toxic to the environment and our bodies was produced after World War II.  The amount of chemicals in today's personal care products boggles the mind!   What’s even worse is the fact that these chemicals are NOT regulated by our government or any other independent agency.  Why…you ask?  The reason is because our government doesn’t have the time or the manpower to test every new chemical that comes onto the market.  What this means is that any perfume or cologne manufacturer is free to use whatever ingredient they want without approval by any governmental agency.  As a consequence, you and I have to play detective and read labels before we put something on our skin.  I decided to see what the ingredients were in, what many years ago, used to be my favorite perfume……

Elizabeth Arden (5^th Avenue):  Alcohol Denat, Fragrance (Parfum), Water (Aqua), Benzophenone-2, BHT, Propylene Glycol, FD&C Yellow No. 5, D & C Orange No 4, D & C Red No. 33, FD&C Blue No.1

Now it’s time to look up some of these ingredients in book, “What’s In Your Food?” by Bill Statham:

Benzophenone-2	Fixative, UV absorber	Photo allergic reactions; contact sensitivity; toxic when injected; toxic to aquatic organisms
BHT	Preservative	Chronic hives, dermatitis, fatigue, asthma, aggressive behavior, bronchospasm, may affect stomach, liver, kidneys and reproduction: possible carcinogen, toxic to aquatic organisms.
Propylene Glycol	Carrier or extraction solvent Humectant	Skin and eye irritation, dry skin; respiratory immune, skin and neurotoxicity, depression and kidney damage in animals.
FD&C Yellow No. 5	Coloring	Dermatitis, concentration difficulties, depression, hay fever, learning difficulties, headache, hives, asthma, skin rash, behavioral problems, swelling of lips and tongue, anaphylaxis, insomnia, confusion.
D&C Orange No 4	Colorant	Can cause health effects including skin rash, allergic reactions, asthma
D&C Red No. 33	Colorant	“               “
FD&C Blue No. 1	Coloring	Asthma, hay fever, allergic reactions, caused tumors in animal studies.

Is it me or is this absolutely insane!!!!!  I not only don’t want chemically infested perfumes and colognes on my body, but I don’t want to smell the perfume YOU are wearing.  Remember, what I said above, that whenever you smell something, it has already entered your system.  There is no reason to wear perfume or cologne.  Please…repeat after me…clean has no scent, clean has no scent, clean has no scent!

If you feel you absolutely cannot go without wearing perfume or cologne, there are plenty of natural and essential oils you can wear.  These are nontoxic, safe and readily available at your local health food store.  If you decide to keep wearing your favorite cologne and/or perfume even after seeing the dangerous chemicals on the ingredient list, please do me a favor and  …..”DON’T STAND SO CLOSE TO ME!”

Don't touch the bottles on the vanity!

(This is my opinion, protected by my First Amendment Right of Freedom of Speech)

References:

Statham, Bill “What’s In Your Food,” Running Press Book Publishers, Philadelphia: 2006

INNER BEAUTY WORKSHOP CLASSES ARE FORMING.  PLEASE SEE MY WEBSITE: WWW.INNERBEAUTYWORKSHOPS.COM FOR DETAILS OR EMAIL ME AT:  CHRISTINE@INNERBEAUTYWORKSHOPS.COM.

MY BLOG HAS BEEN NOMINATED FOR BEST BLOG ON LONG ISLAND.  PLEASE FOLLOW THIS LINK TO PLACE A VOTE FOR ME:  http://www.longislandblogposts.com/voteforblog/innerbeautyworkshops

Inner Beauty Workshops – Field Trip! Little Portion Friary, Mount Sinai

At holiday time, we are so busy trying to juggle and get everything done that we lose sight of its importance and significance.   Instead of going in and out of malls purchasing items for my kids that they do not need, I decided to volunteer at a Friary located in my town.  (http://www.littleportionfriary.net/) The Franciscan Brothers have been baking bread, starting as early as 4 a.m., on Friday morning for over 25 years.  They sell the bread to help keep their ministry funded.  They welcome volunteers to help them make the bread, especially since they can make up to 105 loaves at a time!  The experience uplifted me and I felt wonderful to contribute to the community in which I live.

@Little Portion Friary

I joined Ed O’Connell  and Pam Wolfskill, both volunteers, at 6 a.m last Friday morning to help them bake cinnamon raisin bread.  We made 35 loaves of bread in a small, hot kitchen.  I enjoyed learning the “secret recipe,” which contained 16 lbs of flour and over 16 cups of raisins.  I even operated the mixer, which was almost as tall as I was.  Where can you ever do anything as cool as that?

In addition to the bakery, I also had a tour of the chapel, gift shop and living quarters.  The Franciscan Brothers take three vows upon becoming monks: a vow of poverty, a vow of chastity and a vow of obedience.  I certainly could see the vow of poverty reflected in their living quarters.  The premises screamed “simplicity.”   A word we often forget in our race to outdo our neighbor.  There is something very serene and peaceful about simple living that you just cannot capture unless you experience it. 

While waiting for the bread to rise, Pam took me on a tour of the grounds.  I was surprised to see a Labyrinth, which is a walking meditation.  A Labyrinth is not to be confused with a maze.  A Labyrinth has only one opening with walking paths that lead you to a center.  There are three parts to a labyrinth and here’s what they signify:  the walking in, which is for contemplation and letting go; the center, which signifies “enlightenment” or reaching your goal; and walking back out, which signifies spiritual rejuvenation.  A Labyrinth is symbolic of life’s journey, as long as you put one foot in front of the other, you will reach your destination. 

The Labyrinth @ Little Portion Friary, Mount Sinai

 

I wasn’t quite sure how I was going to feel as I set foot inside the labyrinth.  I found myself slowly following the path, looking at my feet while I was taking my steps.  I thought of what it would be like to reach the center, which meant for me, reaching my goals.  Step-by-step I progressed until I noticed I was actually on a row behind the previous one.  The structure of a labyrinth is curves of rows going forward and then backward.  In life when we are trying to ascertain a goal, how many times do we feel like we take three steps forward than two steps back?   I knew I had to keep going forward; I couldn’t turn around because if I did, I would never reach the center.  When I finally reached the piece of soil in the center of the Labyrinth, I felt elated!  As I turned around in a complete 360, I saw all the paths, with their twists and turns, that lead me to the center.  I had to smile as I marveled that I had reached my goal. What a wild road it would be…but it is doable!  I CAN DO IT!  As I left the center on my way back out, I felt hopeful, inspired and renewed.   My plan for the future was realized….just put one foot in front of the other.  What an amazing experience!  Everybody who walks a Labyrinth will have a different spiritual experience.  Why not find one near you and try it?  Look at this website to see if there is a Labyrinth in your area:   http://labyrinthsociety.org/about-tls

Walking the Labyrinth

Reaching the Center

Walking out @ feeling elated!

Once I got home from the Little Portion Friary, I had to go back to bed.  My body’s not used to getting up so early.  However, it was so worth it!  Those few early hours affected me in ways that are indescribable!

INNER BEAUTY WORKSHOP CLASSES ARE FORMING.  PLEASE SEE MY WEBSITE: WWW.INNERBEAUTYWORKSHOPS.COM FOR DETAILS OR EMAIL ME AT:  CHRISTINE@INNERBEAUTYWORKSHOPS.COM.

MY BLOG HAS BEEN NOMINATED FOR BEST BLOG ON LONG ISLAND.  PLEASE FOLLOW THIS LINK TO PLACE A VOTE FOR ME:  http://www.longislandblogposts.com/voteforblog/innerbeautyworkshops

“Cutting Corners”

My Mom often uses the phrase, “cut corners.”  When I look up the definition in the dictionary, it says ”to do something in the fastest and easiest way.”   I often communicate to my client’s the exact opposite message.  I encourage them to take their time in accomplishing tasks.  In order to master something, one must strive.  This is how you excel, by putting your blood, sweat, tears and heart into something and doing it to the best of your capability.  At first whatever feat you are attempting will seem impossible, hard and you will feel like you cannot accomplish it.  The trick is to keep at it.  Once you keep at it, you will establish a repetition.  Repetition leads to habit.  Habit leads to mastery.  This is great advice, but not always realistic, especially in today’s busy and fast paced world.  Today time eludes us and circumstances prevent us from accomplishing all we desire to do.  We may find ourselves overcommitted, overstretched, overtired and overburdened with life’s tasks.  Under certain  circumstances, it is okay to “cut corners.”  I find the holidays the most overwhelming because on top of my regular responsibilities, I have to perform all the customary traditional obligations like preparing the Thanksgiving meal, shopping for Christmas gifts, etc.  Luckily, there are really good and helpful businesses around that you can use to “cut corners.”  The best is that these companies fit within a healthy lifestyle so you don’t have to compromise your beliefs!   

Let’s say you are way too busy or simply unable to cook Thanksgiving Dinner.  Instead of getting overwhelmed, look around and see if you can find a company where you can order a healthy pre-made dinner.  Whole Foods offers this service…one of the many reasons why I love this company!  I recently visited Whole Foods in Lake Grove and talked to Denise, their sales representative and she explained to me Whole Foods holiday menu.  Depending how many guests you have, you can order an entire Thanksgiving dinner for pick up at any of their convenient locations.  Turkey and all the fixings, pies and various desserts are available.  The meal will not be completely organic but will be free from preservatives, foods dyes and other harmful substances that you would typically find at your standard supermarket.  Did I tell you cranberry sauce does not come from a can and shouldn’t include High Fructose Corn Syrup?  You won’t find HFCS in your Thanksgiving meal from Whole Foods.  What a great option to “cut the corner” if you don’t have the time to cook.  Whole Foods Thanksgiving menu can be seen by following this link:  http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com   Please don’t despair if you don’t have a Whole Foods in your vicinity, ask your local health food store for suggestions.   You will be surprised at the options.



With Denise @ Whole Foods - Holiday Order Desk



Whole Foods - Holiday Menu

Maybe you have time to cook, but not enough time to clean the house.  There are wonderful companies who provide “green” cleaning services like Teresa’s Family Cleaning in Rocky Point.  I met with Tai, a representative from Teresa’s and she explained that they use green cleaning products because “within 26 seconds after exposure to chemicals, they can be found in every organ of the body.”  They also use an Electrolux with a HEPA filtration system to prevent the dust and dirt, accumulated from your carpet and floors, from being blown into the air.  It’s wonderful to see a company who takes into consideration the welfare of the people they service as well as the health and safety of their own employees.  Chemical free cleaning is the wave of the future.  Information on Teresa’s Family Cleaning can be found on their website: http://www.teresasfamilycleaning.com/  If you are not from Long Island, ask around in your area and see if any of your local cleaning services offer green cleaning.  Remember, the last thing you want to accompany your turkey is bleach and ammonia. 



Tai from Teresa's Family Cleaning



Teresa's Family Cleaning Literature

The most important activity about the holidays is spending it with your loved ones.  Don’t despair if you have to “cut corners.”  It will give you time to enjoy what truly matters in life.  Inner Beauty Workshops wishes you a ….

Happy Thanksgiving!

REFERENCES

http://www.audioenglish.net/dictionary/cut_corners.htm

INNER BEAUTY WORKSHOP CLASSES ARE FORMING.  PLEASE SEE MY WEBSITE: WWW.INNERBEAUTYWORKSHOPS.COM FOR DETAILS OR EMAIL ME AT:  CHRISTINE@INNERBEAUTYWORKSHOPS.COM.

MY BLOG HAS BEEN NOMINATED FOR BEST BLOG ON LONG ISLAND.  PLEASE FOLLOW THIS LINK TO PLACE A VOTE FOR ME:  http://www.longislandblogposts.com/voteforblog/innerbeautyworkshops