By Beverly Meyer, http://tinyurl.com/3blfxuh

I was listening recently to a radio show on skin cancer. The speakers were completely focused on blocking the sun’s rays as THE cause of and protection from skin cancer.

They never discussed the disturbing studies on the toxicity of sunscreens, and they never discussed the link between hydrogenated oils (trans fats) in the diet, and chemicals in skin care products and in our food and water as additional known causes of skin cancer.

Hydrogenated oils are chemically altered fats, not found in nature, and are ubiquitous in our fast foods, baked goods, chips, salad dressings, cereals, margarine, fried foods, restaurant foods, and more. In addition to collecting in the liver and other organs, they poison the skin cells that use our natural cholesterol to react with the sun to form Vitamin D.

These vegetable oils are entirely non-native to Humans as we never ate vegetable oils until very recently in our history. (It takes a lot of factory know-how to extract the oil from genetically modified corn and safflower seeds).They are toxic to us, and accumulate in our livers, helping to cause fatty liver disease, weight gain and high triglycerides. The next newsletter will contain an article on hydrogenated oils for you….
Let’s talk about sunscreens a bit.

First of all, our modern obsession with skin cancer and skin aging is/was unknown to traditional farmers, ranchers and hunters who spent their lives outside (before hydrogenated oils and toxic skin care products and environmental chemicals became ubiquitous).

Humans turn brown in the sun by producing melanin to protect the skin. Humans evolving in equatorial climates developed dark skin. Those who then migrated to cooler climates with less direct sun developed light skin. So, our skin understands sunlight and knows how to handle it.

But if you have light skin, and want to be outside in the sun, what do you do?

The FIRST line of defense is shade, hats, and clothing. And limiting the length of sun exposure so you do not burn.

And, as the Environmental Working Group says at www.ewg.org, choose “mineral” sunscreens over “chemical” sunscreens. The “mineral” sunscreens will usually use that term right on the label. More on this in a minute…

Here are some facts about sunscreens.

1). Sunscreens prevent sunburn, but beyond that, surprisingly little is known about their safety or efficacy. They do NOT protect against radiation damage.

2). There is NO consensus on whether sunscreens prevent skin cancer. The FDA said in 2007 that “The FDA is not aware of data demonstrating that sunscreen use alone helps to prevent skin cancer”.

3). There is some evidence that sunscreen use may actually INCREASE the risk of melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer. Why? Perhaps because we stay in the sun’s radiation longer, or the free radicals released in sunscreen chemicals break down in sunlight, playing a role in “poisoning” the skin.

4). There is no proof whatsoever that SPF’s over 50 are of increased value. Indeed, SPF 15 is all we really need and can utilize. The rest is just marketing.

5). Sun screens block Vitamin D, one of the most important of all vitamins.

6). Topical Vitamin A reacts to sunlight and forms compounds that may increase development of skin cancer. 40% of all sunscreens have retinyl palmitate in them and should NOT be used. (It’s OK if your skin lotions and night moisturizers have Vitamin A – just don’t sit in the sun with them).

7). Both UV radiation and many common sunscreen ingredients generate free radicals that damage DNA and skin cells, accelerate aging, and CAUSE skin cancer. If you use too little screen, or apply it too infrequently, it can cause MORE free radical damage than UV rays on the bare skin. Tanning beds are prime offenders as they use focused ionizing radiation.

8). So we have 3 choices. First, take your sun when the sun is not directly overhead. Add a hat, light clothing, shoes, and some shade. If you are to get direct sun, cover what you can, and choose your sunscreen carefully.

Secondly, the best screens use Zinc or Titanium as mineral blockers to prevent the sun entering your skin.

They are stable in the sun (which “chemical” sunscreens are not), they don’t penetrate the skin and move toxic substances into the body, and they offer UVA protection (which “chemical” screens do not).

The best brands, according to the Environmental Working Group, include Aubrey, Badger, California Baby, Jason, Kabana, Loving Naturals, and Soleo Organics. I would try Whole Foods, SunHarvest, or the Internet or other Health Stores for these.

Thirdly, chemical screens can be extremely dangerous and I do not recommend them to anyone. Your body absorbs these man-made chemicals and, as said above, they may actually do harm to the skin. I know they do harm to your liver!

That being said, the best chemical brand is Coppertone, especially these particular products: Ultra Guard Sunscreen Lotion SPF 15; Oil-Free Lotion SPF 15; and Sport Sunblock SPF 15.

9). Last but not least. Change ALL your skin care products to organic, natural, chemical- free goods with no parabens, no SLS, no colors, fragrances, or five syllable words! Anything you put on your skin goes into your body. Check out our line of skin care products at www.dreamous.com. And remember…..

If it’s not good enough to eat with a fork, don’t put it on your skin…

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Article by Tim Link, http://tinyurl.com/6hxrlj4

Reiki (pronounced ray-key) energy healing is a gentle, painless, yet powerful modality that works on all living things – human and animal. Animals in particular are receptive to Reiki, because they have a higher energy frequency running through their bodies than humans do.

Reiki helps balance animals physically, mentally and emotionally. Reiki is based on two Japanese words – Rei meaning universal consciousness and Ki meaning life energy. Reiki is an ancient healing modality that was originally practiced by Tibetan Buddhists. Dr. Mikao Usui re-discovered Reiki and began to practice and teach this method of energy healing.

Reiki began being taught in the Western world and has grown into a popular and effective form of energy healing.Reiki can be used for distance as well as hands-on healing. Because Reiki consists of the same Universal Life Energy that makes every living thing alive, any living thing can be helped by Reiki energy. Throughout the body there are energy areas called chakras. Chakra is a Sanskrit word which means “wheel of light”.

Humans have seven main chakras. Animals have the same seven chakras plus one additional chakra known as the brachial chakra. The brachial chakra in an animal is the beginning point for clearing chakras in animals. Each of the other chakras also regulate a specific area of the body.

However, all of the chakras work together to keep the body’s energy aligned and flowing smoothly. When there is a physical or emotional issue within the body, the chakras will become blocked and energy will not flow properly through it. Which chakra(s) that are blocked will depend on the area of the body affected. Until the chakra is cleared of its blockage, the issue will remain.

Reiki works throughout the body and each chakra. Reiki will work on each chakra to create a positive energy flow and remove any energy blockages that may exist. Reiki works to alleviate the emotional and physical issues within animals and humans, bringing harmony and balance.

Sometimes, when I provide Reiki energy to an animal during a consultation, the animal will become very relaxed and sometimes will even fall asleep. Other times the animal will become invigorated and energized. Each animal will react in the way that the Reiki energy best suits them. The length of a Reiki energy session depends on how much healing the animal feels it needs.

Once the animal has absorbed all of the energy it feels it needs, it will slowly awaken and walk away. Often, in my experience, before walking away, the animal will give me a sign of affection as a way to say, “Thank you”. This has usually taken the form of a ‘nose nuzzle’, ‘love lick’ or ‘love nibble’.

Reiki energy can be given on a regular basis to your animals or as needed. Because it is a gentle and non-invasive energy modality, it can be used safely with all animals. Reiki energy works with all animals no matter the age, size or type. Reiki energy is not just for the sick or injured. Reiki energy can be used to maintain the general well being of an animal. Reiki energy can also be used as a preventative to any potential illness or ailment.

Please keep in mind that Reiki is typically used as a complimentary therapy and is not a substitute for veterinary care.

Tim Link, President and CEO of Link’s Wagging Tales, Inc., is an animal communicator and Reiki energy healer for animals. He is also past President of the Humane Society of Forsyth County (Georgia) and a member of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s AJC pets expert panel. For more information about Tim, visit http://www.wagging-tales.com/

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