Q&A Wednesday: Activated Charcoal

Here's a question *I* asked in the ETL group that I belong to (and receive AMAZING help and wisdom, I might add.)

Q:  Now that I've kicked my intense coffee drinking addiction, how can I whiten my teeth without an expensive trip to the dentist?

A:  Oil pulling (which, is out for me as I don't have any essential oils at this time)

A:  Activated Charcoal.

Really?  I HAVE that stuff sitting in my cabinet.  In fact, I've had it in there for several years now and it's still in it's sealed container. Sure enough, I was given this helpful link with the step by step on how to whiten my teeth by coating them with lovely blackness. I'm eager to give it a try. :)

You see, I was told that AC is useful for dealing with stomach cramping and GI issues. I bought some but then have always been too chicken to use the stuff. It's sat unopened on the shelf ever since.

That same week I asked about teeth whitening I was hit with some kind of virus. I'm at this strange place where I can't always tell if I'm really sick or not. But, one day my stomach was cramping so intensely, I was on the floor breathing through it like labor pains. It was bad, folks.

I remembered that AC and had no qualms about finding some potential relief.  As soon as I was able to do it, I swallowed two capsules and sipped one that had been mixed in with some hot water.  Instant relief.  Amazing.

Here is a helpful article on how to use AC for treating stomach flu and possibly preventing it. 

AC is useful in removing toxins from your body, hence it's effectiveness in whitening teeth and dealing with those pesky microscopic bad guys that are wreaking havoc on your innards.  With the amount of sickness I hear about right now, I'm thinking this stuff is going to be a real friend to many families.

There are cautions with using it, though.  Don't take it if you are on any medications. It will leach the usefulness of those from your system as well.  Be certain to talk with your doctor, especially while pregnant, before you use any forms of supplements for your health. (I have to tell you to do that, okay?)

I'll keep you posted on my teeth whitening progress. *bigcheesyalbeitcoffeestainedsmile*

Q&A Wednesday: Resources?

Oh my, did I sleep in today! ACK!  This needs to be ultra brief. ;)

Question from a friend:  What resources do you like to use for health?

Answer:

Books:  Alive! By Dr. Scot Stoll; End of Diabetes by Dr. Joel Furhman, Eat to Live by Dr. Joel Furhman, Disease Proof Your Child by Dr. Joel Furhman

Documentaries:  Forks Over Knives; Fat, Sick, and Nearly Dead; Chow Down; Hungry for Change; Food, Inc.; King Corn; and there are others on my list that I'm hoping to watch, including Back to Eden Gardening.

I've also found some talks and brief videos helpful to watch on youtube.  Some names that I look for and learn from: 

Dr. Scott Stoll
Look for his videos to watch on the internet. They are fantastic!

Dr. McDougall

Rip Esselstyn

And I love to watch anything I can find there by Dr. Scott Stoll and Dr. Furhman.

Another resource I like is the site, NutritionFacts.org where Dr. Michael Gregor writes many articles and does short video clips on current research. I like his straightforward approach. I like having a short video to think on with further research articles to investigate when I have time.

For research I'm working on, especially when I want to dig into a matter to find the real science behind it, I've been using PubMed.gov

Other online resources:
drfurhman.com
diseaseproof.com
fullyalivetoday.com
theplantbasedpharmacist.com

You are welcome to visit my Pinterest Health board to look over more articles and links I've either read or am planning to read as I continue to learn and better understand this great way of life.

I hope this is helpful!  Please, enjoy your research, but, ultimately, remember, the Lord has the answer for you. Don't get so encumbered with man's teachings that you give up altogether. My time with the Lord during my Daniel Fast (which I journaled daily here. Click on the side cloud to read if you'd like) was the key for me to knowing exactly how the Lord wanted me to move forward regarding my health and healing.  Having the confidence that the Lord has clearly directed this path for me keeps me from the confusion and fear that used to leave me frustrated and without conviction to stay firm on my course.

Side note:  I've gotten in two workouts this week using dvds called The Firm.  They are intense enough to make me feel it in my thighs and core muscles.  Good stuff. :D