Get Rid of Parasites with These Foods and Herbs

Sure international travel can be a great experience, although you may accidentally bring back some unwanted visitors. But actually, you don't even have to leave the USA to pick up parasites. They're already here and fairly common. This article has some great tips.  I can vouch for papaya seeds. http://umm.edu/health/medical/altmed/condition/intestinal-parasites

Here is info on the lifecycle of pinworms (Enterobius vermicularis). The eggs can become airborne, and other persons can become infected by handling dirty clothes and bedsheets. I consider this a good reason to do my own laundry weekly (as a worker in a laundry mat might logically be more likely to have pinworm eggs on their clothing. Here's more info http://www.cdc.gov/parasites/pinworm/biology.html
http://www.emedicinehealth.com/pinworms/page6_em.htm#pinworms_treatment

Toxoplasma Gondii ("crazy cat lady virus") might be more challenging to get of,  but well worth the effort considering the damage it can do. I read somewhere that toasted and lightly ground flax seeds, -- combined with 2% cloves -- (sprinkled into soup of stew) can get rid of Toxo. I'll look for the source and update this post later.

Reasons to Use Birth Control When You Don't Want to Get Pregnant

Beautiful photos and great info here:
http://www.emedicinehealth.com/slideshow_stages_of_pregnancy_pictures/article_em.htm

Combining birth control methods can increase probability of preventing unwanted pregnancy. Worked for me.  

Histamine Is Not All Bad

Rather than just depending on anti-histamine drugs to treat allergy symptoms, in my opinion the better strategy is to find out what you are allergic to and take steps to avoid, filter or eliminate your contact with the allergens. I only use anti-histamine as a last resort, preferring to breathe through an N95 mask, scarf or my T-shirt when I encounter allergens in public -- and vigilantly remove allergens in my home. 

"Histamine is best known as a mediator of allergic reactions, but it is now recognized to participate in numerous other normal and pathologic processes."

http://arbl.cvmbs.colostate.edu/hbooks/pathphys/endocrine/otherendo/histamine.html

What Does Histamine Do?

http://www.news-medical.net/health/What-Does-Histamine-Do.aspx

The Functions of Histamine

http://sepa.duq.edu/regmed/immune/histamine.html

Why I Don't Allow Memory Foam in My Apartment

This entry sums it up well:

"The United States Environmental Protection Agency published two documents proposing National Emissions Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (HAP) concerning hazardous emissions produced during the making of flexible polyurethane foam products.[10] The HAP emissions associated with polyurethane foam production include methylene chloride, toluene diisocyanate, methyl chloroform, methylene diphenyl diisocyanate, propylene oxide, diethanolamine, methyl ethyl ketone, methanol, and toluene however not all chemical emissions associated with the production of these material have been classified. Methylene chloride makes up over 98 percent of the total HAP emissions from this industry. Short-term exposure to high concentrations of methylene chloride also irritates the nose and throat. The effects of chronic (long-term) exposure to methylene chloride in humans involve the central nervous system, and include headaches, dizziness, nausea, and memory loss. Animal studies indicate that inhalation of methylene chloride affects the liver, kidney, and cardiovascular system. [11]"

[10]  Federal Register / Vol. 61, No. 250 / Friday, December 27, 1996 / Proposed Rule: Environmental Protection Agency and Environmental Protection Agency Federal Register / Vol. 63, No. 194 /Wednesday, October 7, 1998 /Rules and Regulations

[11]  Environmental Protection Agency Federal Register / Vol. 63, No. 194 /Wednesday, October 7, 1998 /Rules and Regulations

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Memory_foam#Hazards

Harmless Ways To Keep Insects Out of Your Home

Cockroaches spread diseases and trigger asthma. Bedbugs suck blood, trigger lawsuits and demand expensive, extensive efforts at eradication. What's a person to do?

Insecticides are potent neurotoxins which can adversely effect human health. Therefore it's in our interest to take these simple steps to prevent an infestation, and use insecticides as last resort:

1. Because cockroaches easily chew through cardboard and plastic, keep all food inside airtight glass jars and/or he refrigerator/freezer. Save jars and glass juice bottles, wash and dry them; or buy mason jars at hardware or kitchen supply stores. (You can find really big mason jars that are easy to use).
2. Put all take-out food containers and discarded food wrappers inside the refrigerator until you take them to the downstairs trash bins.
3. Put sanitary pads and nail clippings inside airtight jars until you take them to the downstairs trash, because cockroaches will eat blood and nail clippings.  
4. Put dish soap and hot water in dirty pans; and also wash all dirty dishes (including glasses) within one hour.
5. Stop using fruity and/or flowery smelling detergents, soaps, shampoos, conditioners, and "air fresheners." Replace them with the more neutral coconut and shea butter based products (such as Everyday Coconut) in addition to using peppermint soap (such as Nubian Heritage hand soap or Alaffia African Black Soap with Peppermint) because cockroaches hate peppermint. Replace "air fresheners" with pure baking soda that you find in the baking supplies aisle in grocery stores. Replace fruity/flowery dish soap with one that has lemongrass as an ingredient, because mosquitos hate lemongrass. Replace scented, petroleum/chemical based laundry detergent with unscented, sodium based laundry detergents such as Planet or 365 Everyday. (The sea creatures will be grateful, and so will your skin). 
6. Avoid drinking beer at home or immediately wash beer containers with soap, because cockroaches love beer. 
7. Replace sweet tasting toothpaste which attracts cockroaches to your toothbrush with peppermint toothpaste (such as Desert Essence) which will repel cockroaches.
8. Fix leaks and/or put Ajax with Bleach inside drip catching pans. 
9. Keep clothing purchases inside airtight plastic bags until you launder them (preferably in hot water). 
10. Do NOT bring home clothing or furniture you find on the street.
11. Do NOT buy mattresses from companies that allow customers to return or exchange them.
12. Seal bags and boxes anytime you're going to ride a bus, train, taxicab, rented vehicle, airplane, boat, ship -- or even a friend's car/truck -- since these may harbor insects that would love to hitch a ride and return to your home. 
13. Purchase soft luggage bags that you can wash in hot water when you return from out-of-town. Keep them wrapped in air-right plastic until washing them in hot water.
14. Place luggage inside the bathtub immediately upon entering your hotel room. Inspect mattresses, bed frame, behind pictures, nightstand, luggage rack and closet for bedbugs. Bring a flashlight as bedbugs nymphs are pale, and bedbugs only turn dark when full of blood.
15. Personally inspect furniture and books for bedbugs before purchasing them, or immediately upon receiving them. Be aware that IKEA products are (reportedly) sometimes infested with bedbugs.
16. Instead of purchasing upholstered furniture, purchase wood, bamboo, metal or fiberglass furniture with removable cushions that have covers you can take off and wash. 
17. Seal cracks and joins in furniture, and in walls, cabinets and floorboards with joint compound -- which you can purchase at hardware stores.
18. Put screens on your windows. 
19. Avoid wearing colognes, perfumes, and scented deodorants which attract mosquitos (and other winged, stinging insects). Instead, put whole cloves (anti-bacterial and smell good) and lemongrass (smells good and repels mosquitos) in your pockets AND wear unscented deodorant (such as Lafes) with a thin dusting of pure baking soda to seal it.   

B12 is Vital to Nerves, Red Blood Cells and DNA

My B12 intake is from:
Canned Sardines 
3oz Serving (85g) (126% DV)
Beef 
3oz Serving (85g) 5.1μg (85% DV)
Parmesan Cheese 
1oz Serving (28g) 0.9μg (11% DV)
Chicken Eggs 
Per Whole Egg (50g) 0.36μg (6% DV)

http://www.healthaliciousness.com/articles/foods-high-in-vitamin-B12.php

"B-12 affects every cell in your body because of its role in your circulatory system...[It] helps you to make heme, the component of your red blood cells that allows them to supply every tissue in your body with oxygen."
http://healthyeating.sfgate.com/b12-found-eggs-dairy-8075.html

"It’s critical you meet your daily B12 requirements (adults require 2.4 micrograms a day) since the body relies on a steady intake to make and repair DNA, to produce red blood cells and to keep your nervous system working properly. Vitamin B12 is also used to convert carbohydrates, proteins and fats in foods into energy compounds the body can use."
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/health-and-fitness/ask-a-health-expert/how-can-i-get-enough-vitamin-b12-if-i-dont-eat-meat/article16777645/

"Common Signs of  B12 Deficiency:

• Weakness, fatigue or low energy
• Shortness of breath
• Heart palpitations
• Loss of appetite
• Digestive issues such as diarrhea or constipation
• Frequent bruising or bleeding
• Anemia
• Depression or mood issues
• Numbness and tingling in hands or feet
• Brain fog, memory loss, confusion, dementia

"If ignored, a B12 deficiency can affect the entire body, leading to permanent brain and nerve damage. Sometimes B12 deficiencies can be overlooked and misdiagnosed as other disorders like Alzheimer’s, multiple sclerosis, bipolar disorder, autism, and some cancers.

"How do I get more B12?

• Eat a diet rich in animal protein

• Consume a high-dose oral supplement of methylcobalamin (methyl-B12)

• Take sublingual methyl-B12 drops 

• Get B12 shots"

http://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-10776/everything-you-need-to-know-about-b12-deficiency.html

"In the past, spurious claims have been made that certain fermented soya foods such as miso, tamari and tempeh are rich in vitamin B12; the B12 content of these foods may vary widely and cannot be depended on as a reliable source. Furthermore there have been claims that the algae spirulina and the seaweed nori contain significant amounts of B12. However, the current consensus now is that they contain compounds structurally similar to B12, known as B12 analogues, which may disrupt normal B12 metabolism by competing with B12 for absorption. It is wise to assume that no plant foods can be relied on as an adequate source of vitamin B12. While vegetarians may obtain some of their B12 from free-range eggs and dairy products, vegans must obtain their B12 from fortified foods. To ensure that you get enough vitamin B12 become a label reader! If the food is fortified then B12 will be listed in the list of ingredients (how much is present will be given in the nutritional information)."

http://www.vegetarian.org.uk/factsheets/b12factsheet.html