I Gotta Tell You About My Omega Improved Eyesight Story

Dear Readers,

I don't usually do this but I am  overjoyed and just had to share this with you.  This is just a total brag story about my improved health.  I have never been able to eat Omega's. I am not much of a fish fan.... I am improving but still pretty picky about fish,  I also cannot stand the fishy burp. It was enough to keep this picky girl from taking them even though I knew they were beneficial to my health.

I cannot tell you how excited I am that I am taking these Juice Plus plant based Omegas.  My eyesight has started to improve so much since November of 2017, I started taking the Omega's along with my other Juice Plus+ capsules as soon as they were made available to me.  I heard they may help eyesight but you know me I was mildly skeptical since my eyesight has been on a steady decline since the 5th grade.

So I was hoping to see "some" improvement as some of my colleagues were claiming   About 4 months ago I noticed that my glasses were bothering me, quite a bit  Then, I noticed one morning that I had been watching television without my glasses and had not even noticed they were off.  I truly have never been able to see TV without them or contacts.  Seriously, I am that girl that laid my glasses on the bed and they fell off onto the floor and 30 minutes later I was still searching the floor for them. Thankfully, my husband came in and helped me, so back to my story, one year later and my eyesight is now  +.50 and .+75 better for vision in each eye.  I asked for my prescription because I was so shocked I guess I was still in denial.  Well folks  the truth is on the paper.  Huge improvement for me I am beyond excited.

Here is some additional  information videos if interested from Juice Plus+ 

SafeShare versions of all 4 of the new Juice Plus+ Product Omega Blend videos.

https://safeshare.tv/x/ss59ecfadc765ab

https://safeshare.tv/x/k89bVFLx3ps

https://safeshare.tv/x/UaqHPuVX_uw

https://safeshare.tv/x/ss59ecfc3d48eef

Natural Ways to Relieve Anxiety

by Cindy Pitts Gilbert for June  2018 Gwinnett Citizen 

Dear Sister Knowitall,

photocredit: holylandprayer.com

Can you recommend a natural anxiety solution? Lots of stress at home, husband lost his job and I am anxiety ridden person anyhow...please help? I don’t want pharma s.
~Sincerely, Angst Girl in Atlanta

Dear Angst Girl in Atlanta,
Yoga, walking, and meditation. Lots of awesome videos are available to teach you how to let go of outcomes which can be a cause of anxiety. If you feel overly connected to the outcome of an event it can cause a great deal of stress. Just concentrate on doing your best and allow whatever happens to just happen. Most of what we anticipate going wrong never happens, so we have wasted a lot of time we could have been enjoying. Lavender essential oil calms you. Chamomile Tea as well. Worry is a state of mind that changes nothing. Give your attention to what you can change. What you cannot change is wasted energy. Be present in the moment; the past is but a memory and the future is an illusion. Be grateful for the gift of the present and for what you do have now. You will be surprised how much anxiety that will relieve. Lemon Balm tea is also great for sleep and relaxation. Raise your oxytocin levels with puppy and baby pictures or videos, it helps lower stress hormones. Take deep breaths all the way to the bottom of your lungs. Count to 5 and do it again 5 times. This also helps to increase levels of oxygen in your blood. Use the App “Breathe.a” Spend 15 minutes a day in the sun to increase vitamin D levels naturally. Lastly, yawn it also releases cortisol from the body. Be happy.

Published: 2018-06-24 21:03

Scents of the Season

by Cindy Pitts Gilbert December 2017 Gwinnett Citizen

Dear Sister Knowitall,
I am looking for natural alternatives for my home for the holidays I want to avoid candles and store-bought scents if possible. Can you help? ~ Nosey Nelda Mistletoe

Dear Nosey Nelda,
There are so many alternatives to artificial scents for the Holidays. Here are a few simple scents of the Season;

Easy Hot Apple Cider 
Place apples in a large stockpot and add enough water cover by at least 2 inches. Stir in sugar, cinnamon, and allspice. Bring to a boil. Boil, uncovered, for 1 hour. Strain apple mixture though a fine mesh sieve. Discard solids. Drain cider again though a cheesecloth-lined sieve. Serve hot or cold.

Homemade Christmas Potpourri 
1 1/2 cups fresh cranberries OR 
1/2 cup dried cranberries. 
2-3 cinnamon sticks crushed. 
1-2 star anise optional.
1 tablespoon cardamom crushed. 
2 teaspoons whole cloves.
1/4 cup candied ginger.
1 vanilla bean halved lengthwise. 
1 fresh pine or 1 sprig rosemary.

Simmering Pot 
Get a pot of water simmering on the stove or the small, inexpensive simmering crock pots. Drop in a combination of natural aromatics like cinnamon stick, pine, orange peel, or cloves. 

Real Beeswax Candles 
Few things smell as heavenly as beeswax, with its potent honey scent. It’s a smell that never loses its charm and provides excellent alternative to the artificial candles. 

Cinnamon 
Few things bring out the warmth and comfort of the Christmas season like the smell of cinnamon: try in mulled cider or hot chocolate 

Orange and Cloves 
The delicious combination of orange to make pomanders to set out in bowls at Christmas. Pre-punch the holes in the orange with an awl or knitting needle, and the cloves should go right in. 

Evergreen 
Evergreen Garland or Wreaths. Nothing says Christmas like the smell of fresh pines in wreaths and swags as well as fresh-cut trees. Peppermint Use Dried Peppermint to make peppermint tea. This makes a great alternative to candy canes 

Make a Liquid Candle 
Create a custom-scented candle with a mason jar, lantern wick, and any oil that burns—even the olive oil. Add your favorite aromatics, like vanilla bean, cinnamon, clove, pinecones, or oranges. More cost-effective than a wax candle, it will both look decorative and smell delicious.

Christmas with Essential Oils Many of these scents can be mixed and diffused or sprinkled on pinecones or clay balls or even potpourri: 

Pine, Cinnamon, Peppermint, Frankincense, Myrrh, Clove, Sweet Orange, Nutmeg, Anise, Sweet Ginger, Cedarwood. 

All of these are a pleasant scents to diffuse throughout the entire winter season to make your home feel like a cozy and inviting retreat from the harsh cold weather outside. 

Dreaded Disease or Just Thirsty?

By: Cindy Gilbert | Dear Sister Knowitall, August 2017

Dear Sister Knowitall,
I’ve been having all these symptoms lately since the weather has gotten warmer. Someone told me to drink more water is that true? ~ Signed Waterworks Wilma

Dear Waterworks Wilma,
Our bodies are 60% water according to the USGS (Water Science School.) The brain and heart are comprised of 73% water. We have ample water in the U.S., yet we deprive ourselves. The old rule of drinking 8 glasses of water a day are gone. Your body needs half of your body weight in ounces of water every day. So if you weigh 130lbs you need to be drinking 65 oz. of water every day. 

If you workout and break a sweat you need to add an extra 8oz, drink a caffeinated or alcoholic beverage add an extra 8oz for every one you consume. Can you drink too much water? The answer is yes. If you drink so much that your urine is completely clear you need to slack off a bit. Your urine actually says a lot about your health. It should be slightly yellow. On the flip side if it is too dark you are dehydrated. How do you know if you are dehydrated? If you are thirsty it’s too late you are already dehydrated. Other symptoms may include:  

• Dry mouth
• Chapped lips
• Hangnails
• Brittle Nails
• Dry brittle hair
• Dry itchy skin
• Achy joints
• Muscle cramps
• Menstrual cramps
• Brain Fog
• Constipation
• Dizziness
• Tired or sleepy
• Urine is low volume
• Headache

It almost sounds like a disease doesn’t it? Here are some tips to help you on your way.

1. Use a cup or bottle with a lid and keep it with you.
2. Get on that scale and tally up that water intake you need per day.
3. Fill up a pitcher with the correct ounces needed per day.
4. If you want filtered water think about buying a gallon instead of water bottles and pour into your own cup bottle. The environment will appreciate it.
5. A gallon of liquid is 128 fluid ounces. Measure it out 1 time.
6. Get a water reminder app on your phone. Or set an hourly reminder to drink water
7. Drink a glass in the am before you do anything else.
8. Keep a bottle by the bed at night
9. Add fruit infusions to make it flavorful
10. Try some of the new flavored sparkling waters to help curb your soda craving.
11. Eat fruits and veggies that are mostly water like watermelon or cucumber.

Cindy Pitts Gilbert is Director of Training for Know It Training for Professional and Personal Development in Gwinnett County. She is also the Home Remedy Guru of the Blog Sister Knowitall: sisterknowitall.blogspot.com. She has been learning natural home remedies after she developed allergic reactions to chemicals in household cleaning products.
Send your questions to: askme@sisterknowitall.com

Introducing- Dear Sister Knowitall Column at the Gwinnett Citizen

by Cindy Pitts Gilbert  Gwinnett Citizen  July 2016

Permalink

Sister Knowitall

Just wanted to say Hello Gwinnett.  Sister Knowitall here.  Looking forward to sharing my years of research and personal experience taking care of myself and my family with natural home remedies for your health and home.  My family teased me about all my know it all remedies so I wrote a blog. I have many tried and true home remedies and will share some total fails with my readers as well.  I am looking forward to your questions citizens of Gwinnett. These are helpful hints and remedies. If symptoms persist consult a physician to rule out a more serious health issue.

Dear Sister Knowitall,

It burns, It burns.  I can't sleep I go to sleep at night and wake up to acid reflux only to fumble through the house searching for something to give me some relief is there anything natural I can do to help my pain?

Sincerely,

Nightburn in Buford

Dear Nightburn in Buford,

Acid flux is uncomfortable no matter what time of day it hits you,  night is the worst time, when you are trying to sleep and are awakened by that burning sensation in your chest  it just seems worse doesn't it.  There are several simple remedies to help with acid reflux that occurs after bedtime. 

·         Over the counter antacids such as Tums or Alka Seltzer chews do offer relief and can be kept by your bed for late night emergencies.

·         Baking soda mixed with half a glass of water (filtered if possible)

·         A half a glass of milk can also help relieve the burn

·         Don't eat anything prior to 4 hours before you sleep

·         Don't eat anything with tomato after 6pm

·         Raising your head above your stomach allows gravity to help keep the acid down

·         Sleeping on your left side will also offer relief, your stomach is able to stay below your esophagus

Remember different remedies work for different people so these are some of my favorites. Good luck Nightburn.

Nighty Night,                                                                                                              

Sister Knowitall

Swollen Ear Pain with Roaring Sound

Dear Sister Knowitall,

I need some of your sister stuff. . I am a hair dresser and something in my ear popped. I can't hear out

of that ear now, except for a horrible roaring.  I went to the doctor and was told that my ear drum isn't broken but it is very swollen. Traditional medicine has not helped and we are still without a diagnosis.  I am having an MRI but am hoping a natural approach will help me heal.  Do you have any suggestions. 

Sincerely,
Half Deaf Scissorman

Dear Half Deaf Scissorman,

I am really sorry to hear that you have significant hearing loss in one ear. As a hair dresser part of the job is listen to your clients needs and troubles. You are really part therapist like a bartender, so lets see if there is anything I can offer to help.  Let me say that going to the doctor was a good idea.  Often people assume that when you strive to live a holistic life that you don't go to the doctor or are against traditional medicine.  There may be some extremist out there that believe that but for the most part we are all just trying to live our best life and there are some problems that doctors can diagnose and treat.  That said, here are some suggestions for you to try that are safe and non invasive.  If you dont see any improvement seek further medical attention.

Coconut Oil (organic virgin cold pressed) on a Q-tip and lightly rub it on the opening of your ear.  You can also warm it in the microwave 5-10 seconds (not hot but warm, test first) use a dropper and drip 1 -3 drops into the ear and allow it to run down into the swollen area. Remain calm and breathe deeply to relax as it warms your ear drum. If you experience any pain that last longer than a few seconds immediately roll over and let the oil run out onto a cloth or cotton ball.  If you are ok allow it to stay there for a minute or two up to 5 minutes.  It will soothe and is a natural antibacterial and anti inflammatory.  It helps reduce toxins and yeast in the body.

Another option is to mix hot water with Epsom salt allow to cool so that you do not burn your ear.  Put a few drops into the ear and let soak for a few minutes. then roll over and allow the mixture to pour out of your ear.  Mix a bit of tea tree oil with almond oil or coconut oil and put in your ear with a Q-tip. If you feel any burning add pure oil to the tea tree to dilute it more. Do not use water to dilute it will not help.

There are foods are that are amazing super foods. Coconut Oil, Pineapple and Blueberries are awesome for reducing high blood pressure and inflammation in the body.  Eating these daily is a great way to reduce inflammation in the heal the body.

Begin drinking 8-10 glasses a day of water with lemon. I just purchased a small juicer at a local grocery store for less than $5.00.  I am a big fan of  drinking lemon water.
Lemon water is a great way to  boost your  immune system, reducing inflammation, reducing  joint and  pain swelling. see my Lemon Water blog for more info on how truly awesome it is.