Make Healthier Choices

Helping people Make Healthier Choices about real-food choices for optimal heath.

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My Favorite Products and Supplements

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Most links on this page and throughout this website are affiliate links. I may or may not make a small commission if you use these links. ( You will never pay more because it’s an affiliate link.) None of these products or supplements have been reviewed by the FDA. They are NOT intended for use in the diagnosis, cure, mitigation, treatment, or prevention of disease. Please check with your MD before using any of these supplements.

 

 Purchase from Emerson/Wellevate to be certain you’re getting quality supplements.

Use this link to purchase from my New Hampshire sales-tax-free dispensary:

Wellevate Logo
You’ll find many of your favorite brands at Wellevate.me. You’ll find brands like Innate, Thorne, Ecological Formulas, Nutra Biogenesis, Celtic Sea Salt, Pure Encapsulations, Douglas Laboratories®, Designs for Health to name just a few.

 

Food Supplements (aka Whole-Food Supplements)

My absolute number one, favorite supplement is Zija International’s Supermix. It’s the only food I won’t go without. Zija is the company that brought moringa oleifera to the United States. Zija, unlike most companies, not only uses all edible medicinal parts of this plant– leaves, seeds and fruits–they shade dry their moringa oleifera, which keeps the nutrients enzymatically alive, and bio-available. Moringa oleifera is packed with over 90 nutrients! One packet of Supermix equates to about 300 capsules of some other brands. Zija, by the way, also has the best shampoo and conditioner I’ve ever used. It has completely tamed my dry, frizzy hair! Gen M Shampoo

You can learn more at my Zija website: lynnmcgovern.myzija.com

Moringa Oleifera

If you’re interested in trying Zija products, please contact me at moringalynn at gmail.com. I’ll show you how to buy at a reduced price.

Innate Vitamin C is one of my favorites and is available at Emerson/Wellevate.

Camu Camu

Dried Camu Camu is a great source for extra Vitamin C, since it is an actual food. Dried Camu Camu’s Vitamin C content is higher than in any other food. Click below for my affiliate link.
 

This Camu also comes in 4 oz. and 8 oz. bags. I personally like the two-pack, because I can keep the second 4 oz. sealed for freshness. When I open the second bag, I always order a new set. You can also find several other companies selling this fruit.

Cream of Tartar

Cream of Tartar, a by-product of wine-making, is rich in potassium (there’s approximately 500 mg of potassium in 1 teaspoon).

 

Food Grade DE (Diatomaceous Earth)

The label for this DE says, “For organic use:”

Bee Gold (Bee Pollen)

This brand of bee pollen, Bee Gold, is tested to ascertain it contains no chemical sprays. This might possibly be the finest bee pollen in the world.

 

Pure Australian Salt and Bitterns (Magnesium)

These organic products come from Lake Deborah in Australia, which is a pristine sanctuary.Ancient Lakes Getting started Pack

If you’re in the United States order here: Magnesium Products

In Australia order here: Magnesium Products 

In the UK order here: Magnesium Products

Citramesia

Citramesia is also available at Emerson/Wellevate.

Dr. Axe has a great information about Black Walnuts in this article: Black Walnut Fights Parasites, Heart Disease, Fungi & More

EMR (Electromagnetic Radiation) Protection

How do you protect yourself from the radiation emitted from cell phones and towers, electrical plugs, wi-fi, etc., and even your hair dryer? Check out these reasonably-priced necklaces:

Nourishing Traditions

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Nourishing Traditions

                                                    by Sally Fallon with Mary G. Enig, Ph.D.

This book is one of my all-time favorites. Not only is it politically incorrect, it is full of information about how our ancestors ate. Most of us know we have become more and more sick with each generation and with each new “healthy” way we’re told to eat. This book cuts through the crap and tells it like it is. It’s not just a cookbook; you’ll find lots of great information about and recipes for healthy eating, including fermenting. Whether you’re a seasoned cook or a beginner, you’ll likely learn new cooking tips. Click on “PREVIEW” under the book for a sneak peek!

 


My 17 Best Tick Defenses

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It’s Tick Time! Ewww!

If you’re anything like me, you can’t stand a fleeting thought about those disgusting arachnids. Honestly, I don’t want to come in contact with any arachnid that needs to be killed with a hammer or rock. Living in New Hampshire, though, gives me no choice since the state has become a hot spot for ticks and the diseases they carry. In the last few years, my own county has come in first in the United States for Lyme disease. Uggghhh! Ticks not only carry Lyme Disease (the Borrelia burgdorferi bacteria), they carry Bartonella, Babesia, Rickettsia (Rocky Mountain spotted fever), Ehrlichia, Anaplasma and more.

This CDC page shows maps of seven different ticks and where they can be found: Tick Maps

Due to El Niño, tick season has unfortunately been around continuously for me this year. The 2015/2016 exceptionally mild winter didn’t bring them deep underground. December and January brought ticks to my dog and in January, I had symptoms of being re-infected. Keep in mind that spiders, fleas, and mosquitos can also carry Lyme Disease.

FREE TICK TESTING:  As of today, 5/5/2016, Bay Area Lyme Foundation is currently accepting ticks for free testing. Please go to their website for more information.

Natural (and Toxic) Tick Repellents

Aside from spreading food-grade diatomaceus earth (DE) on my lawn in the areas we tend to walk most, I have an arsenal of tick repellents.  Three are sprays:

PLEASE NOTE: If you choose to use the insect sprays listed or any other insect spray, PLEASE READ AND FOLLOW ALL DIRECTIONS, AND HEED ALL WARNINGS!

 

 1.  I use toxic, tick-killing spray that contains permethrin on my shoes (especially white sneakers – they love white) and spray on my pants from the knees down.  NEVER, NEVER PUT THIS ON YOUR SKIN!!! It is said that when ticks crawl over dried permethin on clothing, it will kill them. Most experts who tout using natural products, admit that the toxic products we are exposed to can NEVER compare to having Chronic Lyme Disease. Permethrin on clothing is said to withstand at least 6 washings, although I spray it more frequently. Those of us who have Chronic Lyme Disease know we need to protect ourselves and our families at any cost from this debilitating, financially crippling disease. I, unfortunately, get lax and usually bring out the sprays after the first bite of the year.

 

2.  As the weather warms and I switch from pants to shorts, I spray myself from the waist down with Buzz Away Extreme.  Its active ingredients are: castor oil, soybean oil, cedarwood oil, citronella oil, peppermint oil and lemongrass oil. Inert ingredients are: purified water, coconut oil, glycerin, lecithin, sodium bicarbonate, citric acid, sodium benzoate, and wintergreen oil. This product‘s smell is too strong for me (strong not offensive) so I use yet another product from the waist up.

3.  I use Ticks Away Natural Spray from the waist up, since it has a milder smell than Buzz Away Extreme. It’s a New Hampshire product, sold by Cardigan Mountain Soap Works in Alexandria and I find it works well.  This company also has a “bugs away” soap that I use during tick season.  Ticks Away ingredients are: distilled water, pure essential oils, emulsifier, sorbitol.

4. Spreading Diatomaceus Earth (DE) on the lawn, especially in areas people tend to walk, can help. DE doesn’t feel sharp, but to small insects that have an exoskeleton, it can be deadly. Cutting their exoskeleton causes them to bleed out.

Trying Something New

I’ve seen a meme circulating Facebook touting that Lemongrass and Eucalyptus essential oils, mixed with water, will repel both ticks and fleas and is safe for both humans and dogs. I have Améo Lemongrass on hand, but today ordered Améo Eucalyptus Raidiata that will be in next week. I will try this mix as soon as it arrives and update my findings. Eucalyptus Radiata, by the way, is milder than Eucalyptus Globulas –figures–I had Globulas on hand. Spending quite a bit of time researching, I found Eucalyptus Radiata listed in a couple Essential Oil pet books as safe for pets. If you decide to try Améo’s clinical-grade essential oils, please contact me first so I can show you how to purchase them at the reduced, wholesale price.

My other thirteen defenses are:11 chickens
Yup. Chickens. Thirteen free-ranging, adult chickens. (Not all are pictured.) They do a great job of eating bugs, including ticks.

 

I’ve also been told by a friend, who also has Chronic Lyme Disease, that her doctor suggested she use Sawyer Products Premium Insect Repellent with 20% Picaridin. I have not yet tried this and know nothing about it. If you’ve ever used it with success, or not, please let us know if it worked by leaving a comment below. And please–let us know your best tick defenses!

Question Mark

 

 

I Haven’t Washed My Legs For Six Months

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Should I be embarrassed?

You probably said, “Ewww!” when you saw my title. When I first came up with the title for this article, I didn’t think it could possibly be true—then I counted the months. October through March. Yup, that’s six months. And now we’re into April. Should I be embarrassed?

Body Scrub Legs

Honestly, living in New Hampshire with a pellet stove, on top of a dry cold, can’t be good for anyone’s skin. Every winter I constantly scratched at my legs. Once I started using this scrub as a shaving cream, the scratching stopped. I rub it on, rinse off the excess Epsom salt granules and shave. I don’t wash off the coconut oil, since coconut oil is said to have antiseptic, antibiotic, anti-fugal properties.

Jennifer’s Favorite Body Scrubs

Ameo Winter Scrub 2 MHC RR

iconicon CAUTION! If you’re going to use this scrub, please be advised that it will make your shower and bathtub floor slippery. Please don’t use this without first installing bathtub safety strips! Please clean bathtub/shower directly after using and be certain all coconut oil is removed.

5.0 from 1 reviews
Body Scrub
 
Save Print
An Elite 16 oz. wide-mouth mason jar works great for storage.
Author:
Ingredients
Instructions
  1. CAUTION: This mixture will scratch food processor bowl. Processor is optional.
  2. With knife blade in bowl, place Epsom Salt in food processor (or bowl).
  3. Process for a couple minutes to refine granules.
  4. Add remaining ingredients and process until completely mixed.
  5. Store in glass jar.

    ALTERNATE INSTRUCTIONS:
  6. Place Coconut Oil in small pan on stove top.
  7. Heat on low heat just until melted.
  8. While oil is melting, process Epsom Salt in food processor (optional) using knife blade.
  9. Add Epsom salt and remaining ingredients to melted coconut oil.
  10. Mix thoroughly.
  11. Place in glass jar and allow to harden/cool before using.

    *Olive oil is only necessary in colder climates/seasons to keep mixture soft - more or less might be needed depending on your climate/temperature.
Notes
CAUTION! If you're going to use this scrub, please be advised that it will make your shower and bathtub floor slippery. Please don't use this without first installing bathtub safety strips! Please clean bathtub/shower directly after using and be certain all coconut oil is removed.

My favorite essential oil is Proshield by Améo. Please contact me at RecipeRenegade @ MakeHealthierChoices.com to learn how to purchase Améo clinical-grade essential oils at wholesale prices.

A Good Way to Start Our Week

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I think everyone should start their week by watching this video:

 

Would the world be a better place if we all had a pair of these glasses?