Red and Near InfraRed Light Therapy

Is Red Light a Missing Nutrient for our Health?

This Sunday addition to my blog is about more than how specific vitamins can help support our immune system, especially during Covid.  It’s also about improving overall health in general.  Because we can’t get every nutrient our body needs from food alone, we supplement with… specific supplements.  Vitamin D is getting recognized by mainstream doctors as a preventative for viruses and the dosages are being properly upped.

Which brings me to another light-associated nutrient worth discussing, namely Red and Near Infrared Light. Yet unlike Vitamin D, this nutrient isn’t available in pill form. It’s something I’ve been curious about and it’s something I’ve been using for back massage for several years, but now I’m trying it on my face.  I’ve been using a device from Melbourne, Australia called the “Hive” by BLUBlox (link below). 

Peer-reviewed scientific research has shown Red Light & Near Infrared Light therapy has anti-aging effects on our skin, it can help combat a number of neurological diseases, help fight depression and anxiety, it can help increase fat loss, speed recovery from exercise, improve your sleep, increase muscle strength and endurance, combat some autoimmune conditions, fight hair loss, and speed healing from injury, and all with few to no negative side effects.

I just listened to a podcast with Dr. Michael Hamblin; a recently retired dermatology professor at Harvard Medical School. He gets into all of the therapeutic applications, among which are skin burn therapy, beauty salon applications in skin rejuvenation and hair regrowth on thinning scalps. It is used in physiotherapy to help speed the healing of injured or inflamed tendons, ligaments, and muscles as a result of exercise. And to my surprise, the interviewer spoke about red light as a nutrient.

But what I liked most about the interview was Hamblin’s comments about Red and Near InfraRed Light being used to treat both Parkinson’s Disease and Alzheimer’s Diseases, which have no other significant treatment options; and his comments about the 4th state of water, which he called nano-structured water (@ ~27:38).

The link to this interview is below with a few other reputable links should you want to check them out.  I personally find this very fascinating.  The light also feels pleasingly warming on the skin.

Link to podcast interview with Dr. Michael Hamblin, a Harvard dermatologist and one of the world’s leading researchers on the topic: https://blog.humanos.me/red-light-missing-nutrient-for-health-podcast-michael-hamblin/ 

Link to a peer-reviewed science paper on the topic: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5066074/

this is the device

Link to the Hive Near-Infrared and Red Light unit that I’ve been using:  https://www.blublox.com/collections/red-light-device 

Of course there are other device makers, such as Joov and VieLight that you can check out.

Send me your thoughts on this.  Have you tried it?

I Care, A Lot

I’m just here to help… because movies are one of life’s little pleasures and if they include a messageall the better.  This movie certainly does.

Rosamund Pike just won the Golden Globe for best actress in a Musical or Comedy.  I Care, A Lot is a new black comedy (now showing on Netflix in the USA & Amazon Prime in Canada).  The trailer piqued my interest.  That and knowing that both Dianne Wiest and Peter Dinklage are supporting actors in this timely movie. In fact, just saw a news story last night about eerily reminiscent misconducts in care homes addressed in the film.

On Netflix

In light of a recent conversation between my boyfriend and my brother and the fact that so few people are making effort to question or think about what they are being told, sometimes the best way to get them to think is to talk about a film.

Films are often ways to reach people who are trying to “escape” their reality… which is to say, to be entertained without having to think. But whether we like it or not, films actually do make us think about topics we might not otherwise ever think about, whether it be the drug smuggling trade (Queen of the SouthNarcos and El Chapo), the espionage world (e.g. James Bond and the Bourne trilogy of films), the world of grief and loss (Manchester by the Sea), or the fanciful world of royalty and privilege (The Queen, The Crown series, the Downtown Abbey series), or the world of high finance (e.g. the series Billions, and the films Wall Street, the Wolf of Wall Street, and the Big Short…)

What they all have in common is that they transport us into a world that allows us to better feel what it would be like to be in that world.

What the “I care a Lot” film is about is just how ruthless the “care” business can be. And this doesn’t just apply to vulnerable seniors. It also applies to doctors and the medical profession. That’s what the film Patch Adams with Robin Williams was about. 

There are two types of people in this world.  Predators and Prey!

This has implications for how our society is reacting to Covid. We tend not to question government because we think governments always have our best interests in mind. But if you don’t realize that the policy-making apparatus within so many government departments has been so captured by large corporate players, that it’s easy for them to pervert the science so they can make money. The end point are products unleashed into the market place that have been insufficiently scrutinized.

Peter Dinklage in I Care, A Lot – Neflix

This is what the back-story of “I care a Lot” is all about. It’s about trusting people and officials who are great at giving the impression that they really care, where in reality, their talking the talk is little more than marketing schmooze designed to get we the consumers to buy their questionably reliable products and/or services. This is what sets us up for maximum exploitation.

You can change the world if you care enough.  But you can also change the world if you don’t care enough.

Here’s the Trailer:

https://www.imdb.com/video/vi1114947865?playlistId=tt9893250&ref_=tt_ov_vi

 

 

MARCHing right along

What’s not to love about March?  March puts a Spring in everyone’s step.  Bright, cheerful flowers bring smiles and joy.  Here’s a sampling of what’s beginning to bloom.  

The Daffodil.

The daffodil, which symbolizes new beginnings, is one of the most popular springtime flowers! It is one of the first flowers to bloom in the spring.
The first blooms of Spring always makes my heart sing – S. Brown
Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival
Upcoming: 90 minutes north of Seattle, the fields of the Skagit Valley bloom into a quilt of technicolor tulips throughout April each year. As a leading tulip production area in Washington, the Skagit Valley has a unique microclimate – much like the wine production area Woodinville.  I went one year and it was unbelievably beautiful.

 

Extra Reminder…Don’t forget to Spring Forward!

March 1, 2021 is the 60th day of the year 2021 in the Gregorian calendar. There are 305 days remaining until the end of the year… but we really don’t want to think that far ahead right now, do we?

Find time to wine

Wine is one of the most cultivated things in the world…

A good pinot noir (and gris) is among some of my favourites.  There’s a whole long list of others.

and one of the most natural things of the world that has been brought to the greatest perfection, and it offers a greater range for enjoyment and appreciation than, possibly, any other purely sensory thing.” – Ernest Hemingway

Visiting a vineyard has always been a pleasant past time of mine.  Here in Vancouver we have a few local wineries a little bit off the beaten path.  Last month I re visited Township 7 (in the 7th Township of Langley, off the highway in the Fraser Valley area) with a friend.

I tried to locate a Township 7 Merlot that was part of a Christmas gift basket but everyone that previously had it in stock was sold out.  After exhausting my search I decided to go directly to the source – Township 7 in Langley.  Their other location (Naramata Bench in the beautiful Okanagan Valley) was several more hours away by car.

Once there we ended up doing a tasting.

just a tiny one

Once finished we ended up becoming wine club members.  Which means that every season we’ll be getting drunk several bottles shipped to us.  Which means that by Spring/Summer we’re certain to be in the red.  Other than that, we’re always white and bubbly.

I  look forward to further introducing your senses to BC wine along with the art, culture and culinary experiences brought together by knowledgeable people and others who like to indulge appreciate good wine and good times.  Life is meant to be relished.  

our kids were so patient

Have a great weekend.

Photos (this page): d. king

 

 

 

Clarins Lip Perfector

I promised to share my favourite hydrating lip colour which I’ll make sure to keep in my stockpile of makeup essentials.

Clarins Natural Lip Perfector

It’s in between a gloss and a lipstick.

I went into my local Shoppers Drug Mart early this winter looking for a lip product to help soothe my chapped lips while adding colour and a bit of shine.  The beautician pointed me directly to this product.  I’ve been thankful to her ever since.

In Vancouver they also sell it at London Drugs (about $22).

I’ve always loved the Clarins line for skincare (my mom used to use it) but the makeup is something new to me.  It does not  disappoint if you want…

  • 4-hour hydration 
  • Radiant shine
  • A long lasting + nourishing product
  • Melting, non-sticky cream-gel texture
  • Addictive vanilla scent
  • Comforting cushion applicator
  • Key Ingredients: Shea Butter and Wild Mango to moisturize and condition lips
  • Something to wear alone, or to top off another lipstick with some added shine.

That’s why it was such a game changer when the Duchess of Cambridge was spotted with a beauty product in hand at Wimbledon.  I swear I just saw this online before posting this and way after I bought the product.  However let’s face it…if it’s good enough for royalty...it’s good enough for me.

Karwai Tang/Getty Images – Glamour Magazine.
I bought No’s 17 + 18.  My favourites would be #16 – #19 (swatches shown above).

Have you tried these?

Rolling with Rollie

These days comfort is key but style is a close second sometimes it’s been the other way around. I walk a lot.  Enter

ROLLIE NATION.


I recently ordered a few pairs because each Rollie is built for comfort with luxurious uppers, breathable lining, memory foam footbeds and energy-returning EVA & rubber soles, thin and flexible stiffeners and soles tested internationally for wear and tear.  Each pair is constructed using premium materials including hand-finished nubuck and soft burnish leathers and stocks up to size 46.  So there’s nothing not to like.

Rollie founder Vince Lebon has been doing shoes for a long time, and after 10 years of designing shoes for Australia’s top independent footwear company … a spark of inspiration hit.

the founder and his wife

His wife Kat (nickname Rollie) travelled a lot for work as a flight attendant and in her down time she wanted to take in the magic each city had to offer. But dragging around work shoes and fun shoes was exactly that, a drag. Inspired, Vince wondered what if he could design a shoe that was light enough to pack in a carry on, comfortable enough for all day adventuring and fun enough to reflect Kat’s unique sense of style.

After constantly being stopped by complete strangers asking about her incredible shoes, in 2012 Vince decided to test the concept at South Melbourne Market’s SO:ME designer space. Within weeks, his entire first collection was sold out and Rollie was born. What started simply as a gesture of love quickly became an entirely new shoe concept loved the world over.

With a Code of Conduct in place with any factory they use. Here are some key points:

  • We build our integrity upon making ethical decisions
  • We endeavour to produce quality shoes under a safe and ethical environment for all employees.
  • We do not condone the use of child labor.
  • All materials used to produce our products are Lead-free and Chrome-free.
  • All suppliers must be comply with all applicable laws, rules and regulations.

Want to know more?
Email us at hello@rollienation.com
We’d love to answer any questions you have 🙂

Where to Order:

In Canada: https://ketchshoes.ca/

(right now they have a sale going on)

In USA:  https://www.rollienation.com/

 

 

 

The steaks are high

Although I hardly eat meat anymore I’ve always loved a good grilled rib-eye steak.  It’s my favourite cut.  I recently came across this online article from “The Times of Israel” and found it intriguing.  Thought it worth a share.

Have you heard about this?

An Israeli company announced earlier this month that it has made the world’s first laboratory cultivated rib-eye steak complete with all the flavor and texture of regular meat, minus the harm to animals.

A rib-eye steak produced from meat cells cultivated in a laboratory by Israeli start-up Aleph Farms. (Courtesy: Aleph Farms/Technion Institute of Technology)

Aleph Farms claims its printed meat has all the flavor and texture a butcher can offer but *without harming animals, opening the way for sustainable food production.

*Key Words. I really hope this new method becomes the norm.

See link below for full story by Stuart Winer – The Times of Israel (February 10th, 2021)

https://www.timesofisrael.com/higher-steaks-as-israeli-company-makes-first-lab-cultivated-rib-eye-cut/

Mod Monday Mood

The Next Best Thing to Being There…

Looking for something different to do this week?  Check out these streaming programs that take you into the private spaces and historic places that make Palm Springs a true “Mecca of Modernism.

Architectural Driving Tour of Palm Springs: a fun and informative “top down” architectural tour of Palm Springs from a 1966 convertible Mustang. Get a sneak peek inside a few of the best MCM homes in town! (45 min):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M4VaTZdv1cM&feature=youtu.be

The popular video series returns with a brand-new edition, just for the Modernism Week Online Experience!

Come inside some of Palm Springs’ most significant homes. The video series will take you into *5 fabulous Palm Springs homes, where you will walk through the interiors, gardens and grounds and see what makes Palm Springs desert architecture and lifestyle unique. You’ll learn about important architectural and design details, unique furnishings and meet the homeowners or other special guests knowledgable about the property. Your host will be the curator of the selected homes, Modernism Week Board Member Maureen Erbe.

*The houses include The Morse Residence (by Hal Levitt, 1961), The Cahuilla Hills House by O’Donnell + Escalante (by Lance O’Donnell, 2009), The Southridge Glass House (by William Cody, 1963), Trina Turk’s Ship of the Desert (by Erle Webster and Adrian Wilson, 1936), and Martyn Lawrence Bullard’s Villa Grigio (by James McNaughton, 1963). Special thanks to presenting sponsor Dunn-Edwards.

The homes will be located in various neighborhoods in Palm Springs, all with unique architectural character and featuring a variety of architectural styles.

Thank you to our presenting sponsor Dunn-Edwards Paints.  Cost: $45 – A digital keepsake tour program is included with your ticket purchase.

The organizer of this program is Modernism Week. This program is streaming through March 31, 2021.

Check out the 53 minute sneak peek below:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ySHDRXTHK8&feature=youtu.be

Previous Post on one of my Modernism home tours (a peek behind the hedges):

https://girlwhowouldbeking.com/2017/02/22/lifestyle-a-peek-behind-the-hedges/

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sunday Supplement: Humic and Fulvic Acids

I kept the best for last

Turns out that I’m not quite finished with my supplemental Covid combatants.  Also recognized as supplement “warriors” in our natural fight against deadly viruses. 

If you haven’t heard of Humic and Fulvic Acid before, don’t worry, you’re not alone, however these organic acids—millions of years in the making—happen to be some of nature’s most powerful immune allies.  

Whether or not you have already gotten, or are planning to get the Covid mRNA vaccine (which some experts still consider an experimental gene therapy) you might want to consider taking extra immune boosting/modulating supplements.  After all, what’s the worst that could happen? You may actually get healthier!? And besides, it’s next to impossible to get all these nutrients from food alone. As the father of modern medicine (Hippocrates) once said; Let food be thy medicine and let medicine be thy food.

Humic and fulvic acid are very rare deposits found in a handful of locations around the globe, that were once thriving organic matter (think ancient tropical rain forests). The decomposed organic matter from this prehistoric vegetation is called humic deposits (primarily comprised of Humic and Fulvic Acid). Instead of turning into coal and oil, humic deposits formed because they weren’t exposed to the same tremendous pressures, and were much closer to the surface where there was enough microbial activity to interact with. Humic and fulvic acids contain all the genetic information from the plants they come from.

So what does all this have to do with your immunity?

Recent studies indicate that humic and fulvic acids stimulate the production of T-lymphocytes and white blood cells (neutrophils), thus enhancing immune system function. By increasing T-cell and white blood cells, humic and fulvic acid may be able to significantly reduce your risk of viral infections.  

A compromised or weakened immune system means the body has fewer T-cells and white blood cells to find and eliminate potential threats.  T-cells, also known as T-lymphocytes, play a vital role in defending your body against common diseases.  T-cells are actually attacked by viruses, which disables the immune system, leaving it vulnerable to common colds, flus and bacterial infections.  So in reality, victims of many viral diseases rarely die from the disease itself but more from the vulnerability of an immune system that is left exposed to opportunistic agents. 

Humic and Fulvic Acids – the Immune Connection

Humic and fulvic acids are comprised of powerful biochemicals, supercharged antioxidants (more powerful than anything ever seen before), vitamins, enzymes, amino acids, probiotics, prebiotics and carbon. Numerous studies show that humic and fulvic acids have the ability to help modulate our immune system, protect the body from fungal and bacterial infections, lower excess inflammation, increase the absorption of beneficial nutrients, help support optimal detoxification—especially where heavy metals are concerned, support cellular energy and even block viruses.

The most important thing to understand is that humic and fulvic acids are completely natural, are the end breakdown products from plant material, and are 100% organic in nature – even though they contain most, if not all the trace minerals. By consuming natural, organically-bound minerals, the body is able to recognize them as a food source and instantly utilize them to enhance all cell life.

Due to the rarity and multitude of these organically-bound trace minerals, consuming a humic and fulvic acid supplement purely for the organic trace minerals, would be reason enough, but as mentioned above, there are so many more reasons to consume humic and fulvic acids.

So as you can see, a viable humic and fulvic acid supplement can prove to be most useful as a strong preventative agent, as well as a powerful but safe therapeutic one. In a world where we are bombarded by viruses, microbes, fungi and food that is all but void of nutrients essential to health, humic and fulvic acids may just be what the body has been screaming out for.

My recommendation is an award-winning (2018 and 2019 Natural Product-of-the-Year) Canadian product (I take myself) called LeafSource® (see below).

For more information on LeafSource® please visit: www.leafsource.com  

DISCLAIMER: I am not getting paid to write or talk about any of these supplements.  Aside from talking to those I believe to be “in the know” I’ve done my own research and decided to strengthen my immune system as naturally as possible.  For a solid year I’ve taken the supplements I’ve mentioned here on my blog and have not so much as gotten a common cold or asthma (touch wood) since that time.  Very unusual since every year, for at least a few days I get a common cold or bout with asthma where I must use an inhaler. I have not used my inhaler for over a year.  I have also socially distanced myself from most people and have recently started going to my gym again to practice yoga.  It is important to note that during yoga practice masks are not worn.  We are at a 6 ft. distance from one another though during that time.

REFERENCES:

Vaskova J, et al. Effects of humic acids in vitro. In Vitro Call Dev Biol Anim. 2011 Jun;47(5-6):376-82.

Ansorg R, Rochus W. Studies on the antimicrobial effect of natural and synthetic humic acids. Arzneimittelforschung. 1978;28(12):2195-8.

Iubitskaia , NS . “Sodium humate in the treatment of osteoarthritis patients.” Vopr Kurortol Fizioter Lech Fiz Kult, 1999; Issue 5, 22-24.

Gisela, K J, et al,  “An In Vitro Investigation of the Anti-Inflammatory Properties of Potassium Humate,”  Journal Inflammation,  2004, Vol 28, No 3, Pages169-174.

Janeway, C, et al (2001). Immunobiology ; Fifth Edition. New York. 

Joone, GK, et. al. J Biosci.  2002, 58(3/4), 263-267.

Feel-good Friday: joyful meditations

A friend of mine gifted me with this uplifting and inspiring little guidebook.

 

This daily companion is a kind of spa for the soul.

One that tends to motivate women in a mindful manner to care more deeply for themselves and to face life’s challenges with courage and joy.   The book is a practical resource for accessing inner wisdom, enhancing self-esteem, overcoming sorrow, and deepening relationships.  I look forward to reading excerpts on a daily basis.

Each of the 150 meditations in this volume begins with an inspirational quote, followed by a thoughtful meditation, and concluded with an affirmation. These meditations provide the opportunity to contemplate a wide range of topics, including:

Developing awareness
Letting go
Believing in your dreams
Living in the now
Finding your true purpose
Practicing kindness
Being optimistic
Trusting the universe
Appreciating life’s blessings

Meditation practice isn’t about trying to throw ourselves away and become something better, it’s about befriending who we are. Ani Pema Chodron

To order:

What we are today comes from our thoughts of yesterday, and our present thoughts build our life of tomorrow. Our life is the creation of our mind– Buddha