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WHAT DOES A LIFE COACH DO?

They help you examine your goals, interests, and choices in order to help you create a plan, create priorities, and achieve the best outcome for you in reaching your goals.
They act as a sounding board, listening and providing you with honest feedback.
They work with you to realize any obstacles you encounter and work through them.
They help you determine your strengths and weaknesses.
They help keep you focused on what is important to you in achieving your goals.

WHAT SHOULD YOU EXPECT WHEN MEETING WITH A LIFE COACH?
Most life coaches like to meet with their clients 2-3 times a month for 30 to 60 minutes each time.
Many life coach Chicago have an intake process in the beginning that allows you to get to know each other, built a rapport, and work on setting goals for the coach/client relationship.
Making meaningful and life-long changes takes time, commitment, and support – it is not an overnight process.
You will choose what you will be working on with your coach, what action steps you choose to take, and what pace in which you choose to move. Your coach will help you set priorities and action steps and keep you focused on reaching your goals.
Your life coach will provide a listening ear, and often ask challenging questions that are designed to get you thinking.
Your coach will offer the support and accountability you need to follow through with achieving your goals

Landscape Shrubs that Work Very Well in Containers

Containers are not just for pretty flowers and twining vines. Shrubs can make for a great container structure and a focal point for patios and porches. If you are considering planting a shrub in a container, but haven’t a clue which ones may be the best fit, here are three choices that all work very well in containers.

Ixora coccinea, the Ixora

This shrub is from the madder family of plants and is an evergreen. It grows four to six feet high and in a dense form. Leaves are leather-like and glossy, in pairs or whorls on the stem. Flowers are in two to five inch clusters and are tubular, scarlet, blooming year-round. There are some different colored cultivars. It is intolerant of alkaline soil and salt. Plant ixora in partial shade or in full sun but with shade during the highest temperatures of the day. Soil should be well-drained but moist. It is hardy in USDA hardiness zones of nine through eleven.

Punica granatum, the Pomegranate

A member of the pomegranate family, it grows to be six to fifteen feet high. Leaves are shiny and deciduous. Flowers are trumpet-like and orange-red in color. They can be doubled. Fruits are red-green or yellow-green, edible, and globose. Fruits come about year three or four. Plant a pomegranate in full sun with regular watering. It is hardy in USDA hardiness zones of eight through eleven.

Tetrapanax papyiferus, the Rice Paper Plant

A shrub from the ginseng family of plants, this is an easy-to-grow container shrub. It has leaves that are ten to fifteen inches wide, palmately lobed, with a white fine hair underneat. It grows fifteen feet high and nearly as wide. Flowers are white and in wooly balls that appear in fall. Berries are black, in clusters, and come after the flowers. Plant a rice paper plant in light shade with regular watering. It is hardy in USDA hardiness zones of seven to eleven. Its fan-like leaves are its main attraction. Take care around this shrub as people with sensitive skin can get contact dermatitis touching it.

Next Posts: 10 Best Landscapers in Chicago Land Area

Home Remodeling: Closet Design

Closets are far more important than most people realize. Essentially, closets act as the primary storage space for everything you own, and if you don’t have enough closet space, your stuff will begin to spill out onto your everyday life. Unfortunately, closets are often an afterthought in designing an area. Here are a few things to think about when designing the closet space of your dreams.

Storage Access

The method of accessing closets can be as important as the closets themselves. Cheap doors, not enough clearances for swinging doors, or poorly installed sliding doors will ruin your experience and make you dread your closets. It doesn’t have to be that way.

First, remember that you need to plan for both the door, and where the door will be when it is open. If you don’t give yourself enough room, you will have a closet that only half opens, making half of the space inside unusable.

Second, remember that the biggest items you can get in are limited not only by the closet size but by the door width. A narrow access space can ruin a closet. Sliding doors are good too, but remember that they will only give you access to half the closet space at a time.

Next Post: Click on the link to get the best granite countertops near me in your area.

Useless Depth

A very shallow closet is limiting. Unless used as a pantry or linen closet, you probably realize already that you need a closet with enough depth to fit your belongings. On the other hand, it is common in older buildings to find closets with useless depth. These are typically a result of a poorly thought out remodeling job. For instance, in my current apartment, the primary closet has an 20 inch wide doorway, but is easily 9 feet deep. At those depths, the closet gains a level of uselessness that is hard to avoid. While you can pile your “once in a long, long while” items in there like holiday decorations and sleeping bags, you probably can’t use the closet for your daily activities.

To avoid this problem, add shelves to the back of the closet. Obtain long, narrow storage bins to slide onto each of the shelves. Just doing that will make the back of the closet suddenly come alive with new possibilities. At all costs, avoid creating a “pile” in the back because that “pile” will never be sorted through and will just get in the way. In front of your storage wall, put in hooks on the wall for things you will need frequently, and put on the floor only things that are easy to move like vacuums or shoes. Try to make the back as accessible as possible for more value out of a closet with absurd depth.

Closet Shelves

As I’ve highlighted above, I’m a big believer in closet shelves. They don’t have to look pretty, but they should be sturdy and be placed at good intervals. Think of it this way: a closet with 20 sq. ft of storage becomes a closet with 60 sq feet of storage with just two shelves. a shelf can really improve the accessibility of your items as well.

Final Tips on Outside Storage

Finally, consider clutter reducing storage in your halls and living areas. A filing cabinet, bureau, or other chest of drawers can be an attractive piece of furniture while removing much of your clutter simultaneously. If you don’t have enough closet space, think outside the box. Don’t get caught with clutter just because you couldn’t think creatively about where to hide it!

Home remodeling is tricky business. On one hand, there are few activities which are more intimate than redesigning the space that you live in; we don’t tend to think about it in that way, but the reality is that our use of space, and the way that we occupy and decorate the space says a lot about us. On the other hand, there are certain cold realities that have to be faced by the average family recreating their space; principal among them… budget. Part of the difficulty in taking on a remodeling project is trying to balance those two facets of the job – on one hand, we have the imperative of design and the pent up wants and desires from the months or years of planning leading up to the final decision to begin construction, and on the other hand we have the reality of our financial limitations.

There are only really three ways to overcome budget constraints; artful substitutions of materials to achieve substantially the same effect, cutting back on labor costs or deus ex machina– hitting the lottery, an unexpected inheritance or a huge gift borne of unrequited love from a long-pining ex. Logically, we do as much as we can in the design phase, making material substitutions and simplifying complex and labor-intensive elements to save labor costs, and shifting priorities to try to get the most bang for the buck by eliminating the “nice to haves” to keep the “must haves”. Often though, we get to the point where the outlay of dollars exceeds the inflow of the things that have long been dreamed of, and the client reaches out to achieve the improbable by going to the modern day fountain of deus ex machina, Craigslist.

Contracting, at least here in Houston, is intensely competitive and margins are thinning as the big-box stores like Home Depot, Lowes and Olshan’s step into the fray. Like most retailers, contractors have had to deal with shrinking margins, consumer demand that has scaled back with the weak economy, and major incursions by the big conglomerates into our space. When we price a job, it’s usually with the understanding that at least two other contractors are bidding. In most cases, we’re bidding somewhat low in order to get the job, knowing that if we get the job and can save the client a few dollars and “wow” them with the quality of our work, there will be either follow-on jobs or the opportunity to garner some referrals.

From a client’s perspective, the average client is of course trying to maximize their bang for the buck and talking to their friends and relatives to try to get design ideas and leads for cheap, quality craftsmen. Human nature being what it is, they are going to hear some great advice, some cutting edge design ideas and a whole lot of chaff. As mentioned before, home remodeling is an intensely personal experience, and like car buying is prime turf for nostalgia and a little embellishment to make for a better story. The reality is that good work costs money, and there is a world of difference between the wages earned by skilled craftsmen and unskilled laborers. When I present a bid for granite, for example, for most of the clients in my market, I am going to quote slab granite and not prefab lengths. I’m going to include the costs of the bullnose or square overhang, the costs of decking for the bullnose and the costs of all cuts, holes for faucets and cut-outs for undermount sinks. Most conscientious contractors will do the same, so that they don’t have to come back to the client after the sale with add-on costs, and most consumers in our market will be sophisticated enough to calculate the per square foot cost for comparison. Simple fact is that granite and the installation of granite, though not beyond the cost of our average client, is far from cheap. Unlike electrical bids and plumbing, the installation and pricing of granite is also fairly straight forward, easy to understand, and doesn’t present the same risks as electrical work. It’s also a lot more fun to talk about, and nearly everybody who has remodeled has not only an opinion, but a great story that goes along with it.

So what happens after a dinner party when our client hears the great stories, the great deals, the truckload of Italian marble that was stranded on I-45? They go home and look at their contractor’s bid and the small square sample of granite there; not much of a story, is it? And at a per square foot price nearly fifteen dollars more expensive than Susie’s. That’s where Craigslist comes in – on any average day, you can get ads like these:

GRANITE FOR $5.95 A SQUARE FOOT!
$5.00 A SQUARE FOOT TO INSTALL THE GRANITE!
PRICE INCLUDES FABRICATION, TEAROUT, DECKING, AND INSTALLATION OF NEW GRANITE!
WE HAVE SEVERAL COLORS TO CHOSE FROM! ALL DELUXE GRANITE!

Hard to beat real granite for $10.95 a square foot installed. But what is the likelihood of getting the work done for that price all in? Not likely. Economically, it doesn’t make sense to sell granite that commands anywhere from $18.00 to $35.00 per square foot installed for less than a half of retail price, even if you could, even if the granite were free. If a furniture store or a car dealership were offering to sell for less than cost, most sophisticated consumers would scoff, so why not on ads for granite or hardwood floors? It should be clear that the aim of the ad is not to sell granite for $10.95 a foot, but to get you to call so that they can get an appointment to sell you some granite. Surprisingly, though, the Craigslist ad is proof enough for a great number of people that the market rate for granite is $10.95 per square foot, or that the market price for installed real hardwood floors is $3 per square foot. And there is where many hearts are broken.

As a general contractor, I know the market price of materials, services and trades that go into putting together a successful bid and completing a job with smiles and handshakes at the end. My preferred subs have a track record with me and know that although I can be tough, I’m a great referral source. They have more invested and more at stake in their relationship with me than they have at stake with any individual client. They also know to provide a solid, no-nonsense bid to me that they can stand behind and deliver on.

What can a client that relies on a Craigslist ad bank on? They can pretty much bank on the fact that they are going to have to do their homework. The beauty of Craigslist is that it gives many, many tradesmen who would otherwise have no exposure a way to get their names out there. Some are very, very good at what the do and very, very bad at creating an effective ad. What can you do to help seperate the wheat from the chaff?

Get a baseline quote. Get a quote from your contractor or a recommendation from a trusted friend or advisor or check out a well known name in the yellow pages, and call that person for a quote. If you got the number from a friend, ask if you can see the work in person. Ask every question you want, and ask them what questions you should be asking. Keep their name and number handy in case new questions pop up. That quote is your base quote. Since these people are your known and trusted source, any other quote that you take should be lower in order to compensate you for the risk you are taking on an unknown entity.

Get more than one quote. Don’t make a career out of getting quotes, or else you are not going to remember one vendor from another and all the meetings will blend together. Get at least three quotes, all written. You’re soon going to know where the market price really is – that alone is worth the effort. Compare the final quote given after all the measurements were taken to the price that was advertised on Craigslist. If the difference is more than 25%, you’re dealing with somebody who has no compunction about stretching the truth in order to get a job.

Listen to what they are saying. Ask questions and ask them to walk you through their process. Ask about any options that they recommend and ask them about the differences between materials that they show you. Honestly, it’s pretty easy for anybody to memorize a pitch, so keep that in mind, but the more familiar they are with their work, the better. Ask them whether they will do the installation, and if not, ask them to tell you a little bit about your installer. Where are they from, how long have they been in the business, how did they meet? Basically, many of the people who advertise on Craigslist are themselves contractors and have no idea who the people are who do their installations. Nothing wrong with contractors, but any good contractor should know their subs and should know them well.

Be safe. Remember that Craigslist is an anonymous service and that you don’t know the people you are inviting into your home. Your safety should be paramount – don’t meet them alone, make sure that you take precautions, and if possible, arrange to call somebody when your appointment arrives and have them call you right back. In front of your appointment, let the caller know who you are meeting, and give the caller the phone number of the person you’re meeting with as a “referral”.

Tell us about yourself: Sandy has been a corporate credit and collections manager and Glenn has been a CFO of high tech companies. Handyman Matters wants to be the TRUSTED choice for quality, safety and security home or office repair and remodeling services, employing skilled Craftsmen who complete small to medium size jobs exceeding the expectation of customers.

The vision for this company is to change the face of the Handyman Industry by setting standards of quality, safety and security for our customers. To be the “one stop” home and office maintenance and remodel company that enhances real estate property.

Give us a description of your company: Mr. Handyman Matters is licensed as a general contractor and has a master electrician on staff. We employ qualified Craftsmen to complete home repair and remodeling projects. Our employees have clear background checks and are covered by insurance while they work. Our Craftsmen are scheduled for a specific time for the appointment. They provide the expertise and tools to complete the project. The homeowner has the option of providing the materials or having our Craftsmen purchase them.

What are some of your favorite kinds of jobs to do and what are you most skilled at? Our Craftsmen are hired for specific skills in the trades. Each Craftsman is sent to a home or business that needs his specific skills. Handyman Matters can complete electrical jobs, drywall, texture, prime and painting projects. Our Craftsmen are skilled in fixing leaks and drips in plumbing. We have removed and replaced windows and doors. We have completed remodeling full bathrooms, kitchens and finished basements. We have done tenant finish of business spaces. The other trades we are able to do are; tile, painting, carpentry, and pre-finished flooring.

How long have you been in business? 3.5 years

How long have you been a Christian & share a little about your faith: The Lord came into my life through the ministry of Vernon Grounds 32 years ago. I have been involved in many women’s ministries such as MOPS, Women’s Sunday School, and many Bible studies.

How has your faith in God inspired and helped grow your business? Service to others helps to grow our business. We endeavor to make things right when sometimes they go wrong.

How Acupuncture Can Help with Infertility and Pregnancy

Acupuncture is one part of traditional Chinese medicine and has been around for thousands of years. It has only recently been accepted in the Western world as a viable way to treat medical conditions, especially in the United States. There are even some health insurance companies that cover acupuncture now.

Acupuncture is fast becoming an acceptable treatment for couples suffering from infertility. In fact, acupuncture when used on you will help you to let go of all your negativity and allow your body to begin to open up which can help you in your pursuit of becoming pregnant. Acupuncture can help both males and females suffering from infertility problems. Many couples are now turning to acupuncture as a way to help them conceive.

In most cases, you will find that it is older women who want to have a child and try acupuncture as a way to achieve their goal of becoming pregnant. Acupuncture can be quite successful, particularly when it is used in conjunction with other friendly child-bearing activities like eating a healthy diet and performing moderate exercise daily. Whether you have blocked fallopian tubes or a hormone imbalance, you may find that acupuncture is a good option to try. There are also other Chinese acupuncture methods in an accupuncturist’s arsenal that can help to battle infertility. When an acupuncturist using acupuncture to treat male infertility, he or she is usually treating low sperm count, and in fact acupuncture is very popular for treating male infertility. In this particular instance, acupuncture and herbs will be used to treat the energy of the man’s kidneys.

One thing you will learn right away is that your whole body can be affected by just a tiny amount of negative energy, and this why infertility will affect not just those parts of the body related to your infertility, but the way your entire body reacts. Instead of treating the symptoms of a disease in the body, as with Western medicine practices, acupuncture tries to find the root of the problem and then treat that. Generally speaking because of this, acupuncture can be used to make your body healthier in general. It may not cure your infertility issues, but when you become healthier in general, ie you have less stress for example, traditional infertility treatments may have a better chance at working. Acupuncture will help you even if you are considering getting artificially inseminated or using other types of methods to conceive because your entire body will be healthier.

Once you do conceive, there are still certain types of acupuncture treatments that you can have and which can help back pain, cravings, and just create a better environment for your fetus. Once you have the baby, your energy will be thrown out of wack, and you will want to go to an acupuncturist to get quickly over any postpartum depression and or other negative feelings.

Acupuncture is a wonderful tool that couples can use throughout the entire pregnancy both before and after. It isn’t for everyone, but it is one method that has been studied very carefully, and that has a high rate of success. It’s important that you research acupuncture and talk to your doctor about it before taking the leap and scheduling your first appointment. You may discover that acupuncture allows you to conceive quickly, and give you your heart’s desire, having a child to raise and enjoy.

Tired of smelly, harsh and abrasive cleaners that are bad for the enviorment? Here’s some quick and easy solutions made right out of your own cabinets at home. These easy to make cleaning supplies are both nontoxic and very green friendly. Not only are these much safer for the yourself and the world in which you live, the end cost is much less than that of traditional cleaners bought at your local stores.

Air Freshers :

Sweeper Scents

There are a few ways in which you can ac hive beautiful long lasting scents without adding problems to the ozone layer. These non aerosol freshers are a snap to create. The scent mixtures are of endless possibilities. However for this one I will use Lemon Balm Leaves, you may use what ever you desire.

The awesome thing about this nifty little trick is that you can grow Lemon Balm in your own backyard, it requires very very low maintenance and will grow in just about any climate and soil condition.

If using live plants you will first need to cut and hang the stems upside down in a safe place to thoroughly dry out.

Remove leaves from stems, gently crush leaves into smaller pieces and place into a reusable tea bag or small cheesecloth bag. Unzip your sweeper bag and pin the Lemon scented pouch to the inside of the bag holding compartment. Wahhla your done, each time you run your sweeper you will fill the remove with an inviting sent of lemony goodness. Another way you can do this is to directly sweep up the crushed Lemon Balm leaves into the sweeper, this will act the very same way as the attached pouch, however you will need to redo these steps when you have replaced the dirty bag.

All purpose cleaners:

Counters, toilets, floors and more

Vinegar is a natural dirt killing machine, it cuts though dirt and grime like a warm knife through butter. White vinegar is best to use, You can use this in full or diluted strengths to clean any hard surface in your home from counter tops to toilets. Use caution on some flooring’s due to its natural acid content, it may tarnish or eat away at your wax covering on some floor polishes when used at full strength.

To use at full strength simply place the vinegar into a clean spray type bottle and apply to surface and wipe clean, the smell will dissipate once the vinegar has dried.

For diluted applications in a clean spray bottle mix 1/2 cup of warm water to 1 cup of white vinegar, apply to surfaces and wipe clean.

Stained Coffee Pots

Diluted formula is also ideal for coffee pots, add the water mixture to your water chamber in your coffee pot and set to brew, this will clean all the dirt and grim that has settled into all the nooks and crannies of your coffee maker as well as the pot it’s self. Rinse thoroughly and rerun plain water through the pot to ensure any residue is gone and your morning java isn’t blessed with a hint of vinegar.

Drain Cleaner

Vinegar is also one of the best natural drain cleaners, to unclog your drain pour a small amount of baking soda directly into the drain, next pour undiluted vinegar into the drain. Remember in school when you would see the recreations of lava on a model? Your going to be seeing that again, when the two are mixed it will create a bubbly effect that pushes it’s way up and through the clogs. You may have to repeat this a few times for very stubborn clogs, Rinse drain by running warm tap water down it for a few mins. Safe and easy for all drains in the home with out sending nasty chemicals down the tubes.

Windows

Vinegar can also be used on windows! For clear clean windows use undiluted. Spray directly onto the window and wipe dry with a soft clean rag.

Soap Scum Buster

Tubs, toilets, sinks and counters

A tired but true helper when it comes to getting tough soap scum and build ups off your tub and tile is the age old trick of using Baking Soda! Just shake out the soda directly on to the surface, use a warm wet rag with a back and forth or circular motion to clean. Rise thought when done, repeat if necessary. Safe and effective.

Free Your Mind Voluntary Counseling

The voluntary counseling program was created to promote a fruitful way of addressing and responding to real situations. The program teaches individuals ways of keeping in tune with self and understanding the power and usefulness of the mind. It enables receivers to find the root of a problem and unfolds the best approach in solving a matter. The program inspires self awareness, self development, self confidence and is life applicable.

The goal of this program is to restore hope, joy and an ultimate sense of awareness that lies within.

Voluntary counseling is dedicated in meeting the inner needs of individuals and creating a difference by establishing a new way of thinking.

Below are the eight subjects that are essentials in understanding and building one self. These subjects have been proven and tested from my personal experiences which has uncovered many unanswered questions and has carried me beyond measures and still.

Understanding behavioral processes of the mind:

  • The origin of (your) thinking and thoughts by character, form or shape
  • Understanding the characters of negative and positive
  • Identifying the relationship between your feelings and your thoughts
  • The cause and effect of choices

Health and wellness:

· Understanding what it means to be healthy; using the mind as the manufacturer

· Finding useful tools that nourish and preserve the mind

Communication (s):

  • Knowing the importance and power of communication with any form or expression of words
  • Understanding the effectiveness communication has on growth

Relationship Carriers:

  • Understanding the importance of relationships and carrying items that simply doesn’t belong or that has run it’s course

Understanding the Importance and Power of Consolation

· Self consolation is a very important tool that is necessary in Self development. As one continues to grow, understanding your emotions becomes absolutely useful. In times that may feel pressuring or unbearable, initially search yourself. Stopping to analyze the matter at hand may be difficult in given situations, however if your mind can reach beyond the matter you’ll understand the source from which it comes. Understanding the presence of a situation creates away for healing. In times like these the rule is to measure the Things that hold value to you. Selectively, with those things you keep moving.

Understanding and knowing your self and your possessions:

· When all manner of communication (s) is practiced to be kept under control and you live in a mind set that is more consumed in taking care of self, you then start to understand who you are. You begin to exercise all things that you have inside and you gradually gain knowledge of who you are and your self worth. The more time you spend with your self the more you know yourself. Your mind is the most essential part of your make up and you must know the nature in which it lives.

Developing and applying a healthy attitude in given situations:

  • Now with having gone through daily experiences proving your self at work you practice to apply self building techniques. Each day growing and developing in a more solid condition where you see and feel the manifestations of the real you.

Living in Self……….. The key producer:

· Finally, the stage of confidence where you’ve developed in self and have learned and grown in your experiences. Knowing your self and standing on your grounds, no matter what situation occur. Living in joy and peace knowing you have the ability to create, control and express yourself.

Long Distance Towing Los Angeles – Los Angeles Towing

Everyone has gotten themselves in some sticky situations out on the roads of Los Angeles at some point of their driving careers, it really just is inevitable to a certain extent, but for those who know the roads of Los Angeles you know that you need to drive as safely as possible because there are always going to be the psycho drivers who will speed by you at high speeds when you are least expecting it.

But everyone gets themselves in situations in which they need some type of towing, and a lot of times when you are in the surrounding areas of Los Angeles you’re going to need a long distance tow, because it really is inevitable when you are out in the desert that your car will need to go long distances just to make sure that it’s getting fixed up in an area that is more convenient to where you live.

The Los Angeles Towing Company is a towing company that thrives off of helping other people when they are in situations that are by far really stressful, and when it comes to long distance towing the Los Angeles Towing Company has you covered and will get out to your location as soon as possible and get you wherever you need your car to go, and it doesn’t matter how far of a distance.

So the next time you need a long distance towing service feel free to call the Los Angeles Towing Company and have them service you in a way that will make you feel warm and special inside.

Next Post : Top Mont Claire Towing Companies

Aspirin Alternative

Over 50 million people in North America are regular aspirin users and this figure is rising rapidly. Aside from its uses as an analgesic and anti-inflammatory agent, aspirin has become increasingly popular with the medical profession for a variety of other reasons. Based on published research, the American Heart Association went on record in 1993 as recommending aspirin for the prevention and treatment of heart disease and stroke. The American College of Chest Physicians went further, recommending the use of aspirin for any of the risk factors for coronary artery disease including obesity, diabetes, elevated LDL-cholesterol, high blood pressure, smoking and a family history of heart disease. The benefits of aspirin in the prevention of cardiovascular disease are more likely to be seen in those over the age of 50 than those below that age.

The current aspirin fad is fueled by the conclusions of some spectacular studies. For example, peripheral vascular disease (blockages of arteries in the arms or legs) has been shown to respond to aspirin therapy in one study with an 85% reduction in the need for surgery. Studies also show that aspirin prevents new heart attacks in heart attack survivors while angina sufferers have fewer heart attacks and increased survival. Aspirin use has been shown to dramatically decrease the need for coronary bypass surgery as well as angioplasty. The prestigious New England Journal of Medicine even published an American Cancer Society sponsored study which concluded that those who took aspirin 16 or more times each month were 40% less likely to die from colon cancer than those who took no aspirin at all. Given all these facts, one is easily lead to believe that the great majority of the human race suffers from an aspirin deficiency.

So why even consider an alternative? The answer is the side effects and the availability of many safe and effective natural remedies that may, in fact, work better than aspirin.

POTENTIAL SIDE EFFECTS OF ASPIRIN Bleeding Gastrointestinal irritation (heartburn, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, inflammatory bowel disease) Increased gastric permeability and altered immunity Gastrointestinal hemorrhage (ulcers) Hemorrhagic stroke Asthma, chronic rhinitis and nasal polyps Hives (urticaria) Hyperactivity Reyes Syndrome in children Ringing in the ears (tinnitus) Hearing loss Vertigo Mental confusion Drowsiness Excessive sweating and thirst Inhibition of cartilage repair and accelerated cartilage destruction HOW DOES ASPIRIN WORK?

Aspirin prevents blood clotting factors called platelets from sticking to each other. It does so by blocking a platelet enzyme called cyclooxygenase. Aspirin, by inhibiting cyclooxygenase, can decrease the production of lipid peroxides (free radicals) and thromboxane, a powerful vasoconstrictor. This enzyme inhibition lasts for the lifetime of the platelet which is approximately 10 days.

Aspirin suppresses the activity of pro-inflammatory chemicals in the body known as the PGE2 family of prostaglandins. It thus indirectly increases the activity of anti-inflammatory prostaglandins of the PGE1 family. A natural substance called GLA (gamma linolenic acid) found in plants like borage, black currant seed and evening primrose has also been shown to increase the activity of the PGE1 family, producing an anti-inflammatory effect similar to aspirin. Flax seed (edible linseed oil) does not contain GLA but is rich in linoleic acid which can be converted to GLA in the body to produce these same anti-inflammatory effects. GLA has been documented to lower serum cholesterol, reverse some cases of obesity, clear eczema, lower blood pressure, control allergies, improve autoimmune disease and prevent arthritis.

There are some researchers and clinicians who have been able to demonstrate a direct link between the presence of fungi in the body and cardiovascular disease of all kinds. This is known as the fungal mycotoxin etiology of atherosclerosis and has been promoted by Dr. Costantini and other researchers working for the World Health Organization. According to these doctors, aspirin is an antifungal drug which can go a long ways towards offsetting the negative effects of fungi and their mycotoxins. They believe that it is this antifungal property of aspirin that prevents heart disease, stroke and cancer – diseases all suspected to have a fungal mycotoxin etiology.

NATURAL ASPIRIN ALTERNATIVES

Aside from GLA which comes directly from evening primrose, borage and black currant seed and indirectly from flax seed, there are many other safe and effective natural substances that can mimic the ways in which aspirin works. It must be stressed, however, that if one continues to eat a lot of sugar, refined foods, saturated fat (e.g. red meat, chicken, dairy products, etc.), does not exercise, smokes cigarettes and drinks alcohol to excess, neither aspirin nor any of the following alternatives can be guaranteed to do much good.

Beta carotene – The best source of beta carotene is whole carrots. Equally good is a live whole food concentrate of carrots. Eating carrots or swallowing live whole food carrot concentrate capsules is therefore better than just drinking carrot juice which in turn is better than just taking a beta carotene supplement. Carrot juice contains beta carotene but it also contains small amounts of protein, carbohydrate, fat, fiber, potassium, vitamin C and a long list of other essential nutrients. Several studies show an inverse relationship of the consumption of fruits and vegetables high in beta carotene and subsequent death from coronary artery disease. Beta carotene has mild blood clotting retarding effects. Carrots and carrot juice are alkaline forming foods. They lower the risk of cancer, especially smoking-related cancers like lung cancer. They help lower blood cholesterol and are excellent complementary treatments for all skin disorders and respiratory problems like asthma and bronchitis. They may also be of help for gastrointestinal problems like colitis, enteritis and ulcers. Beta carotene as well as other carotenoids all help boost the immune system against bacterial, viral, fungal and parasitic diseases as well as cancer.

Source: Acupuncture Arlington