Happy Birthday Sagittarius!

You, dear Sag, have been through enormous personal change this year. How suitable, since of all the astrological signs you thrive on change! Your love of adventurous change in all forms keeps you, oh optimistic Sag, one happy camper. The monetary kind can`t hurt either, which has been raining your way ever since you fired last years arrow into the heavens! Ah, pennies from heaven.

Wealth has been coming your way in all forms, in fact. Your quest for truth and knowledge has brought you to a new level of universal understanding, which has made you richer as a human being. You are always aiming upward, and with a renewed optimism this is your year to put into practice your new perspectives! Open yourself up to the limitless possibilities of your life.

Since Sagittarians are prone to hip and joint problems, you have had trouble moving forward in the past. Why not implement another new change? Get oiled with a joint supplement like Joint Relief 2HD specially blended to help you to move with comfort and ease from knees to spine, and improve the health of cartilage and connective tissues.

Get flexible naturally; instead of shooting your arrow for the stars, youll be reaching for - and catching them - yourself!

Happy Birthday, Sag.

Love, Sage

My Anti-Aging Secrets - Revealed!

I'm not anti-aging, as in "against" aging. To me, there's something beautiful about wearing my experiential wisdom on my physical body. That said, I definitely aim to age gracefully. And a gloriously skin-tightening, brightening, illuminating facial serum never hurt anyone, either!

Truth be told, I am a sucker for anything life-extending related. Let me elaborate: I am a self-professed eco-luxury skin care whore. There, I said it. Internally and externally, I will climb the walls with my well-manicured nails to get to the latest, greatest skin-healthy product - especially when it's wrapped in gorgeous environmental (of course) packaging!

Every once in a while, though, I rein myself for a little self-talk, and ask myself if the product in question is really doing its great work: helping me fight the battle against premature aging. Do I really see fine-lines disappearing? Are my sun spots really fading? Or am I so enamored with my new hope-in-a-jar that I convince myself of the changes when looking in my mirror? Seriously folks, probably the latter. And then I remember that at every point in my life, when I have looked my absolute best, there have been consistently present factors. These tried and true beautifying tips I share with you now (and they just happen to be the top proven anti-aging treatments, as well. Bonus!):

DIET
Many foods and drinkables contain vital phytonutrients: members of the antioxidant family that scavenge the "free-radicals", or oxygen molecules, that oxidize and therefore contribute to our aging. As well, aging is related to the inflammation of our tissues, something else that our diets can combat. By choosing a diet rich in anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory foods, we can significantly delay the aging process. Choose from:
- Cold water fish: The American Heart Associate recommends eating fish twice weekly. Salmon is a household staple for me!
- Brightly colored fruits and veggies: make a rainbow on your plate! And go raw as often as possible, since cooking can kill off most of the vital enzymes and energy harbored in fruits and veggies. Go for a salad a day, a fresh juice, and fresh fruits. My personal anti-aging faves:
*Water - I drink at least 8 glasses per day.
*Acai, acerola, blackberries. They make the smoothest smoothies.
*Sprouts - all kinds! And try a sprouted grain bread, super yummy. Super good. Anti-aging Superstar.
*Green foods
*Nuts and seeds - I sprout these too. Natch.
*Yogurt - you know I love my healthy bacteria!
*Green tea - Drink up! I also use green tea as a facial toner, which absorbs UV rays and eliminates free radicals.

LIFESTYLE
Regular exercise boosts blood circulation, which not only keeps the body functioning on optimal levels, but brings a healthy glow to the skin. Don't smoke! And wear sunscreen. My reminder is the video above, which I encourage you to view and share with your loved ones.

And speaking of loved ones, this video serves to remind me of the greatest anti-ager of all: Love! Love yourself, love others, and you will remain ageless. I guarantee it!

Ah. An unending life full of raw food, gorgeous skin and hair, shoes, and love. I don't know what more a girl could ask for.

How's that for Sage advice?

Love ;-), Sage

C-ieze The Day!

Who doesn't love feeling healthy and happy? How about having the appearance of glowing, firm skin, strong nails and teeth, and shiny hair? Everybody, right?

Vitamin C is an essential nutrient made internally by almost all organisms except humans and apes, hamsters (weird, I know) and some birds and fish. Somehow, we have lost the ability to synthesize it (don't ask me how), which means we must find an outside source. Translation: a diet rich in vitamins and minerals is key.

Vitamin C is a main component for beautiful skin, hair and nails. It boosts our immunity, protecting us from the onset of disease and illness, and it is a potent antioxidant, internally and topically. In fact, studies have shown that even in small amounts Vitamin C can protect our bodies from free-radicals, which are the leading cause of physical aging (note I state "physical" - we are all really ageless beings. That thought alone can help keep you young!). Vitamin C can help regenerate oxidized molecules, which essentially means can help turn back our physical clocks! The vitamin can also be used as a food grade preservative in skin care and cosmetics, replacing toxic chemicals shown to potentially cause cancer.

For adults, according to the RDA, the recommended dosage is 75 - 90 mg per day. While that dosage will prevent an ailment like scurvy, most of us are't voyaging across bodies of water for months at a time, without an adequate source of vitamin C. A short Greek Island sojourn is a possibility for some of us, but that's another case entirely. According to the Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon State University, much higher daily doses up to 2,000 mg can prevent ailments from cardiovascular disease to cancer. And smokers need approx. 35 mg/day more, since toxins in blood lower levels of vitamin C.

How do we get enough of this make happy vitamin? Contrary to popular belief, oranges are not the highest source of vitamin C. Fruits like acerola berries, guava, kakadu plum, kiwi and mango all contribute to a higher daily intake, in addition to some veggies like peppers and tomato. Check out this food guide courtesy of the Natural Food Hub!

An apple a day may help keep the doctor away, indeed. But when it comes to fending off aging, illness and the blues, I love an exotic fruit salad! And hey, a tropical scurvy-less cruise is exactly what I need this month - even if it takes place at my kitchen table with my eyes closed.

Love, Sage

Photo Credit: valdiney

Allergies, Intolerances And Us - Oh My!

I have had an allergy to peanuts ever since I was tiny. Sadly, I can't eat anything that has even had a peanut breathe on it, so intense is my reaction. Because of this, when I introduced solids to my little kiddo Jake I was so careful to avoid any potential food allergens. Luckily, he never inherited my hives - although he has a major intolerance to cow dairy. While I don't have to worry about exposing him to milk, I still have to be careful. So what's the difference between an allergy and an intolerance?

An allergy is like a breakdown in the immune system. The immune system "misreads" the allergen as an invader, and attacks it. Food allergies are pretty rare: less than 1% of our population suffer true allergies. For that 1% like me who have an actual allergy, it means carrying an epi-pen for life. Most people have intolerances, which can mean a night spent with a box of Kleenex or a campout by the toilet.

An allergy can best be described as a lightning fast response by the body to a perceived invader. Signs/symptoms are typically immediate, dramatic and visible: sneezing, vomiting, migraines, watering eyes, flushed skin or rashing, swelling tissue, hives, swollen throat or vocal chords, difficulty breathing, seizure, loss of consciousness - in most severe cases, anaphylactic shock which requires emergency intervention. Without that, there can be death.

Anaphylactic shock is when an allergic individual's tissues become hypersensitive and swell up 2 or 3 times their normal size. A stuffy nose is a classic symptom. While a stuffy nose is a nuisance it is not serious, and can often be remedied with anti-histamine. When swelling happens to the tongue, mouth or throat, though, it can be extremely dangerous: it can impede breathing.

An intolerance is a rather slow onset reaction: signs/symptoms can appear hours, days or even weeks later. The intolerance is the body's inability to process a particular food; it is also thought to be an immune system response: when the gastro-intestinal system is unable to produce enzymes for digestion, the food passes unprocessed and lingers in gut, fermenting, and producing gas. Blech.

Intolerances can manifest as nutritional deficiencies in the short term, but if left untreated they can lead to serious illness and tissue damage. Which is why I avoid giving Jake milk at all costs.

So how can we avoid triggering food allergens/intolerances? Well, we could grow your own food and bake our own bread. But that's not an option for most of us. Thanks to the great USFDA, we have labelling regulations that ensure that consumers know what's in our food, and what to avoid. According to the US FDA Food Allergen Labelling and Consumer Protection Act of 2004, grocery labels must clearly identify the source of all ingredients that are - or are derived from - the 8 most common food allergens: milk, eggs, fish, crustacean shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat, and soybeans. If you suffer from intolerances or allergies, make reading labels second-nature.

And at the very least, carry an epi-pen!

Now, anyone know what can I do about my in-law intolerance? A prize to the winning reader email.

Love, Sage

Photo Credit: timestandsstill

Hey Obama: I'm Reforming My Own Health Care Bill, Naturally!

Dear President Obama,

I'm reforming my own healthcare bill. After careful review, I have decided that paying into private insurance companies and potentially spending a fortune on medical bills as I age, makes me feel scarily out of control. I am convinced that the best insurance policy I can invest in is my own body: keeping it healthy, strong and beautiful will keep me out of the doctor's office better than anything else. I will save money, and have the glorious health to enjoy doing fabulous things with it!

From this day forward, I am going to wake up every morning (after my 9.5 hours of sleep) and detoxify my body with a glass of citrus-infused pure water. This will help restore my body to it's neutral PH state, reducing the acidic environment where illness loves to thrive.

It's time I got to know myself a little better. I will engage in a deep-breathing exercise and gentle meditation, to start my day stress-free and in positive mindset.

For breakfast I will feast on meuseli (raw oats, nuts and seeds) with soy milk and fruits, to give my body fiber, protein and energy. I will drink green tea to increase my antioxidant intake (after my coffee though, sir. Protocol!).

I will attempt (I'll do my best here, late nights/weather pending) cardiovascular exercise, working my heart and lungs to significantly lower my risk of developing heart disease and all other illnesses.

I will dry brush my skin in circular motions, ridding myself of dead skin cells to reveal fresh, new skin.

In the shower I will perform a breast self-exam, familiarizing myself with my best parts and managing any changes. If I'm in the mood, I may enagage in a partner exam (they say love is the best preventative medicine, right?).

After, I will massage an organic, naturally based body lotion into my body, which will help increase my blood circulation to deliver oxygen to every part of my body. Using non-toxic personal care products will also limit my exposure to potentially cancer-causing chemicals, which I absorb through my skin (up to 80%!).

I will undertake my daily work, organizing my schedule so that I am able to accomplish goals and deadlines. This will satisfy my desire for success, and contribute to my positive piece of mind. If I am unable to manage my deadlines, I will not stress myself out. I will have meditated this morning, and reminding myself of this will return me to my calm, centered state. A dose of Concentration Essentials will help me, too.

I will fuel myself with 5 small meals throughout the day, to keep my blood-sugar at consistent levels. This will help keep my hormones balanced, too.

Every day, I will try to do something I have never done before. After all sir, variety is the spice of life (and everyone knows that spices are potent sources of anti-oxidants, which scavenge free-radicals that cause premature aging).

Every day I will laugh my perky (yes it is, thanks to my fitness partner Buster) butt off. Laughter, along with an active sense of humor, may help protect me against a heart attack, according to a recent study by cardiologists at the University of Maryland Medical Center in Baltimore.

And everyday I will find a way to love myself, since without doing this I can't imagine having the capacity to love others (and as we all know, love is all we need!).

So thank you, President Obama, for giving me the opportunity to reform my own health care bill. Taking it into my own hands - and body - is the best bill I've passed so far!

Love, Sage

Photo Credit: deed.en_CA

Yammy! Food of the Month - The Yam

I am a total foodie. I love food, I love to read about it, I love to look at it. I especially love to eat it. Thanksgiving is one of my absolute favorite holidays, pretty much due to the incredible menu. Most of all, the amazing yam. I love yams so much that on a near weekly basis to date I have fried, baked, mashed, pied, and even juiced (yes, raw!) them.

In keeping with this month's rather fallish theme, I have chosen the yam for this installment of the Food of the Month Club.

It may surprise you, but contrary to popular belief yams are not the orange mash you're probably enjoying this Thanksgiving. Those possibly marshmallow or almond crusted yumminess are really orange colored sweet potatoes, named to distinguish them from their yellow-fleshed sisters. True yams have flesh in colors varying from white to ivory to purple, and skin from white pink or brownish-black. They are long and cylindrical, often having little "toes" and a rough and scaly texture - and they can grow beyond 3 feet! To taste they are super starchy - earthy, hardy and hardly sweet at all.

The yam is one of the oldest plant foods known. As one story goes, while Portuguese slave traders were watching natives in Guinea dig up the tubers, they asked what they were; the reply, "nyami", meaning something to eat. A few centuries worth of the game telephone, and we have yam.

The yam has been cultivated as far back as 10,000 BC in Africa and Asia, as well as tropical and subtropical regions of N and S America. The edible versions of the yam play a staple role in those regional diets, with the rest of the approx. 600 species being poisonous to humans. In fact, the alkaloids have been used to kill fish and to poison darts and arrows for hunting! Oh my yam, you are so yin and yang.

Speaking of yin and yang, the yam has been used in traditional Chinese medicine to affect organ function, particularly the kidney. It is also used to support the female endocrine system. Nutritionally, one cup of yam supplies us with almost 30% of our recommended daily intake of vitamin C and potassium, as well as manganese and dietary fiber. The levels of B6 found in yam have been shown in some research to help combat depression associated with PMS; it can also help reduce the risk of heart disease. The presence of manganese helps metabolise the carbohydrates, and is a cofactor in energy production and antioxidant defence. This helps to make yam a complex carb - the kind I like to eat!

During the months of October to December I stock up on this tuber. I make sure they are organic though, especially since this year the EWG Shoppers Guide to Pesticides reported conventionally grown yams to be one of the 12 foods most frequently containing pesticide residues.

Finally, here's how I love to enjoy my yummy yams this month. Try my recipe out, and enjoy!

Sage`s Yams

4 medium yams

3 (2-inch) strips orange zest

2 cinnamon sticks, broken in half

1/2 cup freshly squeezed orange juice

1/3 cup pure maple syrup

1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice

2 teaspoons peeled and finely chopped ginger root

1/2 teaspoon coarse sea salt

Preheat the oven to 375 F.

Peel and halve the yams crosswise. Cut each half lengthwise into 4 wedges. Place the yams in a baking dish that will hold them in a single layer. Tuck the orange zest and cinnamon sticks among the yams.

In a bowl, whisk together the orange juice, maple syrup, lemon juice, ginger, and salt. Pour the mixture over the yams. Bake for 1 1/4 hours, basting every 15 minutes, until the yams are tender and glazed and the pan juices are syrupy (use a spatula to turn the potatoes now and then.) Remove the orange zest and cinnamon sticks before serving.

Yield: 4 servings

Adapted from: The Modern Vegetarian Kitchen

Yammily, Sage

* You're all in my Food of the Month Club, so email me your pics and recipes! Prizes for the pics I post!

Photo Credit: coyotejack

The Winter Of My Skin's Discontent

I was painting my nails with my eco-fabulous Zoya polish this morning, when I noticed that my hands were very dry. My gaze drifted up my arm, where I was mildly annoyed to find a slightly scaly elbow; a trip to the bathroom to fetch my lotion meant visiting the mirror: grrr, yes, my cheeks and lips had become wintered! What does that mean? With our colder, darker weather comes dryer skin. I call this period winter of my skin's discontent.

Baby, it's cold outside. So what do we do? Turn up the heat, natch. But that only exacerbates our dry skin problems. Internal heating systems are incredibly drying (they suck up any humidity), as are upping intake of warm caffeine-fueled drinks, and encountering extreme temperature shifts (car to shop to car to shop). Add to that our obsessive hand washing (it's flu season, yo!), and our skin pays the price.

But hey, no skin off my (or your) back! There are plenty of things we can all do to stay hydrated inside and out:

- Water down: Drink at least 8 glasses of water per day. This will hydrate every single cell in our bodies, including what's outside!

- Oil up: Top up your essential fatty acids. I love Udo's Oil in everything from smoothies to garlic mashed potatoes to salad dressings.

- Dish it out: Place shallow dishes of water around your home or office, or turn on a humidifier.

- Cool it: Take it easy on the hot baths and showers. Overheating can add to dryness!

- Dry brush: To remove dead skin flakes, try sloughing them off with a loofah mitt or body brush. Move the mitt or brush in small circles across your skin, along arms and up legs towards the heart. When you're done, enjoy a warm (not hot!) bath or shower, then lock in moisturizer.

- Moisturize: Skin on face, hands and body all need help protecting its moisture barrier. For winter months, switch to a heavier formula. Try leaving skin slightly damp after washing, and massaging in moisturizer on top. It will help seal in the extra moisture!

- Get raw: Raw fruits and veggies have a higher water content than their cooked cousins. Eat up!

With this info now in rough, dry hands, I hope that you all find relief like I did! Oh, and by the way all that the dry brushing, massaging and lubing is rather spa like, too. Bonus: it's the perfect way to unwind at the end of your day, and helps you get to bed (see yesterday's post!). Enjoy!

Love, Sage

Solving The World, One Z At A Time

Zzz... Oh! Hi, sorry, geezzz... I must have dozed off. I shouldn't be surprised, since today I'm writing to you from my very newly decorated bedroom. I'm underneath my new 300-thread count organic cotton sheets, with my vegan-friendly pillows and duvet tucked in all around me. I've painted my walls a calm, robins-egg blue, and I have anointed my pillow cases with lavender oil. Soft music is playing in the background. I am peaceful... serene... zzz...

Hell-ooo! Sorry about that, again. Boy do I feel sheepish. And I don't even have to count them! That's right, I have created the perfect environment conducive to sleeping. It was necessary, since, like at least 40 million Americans, I had one of a noted 70 sleep disorders.

According to the National Sleep Foundation - yes, it's enough of a problem to have this kind of a foundation - millions of us are not sleeping enough. Lack of sleep can cause all kinds of problems, from issues related to the brain, nervous, cardiovascular and immune systems. For me, that means I can't remember much, can't hold onto my personal belongings without dropping them, get tired a lot, and feel sick. Actually, I feel like a truck has hit me. And I recently noticed my fine-lines are more pronounced without enough sleep. That was my final call to action.

For many people, lack of sleep can cause insomnia (me, again), accidents (road rage!), hypertension and elevated cardiovascular risks (stroke), emotional problems (depression, bipolar disorder), and obesity. In some crazy cases, lack of sleep can even lead to alcohol and drug abuse.

Ok, it's pretty clear that most of us need way more sleep. I recently read that most humans are built to stay awake for 16 hours, which leaves 8 hours for sleeping. I need more like 9.5, and so does my mom. It's genetic (yeah folks, look that one up!), and I for sure don't get that much.

So how to get more sleep? Well for most of us, sleeplessness has nothing to do with not having enough time to sleep. It has to do with what's keeping us up: stimulation from television, computers, music, food, and of course work. Anything that stresses our nervous system will keep us alert, and we need to seriously chillout.

- First, decide on a consistent time to call it a night. Establishing a regular bedtime hour will help signal the body into gearing down.

- Next, shut the books early. Unless you're on a close deadline, working into the night will only burn you out in the long-run. That goes for physical and mental work, too. And turn off that computer! Flickering screen = googly-eyes. Yow!

- Keep stimulating activities out of the bedroom. We spend more time sleeping in bed than almost anywhere else - and that's all it should be used for! Well almost, of course. Excepting activities involving a certain bedside manner. Ahem.

- Create a sacred, silent space with your bedroom. Invest a little in the room most used in your house: paint the walls in light, gentle colors (skip the reds and blacks), choose soft materials for the bed (preferably organic), and use easy lighting. Get that tv outta there! And keep your space clean, and clutter-free. Think of your space as a reflection of your inner world: clutter on the outside contributes to a cluttered mind - and sleeplessness.

- Try some relaxation techniques: meditating, warm bathing and gentle exercise like yoga will all coax baby to bed.

- A gentle supplement can help: try Natural Sleep Essentials with jubjube and fleece flower.

- Finally, go to the spa! Crack open the essential oils (lavender and chamomile are super relaxing) and add a few drops to a bath or shower. Sip a soothing drink like tea of chamomile, which will help you to unwind. Now I did say sip to unwind - I didn't say reach for the whiskey! While some may try alcohol to relax and get drowsy, alcohol actually works to stimulate. It will wake you up mid-night, guaranteed! Skip it.

I wonder now if getting enough sleep could actually solve many of our societal issues? If so many millions of Americans are suffering from sleep depravation, maybe that's why our culture seems to be so aggressive and quick to anger. Sounds like an epidemic to me!

Hmmm... I think I'll put that one to bed and take it back out tomorrow. Good night...

Zzz, Sage

Photo Credit: pedrosimoes7

It Burns! It Burns! - Treating UTI's

As I have stated before, I am one uber-healthy lady. It is so rare for me to find myself sniffling or sneezing, rashing or otherwise. The one burning exception that rocks my status, however, is my propensity for UTI's - the dreaded urinary tract infection. For me, there is nothing worse. And in my case, it is both excruciating and debilitating - it feels like I'm under-garmented with a lit match. Yes, down there!

A UTI is a bacterial infection of the bladder and urethra. Common among women, research shows that approx. 50% of all women (vs. 12% of men - you're not immune either!) will have at least 1 in their lifetime. I think that female statistic is a little low: I have had maybe one hundred during mine so far. I digress, but only to assure you that I am an experienced sufferer. I know what I'm talking about!

Women have shorter urinary tracts than men, which make us more susceptible to bacteria that can invade and multiply. Most of these infections are not serious, though totally ridiculously uncomfortable. Common symptoms can be the need to pee a lot, pain or discomfort upon urination, bloating and cramping. In general, these are more annoying than dangerous.

Conventional medical treatments commonly use the ubiquitous antibiotics (surprised? I didn't think so). They work, yes, but of course as we've learned, antibiotics wipe out our good bacteria with the bad, making us vulnerable and defenceless to a new attack (read my article on probiotics when you're done with this one HERE).

Many UTI's can be treated naturally, and are most effective when used at the first sign of symptoms. Most important is dramatically increasing fluid intake: a flushing of the urinary system helps eliminate the bacteria.

Recently during my last bout I came across a treatment called D-Mannose. A natural occurring simple sugar, it has been found to be the active ingredient present in cranberries, apples, peaches, berries and some plants. While it is a sugar, it is absorbed by the body at a much slower rate than normal sugars, and isn't converted to glycogen or stored in the liver. What this means is that it does not alter our blood sugar levels. It is filtered quickly through our kidneys and bladder, and passes through our bodies without disrupting our natural health bacteria. Within a few hours of taking it, my typically troublesome symptoms were gone!

Naturally treating UTI's is effective, but prevention is even better. When it comes to UTI's, a few simple rules can mean the difference between a burning hell and a day in the park:

- Pee after sex!

- Wipe from front to back. This one is a no brainer for most (girls, that is), since our back-ends are the site for eliminating waste, and therefore home to many bacterium.

- Reduce or eliminate refined sugars, flours, caffeine and alcohol. These foods cause an overly-acidic state in the urine, the perfect setting for bacterial growth.

- Go! When you gotta, you gotta. With holding when you need to use the lady's (or men's) can keep bacteria trapped, and multiplying.

Please note: a UTI should never be taken lightly. Bloody urine, fever and rashes are all signs that your infection has gone deep, beyond the bladder and into the kidneys. While I always advocate a natural approach to treatment first, in this case seek medical attention immediately!

Love, Sage

Photo Credit: respres

Today, lest we forget...

In Flanders fields the poppies blow

Between the crosses, row on row,

That mark our place: and in the sky

The larks, still bravely singing, fly

Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago

We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,

Loved, and were loved, and now we lie

In Flanders Fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:

To you from failing hands we throw

The torch; be yours to hold it high.

If ye break faith with us who die

We shall not sleep, though poppies grow

In Flanders Fields.

- John McCrae

Love, Sage and the NaturalWellbeing Family

Photo Credit: jono2k5

Post-Thanksgiving Digestion - Acid Reflux Essentials

Thanksgiving is one of my favourite holidays - I love the sentiment, and I love the food even more! Roasted turkey, mashed potatoes and gravy, cranberry sauce, rolls and butter... Not to forget my mom's celebrated pecan pie. But last season I gobbled a bit too much gobble-gobble - and I suffered a huge case of acid reflux. If your Grandma's famous stuffing has you feeling beyond famously stuffed - bloated, crampy, burpy and possibly even experiencing chest pains - then you too may be experiencing gastroesophageal reflux.

Acid reflux takes its name from the Medieval Latin "refluxus", meaning "to flow back". The acid part comes from, you guessed it, stomach acid. Therefore if you are experiencing acid reflux, your stomach acids are literally flowing back - or rather, up - into your esophagus, causing sensations that are often referred to collectively as heartburn.

Acid reflux is common, and can have a variety of causes: stress, pregnancy, excess weight, diet, smoking, and getting all ancient Roman - eating too quickly and reclining right after. No matter what the cause, almost nothing is worth the experience.

The short term effects of acid reflux are mostly in the range of discomfort, which can vary from person to person. But for those with a chronic condition, long term inflammation of the esophagus can damage lining and cause bleeding, ulcers, and scarring: over time, the cells in the esophagus can change shape and color - sometimes even leading to cancer of the esophagus. In other words: this is a condition that should be treated and prevented, faster than you can say "can I have some more, please?"!

Acid reflux is so common (read: millions of Americans) that many conventional manufacturers have a short term solution: medicines that reduce stomach acid like Zanprol and Protium. While they may help in the short term, common side effects include: gas, diarrhoea, constipation, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain and headaches - the very conditions they are meant to treat! Not only that, this summer Fox News reported that even short term use of "popular acid-reducing heartburn drugs may raise the risk of hip fractures," . This information could be hard to stomach, if there weren't a natural solution! Which of course, there is.

For many sufferers, a few lifestyle changes effectively help to treat and prevent future occurrences. Avoid chocolate (I know, I cried too), peppermint, coffee (again, more tears), tea, refined flours and sugars, and nuts. Incorporate an herbal formula designed to help rebalance the digestive system, like Acid Reflux Essentials. And give yourself some breathing space: research has shown that people with acid reflux who practice deep breathing each day significantly reduce the uncomfortable sensation.

I can't imagine a holiday season without my mom's fabulous pie, and this year I'll be better prepared!

Love, Sage

*A note for about-to-be-moms: while you may temporarily experience heartburn during pregnancy, herbal supplements are a no-no. Heartburn is totally - annoyingly - present during pregnancy, so invest a small fortune in probiotic yogurt and reap the rewards! Translation: the fermented, healthy bacteria-laden food will help the sensation tremendously. Consider this the sagest of all my advice, past and present.

Congratulations, Scooter! You've Won Testimonial of the Month!

Every month we receive so many amazing letters here at NaturalWellbeing! We are thrilled that you take the time to share your exciting stories with us, about how our products have changed your life.

Each month, your testimonials are entered into a random draw and a prize winner is hand-drawn. The winning testimonial is posted here, by me, and the writer receives via email an online Gift Certificate for use on NaturalWellbeing's site!

A big thank-you to this month's winner, Scooter from Birmingham, AL!

Scooter writes:

"I was concerned this would be just another useless purchase, but it wasn't. My hair loss was so extreme I had to wear extentions. I was on a blood pressure medicine that had a side effect of hair loss. I switched medicines and went on Hair Essentials. I then took a leap of faith and cut my hair very sort to start over. Well I love the short cut and my hair is now much thicker and there is new growth all over. My stylist can't believe the difference! I have to get my hair cut every month becasue it grows so fast. I have been on the Hair Essentials for only 2 months and it has made such a perfound impact in my appearence. Thank you for a great product!"

Congratulations, Scooter! And happy shopping!

Love, Sage

Would you like a chance to win a NaturalWellbeing Gift Certificate? Send your testimonial to , and I'll enter you! Monthly winner will be posted here by me, and contacted by email.

Give Acne Bacteria The Boot - Naturally!

My mother and grandmother have beautiful skin. Glowing, smooth, and barely a hint of fine-lines. Sigh. Yeah, they're those types.

As the youngest female in our clan, one would think that I would have inherited such skintastic gorgeousness. I have been gifted, I think, with youthful good looks, but in the skin clarity department I've been blessed with less. I've been breaking out since I could drive. Like any teenage stage, I thought the pimples would become a memory like my senior prom. I had forgotten almost all of prom the morning after it, but my skin troubles have yet to become a thing of the past.

According to the American Academy of Dermatology, 80 % of adults from 20 - 30 suffer from mild to moderate acne, including: pimples, blackheads, whiteheads, and nodules on the face, chest, back, and buttocks. It is the most common skin disorder in the US, and greater in women than men; although, men tend to have more severe cases due to larger levels of the hormone testosterone. Rrrrrr!

Acne is an overgrowth of bad bacteria, which happens when our hair follicles get plugged with natural oils. Adult acne can have many causes:

- Cosmetics with oil base - look for non-comedogenic (meaning won't block pores)

- Medications like steroids, birth control, hormone therapies and other treatments

- Heredity

- Oily skin types, which produce more oil that is potentially trapped within the skin

As with any bacterial infection, acne is conventionally treated with antibiotics - topically and internally. As we know, antibiotics don't discriminate between our good and bad bacteria. The problem? Our natural friendly bacteria, hard at work to fight the bad, are wiped out. This leaves our immune system defenceless, making us dependant on conventional treatments, even as the bacteria become stronger against it. Acne returns with a vengeance, giving meaning to the term acne vulgaris. As if hearing you have acne on its own weren't vulgar enough!

We can definitely treat and prevent acne naturally - in fact, many conventional drugs are synthesized lab-made versions of the natural original!

- Pick the right daily anti-acne regimen. Obviously I am an absolute sucker for all-natural beauty products (call me a junkie, if you will) and I love Biolee products

- Look for spot-treatment products with and anti-inflammatory like salicylic acid (white willow bark)

- Exfoliate with lactic (milk), malic (apple), citric (citrus) and glycolic (sugar cane) acids

- A balanced diet will help keep your immune system functioning (staving off illness). It will feed your skin and body with the powerful ingredients necessary for glowing skin (and hair!), and keep hormones from swinging like a pendulum.

Most acne sufferers can and will find relief naturally. For some of us though, acne may need more than at-home help. Top 5 reasons to see doc about acne:

- Sudden breakouts in large areas
- You have never been diagnosed with acne before, could be rosacea or folliculitis, which look similar to acne

- Acne worsening despite home care

- Nodules and cystic breakouts: severe, can cause scarring

- Acne could be caused by medication

- Your skin is causing depression and insecurity

After diligently looking after myself both inside and out, my skin has repaired and resurfaced. I feel great inside, I look great outside, and I positively glow. I know you can too! If you are a fellow acne sufferer, go natural and give acne bacteria the boot.

And remember to smile - nothing boosts your beauty like a radiant outlook on life!

Love, Sage

Licorice: One Sweet Root!

Not everyone likes licorice, but the people who do REALLY like it. I am one of those people.

My devotion got off to a bad start, really, when as a child in Switzerland my parents thought it a good idea to brush in between meals by chewing on the root. Even though it got herbally sweeter and sweeter with each chew - and not in a good way - the experience quickly went from bad to good like the salty-yet-sweet candy version I was allowed to pop right after (totally annihilating the benefits of the chew, I know. But so is giving candy to a child post-dentist visit. I digress.).

An acquired taste, the European licorice drops quickly became a favorite of mine and an adoration of all things licorice began. Fast forward to my college years, when my love affair reached a fever pitch as hot as the flames atop my sambuca shooter - yes, I sheepishly admit it - and I have since enjoyed it in candy, ice cream, gum, root beer and tea. I love it so much, in fact, that if they bottled licorice spice tea I would wear it (and incidentally a recent study places the scent of licorice as the one most arousing to men).

Not to be confused with anise - which is similar in taste and the main ingredient used to flavour the candies and things I enjoy - licorice takes its name from Greek glyks rhiza, meaning sweet root. Some research has placed its sweetness as 150 times sweeter than sucrose! Harvested in the autumn, the root of this legume (related to beans and peas) is the part used medicinally. Licorice has been used since pre-biblical times as an overall body tonic, particularly in ancient Greece, Egypt (King Tut was buried with a supply), China, and India. It is still commonly found in cough drops, syrups, tooth powders, tonics and laxatives, as well as a harmonizing ingredient for traditional Chinese formulations; but I think the most titillating use of licorice has been for increasing sexual vigor: the 6th c. Indian Kama Sutra and 15th c. Ananga Ranga contain numerous recipes to crack the proverbial licorice whip. Ahem!

Most important to contemporary medicine today, licorice contains the anti-viral compound glycyrrhizic acid. It is so effective that it is used in Japan to treat and control viral hepatitis. The compound is also widely used to treat oral herpes and prevent cold sores. Translation: while it may sometimes be called the liver of candy, licorice is one amazingly potent elixir.

So whether you're looking to feel a little lickerish (whoop!) or needing a powerful remedy to boost liver function, look no further than the licorice root. It really is fit for a king.

And me!

Love, Sage

Good Things Come In 90 Day Money Back Guarantees!

This just in: the powers that be at NaturalWellbeing have just introduced a new 90 day, money back, guarantee!

I love a company that trusts its products so much, that they give you ample time to try what you buy. All the more reason for me to trust and love them, too!

That, and maybe the free same day shipping for purchases $75.00 and up. I know, I know, patience is a virtue...

Love, Sage

The Pros of Pro and Prebiotics

Probiotics have been making the news for the last few years. Their efficacy is so convincing that they are found as ingredients not only in yogurt, but baby food, pizza crust, toothpaste - and even skincare (I myself am enamored of at-home yogurt masks). In our house, I up our intake of probiotics as soon as cold and flu season hits, maintaining a healthy army of good bacteria to help fend off the bad.

We all have an amount of healthy bacteria living in our guts, often referred to as "friendly" bacteria, which helps keep bad bacteria and yeast from growing in our intestinal tract. The amount of friendly bacteria can vary from person to person, but we live in a culture that promotes a lack of the healthy stuff . Our poor diets are notoriously high in sugar, caffeine, alcohol and refined grain, stress, and antibiotics (they kill the good with the bad). This all leads to an overgrowth of bad bacteria and yeast.

Lack of good bacteria leads to stomach upsets, poor digestion, allergies, and illness - all symptoms of a compromised immune system. In other words: without our little bacterial friends, we're asking for trouble.

Upping our healthy bacteria is as easy as eating some of our (probably, hopefully) favorite foods (if they're not, read on for an easier-to-stomach solution). Probiotic bacteria - lactobacillus, acidophilus, etc - can be found in foods like yogurt and sauerkraut, which are naturally fermented.

More and more foods found at our local supermarket and health foodstore contain probiotics, so eating them can be as easy as probiotic pie. Even easier is taking a supplement, usually a refrigerated capsule of powder (choose from tens of brands) or the liquid probiotic "shooter" by BIO K (my personal fave). Be forewarned: you who are seriously lacking healthy bacteria need to take it slowly! Recommended doses in the introductory phase can cause gas and stomach upset. Start with half the amount, and work up to full strength. Trust me on this one.

Every friend needs a friend, and prebiotics are the BFF's of the pros. They come from carbohydrate fibers called oligosaccharides which are indigestible by us humans, but feed the probiotics and keep them alive. The source of these oligosaccharides includes fruits, legumes, and whole grains. For those of us lacking enough in our diets, fructo-oligosaccharides can be taken as additional supplements.

In this day and age of over-sanitization, overuse of antibiotics, poor diets and stress, we seem to be ailing more and more. No wonder: these conditions all contribute to an overabundance of bad bacteria in our bodies, creating a stressed out, limited immune system. Boosting our immunity is as simple as replenishing our friendly bacteria - just go pro!

Love, Sage

Hair Loss and Pregnancy - Luscious Locks After Baby

During my pregnancy I had the most fabulous, bouncy, 1970's baby-sitter hair imaginable. It was so amazing, in fact, that I went out of my granola-way to wear it in multiple styles, keep it gorgeously groomed, and generally adore it - all while trying to maintain a very non-attached relationship with it.

I had heard that it was common to experience hair loss post-baby - and truly, right before I brought the new kid home my dog Buster's behavior made me want to rip my hair out (see his version HERE). But I didn't yank it out by the handfuls. I didn't have to: now that the little Jake had arrived it fell out on its own!

So here I was, supposed to be glowing in the goddessliness of being a new mom - and instead, I felt like I was balding. My hair seemed to be falling out in record amounts.

According to the American Pregnancy Association ,http://www.americanpregnancy.org/, hair loss after delivery is totally common. Apparently, an increased number of hairs go into a resting phase during pregnancy - part of the hair loss pattern. The most common period of loss happens about three months after birth, when hormone levels normalize and the resting hairs fall out. Most women see a regrowth of hair within three - four months after baby, but by then my normally cascading river of locks had still evaporated to a mere trickle!

Since I was breastfeeding, I knew to err on the side of caution and not even attempt to promote growth with supplements, no matter how gentle they were. I had planned to nurse until 2 years - the age advised by most major pediatric associations/societies world wide - so I waited. And waited, and waited, and waited. I tried everything recommended, which I knew then (and still know now) to be absolutely important to do:

- Gentle, proper hair care: combing with wide-toothed comb when wet, no metal clips or ties, gentle shampoos and conditioners, avoid styling with heat

- Fill up on fresh fruits and veggies to provide protection for hair follicles and regrowth

- Supplements with Vit B complex, C, E, biotin and zinc

I created a maintenance routine that by all standards seemed a religious rite, including: daily brushings, scalp massages, a deep conditioning treatment each night, a warm shower including a rinse with diluted apple cider vinegar.

A little fringe showed up at the top of my forehead. It looked cute on Katie Holmes, and even glam on J.Lo, but not on me. As the little hairs grew out, did they add volume as they lengthened? No. And to boot, they looked greyer.

A headband took up permanent residence to hold them all back.

Near Jake's 1st birthday he decided to wean himself; the wean saddened me, naturally - ok, I was sad until it hit me: not only did the wean mark the near-return of my boobs (yes, they would come back! Yes!), but I could finally herb my way to fuller hair!

I picked a formulation that incorporated herbs to feed my scalp and follicles with everything they needed for new hair growth, and kick-started the inactive ones (thanks for that, hormones). I did a 90 day regime, and low and behold: I was now in possession of one magnificent mane!

Dear readers, as I sit and write, twirling my locks through my fingers, I am grateful that I have repossessed my crowning glory. I know how hair loss can affect one's sense of self - whether it is from illness, post-pregnancy, or even heredity. Take care of your existing tresses by grooming gently, maintaining a healthy diet, and investing in an effective herbal formula, like Hair Essentials, to bring hair back. You won't have to stress about the tress(es) again!

Love, Sage

Happy Birthday Scorpio!

I prophesize that this is going to be your most focused year, yet! How do I know? Because you're coming into your own self-awareness (which is always a great thing), identifying your passionate strengths and your distracting weaknesses - the ultimate in total self-control. And what Scorpio doesn't want to control EVERYTHING?

Start by recognizing your need to over-do things - and I mean compulsively! You tend to be a little obsessive (good thing you have 8 arms/legs - AND 2 pincers!), which stresses you to the max (read: upsets your tummy, and everything linked to it). Your deep desire to reign supreme makes you want to be everywhere, all at once - you're famously all or nothing!

Want to know what that stinger on the end of your tail is for? You got it - after running yourself ragged, your next step is to isolate yourself from the rest of the world and commit social hari-kari (the metaphorical self-sting). Withdrawn and down, that red hot you turns blue.

This year marks great changes ahead, which will have you wanting to crawl off in a million directions (as per usual). Make it easy to accomplish all your goals, with a birthday present that will help you regain your focus, concentration, and reduce your tension associated with burning the candle at both ends: Concentration Essentials. And it's safe even for those mini-Scorps.

It's your year to rule your world!

Love, Sage