Going chemical free part 1: Homemade laundry detergent

Going chemical free part 1:  Homemade laundry detergent

 

Clearing out the house of toxic chemicals and going au naturel. Always wanted to do this but now that I have a 4 month old infant who is soon going to be crawling around the house I figured now is the time. So join me on my journey of going chemical free! First task was to get rid of toxic laundry detergent. So here is a recipe that I have tried over the past few weeks and let me tell you that this stuff is fantastic! It is also cheap, easy and fun to make. Join me next time as I discuss my results with homemade carpet fresh cleaner. Let me know what you think!

Homemade Liquid Laundry Detergent, Less than $2 for 5 Gallons!

www.mrshappyhomemaker.com

Buying laundry detergent can put a dent in any budget. Let me walk you though how I make my own liquid laundry detergent at home for just pennies a...

 

Your friendly local Willoughby/Mentor Chiropractor.  Located on corner of Mentor Avenue and Erie Street.

www.McLaughlinChiro.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

50 WAYS TO USE ESSENTIAL OILS

For good smelling towels, sheets, clothes, etc. place a few drops of your favorite essential oil onto a small piece of terry cloth and toss into the clothes dryer while drying. Add 5 drops essential oil to 1/4 cup fabric softener or water and place in the center cup of the washer.
Potpourri which has lost its scent can be revived by adding a few drops of essential oil.
Add a few drops of oil to water in a spray bottle and use as an air freshener.
Add a few drops essential oil to a pan of water and simmer on stove or in a potpourri pot.
To enjoy a scented candle, place a drop or two into the hot melted wax as the candle bums.
To dispel household cooking odors, add a few drops of Clove oil to a simmering pan.
For tired aching muscles or arthritis aches, mix 1 part Cinnamon, Sage and Basil oil to 4 parts Sweet Almond or other vegetable oil and use as a massage oil.
Ease headache pain by rubbing a drop of Rosemary or Lavender oil onto the back of your neck.
To blend your own massage oil, add 3-5 drops of your favorite essential oil to 1 oz. Sweet Almond or other skin- nourishing vegetable oil.
1 Add 10 drops of essential oil to a box of cornstarch or baking soda, mix very well, let set for a day or two and then sprinkle over the carpets on your home. Let set for an hour or more, then vacuum.
To make a natural flea collar, saturate a short piece of cord or soft rope with Pennyroyal or Tea Tree oil, roll up in a handkerchief and tie loosely around the animal’s neck.
Shoes can be freshened by either dropping a few drops of Geranium essential oil directly into the shoes or by placing a cotton ball dabbed with a few drops of Lemon oil into the shoes. Athlete’s foot? Tea Tree is great!
Put a few drops of your favorite essential oil on a cotton ball and place it in your vacuum cleaner bag. Lemon and Pine are nice. Rose Geranium helps with pet odors.
To fragrance your kitchen cabinets and drawers, place a good scent dabbed on a cotton ball into an inconspicuous comer.
Are mice a problem? Place several drops of Peppermint oil on a cotton ball and place at problem locations.
The bathroom is easily scented by placing oil-scented cotton balls in inconspicuous places, or sprinkle oils directly onto silk or dried flower arrangements or wreaths.
Apply true Lavender oil or Tea Tree oil directly to cuts, scrapes or scratches. 1 or 2 drops will promote healing.
Homemade soaps are pleasant and offer therapeutic effects when scented with essential oils. Use soaps which contain pure essential oils.
Homemade sachets are more fragrant when essential oils are blended with the flowers and herbs.
An essential oil dropped onto a radiator scent ring or light bulb will not only fill the room with a wonderful fragrance, but will also set a mood such as calming or uplifting. (Don’t put essential oil in the socket.)
A few drops of your favorite oil or blend in the rinse water of your hand washables makes for pleasant results.
Anise oil has been used by fishermen for years. Use a drop or two on the fingertips before baiting up. Anise covers up the human scent that scares the fish away.
Essential oils or blends make wonderful perfumes. Create your own personal essence! Add 25 drops to 1 oz of perfume alcohol and allow to age for two weeks before using.
To dispel mosquitoes and other picnic pests, drop a few drops of Citronella oil on the melted wax of a candle or place a few drops on the Bar-B-Q hot coals.
1 drop of Lemon essential oil applied directly to a wart is an effective means of elimination. Apply the essential oil daily until the wart is gone.
Rosemary promotes alertness and stimulates memory. Inhale occasionally during long car trips and while reading or studying.
Selling your home? Fragrance sells! Fill the kitchen area with the aroma of spices such as Clove, Cinnamon and Vanilla. Simmer a few drops of the essential oil of Cinnamon, Nutmeg and other spices. Geranium oil sprinkled throughout the home creates a warm, cheerful and inviting mood. Add Cinnamon oil to furniture polish and wipe down the wood.
Add essential oils to paper mache. The result is the creation of a lovely aromatic piece of art.
Infuse bookmarks and stationery with essential oils. Place drops of oil on paper and put them in a plastic bag. Seal it and leave overnight to infuse the aroma. Send only good news in perfumed letters.
Nock pillows, padded and decorative hangers make more memorable gifts simply by putting a couple of drops of essential oil on them before giving.
Overindulge last night? Essential oils of Juniper, Cedarwood, Grapefruit, Lavender, Carrot, Fennel, Rosemary and Lemon help soften the effects of a hangover. Make your own blend of these oils and use a total of 6-8 drops in a bath.
Essential oils of Vetivert, Cypress, Cedarwood, Frankincense and Myrrh all make wonderful firewood oil. Drop approximately 2-3 drops of oil or blend of your choice on a dried log and allow time for the oil to soak in before putting the log on the fire.
Flies and moths dislike Lavender oil. Sprinkle it on the outside of your window frames.
Place 1 or 2 drops of sleep enhancing oils such as Chamomile, Lavender or Neroli on your pillow before retiring for restful sleep.
When moving into a new home, first use a water spray containing your favorite essential oils and change the odorous environment to your own. Do this for several days until it begins to feel like your space.
Ideal scents for the bedroom are Roman Chamomile, Geranium, Lavender or Lemon.
One drop of Lemon essential oil on a soft cloth will polish copper with a gentle buffing.
When washing out the fridge, freezer or oven, add 1 drop of Lemon, Lime, Grapefruit, Bergamot, Tangerine or Orange essential oil to the final rinse water.
For burms or scalds, drop Tea Tree oil directly on the effected area.
Place 1 drop of Peppermint oil in 1/2 glass of water, sip slowly to aid digestion and relieve upset stomach.
Use 1 drop of Chamomile oil on a washcloth wrapped ice cube to relieve teething pain in children.
Six to eight drops of Eucalyptus oil in the bath cools the body in summer and protects in winter.
Add 1 drop Geranium oil to your facial moisturizer to bring out a radiant glow in your skin.
Place 1 or 2 drops of Rosemary on your hair brush before brushing to promote growth and thickness.
When the flu is going around add a few drops of Thyme to your diffuser or simmer in a pan on the stove.
To bring fever down, sponge the body with cool water to which 1 drop each of Eucalyptus, Peppermint and Lavender oils have been added.
The blend of Lavender and Grapefruit oil is good for the office. Lavender creates a calm tranquil atmosphere while Grapefruit stimulates the senses and clears up stale air.
A blend of Geranium, Lavender and Bergamot alleviates anxiety and depression. Use in a room diffuser or 6-8 drops of this blend in the bath.
A wonderful massage blend for babies is 1 drop Roman Chamomile, 1 drop Lavender, 1 drop Geranium diluted in 2 Tablespoons Sweet Almond oil.
1 drop Peppermint oil diluted in 1 teaspoon vegetable oil rubbed on the back of the neck helps to relieve headaches.

 

Your local Willoughby/Mentor Chiropractor  located on Mentor Avenue and Erie Street

www.MclaughlinChiro.com

Classroom Hand Sanitizers Don't Curb Absences, Study Finds

Germs are like opportunistic scavengers in the dessert. You'll never find vultures hovering over healthy animals, just the sick and the weakened. As long as you eat well, move well and think well you will be dis-ease free and you won't have to obsess about washing your hands all the time.
This is evident in the link provided below.  Read on:

http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=180024
 
Looking for a local chiropractor in the Willoughby, Eastlake and Mentor area?  The Willoughby Chiropractic Center is located at the corner of Mentor and Erie street in downtown Willoughby.

Good Computer Ergonomics are for kids Too!

At least 70 percent of America's 30 million elementary school students use computers, according to a recent New York Times article. As a result of this increased usage, doctors of chiropractic are treating more young patients suffering from the effects of working at computer stations that are either designed for adults or poorly designed for children. Many children are already suffering from repetitive motion injuries (RMI) such as carpal tunnel syndrome and chronic pain in the hands, back, neck and shoulders.

A recently published study conducted by a team of researchers from Cornell University found that 40 percent of the elementary school children they studied used computer workstations that put them at postural risk. The remaining 60 percent scored in a range indicating "some concern."

"Emphasis needs to be placed on teaching children how to properly use computer workstations," stated Dr. Scott Bautch, a member of the American Chiropractic Association's Council on Occupational Health. "Poor work habits and computer workstations that don't fit a child's body during the developing years can have harmful physical effects that can last a lifetime. Parents need to be just as concerned about their children's interaction with their computer workstations as they are with any activities that may affect their children's long-term health," added Dr. Bautch.

What can you do?
To reduce the possibility of your child suffering painful and possibly disabling injuries, the American Chiropractic Association (ACA) and its Council on Occupational Health offer the following tips:

• If children and adults in your home share the same computer workstation, make certain that the workstation can be modified for each child's use.
   
• Position the computer monitor so the top of the screen is at or below the child's eye level. This can be accomplished by taking the computer off its base or stand, or having the child sit on firm pillows or phone books to reach the desired height.
   
• Make sure the chair at the workstation fits the child correctly. An ergonomic back cushion, pillow or a rolled-up towel can be placed in the small of the child's back for added back support. There should be two inches between the front edge of the seat and the back of the knees. The chair should have arm supports so that elbows are resting within a 70- to 135-degree angle to the computer keyboard.
   
• Wrists should be held in a neutral position while typing - not angled up or down. The mousing surface should be close to the keyboard so your child doesn't have to reach or hold the arm away from the body.
   
• The child's knees should be positioned at an approximate 90- to 120-degree angle. To accomplish this angle, feet can be placed on a foot rest, box, stool or similar object.
• Reduce eyestrain by making sure there is adequate lighting and that there is no glare on the monitor screen. Use an antiglare screen if necessary.
   
• Limit your child's time at the computer and make sure he or she takes periodic stretch breaks during computing time. Stretches can include: clenching hands into fists and moving them in 10 circles inward and 10 circles outward; placing hands in a praying position and squeezing them together for 10 seconds and then pointing them downward and squeezing them together for 10 seconds; spreading fingers apart and then closing them one by one; standing and wrapping arms around the body and turning all the way to the left and then all the way to the right.
   
• Your child's muscles need adequate hydration to work properly and avoid injury. Encourage your child to drink four 8-ounce glasses of water a day. Carbonated beverages, juices and other sweet drinks are not a substitute.
   
• Urge your child's school or PTA officials to provide education on correct computer ergonomics and to install ergonomically correct workstations.

"If your child continues to complain of pain and strain from sitting at a computer, see a doctor of chiropractic," urges Dr. Bautch. "A chiropractor can help alleviate your child's pain and help prevent further injury."

Willoughby Chiropractic Thought of the Day!

"The way we communicate with others and with ourselves ultimately determines the quality of our lives." — Anthony Robbins

Consumer Reports Gets It Right!

Consumer Reports Survey Shows Hands-on Therapies
Were The Top-rated Treatments 

 

 

 April 10, 2009 — A study in the May issue of Consumer Reports shows that hands-on therapies were tops among treatments for relief of back pain. The study, which surveyed more than 14,000 consumers, was conducted by the Consumer Reports Health Ratings Center.

According to the report, the survey respondents tried a variety of different treatments and rated the treatments on how helpful and satisfied they were with the results. The report concluded that hands-on therapies were the top-rated.

The report states that, “eighty-eight percent of those who tried chiropractic manipulation said it helped a lot, and 59 percent were ‘completely’ or ‘very’ satisfied with their chiropractor.” 

 http://www.chiro.org/LINKS/ABSTRACTS/Hands_on_Therapies.shtml

 

-From Your Local Mentor/Willoughby Chiropractor in Willoughby, Ohio

 

Does Chiropractic Really Work?

To all of those people driven by research.  Enjoy!!!

Workers’ Compensation & Return To Work Studies

A number of workers’ compensation studies have shown chiropractic care to be superior to medical care in the treatment of on the job back injuries. Chiropractors have been able to get their patients out of pain and back to work faster and with lower treatment costs.
The Utah Study – fewer costs and days lost
The Florida Study – shorter disability/lower costs/lower hospitalization rates
The California Study – chiropractic patients get back to work sooner
The Oregon Study – chiropractic gets individuals back to work, and fast!
The Australian Study – cost & pain-relief effective with a lower chronicity rate
The Manga Report – back to work, and fast

The Utah Study – fewer costs and days lost
This 1988 Utah workers’ compensation board study found a tenfold savings for mean compensation costs in back-related injuries treated by chiropractors as compared with medical doctors ($68.38 vs. $668.39). To ensure accurate and true results, only those back-related injuries with the same diagnostic codes were compared between the two treatment groups. Also, the medical treatments assessed were limited to nonsurgical medical treatments only.
Cost per Case Comparison of Back Injury Claims of Chiropractic versus medical Management for Conditions with Identical Diagnostic Codes. Jarvis KB, et al. Journal of Occupational Medicine – 1991;33:847-52.
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The Florida Study – shorter disability/lower costs/lower hospitalization rates
This large State of Florida study examined 10,652 patients who sustained back-related injuries on the job. Their findings revealed that individuals who received chiropractic care compared with standard medical care for similar diagnoses experienced had a
51.3 percent shorter temporary total disability duration
lower treatment cost by 58.8 percent ($558 vs. $1,100 per case)
20.3 percent hospitalization rate in the chiropractic care group vs. 52.2 percent rate in the medical care group.
An Analysis of Florida Workers’ Compensation Medical Claims for Back Related Injuries. Wolk S. Foundation for Chiropractic Education and Research, Arlington, VA. – 1988.
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The California Study – chiropractic patients get back to work sooner
In this study, Richard Wolf, M.D. followed 500 individuals sent for chiropractic treatments and 500 individuals sent to medical doctors for treatment. Those who received chiropractic treatments returned to work in an average of 15.6 days vs. 32 days in those who received treatments from medical doctors.
Industrial Back Injury. Wolf CR. International Review of Chiropractic – 1974;26:6-7.
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The Oregon Study – chiropractic gets individuals back to work, and fast!
This Oregon study found that individuals with workers’ compensation claims returned to work significantly faster under chiropractic care compared with medical care. In fact, under chiropractic care 82% were able to return to work after one week compared with only 41% in those who received medical care.
A Study of Time Loss Back Claims. Portland, OR. Workers’ Compensation Board, State of Oregon, March 1971.
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The Australian Study – cost & pain-relief effective with a lower chronicity rate
In this Australian study, 1,996 workers’ compensation cases were evaluated in patients who experienced work-related mechanical low back pain. It was found that those individuals who received chiropractic care for their back pain returned to work 4 times faster (6.26 days vs. 25.56 days) and had treatment that cost 4 times less ($392 vs. $1,569) than those who received treatments from medical doctors. Also, in those patients who received chiropractic care there was a significantly lower incidence of progression to a chronic low back pain status.
Mechanical Low-Back Pain: A Comparison of Medical and Chiropractic Management Within the Victorian Work Care Scheme. Ebrall, PS. Chiropractic Journal of Australia – 1992;22:47-53.



The Manga Report – back to work, and fast
According to this Canadian government commissioned study,
“…injured workers … diagnosed with low-back pain returned to work much sooner when treated by chiropractors than by physicians.”
The Effectiveness and Cost Effectiveness of Chiropractic Management of Low-Back Pain (The Manga Report). Pran Manga and Associates (1993) – University of Ottawa, Canada.

Got Allergies?

Allergies are not a disease. They are a state of body malfunction where your body's immune system becomes overactive/hypersensitive to your environment. Give your immune system natural support! From my experience most of my patients get very good results by taking a combination of Allerplex and Antronex from Standard Process Inc. Allerplex acts as a natural antihistamine while Antronex increases blood flow to liver to remove the antigen/allergen. Many chronic allergy sufferers find that they don't have to rely on medicine, or, they don't have to take as much while using these natural alternatives. Stop by or give us a call for free consultation.

Allerplex, with vitamin A and C complexes, supports the body's ability to handle seasonal, environmental, and dietary challenges.

• Supports the body's natural ability to manage mucus movement
• Supports healthy liver functioning
• Supports healthy lung and respiratory function
• Contains a combination of key ingredients from Pneumotrophin PMG, Drenatrophin PMG, Cataplex A-C, Betacol, and Antronex^†

Looking for a chiropractor in the Mentor, Willoughby Ohio area?  Not sure if chiropractic is for you?  Check out what my patients are saying about their experience at: http://doctorbase.com/blog/patrick-mclaughlin