Some have misunderstood black mold as being dirt or mildew. Mold and Mildew are the same, both need water to grow and a food source. Both can have spores that will cause allergies. Being around mold has caused many to have common symptoms close to a cold or flu. Be aware of mold symptoms and health effects is important to understand with black mold and mold removal. Living with mold can be harful to one's health. Black mold can grow in the lungs and attach itself becoming a problem to the body. The immune system can break down and even mold has been known to be found in the blood stream. Black Mold is coming found in warm, wet, and dark areas. It is also found in homes, offices, walls, showers, and just about everywhere else. Living with mold can affect one's health and it is important to understand if your body is very allergenic to toxic mold and mildew.

While being inside a space such as a house, the spores of black mold can be quite foul to the system. Many questions arise regarding a toxic mold exposure cure. Being aware that you have a mold issue is the first step. One needs to comprehend what does mold look like and some mold symptoms are important. Some common symptoms of mold are coughing, headaches, scratchy throat, and blood in the lungs. Mold symptoms become common in individuals who have lower immunity such as the elderly and infants. We call this immuno comprimised. Headaches are common with cleaning black mold. Painful headaches have been found to be more common with individuals who have mold in their system. The temples and forehead become very bothersome and people will begin to feel fatigued. Once identifying and having an idea if mold is mold or just some black dust you then need to understand how to reduce the mold symptoms caused from mycotoxins and related fungus. The most essential resolution one can give on Toxic Mold Exposure Cure is getting free and fresh air. Your system can go into shock and breathing fresh air into the lungs is in any case therapeutic. Many headaches and other common symptoms of black mold decrease when receiving new air in the lungs. The largest problem is to live in a home that has a large amount of microbial growth. This type of house is also know as Sick Building Syndrome since people will most likely be affected when occupying in the environment. The spores will be liberated into the air and then bear into your blood stream, also your lungs and sinuses. Therefor, quite a few nasal issue and lung problems are cause by mold and mildew.

So, for the simplest Toxic Mold Cure can go outside for fresh air, and taking in new oxygen. The mixture of the fresh oxygen will depress the mold symptoms of the toxins. On the other hand, if you have a toxic mold problem inside your office or home and may relate to black mold growing on a wall, hence it is recommended to find a mold inspector that may assist you in finding the correct solution. Bleach will not remove mold, locating the source and solution is how a certified mold inspector will assist in cleaning mold which will then give you protocols for a mold remediation company who specializes in mold removal.

I was having a chat with a lovely friend of mine yesterday, and the topic moved into relationships of the harmful variety, and she made a valid and obvious point. There’s never just one toxic relationship in our lives, and what they all have in common is us. So, to an extent then, it means that it really isn’t them, and it really is us.

Now, before you shout at me, hear me out. I am not saying it was all your fault. But this is something that I know to be true about myself and my relationships; I was complicit in allowing the bad stuff to happen, and because it was happening in the biggest relationship in my life, I allowed it to stray into others.

It’s true.

Think about your life. That relationship with your toxic partner coloured your life, and I’m guessing that you wanted a quiet life (or at least, to be allowed to live the way you wanted to). Because it coloured your perceptions, your actions changed around them. So your boss started to act unreasonably, or a family member started putting on you… do you see the pattern?

We get what we allow people to give. Some people do not like us and never will, and some people are of the opinion of “I like me, who do you like?”. The people who fall into these categories will either go out of their way to annoy and upset you, or will not care if their actions in their quest for world domination upset you. But the common denominator all the way through is you.

As you are the common denominator, what do you do about it?

The answer is simple. Don’t give them the opportunity to spread their particular toxicity around your life. You can deal with this in lots of ways. Be nice as pie to them, or cut them out of your life. It’s your choice. But when you think about your toxic relationships and realise that you always attract the bastards into your life, it’s partly because you’re giving them permission.

Remove the permission and remove the pain.

The freedom of this is immense. I know that a toxic relationship wears down our confidence and we condition the responses of other people to us by our actions and beliefs as to what we might feel we deserve, depending on our low our self-esteem might be. It just makes us an easy target for bad treatment. If we don’t tell the people in our lives who hurt us that it’s exactly what they’re doing, how will they know to stop?

Be the common denominator of the good stuff and precious friendships in your life.

If someone was asked about how people can suffer mentally and emotionally, they could end up talking about depression. This could be because they have suffered from it themselves, or it could be something that one of their friends has experienced.

However, there is also the chance that they haven’t suffered from it and neither has anyone they know. What this could then mean is that they have heard about it in the media, for instance, and this shows that it is no longer something that is completely overlooked.

Mental and Emotional Health

This is not to say that mental and emotional health is given as much attention as physical health; what it comes down to is that it is gradually being given the attention that it deserves. And as this hasn’t been the case for so long, it is to be expected that it is not going to change overnight.

One of the reasons why it has been overlooked for so long is because it is not always possible to see when someone is suffering mentally and emotionally. On the other hand, when someone is suffering physically, there is a greater chance that other people will realise.

Acceptable

Along with this, someone may also find that they don’t feel the need to hide what is taking place for them. And through being able to open up, it can be easier for them to get the support they need.

Yet when someone has a mental and emotional problem, it can be normal for them to feel ashamed of what is taking place. As a result for this, they can hide what is taking place, and it can then cause them to suffer in silence.

Progress

This is why it is so important for the work that has been done to continue, as this will allow more and more people to realise that they don’t need to be ashamed of what is taking place within them. There will then be less chance of someone suffering in silence, and this is because they will feel more comfortable reaching out for support.

And a by-product of all this that as more people become aware of mental and emotional problems, they won’t always need to reach out for support. For example, if someone is in a position where they are suffering but they don’t realise that they don’t have to experience life in this way, someone else can point this out to them.

Society

Whereas when society as a whole is uninformed about mental and emotional health, it can be easier for someone to suffer even if other people know about what is taking place for them. For example, if they were to talk to someone who does understand what they are going through, they could tell that there it is just part of life.

This can then show that the person they have spoken to is not aware of what someone can do to change their life, and it is then not possible for them to support them. What this can show is that they are simply lacking the right information.

Antidepressants

And if they were to pay a visit to their doctor, they could end up being put on drugs, and while this might take the pain away, it is unlikely that this will enable them to develop a greater understanding of themselves. One way of looking at the current approach would be to say that this is just the beginning, and as time passes, mainstream society will have a different outlook when it comes to dealing with internal challenges.

This is not to say that drugs are always given to people, as they can end up having cognitive behavioural therapy and/or practicing mindfulness. And while these options can be the difference, they might not get to the bottom of what is taking place.

Anger

However, while someone could take drugs if they are in a position where they are suffering from depression, they might not do this if they have anger problems. Instead, they might end up having anger management counselling, or they could be told that they need to think differently, for instance.

One on hand, they could be in a position where their anger gets out of control from time to time, and on the other hand, this could be something that takes place on a regular basis. During this time, they could come across as out of control, and other people could describe them as rude or hostile.

Power

Yet even though their anger is having a destructive effect on their life, they may find that it allows them to feel powerful. Therefore, on the outside they can seem as though they are out of control, but on the inside, they can feel as though they are in control.

Still, regardless of how they feel, it will be important for them to settle themselves down; if they don’t, they could end up casing even more problems for themselves and others. But if one was to settle themselves down or to let go of their anger, they could end up feeling worthless.

Toxic Shame

When one feels worthless, it is likely to be a sign that they are carrying toxic shame, and this is an inner experience that can cause someone to emotionally collapse. So as a way to avoid feeling worthless and to stop themselves from internally collapsing, they can end up getting angry.

This will allow them to rise up and to feel a sense of empowerment, and in order to maintain their sense of empowerment; they will need to stay angry. If they don’t, they might soon come crashing down.

A Deeper Look

The reason they are carrying toxic shame could be due to what has happened in their adult years, or it might go back to their childhood. If it goes back to their childhood, it could mean that they were abused and/or neglected.

Awareness

What this shows is that it might not be enough for someone to deal with their anger, as it could be nothing more than an effect. If this is the case, it will be important for someone to reach out for the support of a therapist and/or a support group.

This can be a time where they will be dealing with trauma and grieving unmet childhood needs.

Cell phones, high tech devices, fast food, microwaves, plastics… These are just a few of the many modern day lifestyle conveniences we use every day. Our lives have changed dramatically over the past 100 years. Science and technology have advanced in such a way as to be able to create some amazing products that have enhanced our lives in many beneficial ways.

But all these advances and conveniences have not come without a cost. Due to the technological advances since the Industrial Revolution, industries have continued to pour dangerous chemicals and pollutants into our waterways, soil and into the air we breathe. Science has continually discovered cheaper and better ways to create synthetic materials that mimic what we could get from nature.

We are surrounded by hundreds of thousands of new synthetic materials many of which are highly toxic. Much of our water, food and air is polluted by chemicals that are not biodegradable or take many years to break down. Every day we are exposed to thousands of toxins that slowly accumulate in our bodies.

The scary part is we don’t have to work in a factory or live next to a landfill to be exposed to these toxins. We get exposed to thousands of toxins everyday in our own homes and just by going about our modern daily lives.

Many of the chemicals are ingested through our food and food containers. Pesticides have become a staple for the modern day farmer. They are continually sprayed onto our land and subsequently make it into our food supply. Pesticides can hang around in our environment for decades. For example, DDT, which was banned in the 1970’s, can still be found in foods such as our dairy products.

These pesticides not only don’t break down in the environment, they don’t break down within our bodies. They get stored in our fatty tissues and in the tissues of animal fat. So the chicken, beef and pork we eat is supplying us with even more toxins. (Most animals are also given lots of other chemicals like antibiotics during the time they are being raised.) And don’t forget our brains are about 60% lipid (fat) material so the toxins within our body are affecting us mentally as well as physically.

Our modern processed foods have so much added to them. These food additives include preservatives, bleaching agents, emulsifiers, texturizers, humectants and ripening agents. And scarier still many of these additives are made from petroleum or coal tar!

We also ingest toxins through the water we drink. Pretty much anything sprayed on our land or in the air ends up in the water supply. Municipal water treatment plants don’t detoxify water from most the chemical pollutants. In fact they add chemicals, like chlorine, to try to kill dangerous bacteria and parasites but that also form toxins for our bodies.

We breathe in toxins from the air. Solvents are everywhere. In 1993 alone more than 1,672,127,735 pounds of toxic chemicals were released into the air we breathe. (EPA – Toxic Release Inventory of 1993) They are used in almost all cleaning products and in materials we use every day. Formaldehyde can be found in building materials, carpets, curtains and even make-up (cosmetics).

You can even absorb all these toxins through your skin. The solvents that don’t out gas into the air can be absorbed when you come in contact with them in the solid form. Every time your baby crawls across the floor they are absorbing toxins from the carpet and the cleaners you sprayed around the house. Every time you use lotion, hand sanitizer, perfume, shampoo and put on your clothes you are absorbing toxins. And for many women, the morning routine of putting on make-up is a routine of applying toxins to their bodies. Cosmetics are some of the worst and most toxic products you can use.

Toxins are everywhere. They are pretty much unavoidable in our modern day lifestyle.

But before you throw in the towel and give in to all the doom and gloom, let me tell you that you can still live a long and healthy life.

Our bodies are amazing machines. They are actually made to handle toxins and rid them from our bodies. The liver and the kidney along with various other organs in our body actually remove toxins from the blood and the cells and send it back out as waste.

So there you go, problem solved. A hundred years ago yes, problem solved. Today, there is just so much toxicity in the environment and the nutrition level of the foods we eat has been diminished so much that our body just can’t keep up.

But I am here to tell you that it is still possible to live a long and healthy life. The secret is to avoid some of the toxins by understanding where they are and which are the worst. You don’t have to completely change your life and check out of your modern day lifestyle, you just need to change some little things.

You also MUST supplement your diet. It is virtually impossible to get the nutrients you need from the foods available. Even the medical establishment has finally broken down and most doctors will agree that at least a multivitamin is necessary in today’s diet. (Beware which one you choose, remember many supplements have additives and toxins in them so they really aren’t helping if you choose these brands.)

And it is a big deal when I say that the medical establishment has started agreeing with the fact that supplementation is necessary. Most doctors are not ever taught the ill effects of chemicals and fewer still learn the importance of nutrition. They really just aren’t aware of how pervasive synthetic chemicals are.

Doctors are trained to believe chemicals (known to most of us as prescription drugs) are the answer, not the problem.

Some solutions offered by doctors, pharmaceutical drugs, include highly toxic chemicals such as pesticides and heavy metals that may actually add to the problem.

The health of pharmaceutical industry has never been better, but the health of the general public has continued to plummet and really has never been much worse.

The consequence of our modern lifestyle and the constant poisoning it has placed on the human population has been linked to the development of an ever increasing number of diseases. These include things like obesity, asthma, a variety of autoimmune diseases, cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, stroke, and thyroid disease.

All of these ailments have increased dramatically over the last 50 years. In fact the generation being born right now is predicted to be the first generation to actually have a shorter lifespan then the previous generation.

Millions of dollars are spent each year to combat these diseases but most research is geared towards finding treatments. This research has resulted in the development and MARKETING of an increasing number of drugs designed to tweak the system and CONTROL SYMPTOMS but usually NOT CURE the disease.

Like I said before, the pharmaceutical companies are not hurting. It is like they are just throwing band-aids on the problems and covering them up. Take this drug or that one and if it causes another symptom, just add another drug to help hide it. It is a never ending cycle.

Now is the time to break the cycle. A few companies are taking another path; a path of health and nutrition and disease prevention. Why wait until the body is so rundown and overrun with the toxins and poisons only to add more drugs and chemicals to try and hide the symptoms.

Start taking care of your body now by giving it the nutrition it needs to take care of itself. Your body truly is a miraculous thing that can heal and take care of itself when it is given what it needs.

Don’t wait; your health is truly your greatest wealth!

German Shepherd Dogs are at high risk of developing a life-threatening disease called Toxic Gut Syndrome. Within a matter of a few hours after the condition begins, your dog could die. While it’s most prominent in German Shepherd dogs, other breeds are at risk as well, both from this condition and several related ones.

Fortunately, you can take steps to help prevent your dog from acquiring this devastating illness.

Use Yoghurt To Help Prevent Toxic Gut Syndrome In German Shepherd Dogs

German Shepherd dogs are especially susceptible to Toxic Gut Syndrome for a number of reasons, going back to the 1980s when breeders began close breeding German Shepherds. This was done to bring out the dogs’ best and strongest features. Such close breeding has been known to suppress a dog’s immune system.

The compromised immune system can cause a high level of an intestinal bacteria that is normally present in small amounts. When the bacteria gets out of control, however, it can cause dangerous toxins to enter the dog’s blood stream. In a very short time, it can cause death from toxic poisoning.

There is a lesser form of this intestinal infection that can also affect other breeds of dogs, however the German Shepherd dogs are most prone to Clostridial enterotoxemia, or Toxic Gut Syndrome.

All told, there are three similar conditions that are common: bloat/torsion, mesenteric torsion and Toxic Gut Syndrome. In bloat/torsion, a rapid build-up of stomach gas can cause the dog’s stomach to twist. In mesenteric torsion, which causes the dog’s small intestine to twist, the gas build-up is not as severe.

Bloat/torsion can be recognized by a sudden and rapid expansion of your dog’s stomach. A dog with mesenteric torsion presents with a strange, hunched-over posture. These events cause the intestine to lose its blood supply, causing death.

By design, German Shepherd dogs have a unique, high chest which means that their intestinal profile is unlike dogs with lower chests. The breed also has a lower than normal pancreatic enzyme production. This enzyme provides an early defense against disease by slowing the growth of bacteria in the intestines.

Since German Shepherd dogs do not have sufficient enzyme production, it’s important to control this bacterial buildup on a daily basis to help prevent Toxic Gut Syndrome.

Yoghurt is the ideal solution

One of the best ways to combat the threat is to introduce more of the friendly bacteria and enzymes into the dog’s system. Yoghurt contains the required enzymes and lactobacilli, the good bacteria, in healthy numbers. This bacteria helps to fight back the bad bacteria in the intestinal tract and encourage intestinal health through natural cleaning.

While yoghurt is easy and convenient to use, German Shepherd dogs and other breeds love the taste and will eat it readily. Given daily, you can help ward off these dangerous intestinal diseases.

For a higher concentration of the friendly bacteria and enzymes, you can purchase supplements that will do the trick. Check with your local veterinarian or pet food retail outlet for more information on how digestive enzymes and live acidophilus bacteria supplements can help save the lives of your German Shepherd dogs.

We have all done it, but it’s not our fault, it’s just the way we have been trained, it’s what we’re used to. We give treats as a reward for doing well or as incentive to do better and work harder. Schools pass out candy as a reward, we give treats to pacify our kids, we treat ourselves by choosing the drive-through or popping a package in the microwave for dinner rather than taking the time to prepare a home cooked meal. We have been establishing the connection that toxic treats are associated with something that is good for you because it is given when something good has been achieved.

And why wouldn’t we do this? The USDA, FDA, advertising executives and food manufacturers are telling us these treats are good for us. After all, they are saying it with big, bold, colorful characters and celebrities. They are telling us they have added fiber and vitamins, they are gluten free, sugar free or fat free, they are made from ‘natural’ ingredients; they help our children grow strong and healthy. Of course we believe it, these people wouldn’t intentionally be promoting things that are bad for us; would they? All of these claims are for marketing purposes, yes they may be true but the process to achieve them is to manipulate the ingredients to such a significant degree they no longer have any nutritional value at all, they provide a negative effect.

McDonald’s, Taco Bell and other fast foods are routinely given as a treat. This only reinforces the perception of it being good or even food, however you look at it. As our children grow and begin experiencing the stresses of life they look for ways to deal with that stress and what better way than to give yourself a treat. Treating ourselves often works; this is not a bad idea at all, it’s the form of treat we are choosing that is the bad idea. If we had been taught to go for a walk, play a game, have some quiet time, garden or cook and given some strawberries, a cup of blueberries or a handful of almonds instead of a pile of fries, candy or a popsicle; the adults of today would not be facing an epidemic of obesity, diabetes, depression, etc.

I wish I had known all that I know now back when my children were young. Their treats would be completely different today. They would provide actual health benefits, be packed with nutrition and not causing them harm. I remember taking my son to the doctor when he was in preschool due to disruptive behavior in the classroom. The doctor told me I could try changing his diet or put him on medication. I did not want to give him medication (actually narcotics), he was just too young. I also dismissed changing his diet because I felt it would be too difficult but also did not believe it would make a difference, I couldn’t see any sense in the idea. Anyway, it was so convenient to feed him processed and fast foods, sugary cereals, crackers and fruit flavored drinks. My ‘logical reasoning’ was that I was a single mother and it would be too much work. I did eventually choose the route of narcotic medication, I still regret this decision today.

I had a recent experience in the grocery store with a family member. A camping trip had been planned and treats for the children were being purchased; all of which were loaded with refined sugars, high fructose corn syrup, artificial sweeteners, hydrogenated fats, soy, synthetic food dyes, sodium, hormones, antibiotics and genetically modified ingredients. I was not making these purchases myself but I was along for the trip. As I watched the cart fill up, my disgust and rage with these items began growing out of control, I had to walk away as I felt about to explode. Unfortunately, I was not able to make any difference in the purchases and I felt awful about it. I hope this information will help you to make better choices for your children.

The following list of negative effects is usually associated with seniors, not children, but today there has been a dramatic increase in children suffering as well. Health issues from processed food ingredients:

• Refined sugars and HFCS (high fructose corn syrup) – kidney problems, obesity, diabetes, high cholesterol, joint pain and inflammation, cell die-off degrades DNA and RNA, cancer, compromised immune system (Dr. Gary Null; Sugar: Killing us Sweetly)

• Artificial sweeteners – desensitized sweetness receptors causing increasing need for more sweetness and intense cravings, kidney problems, obesity, diabetes, cancer, compromised immune system (Rebecca J. Brown, Mary Ann De Banate, and Kristina I. Rother; Artificial Sweeteners: A Systemic Review of Metabolic Effects in Youth)

• Hydrogenated fats – high cholesterol, reduces the body’s natural anti-inflammatory response, stunts the growth of vital organs and the brain (Dr. Barry Sears; Facts About Hydrogenated Fats and Oils), compromised immune system, diabetes, reduces the absorption of necessary nutrients, intense cravings

• Soy – thyroid disorders, endocrine and hormone disruption, fertility problems, digestive issues, cancer, brain damage, kidney stones, malnutrition (Dr. Joseph Mercola; The Dark Side of Soy)

• Synthetic food dyes – ADHD and behavioral issues, cancer, neurotoxin, bladder and thyroid tumors (Dr. Joseph Mercola; Are You and Your Family Eating Toxic Food Dyes? and Center for Science in Public Interest; Food Dyes – A Rainbow of Risks)

• Sodium – high quality, unprocessed salt has many health benefits; but highly degraded and processed salt is added excessively to processed foods creating intense cravings for more and more processed foods

• Hormones – increased risk of cancers, weight gain due to increased cortisol production causing the body to hold onto fat and distribute it around the organs, boys with moobs (Dr. Andrew Weil, MD)

• Antibiotics – the amount of antibiotics consumed in foods made from food producing animals is causing strains of resistant bacteria, thereby making it difficult to effectively treat an illness that would benefit from them. More frequent and increased doses are required in order to achieve results. This increased use is killing off the healthy bacteria our bodies need to maintain our immune system. (CDC, Antibiotic use in Food Producing Animals)

• GMO’s – liver damage, endocrine disruption, fertility issues, DNA changes, auto-immune disease, kidney disease, food allergies (Jeffery Smith; Responsibletechnology.org: GE Foods May Cause Rising Food Allergies)

Why do we consider feeding our children poison and toxins a treat? Why do we not see the beautiful and truly natural sweetness of a strawberry or the nutrition packed energy of a cucumber as a reward? How did it become so turned around that we view nutrition and health as low man on the totem pole? Ease and convenience are now our number one concern. Our children are paying a very high price for this.

The incidences of chronic illnesses in young children has sky rocketed over the last couple of decades.

For the first time ever the life expectancy of today’s children is expected to be less than the life expectancy of their parents. 1 in 3 children born in 2000 will develop diabetes in their lifetime. Cancer is the leading cause of death in children over 15, 50% of Americans are expected to contract cancer. Childhood obesity has tripled in the last 25 years. There have been dramatic increases in allergies, asthma, fatty liver disease (non alcohol related), ADHD and Autism. As of 2012 the life expectancy at birth of US children ranked 50th overall in the world. (CIA World Factbook)

US food companies add 15 million pounds of synthetic food dyes to the foods they produce. Approximately 80% of all antibiotics produced are used in meat and poultry production. That means the remaining 20% is used for the treatment of humans. US agriculture uses and estimated 1.2 billion pounds of herbicides and pesticides per year. Commercially produced seed companies control approximately 90% of our food supply and Monsanto and Dupont are the largest producers.

Profits are the only concern for the vast majority of food manufacturers. The health of our children doesn’t even rate a blip on their radar, at least in an impactful way. The only concern is that we are fooled into believing they care and the food is good for them. The FDA has approved all of the ingredients used to manufacture, process, cultivate and grow the food we eat. This has led to the misconception it must be healthy.

The amount of marketing dollars spent to entice our children with these products is astounding. It’s no wonder there are temper tantrums in the grocery aisles when we say no to sugary cereals. I dare you to find a child who has never heard of a fruit roll-up, yogurt or juice pouch, fruit loops or lucky charms, gummi worms, lunchable or snackable; the list of negative foods is huge. It’s criminal how these toxic treats are being marketed to our children who do not know any better. It’s our duty as parents to educate them, teach them the best choices for a healthy life now and into the future.

You can make nutritional changes in your home by making it fun for your children, including them in the preparation of food and choosing whole, unprocessed foods as treats; preferably organic to avoid pesticides and fertilizers. Help them to grow fruits and vegetables, children love to eat what they have tended. Become active in your child’s school to change the foods served and the rewards given for a job well done. There are so many wonderful programs to help jumpstart the changes in your children’s school: Farm to School, Food Corps, Lunchbox, Saladbars2schools, just to name a few.

Take charge now, start giving them the healthy childhood they deserve and teaching them the impactful lessons they can take into adulthood for a very long and healthy life. They can break the cycle with their own children one day and create a generation of health.

Mold is common in all our homes and doesn’t usually cause any severe health problems. It stuffs you up, makes your eyes red, gives you a cough or a headache; it’s a pain and should be got rid of, but it’s not lethal.

However, there are some varieties of black mold that have toxicity. Prolonged exposure to toxic mold can lead to serious, life-threatening problems. This is why you need to be aware of the symptoms of black mold toxicity.

– Sinus trouble. The most common symptom of exposure to black mold is sinus trouble. This includes nasal congestion, runny nose and sinus headaches. These sinus symptoms are caused by both non-toxic and toxic mold, so with this symptom alone it may be difficult to tell for sure.

– Skin rashes and hives. Your skin doesn’t like toxic mold and will do anything it can to resist it. This is why some people experience rashes and other skin problems when they are exposed to toxic mold. It is a natural reaction to the black mold’s toxicity, and you should see a doctor immediately.

– Cough and sore throat – If you have a cough or sore throat that just won’t go away, you may be suffering from black mold exposure. Regular mold is hazardous to health and can cause some coughing and throat irritation, but if it is ongoing, that is a sign that the black mold contains some toxicity.

– Asthma. The exact causes of asthma are unknown, but studies have shown that exposure to toxic mold, especially in youth, can lead to the development of asthma. If you find yourself developing asthma-like symptoms, it may be an indication that there is toxic black mold present.

– Dizziness or light-headedness. This often goes with the sinus symptoms, and is an indication that the mold in your home contains some toxicity. It means that the mold spores that have entered your body have released toxins that are disturbing your whole system.

– Nausea – Regular mold produces cold or sinus symptoms, but toxic mold may affect your stomach and digestive system. This is because the toxicity can affect any part of your body. If you are experiencing flu-like symptoms, you have been poisoned by toxic black mold and should seek medical help.

– Fatigue – Toxic black mold can make you feel tired and lethargic all the time, even when you’ve had a good night’s sleep. Black mold’s toxicity has an effect on your immune system, breaking down your body’s natural defenses, and this can lead to excessive fatigue.

– Memory loss or trouble hearing. If spores enter your respiratory system, the toxicity of the mold can work on your brain. Once the toxins are in the bloodstream, they can go to any part of your body. This is why some people who have been poisoned by black mold lose their memory or hearing.

– Bleeding Lungs – In severe cases of toxic black mold poisoning, you may suffer bleeding in the lungs. This is very severe and will require hospitalization. At this point, the toxicity is well inside your system.

If you suffer any of these symptoms, or suspect that you may have toxic black mold, you should hire an inspector to test your home. They can take samples from the mold itself, or test the air for spores. They will send these samples to a lab for analysis and tell you what they find. If you find any mold at all in your house, you should remove it as quickly as possible and remove the conditions that allow it to grow.

In my last article I named a few commonly used items with toxic ingredients that may be hazardous to your health. Today I will give you a few options to replace these substances with natural alternatives that you can easily mix yourself or come by. Also, let us not forget your thoughts, which can be toxic and therefore threatening your well being also.

Let us go through a typical day and see the different choices you could implement.

You wake up in the morning…what is your first thought? If it is anything that does not make you smile, immediately replace it with a thought of gratitude for the miracle of being alive. Every day is filled with new opportunities; yes there are always opportunities if you are open and aware! Your next thought could be one of gratitude for all the good things in your life. If you only think of one or two things, it will already set the tone for a great day. There is no way you can feel grumpy or anxious now, instead you may look at a new day with excitement and anticipation for something really good to be brought into your life now.

Sit up now stretch and take in a few deep breaths at an open window or wherever you can catch a breeze of fresh air. Again feel the joy and gratitude of being alive and able to live in a virtual paradise; one that most people in this world would be ready to come to and live at a moment’s notice. You have food, shelter and freedom…do you know how lucky you are? Lets move forward to what would be good to do next.

Always start you day with a tall glass of water. You may have it next to your bed, so it is at room temperature when you drink it. This is your internal shower that cleanses your system from bacteria and microorganisms that have accumulated in your digestive tract during your sleep. Making this a habit will also help you to be regular with your bowl movements in the morning. Please don’t shock your system with ice- cold water from your refrigerator; you would not do this voluntarily to your outer body! Having a cold shower is different because here, our cold water from the faucet never gets icy-cold. I know ice -cold water, because I came from Germany, but here in our Bahamas our water is gentle in temperature. Thank God for that, I dislike cold water on my body. But let’s continue with our topic to find safe alternatives for common toxins.

If you have a carpet that has been treated, always use slippers, because the soles of your feet take in any toxic substance they come in contact with. The same applies to tiles that have been washed with chlorines or other toxic cleaners; good substitutes for these are hydrogen peroxide and white vinegar.

In your bathroom you can change your cleaning ritual by using natural body care products. You find them in health centers, health stores and even in small amounts in your local food stores and pharmacies. All you have to do is ask for it and read labels.

Natural Toothpastes can contain baking soda, potassium, magnesium, peppermint oil, and other natural substances. Your soap can be made mostly of natural oils like olive oil, coconut oil or other plant based extracts like tea tree oil or Aloe Vera. Glycerin is a safe compound and is part of many natural body-care products. Your natural mouthwash can contain peppermint, menthol, chlorophyll, tea tree oil, grapefruit seed extract, and, as natural sweetener, Xylitol or Stevia. Make sure you don’t use products with synthetic artificial sweeteners, as most of them are nerve toxins. Also look out for long unpronounceable chemical ingredients. You can usually go by the rule: If you can’t pronounce it and God did not make it, stay away from it! It is great to gargle with plain water to which you can add some sea salt, or peppermint extract, or some hydrogen peroxide, which kills all bad bacteria in your mouth.

I think it would be a good idea to create a workshop, lead by local people who are knowledgeable in making products like soap, lotions and gels from natural, native plants and fruits. I feel that we have lost our instincts about what is good for us and what is harmful. Fueled by the onslaught of daily advertisements in the media about yet another so- called ‘time saving’ convenient product, so many of us buy into it. We not only pollute our bodies by inhaling and coming into contact with thousands of synthetic and toxic substances, but we also pollute our environment that way. How much garbage do you produce? Is it becoming more rather than less? If you answer, “yes”, to this question, you can be sure that your environment is a toxic one. Make your changes soon by introducing more natural products into your daily life. You safe your own life as well as that of your children and grand children and the countless generations that need a healthy planet to sustain their lives.

Call me if you are interested in learning more about natural alternatives to toxic substances and how we can come together to make a difference.

Lapses in confidence are common, but when we are left feeling like we have somehow fallen short regardless of our accomplishments, it might be time to look a bit deeper to find out what might be driving this feeling.

I remember a client of mine several years back asking, “How do I love myself? What does that even mean?” For someone who has been well initiated into shame, self-love is so far beyond their comprehension that it is like describing a different universe.

We develop shame through life experiences, social conditioning, and cultural indoctrination. In short, we believe we are bad because we had experiences where people made us feel that way-overtly or covertly. These experiences are most impactful in our childhood when we are much more easily conditioned. However, the right combination of experiences at any point in life can leave us believing in our worthlessness.

Shame is complex and can be difficult to take apart. Understanding how and why it develops can give us a bit of insight.

Children learn to regulate their behaviors by developing an emotional “clutch,” located in the prefrontal cortex, that can turn the accelerator off when the brakes are applied and redirect their interest in more acceptable directions… An activated accelerator followed by the application of brakes leads to a nervous system response with a turning away of eye gaze, a feeling of heaviness in the chest, and a sinking feeling. (Dan Siegel and Mary Hartzell)

This internal mechanism helps the child learn how to get along well with others and regulate their behavior in a way that is socially compatible. This happens in a very healthy way if, along with the child’s instinctual “braking,” there is love and connection offered from the outside. If, on the other hand, love and connection are withdrawn, then the child will have a different interpretation of the events.

This does not happen after one episode. When the experience is repeated, and the more it is repeated, the child comes to believe that there is something wrong with them. They will come to believe that what is wrong with them is either something someone told them in conjunction with these events or a seemingly random problem they might have found in their environment.

One of the simplest ways to heal ourselves is to reverse the process that we experienced. In other words, if we lost love and connection when we had a shame reaction, the best thing we can do for ourselves is to connect and feel love when we start experiencing shame.

This is easier said than done, but each time that you can choose this, it will help you to feel less chronic shame, and through that, strengthen your sense of self-worth.

When trying to reconnect and heal from toxic shame, there are some important things to consider.

Is this person safe?

Are they capable of supporting me?

Do I know what will help me?

Do I have a back-up plan?

Is this person safe? Not all people are capable of meeting you as you try to connect and come out of shame. If you are not sure about your personal relationship, it may be helpful to first do this work with a professional to ensure the maximum safety for yourself. Even when working with a professional, try establishing the relationship’s security before sharing highly sensitive material.

Are they capable of supporting me? Someone may love you a lot and be very trustworthy but lack the ability to show up in the way that you need during this vulnerable time. Sometimes, you will not know if someone is capable of supporting you until after you have tried. That is totally fine. However, if someone has proven themselves unable to show up in the way you need, you will be better off waiting to share with them until you have shed some layers of shame.

Do I know what will help me? Very often, the answer to this question is no. However, it is still worth thinking about and finding some answers to. When you know what you need, it is that much easier to get it for yourself. We often learn this by getting what we do not need and then using a process of elimination to learn what works best for us.

Do I have a back-up plan? Crossing this divide can seem really risky. There are reasons that you decided to hide rather than connect. Not every attempt is going to be met with success. In fact, your defense mechanisms might make it impossible to feel successful even if many successful features are present. Taking good care of yourself means knowing where you can go or how you can take care of yourself if your situation ends up being less than optimal. In time, as you grow in this skill, it becomes less necessary as the whole process will become easier.

It is helpful to keep in mind that the vast majority of people deal with some kind of shame that holds them back or shuts them down. You are not alone, and your bravery not only paves the way for your own expanded life, but also helps others heal from their shame.

“Toxic mold” is a phrase that is frequently used in relation to mold growth, but there are some grave misunderstandings about mold and its potentially toxic characteristics. For starters, no mold actually fits the definition of “toxic.” Mold is just a vast network of fungal spores that multiply as they take in “food” or nutrients on a moist surface. Nevertheless, certain molds produce airborne toxins, known as “mycotoxins,” during the growth stage.

Only a trained mold remediator can discern whether mycotoxins are present, by sampling the mold spores and examining to see if you have a toxic problem on your hands. Some of the most common household molds, like Cladosporium, do not have the ability to produce mycotoxins. Others, like certain species of Aspergillus and Stachybotrys, can most definitely release toxins.

If you ingest the mycotoxins, you may experience severe illness, painful infections and a myriad of respiratory symptoms, including congestion and lung inflammation. Over an extended time, the consumptions of toxins may cause a person to develop liver cancer and other potentially terminal cancers, the Environmental Protection Agency has stated.

“Black mold” is a household name for Stachybotrys chartarum (also known as Stachybotrys atra), just one of many toxigenic molds. its dark green tinge can make it appear frightening and threatening, although other types of spore may bear a similar appearance. If you’re worried that you have Stachybotrys, make no hesitation in contacting a local mold removal company.

Non-toxigenic molds are referred to as “allergenic” (like Cladosporium) or “pathogenic” (like Biploraris and others). An allergenic spore is only of concern to allergy sufferers, while pathogenic molds can make you very sick (but certainly not liver or kidney cancer) in anyone. Some people have been known to live with mold for years without even the slightest symptoms, while others may become sick almost immediately. No two people respond exactly in the same manner, but every mold infestation should be handled as potentially serious.

If you do have a mold problem and want to get in touch with a remediator, don’t be afraid to shop around. Some mold removal experts will give you a free examination and consultation. Mold removal can run you thousands of dollars (depending on numerous factors, like the location of the mold and the amount of mold), but the cost is minimal prepared to the potential cost of remaining inside of a house (or other residence) with toxigenic mold. Ask about financing if the cost proves too overwhelming for you.