blog

5 Tips For Naturally Youthful and Safe Skin

Fri, 01 Mar 2013 09:28:10 -0600

5 Tips for Naturally Youthful and Safe Skin

Did you know that mice who were exposed to UVB radiation and had certain moisturizers applied saw the formation and numbers of tumors increase. A study done at the Susan Lehman Cullman Laboratory for Cancer Research showed just that. The products in question included Dermabase, Dermovan, Vanicream, and Eucerin Original Moisturizing Cream. When it comes to something we use every day, it is amazing how we don’t pay more attention to it contents.

So, what can you do to keep your skin healthy and youthful looking? Here are a few tips on how to naturally keep your skin youthful and healthy:

Check the EWG Skin Deep database to make sure the ingredients in your daily moisturizer is nontoxic and considered safe. If the ingredient sounds scary and you can’t pronounce it, maybe it is and shouldn’t be on your skin. Try to use organic and natural skin care products.
Use food products rather than commercially available moisturizers. There are so many out there. Coconut oil is a wonderful topical treatment for everything, from wrinkles to rashes. A general rule of thumb is if you wouldn’t put the ingredient in your mouth, then why put it on your skin. Anything applied to the skin is absorbed into your system.
Eat foods that are good for your skin. Safflower oil, berries, tomatoes and any food rich in omega-3s are known to help your skin. In addition, moving to a diet based on healthy produce and clean oils and reducing red meat will also go a long way.
Drink lots of water. It keeps you hydrated, as well as helps flush toxins out of your system.
Clean your face at least twice a day. Gently washing your face with a safe, natural soap twice a day with lukewarm water and gently pat dry to keep your pores clean and open. Remember to clean your face as well after a workout or other kinds of exertion.

Dangerous beauty products may claim to make you look younger, but at what cost? Healthy eating and natural cleansing habits will not only preserve your skin and give a youthful glow, it will keep your body healthy and going strong too.

A Healthy Approach to Valentine's Day

Sat, 09 Feb 2013 06:22:13 -0600

(photo by 123rf.com)

Tis the season for love and romance. But with a ferocious cough and cold season, it is harder to imagine passion and affection leading your way. To help you stay healthy while you spread the love this Valentine’s Day, here are a few tips to combine the two.

Improve the healthy of your nasal passages. A great way to stay sniffle free is to improve the health of your nasal passage. Nasal ointments and vapor rubs are helpful in opening up the airways. They may even reduce snoring which makes for a more romantic night. The ointments are intended to not only moisten the inside of the nasal passage, but also discourage bad bacteria while promoting healthful, good bacteria. It is the bad bacteria in the nose that cause the nasal congestion and nasal swelling. Saline solution is also a good way to detox the nose cavity. Put ¼ teaspoon of salt in about ½ cup warm water and either squirt it into the nose if you have an empty bottle, use a dropper to add a few drops to your nose, or use a netti pot to cleanse the airways.
Boost your Immunity. Staying away from sugar is a necessity to keeping the immune system strong. Opt for the flowers and not the chocolate instead. Sugar cripples your immune system for hours after in enters your system. If you do want to go the chocolate route, go with a dark chocolate which is high in antioxidants instead of the milk chocolate.
Make a healthy romantic dinner. Make a romantic dinner with immune boosting herbs and spices. There are so many delicious recipes with powerful immune boosting ingredients such as turmeric, oregano, cloves, even garlic, however, you might want to wait for after Valentine’s for that last one.
Reduce stress with essential oils. Try to reduce stress with essential oils so you can embrace the love. Stress is hazardous to our immune systems. Essential oils may help you relax and let your worries drift away. Lavender and chamomile are good for that. However, did you know that the scents of patchouli, rose and jasmine have been used to lure those beloved ones closer. Try mixing one or a few of these in a healthy oil and see where the night takes you. Don’t have essential oils at home and don’t know where to find them? Try using our baby chest rub. The lavender and chamomile will not only help relax and soothe you, the other oils will help boost your immune system. A double bonus for this holiday.

So as you plan for Valentine’s Day with your loved one, remember, you don’t have to shy away from a romantic time if you add some healthy strategies to your love plans.

Cold and Flu Strategies for Your Family

Tue, 22 Jan 2013 10:09:02 -0600

Is there any way to prevent the cold or flu from striking your home? Not really. But there are some easy, natural ways to boost immunity which will reduce your family’s chances of getting sick. Here are a few immune boosting strategies that really make a difference during this relentless cold and flu season.

Optimize their Vitamin D levels.
This may be one of your most important strategies for maintaining healthy immunity against all diseases, not just colds or the flu. It has been well documented that when taken at optimal levels (between 50-75ng/ml), Vitamin D is a strong deterrent to a cold or flu. Give your family Vitamin D3 drops every day to boost their immune system. Be sure to buy D3, the natural form of vitamin D, and not D2, the synthetic form, which is not as safe.
Reduce or eliminate sugar in your diet.
Sugar cripples the immune system for at least 3 hours, so avoid it to keep your immunity up. Remember that sugar is hidden in many foods, not just sweet treats, so be sure to read labels before cooking and eating.
Get plenty of rest.
A fatigued body is too tired to fight off any invaders that may cause a cold or flu. Kids aged 5-10 typically need 10 to 11 hours of sleep, so adjust your child’s schedule accordingly.
Wash your hands frequently.
By washing our hands, we decrease the likelihood of spreading a virus our own nose and mouth or to other people. Antibacterial soaps do not instantly kill bacteria, so you may think you are safe when you’re not, and they can create resistant bacterial strains, leaving you more vulnerable to bacteria and germs. Use regular soap and moisturize if you find it necessary.
Exercise regularly.
In addition to boosting your body’s defenses and keeping you fit, exercise can stimulate your circulation and increate blood flow in your body. This helps your white blood cells travel faster and fight infections more quickly.

If you or someone in your family does get sick, here are some simple, natural things you can do to reduce the severity of it:

Let the fever take its course.
As moms, we are programmed to reduce our child’s fever so they feel better sooner, however, that fever is the body’s backup response to an infection. As our body’s temperature rises, the environment becomes hostile to bacterial growth and shortens the duration of the illness. A fever reducer will also make your child feel artificially better and they may become active too soon. While their bodies are calling for rest, they will get up and go. You may even raise the temperature a bit to progress healing. Just donʼt let a fever get too high too quickly. Temperatures under 104 degrees in a child over one year old are safe.
Use hydrogen peroxide.
Putting hydrogen peroxide in your child’s ear is a widely used method of reducing the duration of a cold or flu. At the first sign of sickness, put 3 drops of hydrogen peroxide in one of his or her ears. Leave it in for a few minutes while it crackles, then let the solution come out of the ear onto a towel. Repeat for the other ear. 3% hydrogen peroxide solution can be found at your local grocery stores.
Use all-natural remedies.
If your child has a cough, try a natural remedy like real honey, preferably the antioxidant-rich buckwheat kind, like our Matys All Natural Cough Syrups. It not only helps soothe the throat and relieve the cough, but with the added ingredients, it will help boost the immune system.
Keep them hydrated.
Keep giving your sick child fluids, such as water or broths, to help to flush out the infection. Avoid juice or sodas when your child is sick, as sugar will just prolong his or her sickness.
Reduce the amount of food they eat.
If your child is not hungry, do not encourage them to eat, and when they must, keep it simple and have them eat foods that boost immunity. The energy they would exert to digest food can be used to combat the infection. Remember to take away all sugar to keep his or her immune system strong.
Think before you use antibiotics.
Colds and flues can emerge from either bacteria or viruses, but only bacterial infections respond to antibiotics. Some signs of a bacterial infection are ear pain, coughing up green mucous, and pain around the eyes with green nasal discharge. Vitamin C, a high quality omega-3 source (like flax oil), Echinacea, and zinc gluconate are a few all-natural antibacterial and antiviral supplements you can give your child. Fresh garlic is also an excellent antibacterial and antiviral substance.

Remember that our immune systems are like muscles: the more you exercise them by fighting off infections, the stronger they get. Regularly taking medicine for the treatment of cold and flu symptoms prevents our immune system from growing more resilient. Our immune system has a memory and when it combats an infection, it becomes stronger to fight the next cold or flu that comes our way.

Benefits of Walking

Mon, 14 Jan 2013 09:07:05 -0600

It's a new year and you’ve decided to get healthy. The trouble is you’ve been inactive for so long, the idea of “working out” scares you.

Whether you are a new mom, recovering from an illness, or just haven’t found the motivation to exercise, walking can be the solution to your lack of physical activity.

Think you don’t need walking? Think again. Sarah Deets walks 1 to 2 miles every day. Her age? 95 years old! The Dayton, Ohio resident knows that walking for health reasons is a good fit for anyone at any age, and it keeps her fit enough for annual excursions with her family.

Need more motivation to get started? Here are some ideas to get you walking:

Live in a "drive only" area? Parking far away is an easy way to start.
Use a pedometer to encourage yourself-you'll be surprised how many miles you walk in a day.
Take a walk to relieve bad moods and depression or to blow off steam before an argument starts.
Use the stairs whenever possible to build musle tone.
Walk outside on suny but cold days. You won't sweat as much but you can still get a good workouot-just remember to cover up!
Walking is a good way to stay thirsty, and catch up on all that water you need to drink.
It's a good excuse to buy a new pair of sneakers, and you can now buy a pair to help tone your muscles a little more.
Have an infant? Walk the stroller around - outdoors or indoors - to get your baby to nap.
Go on a mini-adventure by walking or hiking somewhere you've never been.
Need to do a lot of reading or learning? Walk with an audiobook or podcast and catch up while you work out!
Walking strengthens thigh and calf muscles, which is good news for your sex life!
Recruit a friend to walk with you and build your friendship as well as your strength.
Other than the cost of a good pair of sneakers or hiking boots, this workout is freem doesn't require special instruction, and can be done any time.
Use a treadmill and catch up on you favorite shows.
Walking can prevent varicose veins.
Alternating walking with short bursts of jogging, called interval training, is one of the healthiest exercises you can to for your heart. It is a great way to go from being a cough potato to running marathons. (Check out Cough to 5K.)
Curious about the benefits of walking for health? As part of a regular workout plan, brisk walking has been linked to lower chance of stroke, diabetes, and breast cancer.
Walking can help relieve fibromyalgia pain.
Have a problem to solve? Walking helps clear your head and will help you think it through.
It's an easy way to get fit that you can do at almost any stage or age in life.
If you're an artist, writer, designer, or creative in any way, walking is a great way to get inspired.
Struggling to find quiet time to relax, meditate or pray? Walking solves that problem.
Trouble sleeping? A study from the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle links walking to reducing insomnia in women aged 50 to 75.

There's no excuse - and there's no downside! You can start your "walking workout program" as soon as you finish reading this article. It's as easy as that, and once you do, you can successfully work on your health resolutions for 2013. Ready? Set? Walk!

Keeping Baby Safe at Holiday Events

Fri, 21 Dec 2012 07:53:14 -0600

Now that the holidays are here and your baby has grown, you are eager to take your bundle of joy out visiting. Maybe he’s reached a new milestone, like walking or crawling. You’ve spent a great deal of time baby-proofing your home, and even took care with holiday decorations, but what happens when the festivities are not at home? Visiting family and friends this holiday who do not have little ones can be dangerous for your child.

Here are a few tips to help you have a safe holiday with your child while at someone else’s house:

Call ahead and prepare your host. Your host may not realize that she needs to make adjustments to keep her home safe for a holiday with a baby or a toddler. Before accepting an invitation, be sure to call your host to discuss what may not be safe for your baby, like low-hanging tree ornaments or food items placed on a coffee table. Before you call, come up with ideas and tips on how to adjust these things so your host does not have to stress out over them.
Offer to get there early and help. If you're going to make suggestions, be polite and offer to show up a little early to help set up. That way, your host doesn't have to worry about taking more time to make her home sage for your family, and you can do tasks like moving up low-hanging glass ornaments while she puts the finishing touches on appetizers.
Bring a chair that you can put your child in. When my daughter was a toddler, we had one of those plastic booster seats that you can strap onto your dining room chairs or attach a table top and let her have her own space. This was great –she loved it and we always knew where she was. For a baby, you can use a carrier, or even a small, sturdy stroller. If your host has room and your child will stand it, you can also set up a portable playpen.
Bring a supply of toys and activities for your child. When you create a space for a baby or toddler, you’ll need to keep them engaged. Books and quiet toys are a great way to keep them occupied while the adults gab and the teens play video games. Just make sure it’s not messy – crayons are probably not the best choice for someone’s house. Bringing shiny, sparkly items may also help distract your child from the ornaments.
Bring your own food. You may not think of this once they are past the baby food stage, but if your host is serving lots of fattening, rich foods, or doesn’t haven’t anything but soda for the kids, you may want to pack up some healthy snacks, desserts, and drinks that your child does like. You may even avoid the agony of a child’s tummy ache!
Be wary of medicine storage. Make sure your host has their medications in a safe, unreachable location. If you use natural products for your child, you’ll want to have your safe remedies on hand in case something happens at the event. There’s no reason to resort to an adult over-the-counter product for your child when you have safe products right at hand.

The holidays are such a fun time especially when you visit friends and family. Making sure your kids are safe for that visit helps to keep stress away and allows you to enjoy it even more. Communicating with your party host, even if it’s a family member, and having a bag filled with healthy foods, interesting toys, and safe remedies, like Maty’s All Natural Baby Chest Rub, will ensure a safe and happy holiday season for you and your child.

From our family to yours, Maty’s wishes you the best this holiday season!

5 Ways To Get Your Child To Take Cough Syrup –Without a Fight

Mon, 10 Dec 2012 11:05:56 -0600

Your child is sick, tired, and cranky, and being kept up by a cough. You know that she will feel better after taking our cough syrup, but in this state, it’s the last thing she wants to do. How do you get your kid’s cough under control without a fight? Fear not! This week, we have 5 tips from moms who told us their ideas and methods on how to get the cough syrup down without a fight. The important thing is to be creative. Since we are a food-based product, you can do much more with our syrup that you can with medicines.

Use the power of suggestion: Never refer to our cough syrup as "medicine". When a child sees a spoon coming at them with the words uttered by mom, "here's your medicine", they immediately think "Yuck!" But if you act as if it is something they would enjoy taking, you might be surprised how well they'll accept it. This may sound too easy, but it helps them to give in and swallow.
Put it on pancakes: A mother wrote and told us she puts it on her son's pancakes as soon as she hears any sign of a cough. Since our cough syrup doubles as an immune booster, taking it this way will ward off any tickly or cough attempting to take hold or your child. This mom wrote that her son actually asks for the syrup each time he sits down to eat pancakes. There's nothing wrong with that either!
Put it in hot tea or warm apple cider: This combination is a natural fit and an old-time favorite. The honey sweetens the tea and the cinnamon caramel flavor complements the apple cider. A woman we saw at a trade show said she loves our cough syrup in a hot cup of her favorite tea to get double the benefit! It not only soothes her throat, but also comforts and warms her up.
Mix it with your favorite hot cereal: Another woman told us she puts it on her oatmeal in the morning, mixing it with nuts and fruit. It is so delicious, she forgets she is taking an immune booster each day!
Mask the syrup with yogurt: Putting a little yogurt on the spoon with the cough syrup may disguise it enough to fool kids into thinking it's a delicious treat. Try a flavor like vanilla to complement the caramel flavor.

These ideas are simple to employ when you use Maty's All Natural Cough Syrup, since it is drug-free and food based! With all the immune boosters you get with this syrup, it's worth every drop you can get into their little mouths.

What tips do you have on getting your sick child to take cough syrup? Visit us on facebook to share your ideas and methods - we would love to hear them!

What Causes Congestion and Ways to Curb It

Wed, 28 Nov 2012 08:06:53 -0600

Nasal congestion produces a long list of symptoms: sinus congestion and swelling, sneezing, mucus buildup, and loss of smell and taste, all of which are caused or worsened by your inability to breathe. Left untreated, nasal congestion can keep you up at night, hampering your ability to rest and recharge.

What causes congestion, and more importantly, what steps can you take to get rid of a congested nose? Our nasal pathways, like many parts of our body, can contain both good and bad bacteria. Nasal congestion is caused by inflammation and swelling produced by bad bacteria in the nasal cavity. Many health care products, such as Breathe Right Nasal Strips, do not combat bad bacteria and as a result, only temporarily alleviate symptoms.

There are simple steps you can take right away to help reduce nasal congestion. The following tips to relieve congestion can be helpful for you during this cold season:

Stay away from any foods that you are sensitive to. Foods such as dairy and glutens can contribute to excess mucous production. Coffee, chocolate, and alcohol can inflame the sinus cavity and cause or worsen congestion. Use non-dairy milk products, replace coffee with tea, and eliminate glutens for a time when congestion is worse.

Use humidifiers in your home. Humidifiers reduce the dryness in the nasal passages. Steam can also help open up your nasal cavity and relieve stuffiness. Adding a little Eucalyptus to the steam is works even better.

Take apple cider vinegar (ACV) to thin mucous. In addition to breaking down mucous, ACV can also help balance pH levels in your body, which can also reduce the production of mucous.

Take a high quality vitamin D supplement to improve your immune system. Many Americans have levels that are too low to boost immunity. When sun exposure is not possible a good quality vitamin D3 supplement is best.

Find out what you are allergic to and remove it from your environment. This can be anything from dust mites to mold. Getting your environment cleaner will ease symptoms and speed healing.

Use Maty’s Nasal Ointment. Maty’s Breathe Better Nasal Ointment, applied directly inside your nose, acts as a pseudo probiotic, encouraging the growth of good bacteria and reducing the bad bacteria, thus helping to eliminate swelling and inflammation at its root cause. It may actually improve the health of your nasal cavity and allow you to get a good night’s rest.

Taking these steps can relieve congestion and get you well on your way to healing and a restful night’s sleep. Sweet Dreams.

A Healthy Thanksgiving Dish

Thu, 15 Nov 2012 07:36:50 -0600

Thanksgiving is a holiday that is all about the food. Selecting the dishes, preparing the food, and then relaxing with family and friends to eat the delicious meal is what makes it one of our most popular american holidays, second only to Christmas.

When selecting the dishes to serve for your Thanksgiving dinner, have you ever considered how healthy it is. You might be saying, “okay, come on, isn’t this one day we can forget about all that and just serve a delicious meal”. Absolutely, you can do that. But what if you could make it a mouthwatering meal and get health benefits from it to boot. The duplicity of preparing this meal for both purposes would be deliciously deceitful.

Well, here is a recipe for a cranberry relish that is not only delicious, but has so many great health benefits, we would eat it all year round. The only problem is that the cranberries used in the recipe aren’t sold throughout the year. (Hint: buy extra bags of cranberries at the grocery store and freeze them to be used later.)

I got this recipe a few years back and my kids absolutely love it. It has become the most requested dish for our Thanksgiving dinner. It is so easy to make, there is no need to cook this relish. The freshness of this dish pleasantly contrasts the others on the plate and complements the turkey nicely.

Cranberry Relish

Ingredients:

2 bags fresh cranberries

1 1/2 cup walnuts - finely ground

2-3 red delicious apples - ground up

2-3 oranges - ground up and include the skin of one

2/3 cup sugar

Directions:

Grind all ingredients and mix together. Can be made ahead of time and actually tastes better when the ingredients are left to enhance each other.

Health Benefits of the ingredients:

Cranberries - antioxidant rich, prevents plaque formation on teeth, may increase levels of HDL and reduce levels of LDL cholesterol.

Walnuts - excellent source of omega-3 essential fatty acids, a rich source of many phyto-chemical substances that contribute to overall antioxidant activity, excellent source of vitamins E, vitamin B and many minerals like manganese, copper, calcium, zinc and selenium. Protects your brain health.

Oranges - rich in vitamins C and A, flavonoids, antioxidants, calcium, magnesium, potassium and dietary fiber. They have more than 60 flavonoids and 170 anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor and anti-oxidant properties.

Red Delicious Apples - an apple a day .... need I say more. Actually, red delicious apples have more antioxidants that other apples.

Here's to a meal that not only satisfies the tastebuds, but also enhances our well being. Now that is something to be thankful for. Have a Happy Thanksgiving!

Healing Power of Foods

Tue, 06 Nov 2012 14:32:20 -0600

With Thanksgiving approaching, everyone is thinking of delicious foods to serve for the holidays that will make everyone’s mouth water. However, did you know that food can be used to promote health and healing? When sickness strikes, most people don’t think of food as a way to relieve symptoms. However, food remedies can provide simple, healthy ways to get your body back on track when you have a cold or a virus. We add many of these to our cough syrups to help when you need it most.

Here are some healing foods and spices that we include in our cough syrups that promote health and healing:

Buckwheat Honey: Is one of the most antioxidant-rich honeys produced in the US. Loaded with vitamins and minerals, it is regarded as a healthier and safer alternative to traditional over-the-counter cough suppressants for children.
Apple Cider Vinegar: ACV is high in malic acid, which has anti-viral, anti-bacterial, and anti-fungal properties. It also helps strengthen your immune system.
Zinc Gluconate: This mineral has been shown to shorten the duration of a cold, and it provides immune support.
Cayenne Pepper: This hot pepper breaks up mucus and helps to relieve congestion. It may also have anti-fungal properties, is an anti-inflammatory agent, and increases blood flow.
Marjoram: This aromatic herb is not only great for cooking, it also contains nutrients such as iron and vitamin C. Its anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and antibacterial properties can help fight a host of illnesses including the common cold and the flu.
Lemon Balm: This herb has a calming effect, that may be able to help you sleep, and can help relieve indigestion and cold sores.
Celtic Sea Salt: This unrefined salt is loaded with trace minerals, and helps build your immunity. It also neutralizes toxins.
Cinnamon: This spice has anti-fungal properties, can help relieve headaches and migraines, and has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that make it a great way to ease breathing and upper respiratory infections. People have been using cinnamon for colds and flus for thousands of years.
Lemon Peel: Peels are rich in vitamin C and limonene, two powerful antioxidants. Limonene is a possible anti-cancer agent that is also a detoxifying agent.
Grapefruit Seed Extract: This immune booster is not only anti-viral, it is also a natural detoxifier for your body.

If you have a cough, you very likely have a cold. Why not load a cough syrup with these powerful immune boosting foods to help your body fight off any invasion. Maty’s cough syrups are so safe that some people even take them daily to boost their immune systems. We hope you don’t get sick this winter season, but if you do, this information may help you get back on your feet again.

Simple Tips to Prevent The Flu Naturally

Mon, 29 Oct 2012 09:48:09 -0500

In 2009, a number of documents and articles came out saying that the flu virus medication Tamiflu did not effectively work against most U.S. viruses. The news is difficult to interpret, since some of these articles have been redlined or deleted, and recent articles on Tamiflu paint a conflicting picture of its effectiveness.

Rather than stock up on flu formulas once you are already sick, why not use natural preventive care to avoid getting the flu in the first place. Here are 6 tips on how to prevent the flu naturally:

OPTIMIZE YOUR VITAMIN D. This is one of the best ways to avoid getting sick in the first place. Studies have shown that a person with a low vitamin D level has a weaker immune system and is more vulnerable to contracting colds, influenza, and other respiratory infections. Be sure to take a high quality natural vitamin D3 supplement not the synthetic vitamin D2.

AVOID SUGAR. Sugar has a crippling effect on your immune system. “The results of a study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition (AJCN) demonstrates that the amount of sugar in two sweetened beverages lowers immune response by 50% for up to five hours after drinking or eating.”³ Minimizing the amount of sugar in your diet helps maintain a strong immune response.

BOOST YOUR IMMUNITY WITH FOOD. Many foods can help boost your immune system. We use them in our all natural cough syrups. Apple cider vinegar (ACV) and cayenne pepper are two of our favorites. ACV is very acidic and is antimicrobial while cayenne pepper increases your circulation and helps maintain healthy blood flow. Lemon peel is high in vitamin C and limonene, both of which are strong antioxidants.

GET ENOUGH SLEEP. Getting a good night’s rest goes a long way in preventing a cold or flu. If your body is tired, it has a hard time fighting off any invaders that may come your way.

EXERCISE REGULARLY. Exercise is essential to staying healthy. According to Michael Flynn, a researcher who studies exercise and the immune system at Purdue University, 30 minutes of exercise, three or four times a week, has positive effects on our immune system.You don’t need to avoid exercise when sick either. Light exercise, if you are feeling up to it, can actually help boost your immune system and help fight the cold or flu. However, make sure not to dehydrate, strain, or over-exhaust yourself.

WASH YOUR HANDS. By washing our hands, we decrease the likelihood of spreading a virus to your nose, mouth or to other people. And do not use antibacterial soaps. They do not instantly kill bacteria which deceives us into thinking we are safe from an invasion. It also creates resistant bacterial strains from the overuse of these antibacterial chemicals.

COVER YOUR MOUTH WHEN YOU SNEEZE. Use a tissue or your elbow when you sneeze. Sneezing into your hands will make you more likely to transmit germs to others. It also means any germs on your hands can transfer to your face, nose, or mouth.

Healthy habits and natural choices go a long way towards both preventing the flu and healing viruses. Following these simples suggestions can have a major effect on your health this season. And remember, if you do happen to get sick, Maty’s Healthy Products will help to relieve symptoms while boosting your immune system. Peace and Be Well.

references:

^1. Working out may help prevent colds, flu

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/10894093/ns/health-cold_and_flu/t/working-out-may-help-prevent-colds-flu/#.UIVduvk5zOQ

^2. Cigarette smoke worsens lung inflammation and impairs resolution of influenza infection in mice

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2483272/

^3. Avoid colds and flu by eliminating sugar and enlisting the natural duo

http://www.naturalnews.com/030676_sugar_colds.html

Is Breast Cancer Linked to Products Containing Petroleum Jelly

Thu, 18 Oct 2012 19:28:28 -0500

Want to know what puts the shine in lip gloss? It’s petroleum jelly, and its increased use in cosmetic products may be linked to breast cancer.

What is petroleum jelly? Petroleum jelly is comprised of a residue that builds up on the sides of the oil rigs, first discovered in 1856. A chemist named Robert Chesebrough took this substance and created a method to refine it and use it commercially. This film is distilled and filtered to give us petroleum jelly or petrolatum¹ which is then used in a host of products applied to the skin. That raises the question: Do these products cause cancer?

Petrolatum is approved by the U.S. FDA for use in cosmetic products, however, the EU is banning more and more petroleum products. The refined petrolatum used is chemically different from unrefined type that is likely to be carcinogenic. However, petroleum jelly refinement is unregulated and methods can vary. Not all manufacturers use the refined form of petrolatum or the refinement process can be low-grade, and the potential for carcinogen exposure is, at best, uncertain.²

The journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine printed an article a few years ago by Canadian scientists who claimed that “women exposed to synthetic fibers and petroleum products in the course of their work appear to be most at risk.” ³ A 2006 study by ChemicalSafeSkincare.co.uk shows that women can be applying up to 175 different chemicals to their body a day.⁴ All that exposure can create a toxic environment and increase the chances of breast cancer.

How can women be safe? Here are a few tips to consider when buying products that may use petrolatum:

1. If you are going to use products that contain petroleum jelly, make sure they contain USP white petroleum jelly only. This indicates brands that are refined at a high grade, and meet specific purity standards.
2. Avoid “shiny” products, such as lip gloss or lipsticks that make your lips look fuller.
3. Search the Environmental Working Group’s Skin Deep database to see what safety rating it has given the products you use.
4. Only buy products marked as “petroleum free.”

Most people don’t realize that skin is the body’s largest organ, and what you put on your skin gets absorbed directly into your system – unlike food, which is at least processed by the acids in your mouth, esophagus, and stomach. Products applied directly to the skin should be just as safe, if not safer, than what you eat.

Maty’s knows that, and that’s why we use food-based ingredients in our products. Our All Natural Vapor Rub and All Natural Baby Chest Rub contain no petroleum so you can feel safe using it for your family.

references:

6 Ways To Live Drug Free

Sat, 13 Oct 2012 13:06:46 -0500

Image courtesy of imagerymajestic / freedigitalphotos.net

If you’ve been to the doctor’s office recently, you may have found yourself bombarded with more questions than usual about your comfort levels, your fears about aging, sleep patterns, etc. Worse yet, for each and every answer, you may be offered a prescription.

In fact, prescription drug usage is on the rise in the United States. The CDC reports that nearly 50% of Americans take at least one prescription drug, and among children under 12, the rate is over 22%. And with the recent news of 4 teens in Texas overdosing on cough syrup, over-the-counter (OTC) drugs are dangerous as well, accounting for a correlating rise in drug-related deaths, overdoses, and abuse.

At Maty’s, we are all about promoting health and wellness for everyone. We believe in doing it naturally without drugs or chemicals. But is it possible to live a drug free life? Here are 6 ways to start.

1. Replace OTC drugs with all natural remedies for minor ailments with all natural remedies.
  Back in 2008, drug companies advised the public that children under 4 should never take over-the-counter cough and cold medications, claiming that there was “little evidence that the drugs work.” They worry the risks outweigh the benefits. Given the dangers of having these drugs around children, eliminating these chemicals is a good idea.
2. Eat for the season.
  In the summer, keep hydrated, and in rainy and winters seasons, supplement your vitamin D if you’re not getting enough sunshine. Pay attention to the weather, the environment, and the produce available, and eat nutritionally dense foods that are in season. That will keep your immune system strong and help prevent viruses, infections, and allergies.
3. Eat with your symptoms in mind.
  We believe there is so much you can do to promote health and healing with the foods you eat. Our cough syrups are made with healthy ingredients that boost the immune system. For example, we are huge fans of apple cider vinegar. It not only helps support your digestion but can support healthy mucous flow. Cayenne pepper aids circulation and has anti inflammatories to alleviate congestion. Coconut oil has antimicrobial properties, and is one of the few fats that does not contribute to diabetes. Dairy, wheat, coffee, chocolate, and alcohol have been known to aggravate sinus swelling. Pay close attention to how foods affect you when you are in pain or not feeling well.
4. If you have an illness, weigh the pros and cons of every treatment, including natural ones.
  Some conditions and disabilities require risky or prolonged treatments that appear to be a better alternative. Before deciding whether to accept or reject a treatment, get all the facts on benefits, risks, possible long and short term effects, ability to end treatment, and the consequences without this treatment. Try to seek out an alternative professional who can suggest a natural treatment for your condition.
5. Fix the problem rather than ease the symptom.
  From depression to runny noses, many drugs simply alleviate discomfort without addressing the cause of the illness. Do your own homework. Parasites, for example, can be a cause of diarrhea. Gluten sensitivity can cause stomach pain and other gastrointestinal discomforts. Keep track of how you are feeling as well as the foods you are eating, and research possible causes to get to the root of the problem.
6. Use common sense.
  Wash your hands frequently, avoid sick people, and cover your mouth and nose when you sneeze. Those rules that we were taught as children do make a difference and add up to keeping us all healthy.

We believe a drug-free life is possible for your family if you take practical measures to heal yourselves, eat properly, and use common sense to prevent illness. With lifestyle changes like these, you are on your way to better health and wellness.

Paying It Forward

Wed, 01 Aug 2012 07:41:44 -0500

First thing each morning, before I begin work, I have made it a habit this summer to spend a few moments outside gathering my thoughts. For us in Upstate NY, it has been a beautiful summer and I have really come to enjoy this time. Sitting there barefoot with my coffee, I listen to the birds and connect with nature. I also use this time to give thanks for all that I have and to reflect on where I am going. Who knew that my years of research trying to get my daughter healthy would turn into a national business creating products that promote health and wellness.

It is not only that we offer high quality products that are safe, highly effective and promote good health, but it gives us a platform to educate people that there is so much you can do to take control of your own health and not rely on toxic drugs and medications all the time. Sure we may need drugs and medications in some circumstances, but all too often, it is the first thing people reach for when they have something minor bothering them. They don’t even realize there are other alternatives that are safe and natural.

So to be able to offer people an alternative to drugs and medications is exciting for us, because our aim is to demonstrate to people that there are things they can do right in their own home for minor ailments and health issues. Demonstrating this with our products hopefully will be a launching pad for everyone that empowers them to take control of their health and seek more wholesome natural products. I am proud to be a part of that movement.

Along those same lines, we feel so blessed by the opportunities we’ve been given and all that we have accomplished, we feel it is important to pay it forward. One way we do this each year is to make a donation to a wonderful charity named Vitamin Angels. A portion of each sale goes to them so they can distribute nutritional supplements to children around the world. They once told me that 2 doses of vitamin A could keep a child alive for a whole year in some parts of the world where they are so malnourished. Last week we made our biannual donation that was much larger one than the previous year. It makes us proud and excited because not only does an ever increasing donation each year mean we are doing better as a company, but it also means we are able to help that many more children around the world. And to us, that is what it is all about .... making this world a healthier place.

Our Products are 100% American Made

Tue, 03 Jul 2012 11:46:38 -0500

What does being “Made in America” mean to us? Well, for one, it means we can offer you a product that is produced, processed and packaged to the highest standards worldwide. Let’s face it, the United States has the highest standards in manufacturing, what the government calls being “GMP compliant”. To us, it means we need to test each ingredient when it comes into the plant to be sure it is exactly what was ordered. Then we test again once our product is made but before it is packaged to be sure it has not been tainted and that its integrity has been maintained. Our testing adds time and expense to the manufacturing process, but we feel it is important so we can offer you a product that you trust is safe for your families.

Being American made also means we are supporting our country. By keeping the manufacturing in the USA, we help employ the great people of this country which benefits our economy. Sure we could have gone overseas to get it made cheaper. But that wouldn’t be supporting our families, friends and neighbors who need to get back to work.

So next time you make a purchase at your local store, consider whether it is an American made product. Become part of a movement that is Americans helping Americans ... and have a wonderful July 4th holiday.

So What's So Bad About Petroleum

Sun, 13 May 2012 10:12:49 -0500

So many people ask me “what is so bad about petroleum based products, petroleum is natural, it comes from the ground, right?”. Yes, they are right, it does come from the ground. But after that, there is nothing natural about putting petroleum on our bodies. Here is what you need to know about petroleum based products.

We know that our skin is the biggest organ of our body, with a total area of about 22 square feet. We also know that what we put on our skin gets absorbed into our bodies. So why would we put something on our skin that we wouldn’t put into our mouthes. If it is not good enough to eat, then is it really good enough to put on our skin?

Petroleum from the ground is contaminated with all sorts of petrochemicals that are unhealthy when absorbed by our bodies. Substances like poly-cyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and dioxane are known carcinogens. Petroleum must be refined and processed to remove all these contaminants before it is made into a petroleum jelly, like the popular Vicks brand. So your petroleum based products, are only as good as the refining process. In fact, in Feb 2007, an independent lab found a hidden cancer-causing petrochemical in dozens of children’s bath products and adults’ personal care products, in some cases at levels that were more than twice the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s lenient recommended maximum, Safe Cosmetics Study. Europe has even banned many petroleum based products.

Just recently, Diane Sawyer, on the World News Tonight, did a segment bringing to light the unhealthy substances found in our health and beauty products. They even went as far as to say you should look for healthy products that have ingredients you recognize and can pronounce. Two leading doctors in the US, Dr. Mercola and Dr. Oz both recommend we never put petroleum based products on our skin. Not only are they potentially hazardous with the contaminates but also clog pores.

At Maty’s Healthy Products, we believe in natural alternatives. Our products are drug free, made with ingredients you recognize. Our nasal ointment, vapor rub and baby rub are made with coconut oil, castor oil and sunflower oil which are not only easily and quickly absorbed into the skin but are healthy for the skin too, and they are actually found right in a typical kitchen and eaten everyday. When you or your child is coughing or has nasal congestion, and you are looking for cough remedies that are safe and natural, or nasal relief, wouldn’t it be worth trying a product that has ingredients that you know and trust for your loved ones, especially when they are effective and work great!

National Sleep Comfort Month: Helping Baby Sleep Better

Mon, 14 Nov 2011 16:51:07 -0600

As you may know, November is National Sleep Comfort Month, but who gets a good night’s rest when they’re sick? There are more than 200 different viruses that are known to cause the common cold. Colds are highly infectious and may cause serious secondary infections, such as pneumonia and middle ear bacterial infections in children. Nasal congestion in an infant's first few months can interfere with nursing, and in rare cases can cause serious breathing problems.

An infant’s respiratory system is not capable of handling pollutants (such as chemical fumes, dust, pollens, mould spores and germs) and, as a result, their nasal passages become swollen with excess fluid, hence the "stuffy nose".

In most cases, a stuffy nose is uncomfortable and may be troublesome when the child is trying to sleep or feed. To make matters worse, there are few options for infants, as nasal sprays and cough and cold medicines are not recommended for children under 2 years old.

Luckily, there are ways to provide relief for your children during the cough & cold season.

If your baby is uncomfortable and begins to cry, don’t worry; the tears will actually help loosen the dry mucus that forms around the nasal passage. Another way to loosen the mucus around the nose is to run a hot shower in your bathroom and let your baby breathe in the steam filled room.

You can also make up a saline solution of 1/4 tsp table salt in a 1/2 cup of lukewarm water and add a drop to each nostril. Be sure to make a fresh batch each day. This will help moisten the airway and help alleviate nasal congestion. Although there are not many commercial products for young children, our All Natural Baby Chest Rub is an effective treatment for any baby 3 months and older.

Made right in the USA, the rub is menthol and petroleum-free, made with skin-soothing oils and includes essential oils like eucalyptus and lavender. According to Scientists at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Centre, menthol is no longer recommended for any child under 2 years old because it may pose a potential health risk due to the fact that it promotes mucous flow which might be too much for those little air passages. Just rub our All Natural Baby Chest Rub and watch the comfort spread across your child’s face.

Remember to follow us at: @MatysHealth for more tips. Looking forward to tweeting with you!

You can also follow us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/MatysHP!

Peace and Be Well.

Carolyn

Are You Prepared for the Cold & Flu Season?

Fri, 07 Oct 2011 14:45:47 -0500

Believe it or not, cold and flu season is right around the corner which means now is the time to boost your immune system. You should provide your body with the necessary nutrients to stay sick free! The great news is that you can repair and restore your body NATURALLY – without the use of prescription drugs!

Did you know that you can change the way you feel by what you eat? Here are some natural ways to boost your immune system and prepare you and your family for the cough and cold season. These are also great tips to keep in mind throughout the year to prevent diseases and ward off any sickness!

Fruits and Veggies provide great raw energy! Strawberries, oranges, tomatoes, bell peppers and grapefruits are high in vitamin C and antioxidants. Eating foods with refined sugars, such as cookies, brownies and other sweet snacks cripple your immune system. Trust me, I understand how hard it is to stay away from sweets, but your body’s health is more important. This is the stuff that you want to stay away from!

Apple Cider Vinegar is antimicrobial and helps with digestion in the stomach, which is key to boosting the immune system. It also thins mucous which helps with congestion during the winter season. I love to use apple cider vinegar in salads and it is also an ingredient in Maty’s All Natural Cough Syrups.

Not getting enough sleep and rest not only makes you more prone to catching colds, but it also plays a role on your body’s ability to fight illnesses! Try to plan each night for 7 or 8 hours of sleep. Studies show that getting more sleep also helps you lose weight.

Vitamin D is crucial to boosting your immunity! New research shows that vitamin D rich foods, such as spinach, brussels sprouts and almond milk, instantly give your immune system the boost it needs. Be sure to fill up on these when you visit your local grocery store.

By supplementing your body with these foods, you can dramatically increase your body’s defenses during the cough and cold season!

For more tips and fun facts, follow us at: @MatysHealth. Looking forward to tweeting with you!

Peace and Be Well.

Carolyn

Why We Love Honey

Fri, 30 Sep 2011 13:06:46 -0500

As National Honey Month comes to an end, I wanted to share some of my favorite uses of honey along with its natural health benefits!

You may ask why does honey have its own national month and the answer is because most of the nation’s honey is actually harvested throughout the month of September. Here’s a fun fact ‐‐ many local farming and beekeeping communities celebrate honey month with local events such as honey tastings, recipe exchanges and “Meet the Beekeeper” events, which allow people an inside look at how honey is made into the delicious form we use each day. Check with your local community newspaper to find these fun family events near you.

Over 200 million pounds of honey are produced in the US annually and Americans consume nearly 1.5 pounds of honey per person! It is fat free and cholesterol free. Just like a good bottle of wine, honey is better with age and will not spoil; in fact, it was reported that honey was found over a thousand years old that is still good to eat. The darker the honey, the greater its antioxidant properties.

Did you know that honey has many other benefits, other than its most common use as a sweetener? Known as the nectar of the god’s to early Greeks and Roman civilizations, the super food has long shown its multifaceted benefits throughout history. The sticky substance has a number of anti‐oxidant and healing properties for the body and skin, the darker the honey, the greater the antioxidant properties. It helps with digestion and provides healing properties for head‐to‐toe care. Some of my favorite uses for honey include:

Soothing sore throats: Honey coats the throat which is very soothing on raw tissue. It also has antimicrobial properties, which accelerates healing.
Wounds: A natural antiseptic and anti‐inflammatory, honey helps heal wounds more quickly by killing viruses, bacteria, and fungus. It also promotes even tissue growth which helps diminish scarring.
Energy: With the makeup of glucose and fructose, it is an ideal energy booster because it not only gives an immediate boost in energy, but also helps to sustain energy levels for a longer time. The natural fruit sugars in honey help prevent fatigue during exercise and have been found to keep levels of blood sugar fairly constant compared to other types of sugar. It also helps reduce muscle fatigue.
Moisturizers: Honey is a natural humectant, which means it attracts and retains moisture which prevents the skin from drying out, making it perfect for cleansers and creams.

As a mother of four, I’ve used many fun honey recipes for my family and wanted to share an easy favorite: Honey Mustard Chicken (yum!)

Ingredients

6 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
salt and pepper to taste
1/2 cup honey
1/2 cup prepared mustard
1 teaspoon dried basil
1 teaspoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon dried parsley
1 finely minced garlic clove

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

2. Sprinkle chicken breasts with salt and pepper to taste, and place in a lightly greased 9x13 inch baking dish. In a small bowl, combine the honey, mustard, basil, paprika, garlic and parsley. Mix well. Pour 1/2 of this mixture over the chicken, and brush to cover.

3. Bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes. Turn chicken pieces over and brush with the remaining 1/2 of the honey mustard mixture. Bake for an additional 10 to 15 minutes, or until chicken is no longer pink and juices run clear. Let cool 10 minutes before serving. And enjoy!

Makes 6 servings; nutritional value per serving: Calories: 232 | Total Fat: 3.7g | Cholesterol: 67mg

I’m very excited to announce that you can now follow @MatysHealth on Twitter and visit us on Facebook!

Looking forward to hearing from you!

Peace and Be Well.

Carolyn

It's Exam Time - Can We Boost Our Brain Power!

Thu, 19 May 2011 00:00:00 -0500

There are approximately 55,000,000 students who attend school in the US and many of them will be facing finals exams this time of the year. With American students ranking 17th in the world, is there any way to boost their brain power to help them achieve better performance on these tests.

Believe it or not, it seems there is a way to boost brain power without the use of drugs or any mechanical devices. A simple 3 minute exercise improves memory and brain health. Recently, this powerful exercise went viral on the internet. It was even reported on CBS News in Los Angeles. A Yale neurobiologist and an occupational therapist endorse it. It is very simple to do and is said to have positive results for learning disabled and autistic children as well as older Alzheimer victims.

So what is this exercise? Spread your feet shoulder width apart, feet pointing forward. Grab you right earlobe with your the thumb and finger of your left hand. Cross over your left arm and do the same using your right hand on the left earlobe. Then squat as fully as you can, breathing in. Then breathe out as you stand. So the breathing needs to be synchronized with the squats. Continue this motion repetitively while holding both earlobes for three minutes. You may have to start slower and do it for a shorter amount of time but then you can work up to a 5 minute workout. Just be sure to breathe in as you squat.

So how does this seemingly trivial, almost goofy activity work? According to a Los Angeles physician, Dr. Eric Robins, the brain cells and neurons are energized with this simple exercise. He prescribes it to patients and has had excellent results. He even had one youngster who was doing poorly in school become an A student after being introduced to this exercise.

A Yale neurobiologist, Dr. Eugenius Ang, explains that the earlobes grabbed are acupuncture points that stimulate neural pathways in the brain. He even showed, using EEG readings of the brain, that after doing this exercise, the right and left hemispheres of the brain became synchronized.

So what do you think of such a simple way of boosting your brain power. Seems too silly to take seriously right? Well as it turns out, this exercise was introduced by a pranic healing master. Pranic healing, like other ancient healing techniques has been around for a long time and is known to be an effective healing technique. It is based on subtle energies permeating the body much in the same way as yoga and acupuncture.

At any rate, it’s an easy and free way to improve memory, mental clarity and focus. I don’t know about you, but I think I will give it a try. At my age, I am no longer worried about final exams, but I am at a stage in my life where many people around me complain of brain fog and poor memory. I think I can easily spare three minutes a day to ensure my mental acuity.

Peace and Be Well.

Help For Allergy Sufferers

Sat, 14 May 2011 00:00:00 -0500

So you survived another cough and cold season with extreme weather everywhere. Instead of kicking back and watching life emerge with the signs of spring, you hesitate and become apprehensive with each new bud. If this sounds familiar, you may be one of the 67 million Americans who suffer from allergy symptoms. What can we do to help protect ourselves during allergy season? I have listed some things that have helped my family and friends who suffer from seasonal allergies.

The number one complaint of people with seasonal allergies is the annoying runny nose. To help reduce the amount of mucous that is produced, it helps to stay away from drinking milk and eating any other diary products. I know people think it is too hard to do this, but I tell people that it is just during the allergy season. This one simple thing that goes a long way in helping alleviate runny nose symptoms.

The next thing people can do is to be sure to optimize their vitamin d levels by supplementing with a high quality D3, at least 2000 IUs per day. Have your levels checked by your doctor to be sure they are at optimal levels. For adults this value is 50-70 ng/ml. You can find it in liquid form where a few drops in water each day will go a long way in boosting your immune systems during the allergy season.

Another thing that can help during allergy season is taking honey and apple cider vinegar. The antioxidant qualities of both can help get you through the allergy season. Apple cider vinegar is also known to thin mucous and honey contains pollen that helps our bodies become desensitized to it. However, the taste of apple cider vinegar would send most people running with the thought of putting it down the hatch. Fortunately, by taking a teaspoon of our Matys All Natural Cough Syrup each day, which not only contains both but also many other powerful immune boosting ingredients, you can not only help strengthen your immune system, but help to combat the signs of allergies.

Peace and be well.