February 2025

Our water is hydrating us but is it keeping us healthy? A 1980 strudy by the US Council of Enveronment Quality report that the risk of cancer is 93% higher for those in contact with clorinated water.Besides cholorine, fluoride is a toxic chemical. The Delaware Division of Public Health report that long term exposure to low level is likely linked to bladder and colon cancer. Dr. Stephen Cabral, author of “The Rain Barrel Effect” stated, “Even if you believe it’s necessary for your teeth, you still wouldn’t drink it. It’s a known poison that can kill you (or cause serious harm) in a pea size quantity. That is why there’s a warning on all fluoridated tubes of toothpastes. Flouride has been known for decades to lower thyroid gland function.”

Water is one of the most important ingredients of your diet. We use water daily. Cooking, drinking, washing our foods, ourselves, this list is endless. It is recommended men should consume 15.5 cups of water daily and femailes 11.5 cups a day.(healtlhline.com) It hydrates us but is it harming us?

I try to avoid drinking out of plastic water bottles…so many studies showing the harmful effects of plastic bottles. “Harmful chemicals such as BPA, phthalates, and antimony leach into the water, expecially, which can disrupt hormones and potentially lead to reproductive issues, developmental problems and increase in heart disease, diabetes in humans, the risk of cancer .” hms.harvard.edu

June 6th ,I recently have an Environmental Toxins labs done. One of my high markers was Bisphenol (BPA) . Numbers should be less than 2.12, however mine is greater than 5.09 . Bisphenol is a starting material for the synthesis of plastics as it is clear and tough. Eposy resins containing BPA are used to line the water pipes , as coastings on the inside of many food and abeverage cans. Associated risks are fertility problems, male impotence, heart disease, and certain cancers (breast and prostate) I don’t consistantly drink from plastic water bottles as I have a Berkey water filter. So not sure why my numbers are high.

My Story

Our water is not as pure as it use to be, I grew up on well water and spring water until I moved to Reedsport and drank city chorinated water. One year later I became ill with the chemical and food sensitivties. I feel it was an overload of chemicals in already chemically damage endocrine gland system. Since then I have had to lower my chemical load with clean water, organic food, and using natural fibers for clothing and bedding, etc.

While trying to find a filtering system that would work and I could tolerate, I took 6 gallon glass jugs and would go to local water springs (these springs were run off from the Coastal Mountain Range) and fill my jugs. I moved from spring to spring. Some filters would work for a short while then I’d be sick again…Luckily I did find an artesian well I used for several years.

Over the years I have tried many many water filters. Those of you who are lucky to live in the country and have well water, or spring water, LUCKY YOU! However, many of us are on city water. Maybe you buy water…hopefully it is pure and NOT in plastic, those on city water have chlorine and some also have floride. My system cannot take either one of these chemicals. In addition, our son who has constructed and repaired many city/residental water lines will NEVER drink city water. He saw first hand how much sludge,slime/debre sits in those water lines. Just not a few but all!

After spending lots of money of water filters…even tried the reverse osmosis expensive filters (I got sick using it, very tired and nausous) It was recommended to me when I was in a medical group to use the Berkey charcol gravity feed water filter. Many in the medical group had one and they loved it. I have used it now for two years, it is simple and easy to use.https://www.usaberkeyfilters.com/ There are many water filters on the market I recommend you do research and find that one that would be best for you and your family.

I am not affiliated with this company or recieve any money with anyone’s purchase.

I bought mine through Amazon. I tolerate the filtered water well. I clean it every six weeks…very easy to clean. Pull the top half off, wash it out, prime the charcol filters, put the top back on and pour your water in again. This is the counter top version. The water tastes very clean. Very simple filter…you don’t have to worry about the water lines getting clogged or replacing filters. It is a little expensive, but in the long run saves money and most importand your health.

Other water Alternatives – Recommended by Dr Stephen Caral

Multi-step water filtration system Reverse Osmosis under the counter system

Zero or Therasage water pitchers

Chlorine in the shower

Did you know chlorine comes out of the shower and hot bath as a gas. Your breath in this gas when you shower/bath. This gas is a toxic gas which is inhaled into your lungs, then into the blood stream. Long term affects of this toxic gas over years can weaken your liver’s detox abilities, hinder respiratory health, and energy production. I use to wonder why after my showers I was so tired…sometimes having to sit and rest. If I was going to be driving I would not shower until I got back home. Water Chef link: https://www.waterchef.com/collections/shop-products/products/waterchef-sf-7c-premium-shower-filtration-system

Other water filter brands: Aquabliss – You keep your current showerhead

Sprite – Replaces your existing showerhead

Culligan – Small shower head and filter

For many years I have had a Water Chef shower head. I usally have to change the filter every 3-4 months. We live on a dead end street and the city doesn’t flush out the water lines so our water is dirty and plugs the filter faster… other reason for my Berkey water filter in my kitchen!

I hope you find this information helpful and can feel a difference in your energy, brain clarity, and over all health function. It will definitely lower the chemical load in your system. I would not be able to survive without a filter. Make the change before you have to fight your way back to health.

Healthy drinks to make

Ginger Shot …Helps with digestion

Since I have trouble digesting one of my favorite and effective healthy drinks I drink everyday is ginger, water/cayenne pepper, 1/2 squeezed lemon and 1 teaspoon turmeric.

Cut ginger into chuncks and place in blender container.

Add water to just about to the fill line. If you don’t want to use fresh ginger, I also have bought organic ginger powder from Natural Grocers and use 2 teaspoons per quart. Fresh is stronger and helps faster with digestion.

Blend for twenty seconds. I also drop 4-5 drops of Peppermint in this drink….or sometimes I just drink peppermint water. I have always had poor digestion. These are my tips and tricks!

The ginger fluid will have some fiber so you will need to strain by using a spoon and press out all the juice.

I usually use a quart wide mouth jar as it is easier and not so messy when straining. After the ginger is all strained into the quart jar I fill the rest of the quart jar with water.

Then I add a teaspoon (you can experiment how much cayenne pepper you want to add) squeezed lemon & 2 teaspoons tumeric. Next time I go to the health food store I going to pick up some fresh chopped cayenne pepper and organic cayenne pepper.

This drink does have a bite/hot taste but the benefits outweigh the hottness. I drink about 1/2 a cup at a time. Some days my stomach doesn’t feel well, or feels nauseous and after drinking this ginger drink always feels much better.

Seems to give me more energy.

When I was pregnant and with morning sickness I had Capsicum pills (cayenne peppers are part of the Capsicum family) to suck on and it really helped the nauseousness. Cayenne peper stimulates the nerves in your stomach that produces digestive fluids, which helps digestion. Healthy gold drink!

“Some studies show that capsaicin has strong anticancer abilities and has shown to target tumors and slow the growth and spread of cancer cells.

Cayenne peppers can be used as a pain reliever when you apply it topically to your skin. The FDA has approved topical capsaicin treatment for certian kinds of nerve pain and capsaicin injectrions to relieve arthritis pain. Picture to the right with 2 teaspoons Tumeric powder added.

Cayenne pepers, are full of antioxidants, Vitamin A, C, D, Beta carotene, cryptoxanthin, choline, lutein, zeaxanthin.

Nutrients: Vitamin B1, B2, B6, vitamin K, folate, manganese, potassium, copper, iron, magnesium, selenium, phosphorous, and zinc.”

https://www.webmd.com/diet/health-benefits-cayenne-pepper

Benefits of Ginger – John Hopkins medicine

Electrolyte Salt Drink

I also drink this everyday.

1 8oz glass of water, 1 teaspoon spoon of aloe vera jel, with a teaspoon of salt. I rotate a different salts each day. I also add 1/4 cup of strawberries or blue berries, raseberries, black berries, pinapple is VERY good…whatever I have on hand. One teaspoon of raw honey (optional). Today I added a handful of spinach or chard, rounded tablespoon of greek yogurt, and 1/2 of a banana. Very good! Green Healthy smoothie!

Salt Benefits

I am not able to drink any energy drinks, commercal electrolite drinks, or ANY like drink from the store shelves…even natural or organic drinks. So I make my own with different types of salts.

Organic Baha gold Celtic Sea Salt -is the purest celtic sea salt.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0CB4W4PH1/ref=ox_sc_act_image_2?smid=A1F46GGZ47TZQ&psc=1 – packed with electrolytes like sodium, potassium, and magnesium. This keeps body fluid levels, nerve work, and muscle moves in check. So, having Celtic sea salt in your meals could help keep hydration and electrolyte balance in a good place.

Himalayan Pink Salt pink – Himalayan salt has up to 84 other minerals and trace elements. These include common minerals like potassium and calcium, as well as lesser-known minerals like strontium and molybdenum.-

Hawaiian-Style Sea Salt (color red)

-Alaea sea salt is known to be rich in minerals such as iron, calcium, and magnesium which are essential for maintaining good health. Detoxifying properties: The red clay present in Alaea sea salt is believed to have detoxifying properties

Hawaiian Black Lava Sea Salt –

It is composed of 81% sodium chloride; the remaining 19% of the salt’s chemical composition comes from a combination of 84 trace minerals and electrolytes that naturally occur in sea water and remain on the salt crystals after evaporation.

Redmond Real Salt –

Redmond Real Salt is unrefined sea salt mined from an ancient seabed in Utah where it’s safe from modern pollutants. It’s pure, unprocessed, and full of trace minerals.

These keep my heart from having irregular heart beats and racing heart rate. After drinking this in the morning after my walk I feel rejuenated and more energized. I rotate the different salts to get all the different minerals.

All salts can be purchased at Amazon.com

Some are concerned the salt in relation to their blood pressure. I just had my blood pressure check yesterday …109/50…Not bad!

Smoothies – all around health drink

BlackBerry fruit Smoothie – my favorite

Full blender up 1/3 with ice

1 cup blackberries, blueberries, raspberries, strawberries,etc.

1 banana

1 big scoop nut butter

3 – 4 big chard leaves

1/4 cup coconut sugar, or date sugar, or honey.

Add 3/4 to 1 cup milk or milk substitute ( almond, rice, coconut, flaxmilk)

Blend at top speed until creamy

Enjoy this healthy fruit drink!

Tropical Avocado SMoothie

Ingredients

1/2 of a small avocado

1 cup fresh pineapple chunks

1 large handful or about 1 1/4 cups of fresh spinach or chard

2 cups coconut, rice, almond, or tigernut milk

1 tablespoon MCT oil

1 scoop collagen peptides

Ice

OPTIONAL: 1/2 – 1 teaspoon honey

1. Place all ingredients except ice in a blender and process until smooth.
2. Add ice gradually and process to desired consistency.
3. Serve fresh.

 MCT oil can aid in weight loss, improve brain functioning and treat digestive diseases.

I choose to use rice milk as I am sensitive to coconut milk and rice milk is easy to find at most stores.

I have done a lot of juicing. They are an excellent for hydration, as they are mostly water based. Juices help with digestion offering a break from digesting old foods. Any juice with ginger, celery and lemon is soothing to the stomach, helps in digestion. Juices can offer a concentrated dose of vitamins, minerals, and anatioxidants compared to eating whole fruits and vegetables. Many of the the juices have anti-inflammatory properties depending on the fruit/vegetable used.

JUicing – “Juicing and smoothiies with fresh fruits & vegetables can boost your energy level, supercharge your immune system and maximize your body’s healing power.” Cherie Calbom author of Juicing for life

There are is no end to the many combinations of juices/smoothies you can make. Listed to the left are drinks with a medicinal purpose. All different but very tasty. If you have sensitivities, like me, just substitute for a different ingredient. My body doesn’t like oranges so I sub in grapefruit, limes…or just leave it out:) I would recommend a juicer; quick and easy. Enjoy!!

Since I live on the central Oregon coast I pick and freeze most of these fruits. One of my favorite smoothies is a blackberry, strawberry, blueberry, huckleberry, banana smoothie. I always add rainbow chard or spinach and raw honey (optional).

Which I also add barley grass powder and a Metagenics UltralnflamX Plus 360(support for nutritional management of gut function). A great addition would be a protein powder. I would if I could find one I could tolerate.

Will drinking a smoothie a day keep the doctor away? If they are made with nutritious ingredients. They can help you meet your daily friut and vegetable requirements and provide essential nutrients…vitamins, minerals, and fiber.

They keep you hydrated, which is good for your skin, digestive system, and body function. Helps with providing a natural energy boost from fruits, vegetables and healthy fats. They also increase your fiber intake and with a balance of fats , protein, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals and can even replace a meal made with healthy ingredients and enough calories.

Smoothies made with cucumers, lemons, or celery can help flush out toxins.

Smoothies are one way we can get friuts in our diet in the winter months when fresh is not always available. Especially those of us who live in cool/cold winters. There are so many options.

I hope I have given you information and many options to increase your health with healthy drinks…pure water, drinks for digestion, drinks with electrolites, and tasty drinks for your health…detoxing, healthy skin, inflammation, bloating, and strengthen your immune system. Enjoy!

We are all on a Health journey