I’m officially out of pit stick! What to do… what to do… I know – it’s the perfect opportunity to make a homemade deodorant and test it out. Here’s the recipe I’m using, another one to try out later and why homemade is better than commercial products.

For the last few years I’ve been hearing how unhealthy over-the-counter antiperspirants are because they use aluminum salts in their products to clog the pores and halt the natural process of sweating.

Aluminum can accumulate in the body and brain, and has been linked to Alzheimer’s Disease (although according to the Alzheimer Society, researchers no longer consider it a risk factor, except for some people who have difficulty processing heavy metals).

Deodorants are apparently better because they neutralize odour rather than stopping sweat. Check out this Care2.com article for The Difference Between Deodorant and Antiperspirants (it also contains the homemade recipes I’m trying).

However, I’ve found commercial deodorants don’t work that well nor do they last very long. And body odour is just plain unpleasant, not only for myself but others, too. I feel this is a high risk to take to be natural and healthier – I want to smell pretty!

It’s important to note here that when I was eating super clean a couple of years ago (read How I Lost 25lbs in 3 Months and A Safe, Enlightening 3 Day Fast), I noticed that I lacked body odour! Not only was my sweat a very subtle, almost pleasant smell, but even my toilet deposits weren’t that bad. The only trouble is that maintaining that über clean diet is fairly difficult – I’ve discovered that it’s got to be a good balance and I’m still experimenting with the right mix for myself.

Regular Live Lighter readers know that I advocate nature; natural is the usually the better choice because of little to no side-effects. But I’ve got to be honest – I’ve been dragging my feet on this one. I know homemade cleaners aren’t as powerful as the commercial products so I’ve been continuing to buy over-the-counter antiperspirants…

Now that I’m out of my usual pit stick, I’m biting the bullet, hoping for the best and willing to give a homemade deodorant recipe a try:

Basic Deodorant Powder

• 1/2 cup baking soda
• 1/2 cup cornstarch
• A few drops essential cinnamon oil (actually, I used 10 drops)

Place the ingredients in a glass jar. Shake to blend. Sprinkle a light covering of the powder on a damp washcloth. Pat on. Don’t rinse.

For the liquid recipe: http://www.care2.com/greenliving/deodorant-or-antiperspirants.html#ixzz1V7xPQU8a

I’ll return and leave a comment here about my experience using this homemade deodorant recipe. I suspect it will work but I’ll probably have to reapply it throughout the day.

Do you have a homemade deodorant recipe to share or perhaps a commercial product you’ve found that works and is a healthier option?

In celebration for the long-awaited first day of spring, March 20th (just two weeks away), we’ll be publishing a series designed to help you clear out `stuff’ that no longer serves you to make room for the new! These tips include suggestions for cleaning your body, mind, spirit (emotions) and environment.

Are you prepared to spring clean? I’m not either but we have some time to get ready! If you haven’t already read it, please check out The Ultimate Total Health Spring Cleaning List. This is a little taste of what you can expect to see in our Holistic Spring Cleaning Series.

And to help you through any stress (physical, mental or emotional) that spring cleaning may cause, I’d like to refer you to 21 Ways to Access Heaven. This list continues to help me through challenging times.

Live Lighter’s Holistic Spring Cleaning Series

What can you expect to read in the series? Although I’m still working out the details, here’s some teasers:

• Compilation post of cleansing recipes and a guest post about organic foods to help you clean your body.
• A book review on “Embrace, Release and Heal” – an inspirational book about cancer and the healing effects of emotional cleansing.
• How to spring clean and declutter your life, including tips for cleaning out your space and mind.
• Another guest post with stress-releasing and stress-prevention suggestions.

That’ll bring us up to St. Patty’s Day where we kick back, relax and celebrate a bit for after gathering all this information. After that, it’ll be up to you what and how you want to tackle your spring cleaning. For instance, if you’re Catholic, you might decide to cleanse by giving something up for Lent.

Since many of us will be decluttering our environments, I’ve requested a guest post from Neo Feng Shui Designer, Mette Keating, from a Danish Design Company. Learn how to arrange your furniture to increase the flow of Chi with an intro to Neo Feng Shui article as a follow up to the series!

Did you know that most of the candles on the market are toxic? But candle-light is so elegant, so relaxing… there must be a healthier alternative. There is! In today’s post we learn about beeswax candles and why health-conscious families choose them.

One of the best Christmas presents I ever received was an Original Pheylonian Beeswax Candle. These particular homemade Canadian candles (sold worldwide) use 100% pure cappings beeswax so they are completely natural, non-toxic, non-allergenic, non-carcinogenic and actually clean the air much like plants do!

Although they are more expensive, they’re also more cost-effective due to a high melting point (approximately 145F°). According to the candle makers, who compared the most expensive paraffin or veg wax to beeswax, found their Pheylonian candles burn 40 to 80% cheaper per minute, translating into an average of 10 cents per hour.

Beeswax also gives off a natural, relaxing, sweet smell and is both smokeless and dripless (two properties not found together in any other animal or mineral wax).

And these are just the highlights! But before we explain how beeswax purifies the air and list even more potential benefits, let’s review some facts about other types of wax.

Why is Paraffin Unhealthy?

Breathing the fumes from burning paraffin candles is essentially the same as breathing the exhaust fumes from a diesel engine.

According to a study funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (used to support soy farming), burned paraffin candles emit many pollutants including benzene, toluene and ketones, all of which have been linked to asthma, cancer and birth defects. (Source: NYDailyNews.com)

Paraffin is the non-renewable, inexpensive grayish black ooze and crud (by-products) from gas and petroleum refineries. It’s then treated and bleached with chemical solvents to clean it up for use in candles. When paraffin wax, sterno and liquid paraffin are burned, they release deadly chemicals, fluro carbons and dioxins into the air.

Then, since burning petrochemical paraffin is so stinky, synthetic fragrances are added, many of which are irritating, reduce olfactory sensitivity and are toxic themselves when burned.

If these chemicals weren’t enough, those who sell beeswax candles claim that all paraffin has a chemical component used to solidify the wax called `acrolyn,’ and variations of it, which they say is a proven carcinogen. Apparently, this solidifier is also used in vegetable and soy wax candles.

Note: I gave up after about 30 minutes of online research trying to find another type of source (one without a vested interest) to back this up.

For an interesting read, the Pheylonian beeswax candle makers tell a story about acrolyn, explain how toxic paraffin candles are and warn us how current laws allow companies to label candles as `pure beeswax’ using as little as 10% beeswax.

Negative Ions: Nature’s Air Purifier

Nature produces negative ions through lightening storms, moving water like the ocean, waterfalls, rivers, etc. and by wind passing through forests. It cleanses the air of pollutants (dust, pollen, mold, bacteria, viruses, odours and toxins) through an electrical process.

Annie Bond in her Care2.com article explains:

Air contains billions of electrically charged particles called ions. Ions act upon our capacity to absorb and utilize oxygen, and therefore cause powerful effects on our lives and well being. The ions in the air can affect our mood, energy and health. Negative ions actually feel good. Too many positive ions make us feel bad and they are loaded down with pollution and allergens that are drawn to them and suspended in the air. Negative ions, on the other hand, remove the pollution and allergens from positive ions, allowing them to drop harmlessly to the ground.

Beeswax candle fuel is the only fuel that actually produces negative ions, which not only helps remove pollution from the air but increases the ratio of negative ions to positive ions, the ideal and necessary scenario for clean air.

Beeswax Produce Negative Ions

The last part of Ms. Bond’s quote, “beeswax candle fuel is the only fuel that actually produces negative ions” appears to be debatable according to the results of a recent Japanese study reported by fellow blogger Jane from Simple, Sustainable, Nature.

Although the study proves beeswax emits negative ions when burned, it also found that even paraffin candles emit negative ions, but at a significantly lower volume.

Either way, when I burn my beeswax candle (usually in the bathroom when soaking in a hot tub), I notice a significant difference in air quality. Especially compared to burning a paraffin candle! I did so last night and not only was the scent stifling, when I extinguished the candle I all but choked on the smoke.

Interesting:

Apparently, you can actually see how polluted your air is when burning a beeswax candle! Valerie Reiss blogged about how one beeswax candle maker (though, the link to their site was dead when I tried it) said the dustier your home, the more “black debris” will collect around the wick. I checked my candle – all’s good!

And the Pheylonian beeswax candle makers warn: “Do not burn paraffin at the same time as you burn beeswax. Due to the negative ion properties of pure beeswax, the black soot from the paraffin will become all to evident on your ceilings, walls and all static surfaces such as vinyl windows, computers, etc.”

Negative Ions & Health

Intuitively, the cleaner the air, the healthier. But I didn’t get that far in the research.

However, Dr. Jonathan Wright reports anecdotal research on his TahomaClinicBlog about how people claim beeswax candles provide relief of allergies, sinus problems and asthma. He also supports Ms. Bond’s conclusions, claims tainted beeswax doesn’t have the health benefits of 100% pure beeswax candles, and admits he’s affiliated with a beeswax candle company.

But if you want to go pure beeswax, just in case…

The makers of my Pheylonian beeswax candle promise their “candles are made of 100% Cappings Beeswax. Cappings are the thin layer of pure beeswax which seal in the fresh honey into each comb. Beekeepers remove this to extract the honey. This is all we buy and use.”

They also suggest that these hair-thin cappings wax, compared to the rest of the honeycomb, is the most “desirable, pure, air-cleansing wax, perfectly created by the honey bees, in conjunction with Mother Nature herself.”

They still make their candles like their ancestors who came from the Carpathian Mountains in the Ukraine to Canada in the early 1900′s! Read their rich family story here.

Although others may need more research before investing in beeswax candles, I vote all-natural is healthier! I love my Pheylonian beeswax candle and suggest you try one yourself (visit their e-shop when you’re ready).

Do you have a beeswax candle? Have you noticed any difference when you burn one compared with another type of candle?

There are folks out there staying healthy in autumn with a raw juice fast adventure. If you’re planning one and would like some advice on how to prepare for it, then this post is for you.

Doing a juice fast at home is completely doable, but if you have the money to invest on a health retreat, the benefits are well-worth the expense! (Check out my raw juice fast weekend at Grail Springs, part 1 & 2).

Having someone else source unusual, healthy ingredients, prepare the juices and take care of the dishes alone is awesome. But more importantly, following a juice fast designed by a knowledgeable health practitioner and being under their watchful eye during it is always worth the investment.

Recently a friend (and Live Lighter reader) contacted me:

I am going on a retreat next weekend and we will be doing a raw juice fast while we are there. Do you have any suggestions on what I might do to prepare myself?  They have suggested all of the obvious things….no sugar, no coffee, tea, cheese, alcohol, deep fried foods, processed foods, red meat, white flour, deserts, potato chips and any other junk food for at least a week prior.  Most of those things are no problem (I think the coffee is what is going be the most challenging), but I feel like I should maybe be a little more proactive.  Is there anything else that you would suggest?

Here’s my advice:

1. Try a coffee substitute. I’ve tried a couple now (one’s Polish) made with figs, roasted chicory root, rye, and a few other interesting and natural ingredients. It tastes good and tricks my brain into thinking it’s real coffee. You can usually find a version of it at your local health food store, some grocery stores and online (e.g. TheFind.com).
2. Three days before your fast, blend your raw food meals. I had smoothies (with rice milk, no yogurt either) for breakfast and cleansing detox meals made of veggies for lunch and dinner.
3. Eat blended meals three days after your juice fast. Same as above.
4. Slowly reintroduce foods. This one’s completely optional (like they are but this one more so). It’s a great time to check for any food sensitivities if you’re at all curious. The trick is to take one day at a time. So continue eating blended meals on the 4th day, and add only dairy, for example. You could eat cottage cheese in the morning and note any digestive or mood disturbances. At lunch, a serving of hard brick cheese and note any differences in how you’re feeling. Dinner… etc. The next day add rye, etc. This was the final part of my elimination diet adventure and in the hormone diet. Between the two I discovered several food sensitivities I was completely clueless about (besides confirming the two I had guessed at because of symptom severity).
5. Journalling. When toxins are released, they are usually accompanied by unpleasant physical side-effects, such as headaches, anxiety, grumpiness, difficulty concentrating, etc. Be aware you may experience also some uncomfortable emotions as you process them along with the toxins. I found journalling and getting all those feelings down on paper helpful in speeding up emotional cleansing.
6. Regular, daily exercise. Leading up to your fast, continue your usual physical activity routine. During your fast, avoid strenuous activity (it will kick your body into fight or flight and stop the heal & renew process) but make sure you perform light and moderate exercise to help the toxins move through your system.
7. Deep breathing. Chances are your fast will allow you the opportunity to free your body of some substance, whether it’s caffeine, sugar, chocolate, cigarettes, etc. As with any substance addiction, you may feel withdrawal symptoms. One of the best ways to combat cravings and associated feelings of anxiety is through deep breathing. Try breathing in with your nose to the count of 8 (filling both upper and lower parts of your lungs), pausing on the top of the inhale for a count of 3, and exhaling through your mouth to the count of 8.     
8. Meditation. There are many of ways to meditate but basically it’s clearing your mind (which you can achieve through regular deep breathing). It’s benefits are many and among them, specific to a fast, it helps process emotions and relax your body, activating your natural healing abilities.

Does list give you some ideas  in how to prepare for a fast, and cope with cravings and uncomfortable detox symptoms? By the way, you won’t necessarily experience negative side-effects (it depends on your toxicity levels); and you may experience enlightenment as your energy is diverted from digestion to your mind or spirit!

Have you tried a raw juice fast? What helped you through the tough times? Were you enlightened? Please share your experience with us!

Editor’s Note: Halloween is right around the corner and that means sweets! In today’s guest post, Sarah Danielson, blogs about sweetners and lists a few natural alternatives you can use in baking and cooking (so you can enjoy a little seasonal candy, guilt-free).

You may have realized that some popular sugar substitutes (like the ubiquitous blue and pink packets found in restaurants across America) actually contain warning labels that say something like this:

Use of this product may be hazardous to your health. This product contains saccharin, which has been determined to cause cancer in laboratory animals.

Common offenders may contain any number of sweetening agents such as aspartame, acesulfame potassium, sucralose, neotame and cyclamate. Sadly, even Splenda, which claims to be “made from real sugar”, is actually nothing but chemically processed sugar.

This is like saying that Goldie Hawn’s lips are natural because they contain all-natural restylane (a synthetic hydraulic acid gel that resembles acid found in the body).

The problem with each and every one of them (besides the fact that they may be known carcinogens) is that they are all ARTIFICIAL sweeteners. Frankly, you might be better off risking a few extra pounds by eating real sugar (as long as it isn’t processed).

But if you wish to ward off the pounds even as you enjoy the sweet treats you love, there are plenty of natural sweeteners that can be used as a substitute.

1. Honey. This all-natural sweetener is made by the bees with nectar harvested from flowers. While its taste is distinctive from sugar, it is actually quite a bit sweeter, so if you decide to use it in recipes that call for sugar, you’ll only want to use about 2/3 of the called-for amount. As a flavor enhancer for drinks, 1-2 teaspoons will generally suffice.
2. Agave nectar. This syrupy sweetener is made from the sap of the same succulents used to produce tequila. But don’t worry; it’s not alcoholic. Instead, the mildly sweet flavor makes it great for those who want a sugar substitute that doesn’t have the sickening sweetness that permeates most alternatives. It is slightly sweeter than sugar, so while it unfortunately has about the same amount of calories for an equal serving, you definitely won’t need as much to get the same taste.
3. Maple syrup. While this is great on pancakes, it can be difficult to use in other ways (cooking, for example). However, this sweet treat made from the sap of maple trees can also be purchased in granules (known as maple sugar) to swap in for granulated sugar. And it is often produced organically.
4. Blackstrap molasses. When sugar cane is boiled and cooled, crystals of sugar form and are collected to make what becomes raw, granulated, brown sugar.  But what happens to the leftovers?  Often they are boiled several more times to create different kinds of molasses, but the third boiling is called blackstrap molasses.  While there is still a lot of sugar in molasses (even after the removal of crystals), it has a number of healthy nutrients that can’t be found in refined products, such as calcium, iron, magnesium and potassium, just to name a few. Although it has a strong flavor, it can be substituted in many recipes to good effect.
5. Stevia. This is the latest natural sugar substitute to become widely available to the public and it seems to be practically miraculous. The plant itself is a member of the aster family and leaves can be purchased whole, broken, powdered, or even in a liquid extract form, making it the ideal choice for everything from baking to soda to your morning cup of coffee. It has no calories, is actually sweeter than sugar, and is suitable for diabetics.

About the Author

Sarah Danielson writes for Wine Glass Racks where you can find a wine rack to fit your individual needs, taste, and style.

Can we really expect to live a healthy life without the help of Mother Nature? Let’s make sure She survives by being environmentally-conscious consumers! Here are a few logos to look for when you’re shopping.

Being green is hot right now and let’s hope it’s more than just a fad. To help us make the right choices, an increasing number of green certifiers have been marking products which support sustainability. Here are a few certification marks to emboss on your brain:

Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC)

PEFC partners with independent regulatory groups, forest managers, timber companies and paper producers worldwide to help assure sustainable forest management. One of the PEFC Council’s key priorities is to advance the shared interests of more than 20 certifiers across the globe, including the Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) and the Canadian Standards Association (CSA).

Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)

An FSC certification indicates that a product was created using responsible forest management practices through the entire “chain-of-custody” – from the forest to the mill, merchant, printer and end-user. FSC also takes into account biodiversity and the rights of the indigenous peoples in evaluating the forest management element of a product.

Project POTICO

Project POTICO (Palm Oil, Timber, Carbon Offsets) is a partnership between NewPage Corporation and the World Resources Institute (WRI) to address the rapid deterioration of Indonesia’s tropical forests. The project aims to divert new oil-palm plantations away from virgin forests onto other available areas in three ways: palm-oil sustainability certification; investing to encourage palm-oil companies to use already-contracted lands for forestry instead, using sustainable methods; and creating carbon offset-related benefits for palm-oil companies.

Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI)

SFI, Inc. is an independent charitable organization that works with a variety of other entities, including landowners, local communities, conservation groups and many others, to advance responsible forest management. SFI offers two seal types, Percent Certified Content and Fiber Sourcing, to certify that a product utilizes legal and sustainable sources.

Energy Star

Products carrying the ENERGY STAR seal – from appliances and building materials in the home, to office machines and other commercial products in business environments – contribute to energy conservation and cost savings for companies and consumers alike. ENERGY STAR is a joint program created by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy.

Post-Consumer Waste (PCW)

One of the world’s best-known seals, the PCW mark’s rotating arrows indicate a product using paper with post-consumer waste content. To qualify for PCW certification, the paper must contain a defined percentage of waste paper reclaimed after consumer use – a key distinction aimed at reducing the amount of paper waste that goes to landfills each year.

Green-e

Representing one of the United States’ leading independent environmental certification programs, the Green-e mark is offered by the non-profit Center for Resource Solutions to indicate companies that purchase or generate certified renewable energy.

Green Seal

Green seal offers its mark to certify environmentally responsible practices among manufacturers and users of a wide variety of products, including construction materials and equipment, household, institutional and industrial cleaning materials, and a full gamut of paper products, from fine printing papers to coffee filters.

This post was originally printed in a crazy, awesome educational booklet published by NewPage as “a reference to inspire, to inform and to create dialogue.  So I’m passing this knowledge to you!

Are any of these logos new to you? What certification marks do you look for when shopping?

We’re always talking about healthy living for the body, mind and soul here on Live Lighter, but what about  the health of our possessions? In today’s post, we learn about what makes our computer sick and how to boost its immunity!

Just as there are dangerous viruses and bacteria floating around the world looking for a host to feed on, there are computer viruses and spyware lurking on the world wide web for a host to infect. Unfortunate but a fact of life, we must protect our computers from mischievous individuals using the web for selfish, harmful agendas.

Last week (shortly after I became ill and dreamed up the perfect healthcare system), my computer was hit with a trojan horse. This is a type of malicious software (a.k.a. malware) and as the name from Greek mythology suggests, appears to be helpful but actually allows unauthorized access to your computer.

As an analogy, this would be like you welcoming a thief disguised as a friend into your home and, on the sly, he opens a door or window to your place so his buddies can get in and rob you blind.

And the trojan horse doesn’t only allow hackers to access one’s personal computer! It also can access a website you upload content to from your computer (like a blog) and also to the server hosting it (posing a risk to other websites on the same server) where the hackers can then upload other types of malware!

As you can imagine, I was upset. But I had to remind myself things happen for a reason. Perhaps the Universe was telling me it’s time I found out for myself about maintaining a healthy computer, and share this info with other technologically-challenged people like me?

#1 Lesson for a Healthy Computer

Although my computer was secured, one little oversight allowed the trojan in: the automatic updates weren’t turned on in my security software! This trojan was new and without the updated version, my security software was unable to detect the threat. Doh!

The rest of the post explains the basic security you need to maintain the health of your computer, but please don’t forget this one lesson and turn on your automatic updates (as well as automatic scanning) on all the security software you install.

Boosting your Computer’s Immunity

Here’s an excellent article written specially for laymen by Erick Simpson (VP of MSP University), “Basic Computer Safety Tips” which covers protecting your computer as well as a few things you can do to ensure your safety when using the internet. Instead of reiterating Erick’s article, please read it before proceeding!

For everyday computer users who use the internet for communicating through email and social networks, and for information browsing, paying bills and some online shopping, this is the security software you’ll need for a healthy computer:

Firewall Software

According to some sources (my computer-savvy Honey for one), a firewall is the most important piece of security you’ll need to guard against malware.

Why? Because even if spyware and other information collecting malware find their way in to your computer, the firewall prevents the hacker from sending info out from your computer to the internet and into other computers.

A good firewall will ask your permission when sending or receiving any information to and from the internet. As with every tool, the firewall works best when the user knows how it works and uses it like it was meant to be used.

You “always allow” sites you trust, and when it pops up suddenly asking you to allow or deny an activity, really look at what you’re in the middle of and ask yourself, “Is there any reason why my computer would need to receive or send information?”

Also, before you allow or deny, look at the information your Firewall is providing you: do you recognize where the data is coming from or going out to? If you don’t know whether it’s good or bad, try Googling it and see what comes up.

Anti-Malware Software (Anti-virus & Anti-spyware)

Not only do these programs help protect your computer from infection, they also scan your system for threats, as well as disable and remove them before they cause harm.

The most popular anti-virus program out there is Norton Anti-Virus, but another good one on the market is CA Anti-Virus.

#2 Lesson for a Healthy Computer

Something else important I gleaned from my experience last week was: if your computer does become infected and you use an anti-malware program to clean it up, there are program files for your operating system (typically Microsoft Windows) that viruses and other malware like to hide in – something like a closet.

To find them, you must run your malware scan in your operating system’s “safe mode.” To do this when using Microsoft Windows XP, start up your computer and in the middle of the boot-up process, press and hold the F8 key before Windows has had a chance to load. For other Windows users, check here.

Once you’re in the safe mode, it’ll look like a rougher version of your normal screen (your fonts and wallpaper image may be whacked). From here, just open your malware program(s) and run a scan here. If it fails to find a threat, you’re in the clear!

#3 Lesson for a Healthy Computer

Always question when your computer is acting funny in any way. For instance, last week I noticed something was wrong when I posted Tuesday’s post here on Live Lighter. When I signed out, my login page had a list of warning error scripts on it.

It’s never done anything like that before and while I noticed it, I just assumed it was a minor glitch. At that very moment, I could have called my techie or my hosting provider to ask them their opinion. Either one would have told me to scan my ‘puter for malware immediately.

It wasn’t until the next day when I experienced the same thing, that I off-handedly mentioned it to my techie. By then, it was tough to find and remove from my computer, it had accessed my blog AND the server. My hosting provider had to quarantine the file and after cleaning everything up, it was password changin’ time!

Putting it together for Computer Health

Like Erick Simpson pointed out in his article, for the less computer-savvy, it’s easier to install and manage a bundled version of these software applications that include firewall, anti-virus and anti-spyware software.

HOWEVER, you should be aware that vendors tend to specialize in one type of software, leaving security gaps in the other software programs they offer in their packaged deal.

For the best overall security, you might want to complicate your life a bit by purchasing separate software from different companies. But, when you do this, you run into compatibility issues! (I’m betting hackers count on these challenges for their success.)

My computer technician, who believes a firewall is the most important aspect of security, suggested ZoneAlarm – the best company he knows for firewall protection. At one time I had Norton running with ZoneAlarm, then I tried CA with ZoneAlarm, but alas, they don’t play nice with one another.

ZoneAlarm Extreme is what I’m using now which includes the all-important firewall, anti-virus and anti-spyware, browser security, email and identity protections AND parental controls!

While ZoneAlarm doesn’t have the best anti-virus and anti-spyware software out there, I’ll have the best firewall out there to prevent malware from reporting back to hackers. If it fails to wipe the offenders clean from my computer, I’ll download trial versions of either Norton or CA to finish the job.

Hopefully this post helps you keep your computer healthy, and saves you time, hassle and stress of removing malware after it’s attacked your computer.

Have you had a computer infection? How did you handle it and what malware programs are you using?

The health benefits of being an early bird are numerous. I’ve experienced them myself and, unfortunately, I’ve fallen off the wagon. Life’s not as easy as it once was so I’m taking the Stepcase Lifehack Challenge to become an early riser in 5 days!

We’ve all experienced sleeping in late and rushing out the door. How do those days usually turn out for you? If you’re like me, horrid. Nothing seems to go smoothly and life’s demands seem incessant. I’m stressed almost the entire day.

The greatest advantage to rising early is starting the day off right: taking the time for personal care and performing activities which fulfill you. This way you’ve taken care of the most important person in your world: YOU.

Once you’ve taken care of your needs, you’ll have way more energy and willingness to fulfill your responsibilities and take care of others.

Stepcase Lifehack’s Early Riser Challenge

Seth Simonds over at Lifehack has shared 5 tips for being an early riser and has asked participants to share theirs in the comments and/or on their blogs. If you’re thinking about taking this challenge with me, I invite you to read up on everyone’s tips, including Seth’s latest post, Do You Have a Morning Ritual?

The challenge officially began Monday but I’m starting tomorrow and will carry on past the suggested 5 days. I figure with all the tips prior to starting, it should be a cinch!

Oh! And this is a Stepcase Lifehack 6-part series so I hope you’ll follow along with me as Seth posts more helpful content during the week.

Steph’s Tips for Early Bird Wannabes

You CAN train your body to jump up out of bed with bountiful energy to greet the day! Here are some of my early bird hacks:

1. Mind Power. This is the most exciting tip I have to share because it reveals just how powerful we really are! As you’re lying in bed preparing to fall to sleep, tell yourself what time you’ll get up. The trick to working this tip is deep breathing and relaxation. Basically, you’re using the power of self-hypnosis – and it really works! I created a nighttime mantra for myself, “I will sleep deeply and wake at 7am refreshed, energetic and connected.” I can now wake up without an alarm, which is absolutely amazing if you knew me when I was younger!
2. Make it Easy. It’s difficult to make huge changes. Our bodies strive for consistency so it’s helpful to work with nature (it’s how I made healthy living easy). Try slowly adjusting your body to your new wake up time. For instance, if you want to wake up at 6am but you normally wake up at 8am, aim for 7:30am for the first morning or two. Then aim for 7am for the next few mornings and so on until you reach your desired wake up time.
3. Avoid Caffeine After 3pm. If you can do it, also avoid sugar (including alcohol) and other stimulants (including cigarettes) late in the afternoon. They jack up your central nervous system and although you may be so used to the substance that you don’t even notice it, they do affect a good night’s sleep. Which in turn affects your ability to wake up naturally and easily at your desired wake up time.
4. Resist Eating Past 7pm. Digestion requires an incredible amount of energy; some say even more than running, swimming or cycling! Sleep is the time for your body to repair and regenerate but if your body’s energy is diverted to digestion, you’ll fail to get optimum sleep or the full health benefits sleep offers. Plus, your body will be more willing to wake up in the morning, craving the sustenance of breakfast.
5. Unplug & Disconnect Before Bed. For at least one hour before hitting the sack, try to avoid stimulating activities like TV, computers, work, movies, games and even socializing. Much like stimulating substances, these types of activities stimulate the central nervous system and it’s often difficult to calm down enough to fall sleep. If you usually toss and turn before falling asleep, this tip might be exactly what you need!
6. Sleep for 7-9 Hours. Everyone is different so you’ll have to discover your optimal sleep time. If you can wake without an alarm and feel rested, you’re getting the appropriate amount of sleep for you. The point to this tip is that if you’re aiming to wake earlier than your usual time, you’ll find going to bed earlier imperative to achieving your goal.
7. Additional Sleep Tips. Dr. Natasha Turner devotes an entire chapter to sleep in her book The Hormone Diet (click here for my book review). This chapter alone is worth the price of the book! To read a little on the importance of sleep and for more of my personal sleep tips, read Sweet Dreams for a Healthier You.

Many of the above tips have to do with getting a better night’s rest. Makes sense, doesn’t it? If we give our bodies the right quality and amount of sleep, we won’t have to do a thing because our body will simply and naturally wake up when it’s time.

Do you have any sleep tips we haven’t covered here? Will you be taking the Stepcase Lifehack challenge with us? Let us know in the comments below!

The Mayan calendar ends on December 21st (or 23rd), 2012. This ancient prophesy is over 5,000 years old and predicts that the world as we know it will end. In celebration for tomorrow’s opening release of the new blockbuster movie, 2012, this post is about how you can physically prepare for Armageddon.

Let’s clear up a few things first. This is a movie. While there may be some truth to it (never say never, right?), the worst thing we can do is play into the doom and gloom that Hollywood likes to create for our entertainment!

If you haven’t seen the trailer, here it is:

Many who believe in the 2012 phenomenon look at the Mayan prophesies as an earthly cleansing. Much like a birth, there may be violence, death and destruction as this era ends and we enter into a new beginning.

The cataclysmic events portrayed in the 2012 movie will most likely not happen on a single day. Some people, like Drunvalo Malchizedek, believe that the end of days predicted by the Mayans happen in a window of time and that we’re already experiencing it.

There may be a kernel of truth here, considering the recent swine flu pandemic, Hurricane Katrina, the deadly 2004 tsunami, out-of-control HIV/AIDS epidemic in Africa and global warming, to name a few.

Some argue that there has been no significant change in the incidence of natural disasters, disease and illness. Others maintain that the world is going to hell in a hand basket. And fast.

Whatever you choose to believe, here at Live Lighter, we’re preparing for 2012 in any case. We’re taking a proactive, positive approach, though. Not out of fear but out of faith, reason and logic.

Since we cannot control natural disasters, we choose not to worry about these what ifs. We trust that whatever will be, will be.

As for disease and illness, we know our bodies are magnificent machines. Nature made us perfect and as long as we take good care of our bodies, our natural defenses (a.k.a. immune system) will fight off any foreign invader that attempts to wage war with us internally.

Live Lighter’s Simple Guide to Preparing for 2012

This is a very simple system that anyone can follow. It does not mean you have to make crazy, dramatic life changes all at once, either. It’s about working towards conscious living and making healthy decisions every moment you can.

Here are the basics to prepare your body, mind and soul for 2012:

1. Feel good now. This is THE most important step. If you choose to wolf down an entire bag of chips or smoke a pack of cigarettes, relish it. Guilt is a toxic feeling and will eat you up from the inside-out. But do not ignore it, either. Guilt can be a useful feeling, providing you a clue that you’re probably doing something harmful. Enjoy your current decision and make a better choice next time.
2. Everything in moderation. Healthy living isn’t about sacrifice. It’s about really enjoying life! Instead of eating 4 pieces of fried chicken, which will make you feel horrible later, eat 2 and savour every bite!
3. Exercise. Our bodies were designed to move. Like all living things, we were also built to enjoy fresh air and sunshine. Go for walks, play sports, run, jump, play and pump that iron at least 3 to 5 times a week. It can be as little as 15 minutes at a time, but aim for at least 30 minutes a day.
4. Eat fresh, whole foods. Our bodies function best with primo fuel made by old fashioned nature. Fresh fruits, veggies, clean protein sources and whole grains are the staples. Aim for 80% of the time, leaving 1 day a week to indulge in your favourite man-made foods.
5. Get supreme sleep. Regular, restful sleep does wonders for managing stress. Stress, as we all know, weakens our immune system, overrides step 1 (feel good now), causes us to overeat, and not to mention makes us irritable and difficult to be around.
6. Enjoy regular sex. What could be a better way to achieve feeling good now? Sex, with yourself or a partner, is another super stress buster and actually takes care of exercise requirements at the same time!
7. Be social. This is another excellent way of achieving step 1. You nourish your social needs when you surround yourself with friends and family who make you feel good. Healthy relationships will provide you love, support and fun to really enjoy life now, despite whatever challenges you’re facing at the moment.
8. Meditation. This is mind and soul exercise! It helps you achieve step 1, to feel good now, because you can train your mind to focus on the positives in any situation. It also allows you to access your inner strength, the part of you that’s connected to the Universe and that which helps you create the life of your dreams through positive intention.
9. Detoxify your life. Do you have things or relationships in your life that no longer serve you? Perhaps you have a build up of food and junk in your body that is weighing you down. Cleaning up your external and internal environments will help you feel lighter and give you the ability to cope with life’s downs.
10. Take high quality nutritional supplements. Unfortunately, in today’s toxic world, our food supply isn’t what it used to be. Even if we’re eating a well-balanced, nutritious diet, managing our stress and controlling our addictions, chances are we are deficient in nutrients. Your body and mind will function better if you give it the nutrients it needs.

There you have it folks, everything you need to do in order to adequately prepare yourself for any (controllable) catastrophe that we may encounter when the end of 2012 arrives.

Do you have any tips to share that may help us prepare for 2012? Please share them with us!

In this fantastic Healthygirl.ca article, “A Nation of Addicts,” Natalia suggests that the cause and cure for addiction is consciousness. And she’s not the only one. Many people today believe that we use our addictions to silence our bodies and emotions.

Spiritual leaders like Eckhart Tolle teach us the benefits of mastering the art of creating peace and how to activate the power of Now. For quick reference, straight from the Live Lighter vaults, here are 27 tips to bring you into the present moment so you can break the cycle of addiction:

1. Drink water.
2. Breathe! Most of us breathe from the tops of our lungs. Try filling up your lower lungs with longer inhales/exhales.
3. Run up and down a few stairs.
4. Get on the floor and do some core exercises.
5. Ask yourself: “Right now, do I really want this insert addiction here?”
6. Call a buddy who’s overcome the same addiction or who’s also trying to raise their consciousness level.
7. Yoga.
8. Stretch.
9. Make some tea.
10. Ask yourself: “Why am I better off without insert addiction here?”
11. Do some dishes.
12. Organize papers.
13. Brush your teeth.
14. Exercise.
15. Dance.
16. Sing.
17. Write.
18. Ask yourself: “Do I really appreciate my life?”
19. Simply stop and listen for 2 minutes.
20. Smile.
21. Doodle.
22. Ask yourself: “How’s my posture?”
23. Wash or splash your face with water.
24. Give yourself a manicure or pedicure.
25. Play with those fun musical Chinese meditation balls.
26. Put together an old school picture puzzle.
27. Ask yourself: “What am I feeling right now?”

Since everyone’s an individual, some of the above tips may not appeal to you. Many of them work because they require you to attend to your physical body and it’s needs. This helps get you out of your head and into the present moment.

You can make your own list by thinking of activities that you lose all sense of time when you perform. Hint: they bring you joy!

What are some of your consciousness tips? Please share them with us below!