Well linoleum is a type of flooring that incorporates linseed oil into its cement mixture. Linseed hardens upon exposure to air and that makes it a natural coating material helping flooring last 20 years or more. The natural ingredients in linoleum are: Linseed oil, Rosins from pine trees, wood flour from forest timbers, limestone and natural pigments. It is the number one choice for architectures for environmental reasons because of the oil from the flax. And this type of flooring is commonly found in educational facilities, hospitals, and government buildings all around the world. There are three reasons why linoleum is chosen by the environmentally conscious:

1. Its sustainable natural ingredients

2. It lasts for a very long time

3. It disposes very well (it is completely biodegradable and doesn’t release harmful gasses or toxins into the air.

The cons definitely don’t beat the pros when it comes to choosing the types of flooring to use.  Linoleum takes a little bit more upkeep and comes with less design options but you don’t need a professional to install it, and it’s not susceptible to moisture or UV fading.  It seems like a no-brainer choice to me.

FLAXgirl and Bodacious Boutique and Marisol Boutique in TX

2onCrescent and B Natural and Niche in NC,

Beach Boutique in SC,

Birchtree in NY,

Cheeks in NJ,

De Lino Boutique in Canada,

Gidgets and Victoria Rose and Zasou in FL,

Funky Flax in OK,

Perceptions in MA,

Robins Nest in GA

Scarlett Begonia in TN

Smell Goodies in LA

Flax Designs in CA and NY

“The link between good health and fish emerged in 1978 when reported by Danish researchers…The amount of fish oil needed is roughly what we get in two servings of fish a week. Studies have shown that diets that contain fish (omega-3 fats) benefit a person in many ways.”(McBride 120)

And it’s true, those omega-3’s help stabilize the effects on the heart muscle, and reduce the risk of arrhythmias (which I have personally experienced and it was pretty scary). It reduces elevated triglycerides (linked to coronary artery disease) and flood fats. Omega-3’s protect against obesity and diabetes and inhibits the development of plaques in the arteries. They provide a lower risk of Alzheimer’s disease and are vital to overall function of the nerve cells in the brain. They appear to elevate moods and improve depression. They also prevent macular degeneration which is the leading cause of blindness in people 50+ years old.

The book even gives the top 10 choices of fish that provides the essential omega-3’s:

Salmon                                                                        Mackerel (North Americas)

Herring                                                                        Whitefish

Sardine                                                                        Mackerel (Pacific)

Shad                                                                        Flounder

Trout                                                                        Pollock

If you’re interested in reading other topics on health the textbook is called “Yours in Health” by Dan McBride.

The soluble ingredient in flax has been proven to lower cholesterol levels. And I think I told you last week that having high cholesterol is no good. The clogging of the arteries is what can give us heart attacks.  Soluble fiber also helps regulate blood sugar for people with Diabetes. But fiber in general does more than help our hearts. It helps with constipation, hemorrhoids and Diverticulosis (That is a condition of the colon. And a diet with adequate fiber produces stool that is bulky and can move easily through the colon. If a diet is low in fiber, the colon must exert more pressure than usual to move small, hard stool. A low-fiber diet also can increase the time stool remains in the bowel, adding to the high pressure).  That definitely doesn’t sound like anything I would want to go through.  So try to eat your recommended 25 grams of fiber a day to avoid the avoidable.

That 1/3 of cancer deaths in humans and canines are preventable with just a change of diet? I didn’t know that either and I didn’t really believe it when I heard it. It is switching to a more natural diet that does the trick. This was researched by Institute of Food Technologists in Chicago Illinois. One a quick side note, one has to wonder why all of this research is going on everywhere but California. I guess it’s just because we don’t hear about it that much. Back to the issue… it seems almost strange that such a simple solution could help something as deadly as cancer. Why haven’t more people read the memo?

Here is the deal: You have to limit the number of snacks with omega-6 content that you eat every day. This includes meats and vegetable oils. I know I know, I’m a carnivore too but cancer is way too serious to indulge.  The omega-6 fatty acids are important in your health, but with an equal balance to omega-3 foods like fish, walnuts, flax. Inflammation and blood clotting are just a couple of the effects of too much omega-6’s. Unfortunately as Americans, this is what most of our diets consist of.

This is even apparent in the treats we give to our dogs. And inflammation and blood clotting is just as serious for them as it is for us. I know some human food isn’t good for dogs, but you can help them by changing their snacks to begin with, and then just making sure they get regular exercise and maintain a good healthy weight (which differs depending on the dog of course).

Too much fat and too much sugar only aid cancer cells. Put down the cookie, pick up some granola, and go take your dog for a walk.

So if you want to lower your cholesterol levels, no desert for you! Just kidding, that would just be cruel. Just take some flaxseed.  It can lower cholesterol levels, trust me. A lot of health problems stem from having too high cholesterol levels and a professor at Iowa State University did a test that proved having 3 teaspoons of flaxseed lignans daily can really get the job done. So you can eat your ice cream, and have your Mac and Cheese, but keep in mind, without eating healthy, that heart attack is just around the corner.

Well, I hate taking pills anyway, especially because the ingredients are always words that I can’t pronounce (like those ice cream commercials with the kids who are trying to read the ingredients). So when I’m in pain I choose natural remedies all the way! Chamomile tea for my stomach aches, flaxseed oil for my joint pains and good ol’ fashioned burning newspaper for an ear ache (ask me about it some other time).  Why flax for joint pain? Well studies have shown that omega-3’s can reduce joint stiffness. If it turns out that you’re allergic to flax there are other things that can help with the pain as well, for instance eating green leafy veggies like spinach and broccoli. These both contain vitamins A and C which help with aiding pain.  Just doing simple things like this might prevent you from ever reaching for that pill bottle again.

The wrong time to eat a good meal is late at night. Studies have shown when you are stagnant for long periods of time you are more apt to add on the pounds. This is what happens when we eat then immediately go to sleep. I know sometimes a busy schedule doesn’t allot for dinner to be eaten before 7pm, but instead of eating a huge steak dinner with mashed potatoes and veggies and a salad, try to make the meal as healthy, light and fat-less as possible.

But if you are a typical morning person, starting your day off right is crucial to the success of its remainder. Enhance your daily stamina by incorporating flax into your meals. Sprinkle it in your pancake mix, or hash browns (yum), even in your yogurt (this has been a favorite thing of mine lately especially with granola).  It only takes two teaspoons of flax a day to maintain a healthy balance, so take the step and push yourself towards a healthier lifestyle.

Well the good stuff now includes flaxseed. It is not too farfetched, I mean flax is totally organic and running in the wild and I am sure a lot of animals eat the plant it comes from.  Many pet food manufacturers include flax as a source of essential fatty acids in their premium pet foods. The flax balances the omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acid ratio of the food, and promotes healthy skin and coat in pets. The flax also contributes lignans, considered safeguards against tumor formation in pets (nobody wants to be the reason their pet dies from something that could have been prevented either). I bet you these types of pet foods are used a lot in pet shows too. Who doesn’t want their dog, cat or horse to have a beautiful shiny coat for everyone to “oooh” and “aaahhh” at?

Oh my gosh I LOVE Sloppy Joes! I was introduced to them by my stepdad when I was a little girl and I take the time to enjoy them as often as I can, without getting burnt out on them of course. Here is a recipe that I have tried out since I have been enjoying incorporating flax. I got it from a cookbook by Elaine Magee called ‘The Flax cookbook”. I hope you try it, let me know if you enjoy it.

Ingredients: