I stumbled across this fantastic video today! Find out what the single best thing is we can do for our health….

To your health,

Kim Duess
You Be Healthy
You-Be-Healthy.com
Twitter.com/kimduess
Facebook.com/youbehealthy

I’ve been researching Smart Meters the last few months since they are going to be installed in all houses in British Columbia, Canada which is where I live.  WOW!  I am completely blown away by what I’ve learned and how this might affect our health.

Smart meters using wireless technology are also being installed in many US states and European countries (Idaho and Italy used fibre-optic connections rather than wireless).  There are certain municipalities which have managed to put the Smart Meter program in their area on hold until more studies are done regarding the impact of this technology on health.

I recently met with EMF expert and author of Living Safely with Electromagnetic Radiation: A Complete Guide for Protecting Your Health, Jim Waugh, who spoke to me in great details about the negative health impacts he says Smart Meters will have on our health if/when they are installed.  This meeting prompted me to do a blog post on Smart Meters.

Please take the time (30 minutes) to watch this presentation about these ‘Smart’ Meters.  It is a bit long but VERY informative, and worth the time:

This is some information from Dr. Mercola’s EMF website:

Some areas of the United States have already begun installing a so-called ‘smart grid,’ where utility meters transmit data on your household energy usage wirelessly to the utility. Eventually, they want to expand this to installing smart meters on each household appliance within your home, to individually transmit the usage data to the smart meter.

If this technological advancement is allowed to spread across the nation, public health may plummet across the board.

According to Vickie, they’ve already seen a direct correlation between increasing health complaints in neighborhoods where smart meters have been installed. An excellent interview on the radio frequency these new energy strategies will bring into your home can be found at on ElectromagneticHealth.org. It features Blake Levitt, author of Electromagnetic Fields and a long-time science writer on this topic, and Duncan Campbell, Esq, a visionary thinker on the future of utilities and new energy technologies.

“Usually, the first issue that people start talking about is inability to sleep, or mood swings, along with headaches,” Vickie says.

How can you protect your health if your community forces one on you?

“We’ve talked to several people in Australia. What they’re doing is to put a reflective barrier to keep radiation from your meter from coming into the home,” Vickie says. “The problem is you’ve also got to be aware of your neighbor’s meters and where they are located.”

This can be a significant challenge if you live in a densely populated area or in a multi-unit dwelling. You’d have to identify all the sources, and address all of them.

However, you may be able to request that your meter be set up to transmit information only once a day, as opposed to once every minute. So if your home is outfitted with a smart meter, talk to your utility company and see if you can change the transmission rate to once every 24 hours, ideally during a time that you’re not home. And then tell your neighbors and ask them to do the same.

Here are a few links if you wish to read more on this topic:

Online Petition to Stop Smart Meters in BC
http://citizensforsafetechnology.org
Short YouTube video discussing health and privacy issues.
Jim Waugh’s letter outlining Smart Meter Health and Privacy Risks

Please talk to the MLA’s in your area and ask them to stop Smart Meters until there is proper research done on their affect on health.  Tell your friends and family, post information on your Facebook/Twitter pages, send emails to your contacts – just spread the word!

In health,

Kim Duess
You Be Healthy
You-Be-Healthy.com
Twitter.com/kimduess
Facebook.com/youbehealthy

PS.  I only focused on the health aspects of Smart Meters in this post. The cost of smart meters being installed in the province of BC alone is close to $1 billion…

From Jim Waugh who is the Author & publisher of: “Living Safely with Electromagnetic Radiation”

Dear Friends,

No doubt you are aware of the Smart Meter Program that BC Hydro began moving ahead in July. The $930 million program was announced in 2008 by Premier Gordon Campbell to allow BC Hydro to replace existing analogue electric meters with smart meters for all of its 1.8 million customers.

The smart meter program concerns me deeply because there are significant safety, health and privacy issues that BC Hydro is not disclosing to the public. I feel an urgent need to tell as many people as possible why the smart meter program is a really bad idea and what we can do to opt out of it.

Why be concerned about Smart Meters?

Smart meters using wireless technology are being installed in many US states and European countries (Idaho and Italy used fibre-optic connections rather than wireless). The installations have been met with intense opposition from concerned citizens. Why are these people angry and protesting smart meters with such vigour? They are concerned that wireless radiation from smart meter networks will compound their existing exposure to harmful radio-frequency (RF) radiation and increase their risks of illness. There have been numerous reports of people becoming sick shortly after smart meters were installed on their homes. We are being exposed to high levels of RF radiation, whether we choose to or not, from sources such as cell antenna towers, Wi-Fi, cellphones, cordless phones and other wireless technologies. Smart meters will add to the RF contamination in our homes, unnecessarily.

A significant percentage of the population (about 35%) feel the effects of RF radiation through symptoms like headaches, confusion, tinnitus, insomnia, fatigue, irritability, dizziness and flu-like symptoms. A segment of the population, approximately 3–5% percent, suffers with acute sensitivities to radio-frequencies much like allergic reactions that can be quite severe and debilitating. Scientists are concerned about the strong link between man-made radiation and increases in reported cases of childhood and adult leukemia and brain tumours. Cases of autism have increased by 6,000% in recent years and new cases of Alzheimer’s disease are expected to increase by 300% in North America. Despite our war on cancer, reported cases of lung cancer are up 50%, breast cancer up 200% and prostate cancer up 400%. RF radiation has greater effects on children because their bodies are smaller and in the developing stages. By proceeding with the installation of wireless smart meters, BC Hydro is deliberately and unnecessarily risking the health of thousands of children and adults under the guise of reducing energy usage.

What does Health Canada say?

BC Hydro claims the RF radiation from their smart meters is not harmful to people and are within Health Canada guidelines. The truth is the safe exposure guidelines recommended by Health Canada deals only with the thermal effects of wireless radiation while ignoring the non-thermal effects. This means that if the radiation from wireless smart meters is not causing the tissue of your body to increase in temperature then you have nothing to worry about. Health Canada dismisses the biological effects of low-level RF radiation by ignoring hundreds of published research studies that document biological effects at intensities thousands of times lower than what Health Canada deems to be safe. The biological effects over time can lead to any number of health effects, immune system and neurological disorders and diseases including cancer. Wireless smart meter radiation can be harmful to humans and any statements by BC Hydro to the contrary are simply not true.

There is a real possibility that a large number of scenarios will occur where overlapping smart meter radiation may result in very high radiation densities. A computer model done by Sage Associates, a company located in Santa Barbara, California demonstrated a number of situations where radiation densities would exceed US FCC (Federal Communications Commission) guidelines. FCC safe limit guidelines are similar to those claimed by Health Canada. One situation was a kitchen in a single family home in which radiation spikes from a smart meter mounted on the outside wall entered the room and reflected off the major appliances causing multiple doses to occupants. These effects would be compounded if neighbouring smart meters were in close proximity to your house. A situation I am familiar with is a townhouse complex where 15 analog electric meters are currently mounted on a wall common with an owner’s master bedroom. When BC Hydro installs the smart meters, each one will be reporting information to the wireless network 100 or more times a day resulting in excess of 1,500 radiation spikes over a 24 hour period, 365 days a year. It is very likely that similar situations will occur all over the Province in long-term care facilities, daycare and pre-school facilities, schools, public buildings and residential neighbourhoods.

What is the real truth about the smart meter program?

The smart meter program is not about saving money and reducing energy consumption. It’s about a big company doing whatever it takes to return big profits to the Provincial Government: A recent newspaper article suggested that the smart meter program is designed to add value to BC Hydro for a quick BC Rail-type sale. Smart meters are about gathering and recording very detailed personal information about you and your habits and selling it to whoever pays the price, like insurance companies and other organizations with deep pockets including government agencies. The information stored in BC Hydro computers will over time be worth a fortune. Smart meters are personal surveillance devices that will record when you go to bed and when you get up, if and when you get up during the night, when you leave for work and return home, and when you’re on vacation. They will record what appliances you use and for how long. The wireless signals they send to BC Hydro will be prone to hacking by anyone with the means and intent (according to the US security firm InGuardians) because they are simply radio transmitters. Hackers have become extremely astute at stealing personal information and disrupting operating systems as the Pentagon, Sony and Apple have discovered and I’m sure BC Hydro will not be immune.

Where’s the opt-out clause?

The BC Hydro smart meter program does not give customers an option to opt-out. In May 2011 a law firm in the state of Maine successfully convinced the Maine Public Utilities Commission to find “that it was an unjust and unreasonable practice for Central Maine Power Company to refuse to permit residential and small commercial customers to opt-out of CMP’s smart meter program.” The firm was able to prove “that because of unresolved concerns relating to health, privacy and cyber security resulting from the installation of wireless meters on their homes,” that customers should be given a choice. This was the first time in the United States that an electric utility was ordered to give customers a choice and it will serve as a precedent for other jurisdictions.

What about property values?

The possibility that some customers may be successful in retaining their analogue meters may have a positive affect their long-term property values. A number of studies have been published that demonstrate stigmas such as close proximity of a residential property to high-voltage transmission lines, distribution lines, utility poles, and utility pole and ground mounted transformers can have a negative effect on values by as much as 2–20%. I expect that when the class action suits involving personal injury due to cellphone use currently proceeding in the United States are successful, two more property value stigmas will become cell antennas near or mounted on buildings and smart meters.

To my knowledge, smart meter installations in Canada and the United States have not resulted in significant energy savings because smart meters cannot save energy. Electrical energy savings can only be realized by changing customer habits. If a person has been conscientious and following the suggestions for electrical energy conservation that BC Hydro has been promoting for a number of years, he/she may realize a cost saving by baking cookies for the grandchildren at 3:00 AM rather than 3:00 PM or doing the laundry at 2:00 in the morning but it is a scenario that is unlikely and totally beyond the control of BC Hydro.

Get the facts from two other sources

There are a couple of You Tube videos that I encourage you to watch that you will enjoy:

• The first one, about 4½ minutes long, is narrated by Gerry Day and is a good natured look at some of the chilling facts about smart meters: http://youtube.com/watch?v=8JNFr_j6kdI

• The second one is about 32 minutes in length and is presented by Rob States, an electrical engineer in California who has the experience and expertise to clearly explain how smart meters will impact your health: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FLeCTaSG2-U

BC Hydro customers will not benefit from the Smart Meter Program and we will be forced, without our permission, to bear the risks. This is not right and we must demonstrate our concerns by opting-out.

You can do this easily by completing the form letter I have attached and sending it to BC Hydro and others who should be notified of your concerns. Just insert your account number and your address near the top with your full name/s near the bottom and send the letter by email with a paper copy to BC Hydro by registered mail.

This is something you must do right away.

Send your letter of refusal now.

Thousands of smart meters are being installed daily and time is running out.

Sincerely,

Jim Waugh

Author & publisher of: “Living Safely with Electromagnetic Radiation”
Consulting in electromagnetic inspections, mitigation and low-EMF design
Cellphone: 604.788.0743
Email: JimWaugh@EMFSafeHome.com

Qigong has many health benefits.

I am always looking for new health modalities to incorporate into my preventive health ‘program’ (aka Life!).  The most recent addition is Qigong which I love! I am currently taking a 6 week Qigong workshop where we learn exercises which can be done at home.  After doing these exercises, I feel serene, grounded, healthy and happy (ie. on Cloud 9!).

What is Qigong?

Qigong (pronounced Chee-gong) is a 5000 year old Chinese healing modality which helps tap into our energy and life force.  The word Qigong is Chinese and means “Skillful practice of applying life-force energy.”

Qigong builds the immune system and strengthens the body through a series of slow Tai Chi-like moves performed in synchrony with deep breath. The exercises are short breath healing exercises focusing on the internal organs of the body.  Qigong is based on repetitions of very precise sets of movements, specifically designed to benefit health on many different levels. Once harmony is restored in the body, it can heal itself.

What are the health benefits?

There are many Qigong benefits – too many to list them all in one blog post!  Here is a benefit summary from my amazing Qigong teacher, Lenka Love:

• Cleanse (purge) the body of toxic energy, thoughts, & illness.
• Strengthen (tonify) the body, correcting internal organ dysfunctions.
• Balance (regulate) the body, its energies and internal organs, creating harmony in the body, mind and spirit.

Practicing Qigong daily can reduce stress, increase energy and promote health and overall well-being.

How to learn Qigong?

Many local community rec-centers offer regular Qigong classes, along with martial arts and wellness centers.  It is a good idea to take a few classes to start to learn proper techniques and exercises.  Once you have the basics, you can do your practice at home, or in nature which is my preference.  There are also many online resources which feature Qigong videos.  Here is a good resource of videos which I found on NaturalNews.com.  You will find the resources which work best for you.  Invent your own practice and go with the flow!

I am grateful to have Qigong as a daily practice in my life.  Whenever I feel my stress levels rising, I stop, do a simple Qigong exercise and – voila – I feel calm!  It is amazing!

To your health,

Kim Duess
You Be Healthy
You-Be-Healthy.com
Twitter.com/kimduess
Facebook.com/youbehealthy

Resources:

Lenka Love, Qigong teacher

http://www.chikung-unlimited.com

http://www.qigonginstitute.org

This is a wonderful short film illustrating the power your words have on creating your reality and how changing them can truly change your life.  Much along the same lines as Dr. Wayne Dyer’s message that changing your thoughts can indeed change your life.

Have a beautiful day, everyone!

To your health,

Kim Duess
You Be Healthy
You-Be-Healthy.com
Twitter.com/kimduess
Facebook.com/youbehealthy

I use the infrared sauna for detox and many other health benefits.

My preventitive health doctor encourages routine body detoxing as we live in a toxic world and we’re all exposed to heavy metals and toxic chemicals.  He suggests using an infrared sauna at least twice a week to help with detoxification.

An infrared sauna is different to a dry sauna in that it uses the same rays which are emitted from the sun. Infrared frequencies are very long wavelengths which can penetrate deeper into the body.  The infrared sauna warms the body instead of the heating the surrounding air, like traditional saunas.  The deep penetration of the infrared energy allows the cells to eliminate better.

Benefits of Infrared Heat

• Purification reduces stress
• Boosts immunity
• Removes toxins
• Increases circulation
• Burns calories
• Pain and injury relief
• Beneficial for low and high blood pressure
• Skin purification
• Relaxation
• Helps balance body pH levels

I use the infrared sauna at my local yoga studio twice a week.  When I was doing rehab for my ACL knee surgery, I used the infrared sauna 4 times a week once my surgeon gave me the ‘a-ok’.  It really helped with my speedy recovery!

Wellness Centers in your area may have infrared saunas which you can pay per session or you can also buy your own personal sauna.  Sauna models are available in a wide range of sizes (some are closet size!) and within all price ranges.

Sauna Tips

Be sure to wait at least an hour after eating before entering the sauna.  Also drink lots of water before, during and after your session.  Pregnant women should avoid saunas.  My doctor recommends starting with short sessions to start and increase over days/weeks as your body adjusts to its tolerance level.  As always, consult with your health care provider before starting any new health program.

To your health,

Kim Duess
You Be Healthy
You-Be-Healthy.com
Twitter.com/kimduess
Facebook.com/youbehealthy

Resources:

http://www.naturalnews.com/026833_toxins_oxygen_sweating.html

http://www.theqewcentre.com/

You are what you eat.  Food DOES matter!

I was inspired and motivated after watching Food Matters.  It reinforced a lot of the knowledge I have obtained over the last 10 years and reminded me why I do what I do!   Everytime I watch this movie, I gain insight on something new.

This documentary is a must see for all those who want to take control over their health and be informed about the choices available to all of us. It is a big eye opener and I encourage everyone to watch it and then pass on the word to friends and family. After watching, you will feel empowered and inspired having this information in your life toolkit!

Food Matters is a fast paced look at our current state of health and discusses the growing body of scientific evidence proving that nutritional therapy can be more effective, more econonomical, and less harmful than most conventional medical treatments. There are interviews with doctors who discuss natural ways to prevent and reverse cancer, obesity, depression, mental illness, and heart disease.

You can watch Food Matters on the website or purchase the DVD on their site or on Amazon.com.  They also have a Facebook Page where daily healthy info is posted.

Here is the movie trailer:

Here is 8 minutes of the movie:

To your health,

Kim Duess
You Be Healthy
You-Be-Healthy.com
Twitter.com/kimduess
Facebook.com/youbehealthy

I love yoga.  I love going to my local yoga studio.  I am not sure why it is so hard for me to get my butt out the door and into the yoga studio!  But it is a challenge.  I don’t have any problem going to CrossFit classes.  It is a strange phenomenon!

I was talking to a friend about this and she has the same issue.  She told me she now does yoga classes at home in her living room using YogaToday.com.  She said that the classes are great and there were many to choose from, plus the yearly membership is only $85.95 which is less than a 1 month membership at most yoga studios.  They also offer 1 free class per week to non-members. It all sounded great to me!

I signed up for the 2 week free-trial and did a few classes in the comfort of my living room.  I couldn’t believe the huge selection of classes!  You can choose classes based on skill level, instructor, and focus.  The videos are high quality and the streaming works perfectly.

I signed up for a year membership and will combine my home practice with my visits to my favourite yoga studio.  For me, it is the perfect combo!  Plus I can take YogaToday.com with me when I am traveling.

If you want to try yoga at home, check out their 2 week free-trial and see how you like it!

To your health,

Kim Duess
You Be Healthy
You-Be-Healthy.com
Twitter.com/kimduess
Facebook.com/youbehealthy

I recently set an intention to do a daily 10 minute morning meditation.  When I do this, my day seems to run perfectly!  I am able to look at challenges in a positive perspective and breathe through any stressful situation.  My morning meditation hasn’t become a habit, and I do miss many days…

Well, I just came across the perfect solution to help meditation become a habit – the Chopra Center 21-Day Meditation Challenge! And it is free!  I am now enrolled and am looking forward to 21 days of guided meditation.  Studies have shown it takes 21 days of consistent behaviour to make something a habit which is why the challenge is 21 days.

If you are looking for some guidance in meditation and would like to make meditation a part of your life, you can sign up on the Chopra.com site for the challenge:

www.chopra.com/meditationchallenge

The Chopra Center video below discusses the benefits of meditation which includes

• Better sleep
• Lowers blood pressure
• Reduces stress and anxiety

Plus, 30 minutes of meditation is more restorative than 30 minutes of sleep!

To your health,

Kim Duess
You Be Healthy
You-Be-Healthy.com
Twitter.com/kimduess
Facebook.com/youbehealthy

I feel healthy and energized!

After reading ‘Breakthrough – 8 Steps to Wellness’, I was inspired to find my own Preventive/Anti-Aging Doctor. And I found the best in my city. He’s full of incredible cutting-edge health ideas and an all-round great guy which is a bonus.

I am so excited with the results that I’ve seen in the last year by following my ‘preventive health program’. I’ll share the info I learn – tips, product recommendations etc.

Here are 5 tips to get you going!

My Preventive Health Doctor Tips:

1) Hot water and lemon in morning activate the GI enzymatic function. Energy increases will occur! Take through the day too.

2) Regular bedtimes around 10 pm is ideal & important. Attempt 8-8.5 hours of sleep.

3) Use branched chain amino acid supplements immediately after exercise.

4) Avoid trans fats – emphatically!!!!

5) Follow a Mediterranean Diet.

To your health,

Kim Duess
You Be Healthy
You-Be-Healthy.com
Twitter.com/kimduess
Facebook.com/youbehealthy