Dragonfly News
The Official Monthly Newsletter of Song of Health
JUNE 2012
Click here to download a printable
version of this newsletter.
JULY 2012 NEWSLETTER
MAY 2012 NEWSLETTER
JUNE 2012
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A Peek of The Catolica Inglesia through Arches
Topiary Park in Zarcero, Costa Rica
Photo by Sandra Strom
Welcome Subscribers, to Dragonfly News. This is our opportunity to share interesting and helpful information with you in our monthly newsletter, which is available to Subscribers only. We first email the Newsletter and Food Resource updates to you directly in .pdf form. Then, in a few days you will be able to access the newsletter on the website. The Food Resource updates will be incorporated into the existing Food Resource List and can be found by clicking on the icon at the left side of most pages on the website. The recipes will be added to the Recipes section, including the Table of Contents and Index.
If you did not receive this issue at your email address and would like to, please notify us immediately at manager@songofhealth.com.
We may need you to remove a pop-up blocker on your computer or to update your current email address with us.
The information in Dragonfly News is brought to you by the Song of Health Team:
Sandra Strom, CEO of Song of Health
Dr. Letitia Dick, N.D., Staff Doctor
Dr. Caryn Potenza, N.D., Staff Supporting Doctor
Shawn Murphy, Song of Health Webmaster and Graphics Designer
Join Sandra at Twitter,and Facebook.
You’re invited to follow and share comments!
IN THIS ISSUE:
 WEBSITE CHANGES AND NOTICES:
SOAP section, TESTIMONIAL page
SUBSCRIBERS SPOTLIGHT:
Stories, Comments, Questions Asked
and Answered
FOOD LABEL QUIZ:
Can you guess the food categories of ingredients listed on this label?
New ~ SOAP CORNER:
Updates
SHARING EXPERIENCES:
“WHAT ABOUT THE OTHER SOAP INGREDIENTS?”
By Sandra Strom, CEO of Song of Health
RECIPES:
VEGETABLES:
ASPARAGUS STIR-FRIED
FOOD RESOURCE UPDATE:
JUNE 2012 (To date, no new updates this month)
The Carroll Institute of Natural Healing is an educational opportunity for Naturopathic physicians and students to further their education in the classical methods of Naturopathy, not otherwise taught in the Naturopathic colleges. This is where physicians and students learn about the Carroll Food Intolerance Evaluation methods, constitutional hydrotherapy and other important methods handed down by classical Nature Doctors.
Song of Health and The Carroll Institute of Natural Healing work together to reach as many people as possible, to educate and help understand the importance of avoiding personal food intolerances, applying classical Naturopathic methods of healing, and naturally restoring the body to health.
We invite everyone to contact us with any questions you may have regarding these methods at manager@songofhealth.com.
Song of Health.com actively promotes physicians and professionals who support our work and companies who act with integrity and are honest their products and services.
Check out your Goods and Services section at Song of Health.com.
Those interested in advertising at Song of Health.com, please CLICK HERE or email us at advertise@songofhealth.com.
WEBSITE CHANGES AND NOTICES
 THE SOAP SECTION  is now up and running. This page includes all of the information on ingredients used, and pictures of the soaps available to purchase, under the Song of Health label. Subscribers, you receive 14% discount on each and every bar of soap just by using the promo code yummy soap ~ available only to you!
To receive your discount, enter in the box provided at time of payment: yummy soap
TESTIMONIAL PAGE: Check out Subscriber Adrienne M.’s testimonial on the Testimonial Page, as seen in last month’s newsletter.
ARE YOU SIGNED UP ON THE ALERT LIST YET?
Stay notified of new posts in The Forum and emails sent to us regarding all of your family’s personal food intolerances.
To be on the list contact us at manager@songofhealth.com |
WAYS TO SAVE $$ ON YOUR
NEXT SUBSCRIPTION RENEWAL:
Give and you shall receive!
Honor your friends and family with a subscription to SONG OF HEALTH.
For your generosity YOU will be honored with an additional 10% off your next subscription!
Refer a new subscriber and receive an additional 10% off your next renewal!
To receive your discount coupon email manager@songofhealth.com and tell us the name of the person you are referring. Once they subscribe, you will receive your 10% discount. It’s that easy!
To order: Contact manager@songofhealth.com
TAKE ADVANTAGE OF ADDITIONAL DISCOUNTS
WHEN YOU RENEW YOUR SUBSCRIPTION.
Renew 6 months early and receive additional months and $$ off!
Use the promo codes in the renewal notifications emailed to you for other special discounts!
If you need help or have any questions, feel free to contact us.
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SUBSCRIBERS SPOTLIGHT
STORIES, COMMENTS,
AND QUESTIONS |
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Share your story with others.
SUBSCRIBERS, PLEASE…help others by sharing your story. When you allow us to publish it in Dragonfly News and Subscribers’ Testimonials, a dedicated section on the Song of Health website, you provide the opportunity to reach out to those who still suffer but are not confident that our dietary lifestyle will work for them. By hearing and reading about how our lives were dramatically changed we can help others to step through the door toward wellness. WE WOULD BE HONORED TO INCLUDE YOUR STORY about how you came to follow the Carroll Food Intolerance way of life. We reserve the right to edit for grammar and spelling correctness, however we will not change your story content. So, DON'T BE SHY!
IF YOU PREFER US TO HELP YOU WRITE YOUR STORY, WE WILL BE HAPPY TO. JUST ASK!
Please email your contribution to manager@songofhealth.com.
Thank you for helping us to achieve our goal of reaching out to as many people as possible in order to provide help, hope and answers. The more we give away, the more we receive!
A note of encouragement: A subscriber was concerned that her story was uninteresting. There is no such thing as a boring, uninteresting story! We are here to support each other and every contribution helps, no matter how small or large the content. Please don't let that stop you! We invite you to check out Subscribers Testimonials to read what subscribers have shared.
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QUESTIONS ASKED AND ANSWERED
Samples From The Forum:
IMPORTANT NOTICE: At this time, due to work overload and shortage of time, our doctors are not able to answer your questions in the categoryAsk the Doctors a Question. They request that you refer any medical questions to them, or your personal physician, directly to their clinics, by requesting a consultation appointment. Thank you for your understanding.
Editor’s Note: I realize how easy it is to miss our requests. We take full responsibility for that, and are happy to repeat them whenever necessary.
FRUIT FREE SOAP UPDATE 5/29/12
You all have been awfully quiet in The Forum…Remember to take advantage of this awesome opportunity, available only to Subscribers.
REMEMBER TO GO TO THE FORUM TO SHARE - AND ACCESS – MORE QUESTIONS AND COMMENTS!
 IMPORTANT NOTE: When posting a question or comment in The Forum to a thread that is not recent (within the current week), PLEASE CREATE A NEW THREAD, even if the topic has been discussed at a prior time. This way, new entries won’t get unintentionally missed. |
The Forum is a great way to make new friends!
It is a great opportunity for you to share tips, meals, recipes and any other information to help support and educate each other!
FOOD LABEL QUIZ
CAN YOU GUESS THE FOOD CATEGORIES OF INGREDIENTS
LISTED ON THIS LABEL?
The following list of ingredients is on a label from a product that is dated 08/11 in The Food Resource List January 2012 update:
INGREDIENTS:
Grade A Pasteurized Skimmed Milk and Cream, Live Active Yogurt Cultures (L. Bulgaricus, S. Thermophilus, L. Acidophilus, Bifidus, L. Casei). |
As part of my goal to help you in the quest of eating safely in accordance with your personal food intolerances, this section is another way to help you identify suspicious ingredients and … HAVE SOME FUN!
The answers at the bottom of the New Recipes section, just above The Food Resource List Updates. ~~~
NEW ~ THE SOAP CORNER
Now that  Soap is an integral part of Song of Health services, I am dedicating a new section to update you on the latest “soap happenings.”
To date, we have sold out of almost all of the first batches of soap! There is a bar left of Calypso Bay, Summer Mint, Unscented Carrot Ripple, and Lavender Annie. New batches are being poured and will be available in 4 weeks. My personal apologies for this inconvenience; to my amazement, the first test batches turned out beautifully and were an instant success.
The following are the latest batches poured:
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Campers Friend
Repels Bugs ~ Not People!
Available July 8th
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Available July 12th
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(Picture of latest batch) Now with Unrefined Shea Butter and more essential oils of Lavender and Anise.
Available July 21st
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BOAT COFFEE ~ For People Who Fish and Cook.
Contains Organic Coffee Grounds and Anise essential oil. Anise is renowned for removing human scent and other odors, and for attracting fish. Coffee grounds aid in additional, yet kind-to-the-skin scrubbing. That’s what makes this soap a must on the boat and in the kitchen!
Available July 21st.
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 and will hopefully be ready by July 25th. I am waiting for a backordered supply of the Amazonian White Clay to arrive.
SHARING EXPERIENCES:
Remember that eating our food intolerances can have a dramatic effect on our moods as well as other symptoms we discuss, ad infinitum. .
WHATABOUT THE OTHER SOAP INGREDIENTS?
By Sandra Strom, CEO of Song of Health
Times have been unusually busy this past month. The first batches of Soap were made. A fabulous trip to Costa Rica was taken. The soap was ready after 4 weeks of curing, which then needed to be wrapped and ready to sell. The Soap page was created at Song of Health, and last Friday it went live. I’ll spare you the remainder of details; suffice to say, the previous weeks have been fascinating and exciting for us here at Song of Health.
This month I am sharing with you what natural powders and herbs are being used in some of the soaps, and what you’ll see used in future batches.
Where do they come from and what’s so good about them? Some are added to make pretty colors, while others have positive effects on our skin. Be assured, anything that’s mixed in a batch is safe for most people, and all are food intolerant free. As with anything, natural or not, some people experience sensitivities to specific products. Those with sensitivity to walnuts, for instance, will not be able to use the UNSCENTED CARROT RIPPLE since it contains Black Walnut Hull Powder; it is added to create the pretty dark brown ripples. Best advice: Read the labels on the soap packaging and descriptions on the website, to make sure you aren’t sensitive to a specific ingredient. If so, then choose another bar. The  contains only the main ingredients of Pure Prime Cocoa Butter, Unrefined Shea Butter, Cold-pressed Sweet Almond Oil, Natural Jojoba Oil, and extracts of Natural Quillaja (Chilean soap bark) and Yucca. Hopefully, you are ok with these ingredients.
I want to be very clear that I am not claiming Soaps will remedy any skin ailments you may be plagued with. For curatives, we always recommend you consult your Naturopathic physician. This is just an exercise in understanding how beneficial these plants can be. My sole purpose for using these plants is for appearance. Some of the essential oils used in certain soaps are added for specific effects, such as in Campers Friend to repel insects.
Some of the soaps are mainstays ~ available all year ‘round, hopefully maintaining available stock; some are seasonal; others will be “limited editions” – made with herbs or other plant forms, as available. Here we go:
Natural Powders and Coffee Grounds:
Alkanet Root Powder ~ A member of the Boraginaceae family of plants, alkanet root powder is added to impart a beautiful purple-y color. The leaves and roots are known to be effective as an astringent for skin irritation or rash; it soothes and softens; and, it has antibacterial properties that help to promote healing of cuts and wounds.1
Black Walnut Hull Powder ~ Commonly used in Naturopathic application to help cleanse the internal system of parasites, it also has external antiseptic healing properties.2 It is used as a dark brown colorant in soap, creating beautiful ribbons of accent.
Coffee Grounds ~ Added for its scrubbing benefits, the organic coffee grounds used in may appear as little brown flecks.
Madder Root Powder ~ Creating a gorgeous deep red color, similar to “barn red,” madder root is accepted in Ayurvedic medicine to promote “the healing of skin tissues which are damaged by either injury or infection.”3
Woad Powder ~ Woad (Isatis) is a flowering plant in the family Brassicaceae; it is sometimes called Asp of Jerusalem. Isatis may be applied directly to the skin for the condition, psoriasis.4 It is added to some of our soaps to create a soft blue-grey or greenish color; although, through the curing process, its color becomes somewhat unpredictable – part of the fun!
Herbs and Leaves:
Calendula Flower ~ Finely cut, the dried calendula petals are added to some of our soaps, creating a beautiful orange speckle. The petals are antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, and immune stimulating. These properties are useful for treating various types of dermatitis, such as eczema.5
Comfrey ~ I personally collect the organic Symphytum officinale in the spring at just the perfect time, when it is budding. Used to create a pretty green color in the soap, it is an amazing healing herb for the skin. Both the roots and leaves contain allantoin, which helps new skin cells grow.6 I have personally used the leaves as a poultice to pull out toxic poisons which caused inflammation and redness. My friend steeped the whole leaves, then laid them over my eyes for around 30 minutes. It relieved the itching, swelling, and redness caused from an allergic reaction. As a soap ingredient, its effects are very mild.
Lemongrass ~ Lemongrass is an herb native to India and Sri Lanka. It is characterized by its sharp lemony scent.7 It is loaded with beneficial properties for the skin due to it being an anti-microbial and anti-bacterial herb; this helps in warding off skin infections and bacterial issues. Lemongrass also carries fungicidal ingredients, along with acting as an astringent.7
Lemon Thyme ~ From my own organic herb collection, it is dried and the leaves are then removed from the stem and finely chopped. They create a speckled effect; however, it is mainly added in Campers Friend to help repel insects along with the powerfully effective essential oils. An additional bonus is that thyme contains the essential oil thymol, proven to have antiseptic and anti-fungal characteristics.8 It may even help aging skin! You may ultimately see it listed in limited edition or seasonal soaps.
Nettle ~ Also known as Stinging Nettle for obvious reasons, this plant has been used for centuries in Nature healing as an effective pain remedy. Although immediate stinging pain is experienced at first touch, the body is stimulated by blood moving rapidly to the area, creating warmth and relief of pain from such ailments as arthritis and rheumatism.9 Nettles can also aid in the healing of small cuts and wounds, due to its anti-hemorrhaging properties.10 My soaping buddy, Elisa, collected a ton of nettles from the unsprayed forest area near her property and contributed them to the soaping cause. Dried, they become safe and non-stinging to the skin. My original purpose for using nettles is to make them into powder to be used as a colorant that is closest to “lime green” from natural sources.
I am in the process of germinating the herbs soapwort and evening primrose, and along with other organic herbs from my garden, you may see them in future soap batches. So many wonderful natural plants wait to be chosen, and I find it difficult to have patience – I want to try them all, and now! That is the beauty and excitement of making soap – it is a science to be reckoned with while also doubling as a fun art form. Most importantly, the soaps are formulated to be food intolerance safe. This was my vision for you.
Your input on likes and dislikes are greatly appreciated. Please don’t be shy about your opinions and suggestions!
To All My Relations,
Sandra
1 http://herbs-treatandtaste.blogspot.com/2011/07/alkanets-health-benefits-and-other-uses.html
2 http://www.globalhealingcenter.com/benefits-of/organic-black-walnut-hull
3 http://www.ayurvediccure.com/rubia-cordifolia.htm
4 http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/ingredientmono-911-ISATIS.aspx?activeIngredientId=911&activeIngredientName=ISATIS
5 http://personalcaretruth.com/2011/02/calendula-in-skin-care/
6 http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/comfrey-000234.htm
7 http://www.livestrong.com/article/270689-the-benefits-of-lemongrass-for-skin/
8 http://www.nutrition-and-you.com/thyme-herb.html
9 http://www.herbsarespecial.com.au/isabells_blog/nettle-many-uses-many-benefits.html
10 http://www.globalhealingcenter.com/benefits-of/nettles-leaf
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“Every dis-ease known to humans is created in our digestion system”
(Dr. Harold Dick, N.D.)
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NEW RECIPES
Each month new recipes are published in the Recipes section at Song of Health. In the newsletter they are listed and linked so you can easily go to them in the Recipes section.
 The ingredients for all the recipes are coded for food intolerance items.
From time to time you may find an existing recipe has been slightly corrected from the original, in order to make it easier to follow, or to update new findings of ingredients for food intolerances.
WE INVITE YOU TO SHARE YOUR SUGGESTIONS, RECIPES, COMMENTS AND CONCERNS. Please go to The Forum and post in the Recipes section, or contact us at manager@songofhealth.com.
~ REMEMBER TO EAT ORGANICALLY GROWN, LOCAL FOODS
WHENEVER POSSIBLE.
~ We recommend you use Celtic sea salt, which is Neutral and pure.
LIST OF NEW RECIPES
Just click on the recipe link to go directly to it in the RECIPES SECTION, or copy and paste the "url". Remember to log in first!
Is there a recipe you would like to have, or need help adapting? I'm happy to help! Contact me at manager@songofhealth.com.
VEGETABLES:
ASPARAGUS STIR-FRIED
Check out the Recipes category in The Forum for recipes that fellow Subscribers have been gracious enough to share! Plus, cooking and baking questions are asked and answered.
ANSWERS TO THE FOOD LABEL QUIZ:
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Listed Ingredients: Grade A Pasteurized Skimmed Milk and Cream, Live Active Yogurt Cultures (L. Bulgaricus, S. Thermophilus, L. Acidophilus, Bifidus, L. Casei).
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Potential Hidden Ingredients: Fruit (in the skim milk as Vitamin A Palmitate, and enzymes);
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The product was evaluated for: ALL.
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The results were:
D,F
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The product is: Fage Total 2% Lowfat Greek Strained Yogurt
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Hidden ingredients resulted in: Fruit.
Wasn’t that fun?! How did you do?
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REMINDER: IMPORTANT! Per the request of Dr. Zeff, we will continue to print this message in every newsletter from now on. It is an important issue that we believe needs to always be addressed:
On occasion, a Subscriber will ask our doctors a food intolerance question and their responses will slightly differ. This has sometimes caused confusion and has been expressed directly to one of our doctors by several patients.
Per our doctors: “…most likely, we are not evaluating foods for, e.g., potato content. We are evaluating a food for a person with a known potato intolerance…” Results for one patient to a food can vary from another patient, even though they are intolerant to the same food category. So, one doctor may determine a different result than any of the other doctors who competently perform this analysis, because they are evaluating for a patient’s specificity to a specific food sample. “It is one of the peculiarities of the methodology.”
For this reason, we constantly emphasize throughout the Song of Health website that the information found on the website is a guide only. If you have any personal issues with a product, in other words, an evaluation shows that a food should be OK for you to eat, yet you have a reaction to it anyway, we suggest you refrain from consuming it until you have it evaluated for you personally.
Always, always, always consult your physician with any medical issues you may be experiencing, any drugs you have questions about, or your medical care. Our purpose is to help you to determine what foods are included in food intolerance categories. All other information, including articles, are for educational purposes and is not meant to replace your doctor’s care for you. We are set up as a support team for doctor, patient and Subscriber. There are many questions Song of Health can answer for you, and we encourage you to ask us first, in regards to food and food intolerances. All other medical discussions should be directed to your physician.
If you have any questions or comments, please contact us. We are here to support you and your efforts to claim and maintain great health by refraining from your food intolerances. In Health, Sandra Strom |
*About this month’s picture:
Now the Traditional Anniversary Picture ~ Ornamental Plum Blossoms in April Showers, a welcome sign of Spring and Renewal.
FOOD RESOURCE LIST UPDATES
THE FOOD RESOURCE LIST ON THE WEBSITE IS AVAILABLE IN PRINTABLE VERSION. JUST GO TO THE BOTTOM OF THE PAGE AND CLICK ON "SOH RESOURCE LIST PART 1 OR PART 2" FOR THE VERSION IN .PDF FORM.
Use the codes
below to translate the Results Column.
KEY
FOR RESULT CODES |
All
= |
Bad
for All |
|
Ms
= |
Mine Salt |
D = |
Dairy |
|
N = |
Neutral
for All |
E = |
Egg |
|
P = |
Potato |
F = |
Fruit |
|
Sf = |
Seafood |
G = |
Grain |
|
Ss = |
Sea Salt |
H = |
Honey |
|
S = |
Sugar |
M = |
Meat |
|
Sy = |
Soy |
HOW TO READ THE FOOD RESOURCE LIST AND USE THE KEY:
 As items are submitted and analyzed by our staff doctors, they are then added to the Food Resource List on the Song of Health website. We compile the updated lists to email to you as well.
 The items are listed per category.
 By listing the “Date Evaluated” you can be assured of the most recent updates.
 Under the “Evaluated For” column, “ALL” signifies that the product has been analyzed for all food categories included in the Carroll Food Intolerance Evaluation Method.
In some cases, you will see ingredients listed in the “Results” column that are ot included in “Evaluated For.” This is due to: 1) the ingredient has been listed on the packaging; 2) or it is obviously in the stated category; 3) or our doctors evaluated for more than what was asked for. For example, results for milk will be “dairy (D).”
 Under “Purchased At” we no longer furnish where the product was purchased; however, if the product was purchased outside the Pacific Northwest area, the region will be noted. Sometimes, I will be able to locate a place to purchase a product for you, if requested.
If you have any questions, please contact us at:
manager@songofhealth.com. We are happy to help!
SHOPPING SUGGESTION: Do you have a Blackberry, Iphone or other mobile smart phone with internet capability? I use mine as my shopping tool!
Just log in to your account at Song of Health.com, go to The Food Resource List, and verify products as you shop!
FOOD RESOURCE LIST
JUNE 2012
To date, there are no new updates this month. As soon as they are available, they will be emailed to you and included in the Food Resource List.
TOGETHER WE ACHIEVE...
GREAT HEALTH - GREAT LIFE!
©2012 Song of Health (Reproduction of this information without permission is illegal.) |
