Wednesday, April 23, 2014

Health Food Stores

While most people do their daily shopping at a traditional grocery store, many do not realize how many chemicals go into commercially-grown food. Items that many shoppers think are healthy are actually filled with preservatives used to increase shelf life. Fruits and vegetables often have to be thoroughly washed before consumption since they may contain pesticides and herbicides left over from the farm. Thus, those looking for a more organic shopping experience have turned to health food stores, which contain organic produce as well as herbal remedies and nutritional supplements targeted toward a more eco-friendly lifestyle.

 Organic Food

 As mentioned, commercially-grown fruits and vegetables are sprayed with artificial fertilizers and pesticides to ensure maximal growth. Some fruits and vegetables are even injected with chemicals that swell their size. The fruits and vegetables found in health stores, however, are organic, which means that every part of their growing process was natural and did not involve any chemicals.

 In addition to fresh produce, health stores also sell other food items that are traditionally found in a supermarket. When most people think of eating organic food, they tend to only think of fruits and vegetables. The truth is that many of the snacks found in traditional supermarkets are found in these food stores, but made with organic ingredients.

 Herbal Remedies

 Although not every health food store sells herbs, most stores have a section of herbal remedies used to cure a variety of ailments. One popular herb found in these stores is ginger, which has numerous medicinal uses. Since ginger has anti-inflammatory properties, it is used to treat many conditions in which inflammation is a symptom. This makes it a great cure for conditions like nausea, since it is often caused by inflammation of the stomach lining. Ginger can be taken as bought or it can be brewed in a tea for a more subtle taste.

 Another popular herb found in alternative stores is aloe vera. Aloe vera was for thousands of years as an anti-irritant, both internally and externally. By mixing aloe vera into a drink, it can be digested and used as a treatment for nausea as it treats the irritation of the stomach lining. aloe vera can also be mixed into a paste and used topically to treat skin irritations like acne and sunburn.

 Shoppers can also find a wide selection of nutritional and vitamin supplements in most health stores. Not all of these supplements are all-natural (for instance, some use artificial binders), but those that aren't are clearly labeled as such. Moreover, a good health store will always emphasize the importance of real, fresh food over vitamin supplements.

 With the countless amounts of chemicals being used to artificially enhance commercial food, many people are patronizing health food stores in search of organic alternatives. By shopping at these stores, people will be supporting retailers that truly care about their health and wellness.

Tuesday, April 8, 2014

Go Green With Recovered X-Ray Aprons for Healthcare Personnel

Going green is not just something people do at home, its important to be eco-friendly in the workplace, as well. For doctors, nurses and technologists who work in hospitals and doctors offices, radiation protection is paramount. Now they can be environmentally friendly and stay safe at the same time. When X-ray aprons appear worn after extensive use, they can now be repaired and recovered. This is a new type of recycling.

Style X-ray aprons are durable and protect the person wearing them from the risks of radiation. Wearing fresh and professional-looking lead aprons for radiation protection is important for public image. When worn regularly over a long period of time, their outer covering begins to fade and become threadbare. The fabric patterns may be out of style and make the person wearing them feel foolish at times. In some cases, they may have been purchased for another person and have been taken over by a new employee with drastically different tastes and styles. These aprons should be replaced or repaired and recovered. They are available in new colors and styles, often with options for embroidery and personalized designs.

Safety When a worn or damaged x-ray apron is admittedly in need of replacement or repair, it is important to first determine whether it is still capable of blocking radiation from sources at the workplace. This can be done with both a visual examination and fluoroscopy. Once the apron owner determines that it is safe, it can be sent to a radiation protection manufacturing company for repair. If the protective material is no longer intact, the recoverable portions of the apron can be used to create other types of protective garments, such as thyroid shields, gonad shields, half aprons and basic blockers. This not only saves the company money, but saves the environment by recycling.

Repair In keeping with the greener theme, some apron manufacturing and distribution companies now fix worn lead aprons at a fraction of the cost of replacement. When someone chooses to have an x-ray apron repaired, they can look at a number of factors. Sometimes, the pockets may rip or the x-ray apron ties start to look ragged. The hook and loop may fray or a buckle breaks. This not only looks unprofessional, but it may compromise the wearers protection. An apron that does not close properly will not offer adequate protection. A pocket with a few split stitches at the top is prone to catching on equipment and door handles, creating safety hazards in the workplace.