There are many online, local, and published resources to research as you strive to find answers to your questions concerning personal and family health. This especially comes into play when looking for products, services, and remedies in areas related to our health and well-being.

PRODUCTS...

What we put on our skin, in our hair, and use for our everyday hygiene needs is something to consider carefully. Just as we should be concerned with what we put in our body we need to be just as concerned about what we put on them. The chemicals in the products we use do affect us and it's important that we are aware of the potential benefits or harm they may have. (07-2023 - I have updated and removed broken links/sites).

• EWG's Skin Deep - This is the database I use to look up products before I buy them to get a good idea of what the ingredients are and what they mean to my health.
• Campaign for Safe Cosmetics: Chemicals of Concern - "Learn about a few of the top ingredients and contaminants to avoid, based on the science linking each to adverse health impacts, and the types of products they’re found in."
• 12 Ingredients To Avoid In Cosmetics & Skin Care Products - "We get it: Clean skin care can be confusing. And one of the most common questions any beauty expert gets is this: 'What ingredients should I avoid?' It's a question that pops up so much because there's little to no regulation in the personal care industry, and thus consumers are left to figure it out for themselves."
• Dr. Axe Natural Skin Care - There is a lot of information about ingredients that are best for skin care needs and how to make your own skin care products.
• Understanding Organic Skincare Ingredients - "A good beauty care routine begins with understanding and purchasing quality skin care products that are good for you."
• How to Shop for Essential Oils - "To purchase quality essential oils that are best suited for your particular needs and budget, there are a number of important factors to keep in mind. Read the list of important tips to learn what you need to know when comparing essential oils offered from different retailers, wholesalers and other sources."

SERVICES...

The people we see when we're seeking after medical advice or treatment can either greatly benefit us or quite literally destroy our health. Getting personal recommendations is a great way to find a local practitioner that may also be a good fit for you. How you choose to manage your health, whether by more conventional, traditional, holistic, or naturopathic practices is a very personal matter. Not everyone has the same experiences or beliefs when it comes to preventative and diagnostic medical care. My personal discovery as I have sought after medical care from various kinds of practitioners is that I am rather non-conventional and tend to lean more towards the holistic and naturopathic side of things. I've also had great results with chiropractic care and acupuncture treatments in the past, and my personal favorite for maternity care and other female health issues is a midwife, or nurse midwife. (07-2023 - I have updated and removed broken links/sites).

• You're What Kind of Doctor? - This is a California Naturopathic Doctor's explanation of what his job is and what it is not.
• Holistic Health - "...is actually an approach to life. Rather than focusing on illness or specific parts of the body, this ancient approach to health considers the whole person and how he or she interacts with his or her environment. It emphasizes the connection of mind, body, and spirit. The goal is to achieve maximum well-being, where everything is functioning the very best that is possible. With Holistic Health people accept responsibility for their own level of well-being, and everyday choices are used to take charge of one’s own health."
• Holistic Health Library - "Holistic Health Library is an online resource for health and wellness. We are dedicated to helping you live a happier, healthier, and more fulfilling life! We offer natural, alternative and integrative wellness articles and life strategies."
• American Academy of Medical Acupuncture - "When acupuncture is administered by qualified physicians, it’s called medical acupuncture. These physicians are trained in both Western medicine and acupuncture, which gives them the ability to examine a problem, make a diagnosis, and offer treatment options from both the modern medical and acupuncture standpoint. That means their patients get the best of both worlds: proven, ancient healing techniques and cutting-edge medicine."
• Acupuncture Benefits for Chronic Pain, Headaches & More - "Today acupuncture is one of the most popular practices of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) in the West. TCM is a complimentary health approach that first originated in ancient China more than 2,500 years ago and has been evolving ever since."
• Origins & History of Chiropractic - "While spinal manipulation continues to be a centerpiece of chiropractic care, modern chiropractors have developed a variety of practice styles, featuring different therapies and modalities, to address patients’ needs. They practice a holistic approach to health care that generally excludes drugs or surgery."
• 10 Researched Benefits of Chiropractic Adjustments - "Chiropractors pride themselves on taking a natural, drugless approach to helping their patients reach their health goals. Essentially, the basic principle upon which the entire profession is built is that the body has the amazing, innate ability to heal itself (under the right conditions), and it is the chiropractor’s job to help create an environment to facilitate this."
• What is a Midwife? - "Midwives are the traditional care providers for mothers and infants. Midwives are trained professionals with expertise and skills in supporting women to maintain healthy pregnancies and have optimal births and recoveries during the postpartum period. Midwives provide women with individualized care uniquely suited to their physical, mental, emotional, spiritual and cultural needs."
• Midwifery Myths Set Straight - "The profession of midwifery has evolved with today’s modern health care system. But there are many myths about midwives in the United States based on centuries-old images or simple misunderstandings. You might be surprised to learn the truth about some of these common midwifery myths."

REMEDIES...

When we look at our options for medicines that help without doing harm things can get really overwhelming. I rarely seek after or take prescription medications. If it's really needed it's needed, but more often than not I can find an herbal or homeopathic remedy or product that works just fine at relieving symptoms and helping my body heal. As with prescription drugs, how and when and with what you take these supplements is something to be careful about. Do some research first, seek after professional help, or a bit of both before self-diagnosing and treating. (07-2023 - I have updated and removed broken links/sites).

• A-Z Home Remedy Index - "If you need any kind of information on home remedies for any specific heath disorder..."
• Remedies Index - "Within this page, you are able to find all of our articles about Home Remedies and 'How to' Tips for all kinds of diseases and conditions for men, for women or for children which you might encounter regularly or rarely in your daily life."
• Herbwisdom - "An independent website that provides articles on over 200 herbs, written from an impartial viewpoint."
• American Botanical Council - "Your source for reliable herbal medicine information."
• Disease Index: Homeopathic Treatment - "Disease Index with symptoms, homeopathy treatment and cure with homeopathic remedies and medicine. Find out homeopathy remedies which cover symptoms of different health conditions - your first step towards homeopathic treatment!" (May not be viewable, may be having site issues).
• Be Brain Fit - "Our website is a consumer resource for information about maintaining and improving cognitive and mental health based on the best available scientific research."

(I have removed the "WHAT WORKS FOR ME (and my family)" section since the links were difficult to keep up with, and our preferred products have changed off an on depending on need, availability, etc...)