BG Apothecary & Natural Goods LLC

12/28/2025

A great place to " just be"

12/28/2025

Need alkaline water..just add baking soda to a good filtered water. Note: Kangen water only takes out chlorine NOT toxins such as PfAS (forever chemicals) and pharmaceuticals.

12/27/2025

Belief means nothing if it does not make you kinder.
Faith loses its meaning the moment it becomes a tool for judgment, control, or cruelty.

A kind atheist who acts with compassion is closer to humanity than a believer who harms in the name of God.
Because goodness is not proven by prayers, rituals, or labels — it is proven by how you treat another human being.

True spirituality is not found in loud devotion, but in quiet empathy.
Not in how often you worship, but in how deeply you understand suffering.
Not in scripture memorized, but in hearts softened.

Religion was meant to awaken conscience, not replace it.
When belief excuses cruelty, it has lost its soul.
When faith creates fear instead of love, it has missed its purpose.

The world does not need more people defending God.
It needs more people reflecting compassion.
Because in the end, humanity will always matter more than ideology, and love will always be the highest form of belief... 🌿

12/27/2025

When we think of substance abuse, most of us imagine illicit drugs, but what about the substances we consume daily? Food, sugar, and processed junk have become addictive substances in their own right. The effect they have on our bodies is undeniable—just like drugs, these substances can harm our health, especially when overconsumed. It’s time to shift the conversation from “healthy eating” to a more honest discussion about food addiction.

We’re living in a world where sugar addiction is rampant, and our dependence on processed foods has reached new heights. Think about it: substances like refined sugar, artificial sweeteners, and unhealthy fats are not only bad for our waistlines but can also alter our biochemistry in ways that affect our overall health and longevity. Just as we would avoid harmful drugs, we should treat certain foods with the same caution.

When you find yourself reaching for the next sugary or fatty snack, ask yourself: Is this really helping me thrive? Instead of relying on these addictive substances, choose foods that nurture your body and bring you closer to the vibrant health you deserve. 🍔🍟

12/26/2025

Christy and I studied under Susan W**d. Susan W**d walks her talk as in "first do no harm" and practices what she preaches. A wise woman indeed.

Nutrition Myths The Experts Got Wrong, 2

I read widely.
Dr Jockers recently had this to say about nutrition myths.
I removed his references, and edited for length, and added [my comments].
It's long.
Here's part 2.
Part 3 tomorrow.

Your comments are welcome. But, please, mind your tongue.
It is not necessary to demean others if you wish to disagree with either Dr Jockers or myself.
Neither he, nor myself, are liars, stupid, or any of the other names you've smeared us with.
We are both doing our best to wade through reams of research, keep an open mind, and draw — sometimes startling others — our own conclusions.

"A reduction in saturated fats cannot be recommended at present to prevent cardiovascular diseases and mortality."

"Nutrition Myth #4: Avoid Saturated Fat
> Saturated fats are fatty acids with no double bonds between the carbon molecules. They are found in meat, dairy, and other foods.
> Many people, including healthcare providers, believe that saturated fats are unhealthy and can increase your risk of heart disease.
> The American Heart Association recommends limiting your saturated fat intake to avoid the risk of heart disease, weight gain, and other health issues.
> New research suggests that saturated fats are not linked to a higher risk of heart disease at all and may offer some health benefits.
> A 2010 study, published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, looked at over 350,000 people, what they ate, and the saturated fat content and found no relationship between the amount of saturated fat consumed and risk of coronary heart disease or coronary vascular disease.
> A 2010 Japanese study, published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, looked at 58,000 Japanese men for 14 years, and found similar results: no link between higher saturated fat in the diet and heart disease.
> Instead, they found an inverse risk: a lower risk of developing a stroke or a cerebrovascular disease with higher saturated fat intake from animal foods.
> A more recent 2025 systemic review and meta-analysis of randomized control trials looking at 13,532 participants, found 'a reduction in saturated fats cannot be recommended at present to prevent cardiovascular diseases and mortality.'"

[I agree completely with these conclusions. I'm happy to say that I've never encouraged anyone to use vegetable oils. Sally Fallon — in her dynamite video "The Oiling of America" — lays it out very clearly: animal fats are healthy, seed oils are not. Olives, avocado, and palm fruits are not seeds. Their oils are the next best fat option.
< Butter is the super food of fats. Weston Price identified a factor in milk from grass fed animals — which he called activator X — that is critical for health. The story of his discovery, and attempts to categorize activator X, makes fascinating reading.
On the Trail of the Elusive X-Factor: A Sixty-Two-Year-Old Mystery Finally Solved - The Weston A. Price Foundation
https://www.westonaprice.org/health-topics/abcs-of-nutrition/on-the-trail-of-the-elusive-x-factor-a-sixty-two-year-old-mystery-finally-solved/ .tab=0

"Nutrition Myth #5: Eat "Low Fat" Foods
> Some nutrition experts go even further. They not only want you to limit animal fats and saturated fats but also limit your fats altogether. There are many low-fat foods on the market claiming to help weight loss and support health.
> These low-fat foods are ultra processed, often filled with refined sugars, artificial ingredients, and additives, all of which increase the risk of inflammation, digestive issues, and chronic health problems.
> The truth is, fat is not the enemy. In fact, ketogenic diets and other higher-fat approaches can benefit health. Healthy fats from pastured animals can lower insulin levels, stabilize blood sugar, improve insulin sensitivity, decrease inflammation, improve fat burning, reduce cravings, improve mitochondrial health, improve energy, increase mental clarity, and reduce risk of chronic diseases.
> A 2025 systematic review and meta-analysis of 44 randomized controlled trials published in Nutrition Reviews has found that a ketogenic diet lowers inflammatory markers.
> A 2025 review published in Life (Basel) has found that ketogenic diets offer a complementary therapeutic option for those with neurological diseases. There are molecular and neuroglial effects on the neurons and glial cells which affect brain metabolism and neuroinflammatory homeostasis."

[< Butter is brain food. Especially in its stable form: ghee. It is a rasayana: a medicine that promotes healthy longevity and freedom from dementia. "Ayurveda considers ghee a rasayana, an anti-aging substance that builds and rejuvenates the body for longevity."
Ghee, Stem Cells, and Cholesterol | John Douillard's LifeSpa
https://lifespa.com/health-topics/gut-health/ghee-stem-cells-cholesterol/

< Organic butter, please! Even better if from cows eating grass. That healthy cholesterol keeps every cell in my body flexible and strong. Cell membranes are 40% cholesterol.
< "Cholesterol is essential for the structure, elasticity, and healthy functioning of all cell membranes."
< And my brain, being 25% cholesterol and 60% fat, also thanks me when I choose butter.
> Low fat, no fat = low vitality, no longevity.]

"The ketogenic diet is a high-fat, very low-carbohydrate nutritional pattern that promotes a metabolic shift from glucose utilization to ketone production, supporting energy needs during carbohydrate restriction. The diet reduces circulating insulin levels, enhances fat oxidation, and induces ketosis, creating physiologic conditions that may benefit individuals with epilepsy, obesity, type 2 diabetes, and certain metabolic disorders. Originally developed as a therapy for refractory epilepsy in children, the ketogenic diet is now incorporated into broader clinical practice as evidence accumulates regarding its metabolic, neurologic, and endocrine effects. The diet's physiologic impact includes alterations in mitochondrial function, modulation of neuronal excitability, and changes in gut microbiota, all of which contribute to its therapeutic potential. Clinicians frequently encounter challenges related to patient selection, monitoring requirements, safety considerations, and long-term adherence, making a structured understanding of its mechanisms and clinical applications essential for optimal patient care."
The Ketogenic Diet: Clinical Applications, Evidence-based Indications, and Implementation - StatPearls - NCBI Bookshelf
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK499830/

May your meals be in beauty.
It is an endless give-away dance.
I eat you. And you eat me.
All hearts beat as one with the heartbeat of the earth.
All diets are plant-based diets.
Every breath connects us to the plants.
We are surrounded by green blessings.
Gratitude
Joy

12/26/2025

Part #1

7 Shocking Nutrition Myths That Experts Got Wrong!

I read widely.

Dr Jockers recently had this to say about nutrition myths.
7 Shocking Nutrition Myths That Experts Got Wrong!
https://drjockers.com/7-shocking-nutrition-myths-that-experts-got-wrong/

I removed his references, and edited for length, and added [my comments].
It's long.
Here's part 1.

"Nutrition Myth #1: Avoid Salt
> Many deem salt to be unhealthy due to its high sodium content. Low-sodium, thus low-salt diets, are commonly recommended to reduce blood pressure. The truth is, salt offers many health benefits if you are using the right kind of salt.
> Most regular table salt found in grocery stores and used in processed foods is made with sodium chloride and chemical fillers that can be incredibly difficult to metabolize.
> This can increase the risk of high blood pressure, joint inflammation, gout, and stones in your kidneys and gallbladders, not salt itself.
> Instead, if you are choosing healthy, natural forms of salt, you may experience some health benefits. A 2015 study published in Cell Metabolism found that sodium may improve the activation of macrophages and increase antimicrobial defenses, reducing the risk of infections.
> A 2022 study published in Medicine (Kaunas) has found that a moderate sodium intake, between 3 and 6 grams/day, seems to be the best for reducing the risk of cardiovascular diseases, compared to low- and high-sodium diets."

< [Many students who've eaten with me comment on my love of salt. I keep many kinds on my table: pink salt (not sea salt, which is teeming with micro plastic), shoyu (real tamari), umiboshi brine, salt-preserved schisandra, and a variety of herbal salts, such as sage salt, celery salt, and leek salt.]

< [My class series Medicinal Condiments explains how I make herb salts. Link: https://wisdomfeed.thrivecart.com/medicinal-condiments ]
< [My blood pressure is healthy; no drugs needed. I do take motherwort and hawthorn tinctures daily. I do walk at least four miles a day. And I eat as much salt as I desire.]

"Nutrition Myth #2: Use Vegetable Oils
> Vegetable oils have been advertised as healthy alternatives to animal fats and a good approach to avoid health diseases. This couldn't be further from the truth.
> Vegetable oils, including canola oil, sunflower oil, corn oil, soybean oil, safflower oil, grapeseed oil, cottonseed oil, and rice bran oil, are extracted from various seeds. They aren't "vegetable oils," but instead are "seed oils."
> They are not only used for cooking but are also found in most processed foods. These oils are highly processed and can increase inflammation, oxidative stress, and mitochondrial issues.
> They are high in linoleic acid, which is highly inflammatory and takes a very long time for your body to break down. According to a 2023 research review published in Nutrients, the half-life of linoleic acid is 680 days, based on a study published in the Journal of Lipid Research. This is almost two years in the cell membranes of our body.
> Understanding this, I recommend avoiding vegetable oils. Instead, I recommend using high-quality animal fats, such as butter, ghee, tallow, lard, and poultry fat, as well a other healthy oils, such as extra-virgin olive oil, coconut oil, and avocado oil."

< [Agree. Animal fats are the healthiest fats. But, please, buy organic. Organic extra virgin olive oil, organic butter, and organic bacon fat are the only fats on my table and in my food.]

< [Learn more about healthy fats and how to get plenty of healthy protein in my course Optimum Nutrition, the Wise Woman Way. Link: https://wisdomfeed.thrivecart.com/optimum-nutrition-the-wise-woman-way ]

"Nutrition Myth #3: Avoid Animal Protein
> Plant-based, vegan, and vegetarian diets were on the rise for a while, asking you to avoid animal protein for health reasons. The problem with these diets is not the plants.
> I recommend eating lots of greens and vegetables. The problem lies in the elimination of clean animal protein and relying only on plant-based sources.
> Proteins are large, complex molecules that play a critical role in the structure, function, and regulation of your tissues and organs. They are made up of amino acids, which are smaller units that serve as building blocks. But your body cannot make every amino acid; there are nine essential amino acids that your body must get from food.
> While protein and some amino acids can be found in plant foods, animal foods are the ones that offer complete protein. Complete protein is essential for building muscle, burning fat, and supporting blood sugar balance.
> A 2021 systematic review and meta-analysis of 18 studies published in the Nutrients has found animal protein to be more effective for maintaining lean mass than plant-based proteins, especially in individuals under 50.
> I recommend meeting most of your protein needs from clean animal protein sources, including grass-fed beef, pasture-raised poultry and eggs, organ meats, wild-caught fish and seafood, and wild game. Protein powders, including whey, bone broth, egg protein, and collagen peptides, can be a great addition to improve your protein intake."

< [Full tilt stop on protein powder. He blew it there. Avoid all protein powders. They aren't just dehydrated; they are ultra-processed. Dr. Weston Price damned all protein powders; so do I. Eat real food. Drink nourishing herbal infusions. They are rich sources of amino acids/protein.]

< [Get going with nourishing herbal infusions with my do-it-yourself video course. Simple and easy to follow directions. Link: https://www.wisewomanschool.com/p/nourishing-herbal-infusions-2025 ]
< [Mitochondria are especially blood-thirsty and require red meat for optimal functioning. So, basically, animal protein is the best choice for healthy aging, memory retention, and freedom from sarcopenia and osteoporosis. Don't buy ugly meat. Support small farms. Support integrative framing. Buy animal protein from people who love the animals they raise. I get organic when I can; "free from" when I can't. ("Free from" animals are never given hormones or antibiotics, but aren't fed organic food, so don't qualify as organic.) ].

More tomorrow.

Every bite is in beauty.
We are part of a great give-away dance.
I eat you; and you eat me.
Breathing together with the plants.
Hearts beating as one with the earth's heart.
Surrounded by green blessings.
Gratitude
Joy

12/24/2025

12/21/2025

From our family to yours

12/21/2025