The brain and the nervous system are the most important organs we have.  They control the function of every cell, tissue and organ in the body. 

     Even when we are sleeping, the brain is functioning.  Sleep enhances performance, learning and memory. 

     If you are having trouble finding a solution to a problem, try sleeping on it, you may find the answer.  This is because sleep helps you to reset your brain and see things from a different perspective.

Dr. Mercola says too little sleep can:

1.  Alter your metabolism and make you gain weight.

2. Cause your brain to stop producing new cells.

3.  Increase your risk of cancer by altering the balance of hormones in your body.

4.  Increase your risk of diabetes by reducing your leptin levels.

5.  Accelerate aging.

6.  Increase your risk of heart disease and stroke.

7.  Raise your blood pressure.

8.  Speed up tumor growth.  Tumors grow two to three times faster in laboratory animals with severe sleep dysfunctions.

     Dr. Mercola goes on to say that your body does most of its repairs during sleep, so not getting enough of it can impair your immune system, leaving you less able to fight off diseases of all kinds.

     Adults need on average 6-8 hours of quality sleep per night.  Sleeping more than 8 hours can have the same effect on you as not sleeping enough.  There are times that require extra sleep such as an illness, emotional stress and/or pregnancy just to name a few.

     Research published in the November-December issue of the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics and reported on by Scoop Health from New Zealand on November 23, 2007, shows how chiropractic helps affect brain and nerve system function. An excited release on the research by the New Zealand Chiropractors Association states, "Ground-breaking research has, for the first time, identified the actual changes that occur in the body, the nervous system and the brain during chiropractic spinal adjustments."

     The study demonstrates that chiropractic care sends signals to the brain that change the way the brain controls muscles. Award-winning Auckland researcher, Dr. Heidi Haavik-Taylor commented, "The process of a spinal adjustment is like rebooting a computer. The signals that these adjustments send to the brain, via the nervous system, reset muscle behavior patterns." She went on to explain how this can have a broad effect on a person's health by saying, "By stimulating the nervous system we can improve the function of the whole body. This is something that chiropractors and their patients have known for years; and now we have some scientific evidence to prove it."

     According to the Scoop Health article, Dr. Haavik-Taylor has spent the last seven years researching the effects of chiropractic adjustments on the nervous system. On this new research, Dr. Haavik-Taylor was able to measure how brain waves are altered before and after spinal adjustments. She reported, "This is the first time that anyone has used EEGs to prove that there are definite changes to the way the brain processes information after chiropractic care."

     Dr. James Burt, President of the New Zealand Chiropractors Association, touted Dr. Haavik-Taylor's breakthrough research by noting, "Heidi’s work is ground-breaking on an international level by proving that chiropractic adjustments do alter and benefit the nervous system."

The content of this article supplied by Now You Know, Inc.

Several articles appeared in the news warning of the harmful health effects from the stress of the current economic conditions. One such article on October 8, 2008 from WebMD noted that a recent study showed that 80% of Americans said that the economy was a significant source of stress in September, up from just 66% in April of this same year. The article notes that the increased stress is taking it's toll on everyone, but that older women seem to be affected the most.

The study's executive summary, conducted by the American Psychological Association (APA), and published on October 7, 2008 states that, "Nearly half of Americans report that their stress level has increased over the past year, with as many as 30 percent rating their average stress levels as extreme."  Money and finances were the highest two concerns that the study showed were creating stress.

Katherine Nordal, PhD, a psychologist and APA’s executive director for professional practice, commented, "With the deteriorating economy dominating the headlines, it’s easy to worry more about your finances than your health, but, stress over money and the economy is taking an emotional and physical toll on America, especially among women." Dr. Nordal went on to warn, "Many say they are handling their stress well. Yet, people report more physical and emotional symptoms. If Americans continue to experience these high levels of stress for prolonged periods of time, they are at risk for developing serious illnesses.”

The study did note that Americans are aware of the dangers of stress, noting that 86 percent, "recognize that stress increases their likelihood of becoming sick and has a very strong negative impact on a variety of conditions including depression, heart attack or stroke, high blood pressure, cancer, obesity and insomnia." Unfortunately, many people either do not know how to help their stress, think they are managing their stress well, or believe they have no control over it.

Dr. John Maltby, president of the International Chiropractors Association noted that chiropractic is one of the more effective ways to deal with the stress created by these trying times.  He commented, "The most profound result of stress is the functional and physical effect it has on the nervous system.  This is where chiropractic can play a key role. By removing physical irritation to the nervous system brought on by stress, the body is better able to cope on all levels. Stress is a cycle.  It creates spinal and nerve system problems, and is made worse by the nerve system problem stress creates.  The role of chiropractic is to break that cycle by correcting the physical component of this problem, known as subluxation."

It's been my life's goal; to fly a plane. So, I took my life by the horns, inquired about lessons, booked a demo flight lesson and simply showed up. Next thing I knew, I was flying this beautiful aircraft.

It was an incredible day; crisp air, bright blue sky, and a pleasant dusting of clouds, the perfect day to learn to fly.

If you have a dream, just do it. Never let anyone slow you down, tell you that you can't do something, or control you. For you are unique, you are strong, and realizing your dreams is what life is all about.

You never know when it all might end.

 The blue light specials are in full swing at macomb county K Mart stores.

This week through Sunday October 5th, coupons are doubled up to and including $2.00 value. This means that if you have a manufactured coupon for $2.00, it will double to $4.00 off.

As a seasoned couponer, these are deals we wait for all year. I have been able to stock up on FREE products all week, by going through my high value coupons and shopping at my macomb county K Mart this week.

Don't have any coupons? Don't let that stop you, the sale is going on until Sunday, just pick up a Sunday paper, look through the coupon insert  and head on over to your macomb county K Mart store. You won't regret it. Get in on the action. Visit my website to see the great deals I got this week at K Mart. www.sensationalsavings.blogspot.com

Fall is a wonderful time of year in Macomb County.  Nothing marks the change of season better than a visit to the Westview Orchard and Cider Mill.

Macomb County residents will enjoy the crisp autumn air as they enjoy the wagon ride and venture out into the pumpkin field to pick the most perfect pumpkin.  The kids will certainly love the amazing 3 acre playground, Straw Mountain, train ride, and petting barns with the many new babies to see on site.

The 6 acre live corn maze is sure to delight the young and young at heart in Macomb County.  This year’s maze is out of this world with their space theme.  Come on out and learn fun and interesting facts about NASA while you navigate through the maze finding hidden stations.

Don’t forget to cap off your day by stopping by the Farm Market.  It features the best homegrown fruits and veggies that the fall season has to offer.  You can also pick your own fruit from the orchards if you prefer.

Westview Orchards and Cider Mill is located at 65075 Van Dyke in Romeo and is opened daily.

     Many people in Macomb County use the artificial sweetner Splenda and/or use products with Splenda added to them, "made like sugar, so it tastes like sugar, but it's not sugar." 

     Splenda is a "no calorie" sweetner, which is 600 times sweeter than table sugar, twice as sweet as saccharin, and four times as sweet as aspartame.  The manufactureing process starts with a molecule of sugar, but there is no sugar in the end product.  The main ingredient is sucralose, which is manufactured in a laboratory.

     The latest study to come out of Duke University demonstrates health concerns.  The study was conducted over 12 weeks on male lab rats.  The study concluded that Splenda reduced the amount of good bacteria in the intestines by 50%, contributed to increase in body weight, and it also interferes with the efficacy of medications.

     The public advocacy group, Citizens for Health, wants a warning label put on all Splenda products cautioning that people who take medications and/or have gastrointestinal problems avoid the use of Splenda and/or any products that contain Splenda.  James Turner, chairman of Citizens for Health said in a statement, "The new study makes it clear that Splenda can cause you to gain weight and lose the benefits of medications designed to improve and protect your health.  The FDA should not continue to turn a blind eye to this health threat."

The Mt. Bruce Station Sheep and Wool Festival will be held in Macomb County this Saturday and Sunday.

Boasting its 18th year, the festival is sure to delight both the kids and adults in Macomb County with the various activities being offered throughout the weekend.

The festival runs from 10 am to 5 pm each day.  There is a $7 admission charge, but kiddies under 5 years old will get in free.  There are several classes being offered for beginner and experienced crafters.  Come on down and try your hand at knitting, crocheting, spinning wool, felting, and rug braiding, just to name a few.

There will be many demonstrations as well.  Come and see the Border Collies performing their farm jobs and visit the barn to see a live demonstration of shearing sheep.  Macomb County residents can see how a real working farm is run and learn about beekeeping and broom making as well.

There will be plenty of extra activities provided for the kids for an additional fee.  Little crafters will enjoy painting pumpkins and weaving.  The straw maze and mountain and hay wagon rides are always a big hit. There will also be visiting animals on site.  You will be able to see Angora Rabbits, Alpacas and Llamas (Keep a watchful eye on these guys because they sometimes have a special way of greeting folks!).

The farm is located at 6440 Bordman Road in Romeo.  For more information on this fun event in Macomb County, click here.

Get ready all you Mom’s out there in Macomb County.  It’s time for the Mom 2 Mom Sale this coming Saturday, September 27th.

The Mom 2 Mom sale is a great way to buy the many must have items for kids without breaking the bank on the cost of those items.  Mom’s come together to sell their slightly used kids clothing, equipment and toys, at steep discounts, to other Mom’s who are looking for a good deal. 

If you are looking for something in particular, don’t forget to check out the “pink list” which shows everything available to purchase.  Buyers will find that they are receiving huge savings at the sale.  There will be over 40 tables filled with great items this weekend.  It’s a win win situation for everyone involved!

Mom 2 Mom sales typically run in the spring and fall at various locations, such as churches and schools around the southeastern Michigan area.  This huge sale will be held at Atwood Elementary at 45690 North Avenue in Macomb

County.  Early bird admission begins at 8:30 am and will cost only $2 per person.  Regular admission begins at 9:00 and will cost only $1 per person.

Click here to find out more information about Mom 2 Mom Resales.

This weekend bring the kids over to your local Borders bookstores for a fun filled day that is FREE for the kids.

This Saturday September 27, Borders will have a Kids Party from 2p.m-4p.m.

Check www.borders.com for a store near you. As always check out my other great tips and deals for this week at www.sensationalsavings.blogspot.com