Why Do You Dislike Melaleuca?

Oct. 29, 2016

Dear Cathy:

I have a question for you. Why do you dislike Melaleuca? I've read your opinions about MLM's and I understand your disdain for them. However, when I read your article and get to the "Guideline" portion, Melaleuca has all of those blocks checked. 

I'm definitely not trying to sell you on Melaleuca, however, you don't have many other MLMs listed at all and they have tons of black people involved with their organization.

I respect all your work and will take all your advisement, but I was just curious about why you dislike Melaleuca particularly. Melaleuca Dislike, Atlanta

Dear Melaleuca Dislike:

First of all there are tons of Network and Multi-Level Marketing ventures (Pyramid Schemes) out there and I am not the "Network Marketing Police" -- which means I don't purposely go around looking for these illegal and unethical pyramid schemes. 

And just because there are tons of other black people involved in these schemes, doesn't mean you should also jump off a cliff along with them.

I am very familiar with Melaleuca because back when I lived in Atlanta for 20 years, beauticians tried to sell it in their beauty shops, so like you said, I do classify it with all the other unethical pyramid schemes.

They use the same unethical practices to market it and it probably has poor quality. As a holistic and natural healer, I can think of tons of other holistic products, which would be better than Melaleuca, but again I just don’t have time to list these because despite what I say in this email, you will probably continue your endeavor with this product until somewhere down the line when you are feeling despair and hopelessness for getting involved with this pyramid scheme, you will probably ask yourself, "why didn't I listen to Ms. Harris when she told me of her dislike for Melaleuca and other Network Marketing products.

I was also involved in a product so I am not telling you all this information at the drop of a hat. I have seen people that I really care about get involved and they too had major regrets after months and some -- after years of still trying to sell these products. It's nothing but a total waste of your time and life. Is this really what you want for your future?

I try to keep my responses to these Network and Multi-Level Marketing schemes to a minimum when people ask me about them, because it’s just so depressing to keep repeating myself over and over again about Network and Multi-Level Marketing (aka Pyramid Schemes). 

So the only advice I have is to read the article again “Tainted Movement – Network and Multi-Level Marketing” - http://www.cathyharrisspeaks.com/MLM.pdf

Again, if you have time to get involved with these pyramid schemes, you have time to get involved in a LEGITIMATE business so read my business books, which are available as both an e-book and paperback book.

If you don't know which business to start read "The New CEO: 185 Easy-To-Set Up Businesses for Youth and Adult Entrepreneurs." If you know which business you would like to start because it's your passion, read "How To Take Control of Your Own Life: A Self-Help Guide to Starting Your Own Business" Series 2, which list EVERY STEP you need to take to start and build a LEGITIMATE business.

Good luck with all your endeavors and again, don't let your story be "I told you so" when you realize that you have had enough of trying to push a product, that you simply don't care anything about. 

Get involved with your passion. Tell the world how wonderful you are. "Toot Your Own Horn" -- but do it with a LEGITIMATE business.

The New Workplace Law of the Land for Exempt and Non-Exempt Employees

Oct. 28, 2016

Dear Cathy:

I have a question about rights as an employee for the state. I'm in Alabama, but any advice you can provide will be helpful. Can the state department of health change a person’s status from exempt to non exempt? Without my consent, my job made us aware of new changes on my job and now we have a ‘clocking in’ system. Shouldn't I at least be getting overtime pay rather than just compensatory time? Confused, Alabama

Dear Confused:

Compensatory time off is:

• Time off with pay in lieu of overtime pay for irregular or occasional overtime work, or 
• When permitted under agency flexible work schedule programs, time off with pay in lieu of overtime pay for regularly scheduled or irregular or occasional overtime work. 

Employers are always trying to tighten their belts and save money, however, what you are now experiencing is the “New Law of the Land.”

It won’t be a picnic telling a worker who has long been salaried, never had to punch a time card and often worked after hours that all that’s going to change.

But when the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL.gov) publishes its final overtime rule, which happened on May 18, 2016, employers across the nation will have to notify exempt workers that their salaries don’t meet the federal threshold to remain exempt.

Employers can expect many employees to feel hurt and under-appreciated. Many workers place a premium on the prestige of being considered an exempt or salaried employee—no matter how much we emphasize that it’s just a categorization of pay and not a reflection of importance or level of contribution.

It may seem like they’re being demoted. The proposed changes to the overtime rule increased the salary threshold for employees who are exempt—and therefore not eligible for overtime—from $23,660 to $50,440. In the final rule, the level dropped to $47,476.

Employers can either increase an exempt worker’s salary so the worker remains exempt, or reclassify him or her as nonexempt. Many are likely to do the latter.

Reclassified workers will—perhaps for the first time in their careers—have to track their start times, end times, break times and meal times. It will be hard to accept and even implement. It'll be a cultural change to many and perceived as a step back in career growth, however, it’s now the “New Law of the Land.”

If an employer has different levels of benefits for exempt and nonexempt workers, that will have to be communicated as well. Many employers will have to make changes in time card requirements, vacation and sick time accrual, and bonuses for reclassified workers. 

All of these changes will be viewed negatively and there is no way to dress it up, again this is now the “New Law of the Land.” This would be a good time to start a business on the side. 

I have two business books, which are available as an e-book and paperback. If you don't know which business to start read "The New CEO: 185 Easy-To-Set Up Businesses for Youth and Adult Entrepreneurs." If you know which business you would like to start because it's your passion, read "How To Take Control of Your Own Life: A Self-Help Guide to Starting Your Own Business" Series 2, which list EVERY STEP you need to take to start and build a business.

Leaky Bladder at 40 Years Old

Oct. 26, 2016

Dear Cathy:

I am an African American female. I have a leaky bladder. I am only 40 years old so I am so embarrassed about this condition. I don’t want to take any medication for it so what are my other options? Leaky Bladder, Alabama

Dear Leaky Bladder:

Leaky Bladder is a condition called “overactive bladder” and you are not alone. Even at 40 years old there are tons of people today with this condition, where they have a sudden urgency to urinate that is frequent and cannot be controlled. These urgencies can sometimes lead to leakage or accidental wetting.

Many people are too embarrassed to talk about this, however, they plan their daily activities around being close to bathrooms to avoid urine leaks and accidents.

Work with your doctor and staying informed about your treatment is key to managing your symptoms. I never tell anyone to get on medications but remember that many times medications can be temporary. 

There are medications that you can take on a temporary basic, while you take the below steps:

1) Do kegel exercises to strengthen your muscles down there.

2) Get fit especially if you are overweight.

3) Work on training your bladder. The key is to learn how to put off the need to rush to the nearest bathroom. In the beginning, try to delay urinating by 10 minutes and build up to 20 minutes.

4) Take magnesium, an important mineral for proper muscle and nerve function, may also ease incontinent worries.

5) Take vitamin D which promotes calcium intake and good bone health. Research suggests that it can also reduce the risk of incontinence.

6) Quit smoking because nicotine can irritate the bladder.

7) Consider engaging in acupuncture.

8) Use hypnotherapy where the patient is put in a state of deep relaxation and heightened concentration. This state may help patients feel more in control of their bodies—in this case the bladder and muscle contractions.

9) Cut out caffeine, a diuretic, which can contribute to bladder irritation and stimulate muscle contractions, which can both cause incontinence.

10) Stay hydrated and drink enough liquids if you always have to go. Drinking enough water and other fluids is crucial in managing incontinence.

11) As a last resort get a pessary implant, which is a ring-like device that is inserted into the vagina to lift and support the vagina and bladder. It can help decrease stress incontinence, the type of incontinence associated with coughing or exercise.

Nagging Toothache

Oct. 25, 2016

Dear Cathy:

What do I need to know about taking care of my teeth? I can’t get to the dentist for 2 or maybe even 3 weeks so what can I do about this toothache? In Pain, Virginia

Dear In Pain:

No one wants to be in pain so you have to get to the root of your pain. Pain can also be caused by eating an "acidic diet" or having a toxic bowel, which comes from eating an acidic diet. Acidic means having the properties of acid.

Most people today do eat an acidic diet, especially if they eat the Standard American Diet, also called SAD, full of processed foods. The goal is to eat an "alkaline diet" and drink alkaline water because disease and sickness can't exist in an alkaline body and you are indeed what you eat.

Tooth decay is often the primary cause of a toothache. Other causes can be an infection, gum disease, grinding teeth, tooth trauma, an abnormal bit and a tooth eruption that happens in babies and school-age children.

And don’t forget that sinus or ear infections, which can be caused by an acidic diet, and tension in the facial muscles can cause discomfort that resembles a toothache, but often these health problems are accompanied by a headache.

Pain around the teeth and the jaws can also be symptoms of heart disease such as angina. If you have a toothache, you may have a cavity or advanced gum disease. Over 95% of people do have periodontal or gum disease and don’t even know it.

The first sign of decay may be the pain you feel when you eat something sweet, very cold or very hot. If the pulp, the inside of the tooth that has tissue and nerves, has become irritated, this can cause pain in your tooth.

If you have any of these conditions contact your dentist immediately -- fever; difficulty breathing or swallowing; swelling around the tooth area and pain when you bit; a foul tasting discharge; and continuous lasting pain.

To temporarily eliminate the pain rinse with warm salt water; floss teeth to dislodge any food particles trapped between teeth; take over the counter Ibuprofen or Tylenol but not too much because they can damage your liver; apply a cold compress to the outside check to relieve pain or swelling.

Your dentist will conduct a complete oral examination to determine the location and cause of the toothache, looking for signs of swelling, redness and obvious tooth damage. He or she may also take x-rays to look for evidence of tooth decay between teeth, a cracked or impacted tooth or a disorder of the underlying bone.

Your dentist also may prescribe pain medication or antibiotics to speed the healing of your toothache. If by the time you see your dentist your tooth has become infected, then treatment could require removal of the tooth or a root canal procedure, which involves removing the damaged nerve tissue from the middle of a tooth.

The key to preventing toothaches is establishing a regular oral hygiene routine and sticking to it. For example, failure to brush and floss regularly after meals can significantly increase your risk of developing cavities, which can cause toothaches. 

Also when you brush use “aluminum free baking soda” and a natural fluoride-free sensitive toothpaste and visit your dentist on a regular basis, especially if you are a smoker, pregnant woman, diabetic, have gum disease, and if you are prone to cavities or a build up of plaque.

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Problems With Wearing High Heels

Oct. 24, 2016

Dear Cathy:

I am in my 20s and absolutely love how my feet look in high heels. I can’t stop wearing them so what can I do to alleviate the pain and pressure of wearing high heels? High Heels, Ohio

Dear High Heels:

Every woman wants to have pretty feet when they take off their shoes at the end of the day. Some women rather have pretty shoes which can make their feet look really attractive -- but you can’t have both. Women who wear high heel shoes on a daily basis will have uglier feet than women who wear sensible shoes.

Not only do elevated heels make women vulnerable to an attack or a fall, but also to osteoporosis, prolapsed organs, tilted uteri, foot, knee, hip, back, neck and pelvic floor pain and dysfunction. And there’s nothing sexy about wearing adult diapers.

If you're wearing high heels on a daily basis, it's likely you've already experienced two more common problems such as corns and calluses. These thickened layers of dead skin usually occur on the toes or sides of the foot and are actually the body's way of defending your feet against assault.

Many develope corns and callus, or even ingrown toe nails. Other times it can be the result of a "hammertoe" -- a condition that causes the bone of the affected toe to curl under, leaving the top to rub against the shoe and you might have to have surgery to correct this.

As you age, you lose some of the fatty deposits that normally protect the ball of the foot and some of it also slides forward towards the toes. When we slip our feet into those strappy stiletto sandals and step down, our weight is thrown on the spot where we have less protection.

If you've worn primarily high heels for most of your life, you may experience shrinkage of the Achilles tendon, the area that runs from the back of the heel to the calf. This can result in pain when wearing a low-heel shoe or even the inability to walk barefoot.

The antidote here is stretching exercises like runners do. In rare instances, you may need surgery to lengthen the Achilles tendon. If you’re still going to wear heels take these steps and protect your feet:

1. Get the best-fitting high heel possible. High heels that don't fit properly cause the front of the foot to fly forward, creating more pressure and pain on toes. Look for narrow heels with a snug but not tight fit to correct the problem.

2. Cushion, cushion, cushion. While a full-shoe insert can help, if you have pain in the ball of the foot or you'll be standing in your heels a long time, invest in silicone metatarsal pads. They do a super job of shock absorption. 

3. Wear a thicker heel for stability. "A thicker heel will give you better balance and may help relieve some pressure by distributing the weight on your foot more evenly. Alternating heel heights can also help reduce problems with the Achilles tendon.

4. Pay attention to the "slope" or "pitch" of the heel. While some 4-inch heels will give you a straight drop down to the flatbed portion of the shoe, others will be a more gradual slope. This may be easier on the arch and might help relieve some pain in the ball of the foot.

5. Wear open-toe high heels to relieve pressure on corns and calluses. See a podiatrist to have corns and calluses professionally removed and correct the problem that’s causing them. But if that's not possible, opt for open-toe shoes to take pressure off inflamed areas.

Check out these 4 exercises that makes it easier to walk in heels.

Prolapse in Younger Women

Oct. 19, 2016

Dear Cathy:

When I was in the military and had to lift heavy ammo boxes and other heavy weight, I use to stay on sick call because of pain from my womb area. I believe I hurt my insides. What is it that happens to young women who lift a lot of weight? Heavy Weights, Pennsylvania

Dear Heavy Weights:

It’s called prolapse, when your bottom falls out, and younger and older women can get this condition. You get prolapse when you lift a lot of weight or even when walking around in high heel shoes all the time.

Many women today are competing with men so they are engaging in all types of sports, such as weightlifting and other strenuous sports that put them at risk for prolapse.

The word "prolapse" means ‘to fall out of place’. In women, this refers to the uterus, bladder or rectum slipping out of place, and either protruding into the vagina or pressing up against the vaginal wall.

Your pelvic organs are held in place by ligaments and muscles, connective tissue and fascia, which are collectively known as the pelvic floor. Weakening of or damage to the pelvic floor means the pelvic organs are no longer snugly held in their usual position.

Given the number of organs and supporting structures tucked into your pelvis, and the stresses and strains they’re subjected to during pregnancy and birth, and sometimes just life in general, it’s hardly surprising that sometimes things loosen and fall out of place.

Having a prolapse certainly doesn’t mean you’re falling apart or you’re past your prime. Prolapse can occur in young women who’ve never had a baby, while there are plenty of elderly women who’ve had plenty of children yet never a prolapse problem in their lives.

Prolapse is a common problem for females of all ages, worldwide. This is a major problem with older women and one out of 4 women will end up in nursing homes due to prolapse but again younger women can get this too.

Yet prolapse is one of those conditions that many women are way too embarrassed to talk about, even with their closest friends. Some can’t even discuss prolapse with their doctor, choosing instead to put up with light bladder leakage, discomfort, a poor sex life and low self esteem rather than get help, advice and treatment.

In mild cases, prolapse can easily be fixed through a number of non-surgical treatments such as pelvic floor exercises such as "pilates" and "kegel exercises" as well as simple lifestyle changes such as improved diet and nutrition.

Squats also work very well to prevent this condition but most women have bad knees because they eat an inflammatory diet, so squatting will be extremely hard for them. Our ancestors never suffered from this condition because they were always squatting.

In more serious cases prolapse surgery is usually very successful, where a small silicone device fitted into the upper vagina by a doctor to provide support to the organs and their support structures.

Need to Lose 20 Pounds Really Quick

Oct. 17, 2016

Dear Cathy:

I am so desperate to lose at least 20 pounds as soon as possible. How can I lose 20 pounds really fast and keep it off? Losing Weight, Austin

Dear Losing Weight:

Since I recently lost weight and figured out a lot of things about how the human body operates, I feel I am in a position to advise you on some great weight loss tips. 

First of all a healthy waist size is 35 inches for women and 40 for men, so instead of just losing weight, try to concentrate on the size of your waistline. 

What you need to remember up front is that losing weight is a mindset and you need to also look at your lifestyle. It's not an overnight event. There are 4 things you need to look at in regards to weight loss. 

1. Keep A Food Journal: First of all keep a food journal of what you are eating. Most people don’t have any idea how much foods they eat everyday. The goal is to eat every 3 and a half to 4 hours throughout the day (small meals or snacks), which will keep your blood sugar at a level to give you longer lasting energy.

2. Learn Everything You Can About Hypothyroidism: The most common way to lose weight is by cutting down on how much foods you are eating and exercise more. However, even if you do this, there might be other issues at play, for instance, hypothyroidism, which can keep many women from losing weight.

It might be as high as 90% of women suffering from hypothyroidism, so read the article I wrote on hypothyroidism. So even if you join Weight Watchers, Jenny Craig, Nutri System or some other type of weight loss system, if you don’t correct your thyroid, not only will you not lose the weight, even if you lose it, it will come back.

3. Engage in a Regular Detox Program Especially For Your Liver: You also want to look at engaging in a regular full-body or 14 day detox program for your colon, liver, kidneys and a heavy metal detox program. Try “CleanStart” at www.NaturesSunshine.com. It’s one of the best full-body detoxes out there.

The liver is in charge of obesity, therefore, you need to GO NATURAL and live a natural and holistic lifestyle by only using natural cleaning products in your home and putting only natural products on your body.

4. Eat Foods for Your Blood Type: Also eating foods specifically for your blood type will help you lose weight and these foods will give you longer lasting energy throughout the day, so find out your blood type from your doctor’s office and read the book “Eat Right 4 Your Type.”

Again losing weight is about adopting a new lifestyle so learn more about how the human body works in my health book “How To Take Control of Your Own Life: A Self-Help Guide To Becoming Healthier Over the Next 30 Days” available as an ebook and paperback at www.AngelsPress.com.

Pain in Womb

Dear Cathy:

I'm having some female issues with my uterus and would like to ask if you know any herbs to help with pain. Pain Free, California

Dear Pain Free:

First of all I advise you to see an OB/GYN Specialist to see if they can detect any type of Sexually Transmitted Disease (STD) or cancer in your uterus. Pain is a symptom of cancer of the uterus or another issue of the womb.

If you don’t have any type of medical insurance coverage then these are some natural steps to take. There are many other things that might be causing you to have pain in your womb. 

It is not common to have pain in any part of your body so first of all you need to get to the root of your pain. Many times pain is caused by an inflammatory body and diet, which means your body is full of inflammation so start taking Omega 3 Fish Oil Supplements or Omega 3 Flaxseed Oil to help clear up any inflammation in your body.

Also a toxic bowel can mean that pain might show up in any part of your body, including your womb so you should engage in a really good 14 day colon cleanse such as "CleanStart" at www.NaturesSunshine.com. It is one of the best full-body detoxes out there.

Constipation can cause pain in your womb and the goal is to have at least 2 to 3 easy bowel movements a day, and this detox along with a natural diet will help you get there.

I would also start taking baths in Epsom Salt, which can also get rid of pain in the womb. Try to turn on your heater in your home and draw the shower curtains and try to sweat during these baths because your body might just be overwhelmed with toxins, which can also cause pain in any part of your body and can exit the body through your sweat. You need to sweat at least 3 or 4 days a week to get rid of toxins, especially when you engage in a detox program.

Pain can also be caused by food allergies so clean out your bowels and start eating a natural and holistic diet. Most foods today causes allergies so you should find out your blood type and eat foods specifically for your blood type, so read the book “Eat Right 4 Your Type.”

Also if you are having pain due to some type of sexual trauma, then it might take a few days or weeks to heal from that so take Vitamin C, which is the healing vitamin, which will help you to heal faster, so engage in the daily Epsom Salt soaks.

To learn more about how the human body work read my health book “How To Take Control of Your Own Life: A Self-Help Guide To Becoming Healthier Over the Next 30 Days” available as an ebook and paperback at www.AngelsPress.com.