Easy Homemade Cleaners

/0 Comments/in /by

A place where many harmful toxins are found in our homes is in cleaners, soaps and even our laundry detergent (when you wear your clothes and sleep in your bed these chemicals can transfer from the fabric and be absorbed by your skin. If your skin consistently breaks out this could be a reason why). These items are loaded with synthetic chemicals shown to pollute indoor air and harm our health. There are some great cleaners like 7th Generation which can be found at stores like Whole Foods which you can switch to as well. Here are some simple cleaners you can whip up at home. easy homemade cleaners

Easy Homemade Cleaners easy homemade cleaners

Simple Vegetable Cleaner easy homemade cleaners
Cleaning your fruits and vegetables is a must with all the harmful chemical pesticides that are sprayed on our foods these days. Here is a simple and inexpensive way to clean your food before cooking it. easy homemade cleaners

You will need: 1 lemon, 2 tablespoons white vinegar, 1 cup water, 1 spray bottle

Juice the lemon and pour it into the spray bottle with the vinegar and water. Mix well by shaking the bottle, make sure the cap is on tight. Spray your fruits or vegetables and let them sit for a minute. Rinse under cool water while rubbing the skin of the fruit. The added friction ensures the break up of the chemicals. easy homemade cleaners

 

Simple All Purpose Cleaner
Fill a one quart jar with orange peels. Add white vinegar to cover the orange peels. Let the mixture sit for a week to 10 days. Strain the liquid into a spray bottle. Use on counter tops, tables or anything that needs to be cleaned. Cats are not fond of the essential oils found in oranges so spraying counters will keep your feline friends off your work area. easy homemade cleaners

 

Laundry Soap easy homemade cleaners
1 box of Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda
1 box of 20 Mule Team Borax
10 Pack of 4.5 oz bars of Dr. Bonners soap bars

All of these items are found in the laundry isle at your local grocery store. Finely grate the soap bars. In a large container add all 3 ingredients and mix thoroughly. 1 tablespoon = 1 large load of laundry. This makes laundry less expensive to do and will last you months. easy homemade cleaners

Healthy Cake Batter Ice Cream

/0 Comments/in , /by

1960134_805834959444716_238659155_n

 

We all like a sweet treat on occasion.  This healthy alternative to ice cream uses bananas to create a creamy delicious treat.  There are many health benefits to eating bananas.  They help with constipation and ulcers if eaten ripened.  Bananas eaten before completely ripened will halt diarrhea, colitis, and hemorrhoids. Bananas detoxify the body, and are useful in helping to overcome drug addictions (especially alcoholism).  Rich in potassium and easy to digest, bananas are great for helping with hypertension and high blood pressure.  Feel good eating this sweet treat and sharing with the family.

Easy Chia Seed Jam

/0 Comments/in , , /by

1069294_690684357613832_1908988224_n

 

What we love about this jam is that you get all the good stuff without any additives or fillers. Plus, we LOVE chia seeds. Chia seeds are a great source of: Omega 3 fatty-acids, minerals, antioxidants, fiber, they help us stay hydrated, are gluten-free and can even be used as an egg substitute. These tiny seeds help us feel full, which could aid in healthy weight management. As a gelatinous food, chia seeds help clean out our digestive tract. They are know as a sustainable form of energy for our bodies. If you are looking for a boost, look no further.

EFT Tapping for Better Health

/0 Comments/in , /by

With so many alternative healing methods out there, how do we know which ones really work? The truth is that the power of living well is dependent on many modalities working together for our greatest good. Our bodies are designed to heal and regenerate. Our physical, chemical and emotional well being work together daily to create stability in our lives.

Physical health comes from strengthening our bodies, getting proper rest and avoiding harm. The first component to our chemical health is optimized by avoiding junk foods, pollution, and drugs. The second is supporting our body with good whole food nutrition and constant detoxification. Our emotional well being often hinges on our stress levels which affect everything about the way our bodies work.

Emotional stress varies daily. Be aware that emotional stress plays a huge role in a variety of health issues including, pain, a lowered immune system, blood pressure, heart issues and inflammation to name a few.

There is a method to stress relief we will focus on today which is called EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique) or tapping. This method is a form of acupressure that helps reduce stress and neutralize negative emotions. The tapping is done with the fingertips and is used to put energy into specific meridians on the body. When I do tapping I also reinforce the exercise with positive affirmations.

Tapping is easy to learn. It works to clear the mind and emotional centers creating mindfulness around our thoughts and feelings. Some of the points on the body are: the side of the hand, top of the head, top of the eyebrows, side of the eye, below the eye, below the nose, chin, collar bone and underarm.

eft-tapping-chart-2013

This exercise of EFT tapping is one the easiest and most powerful ways to bring balance to our daily level of energy. The best part is you can do it anywhere. There are many books to explain in more detail the benefits of taping. One I would suggest is by Nick Ortner called The Tapping Solution.

Now it is your turn to try tapping. Follow this instructional video.

Face Mapping

/0 Comments/in , /by

Our skin is the largest organ of our body. Is your skin trying to tell you something? So many of the underlying issues of the body first present themselves on our skin. We all know that stress, hormones, sugar intake and hydration can take a huge toll on the health of our skin. Lets take clues from our body to heal the issues that are manifesting. Here are some tips on how to heal your skin from the inside out. If you have questions or need a good skin care product please contact us today.

Check out what your face is telling you courtesy of: uLookHaute8kXms0n1KmQYXkCLECvlCyfz

Zone 1 & 3: Bladder & Digestive System — Improve your diet and drink more water.

Zone 2: Liver — Try cutting back on alcohol, heavy food or dairy. This area can also indicate a food allergy.

Zone 4 & 10: Kidneys — Make sure you’re keeping yourself hydrated with water and cut back on liquids that dehydrate you. This means nix the soda, coffee and/or alcohol.

Zone 5 & 9: Respiratory system — Those who smoke or have allergies tend to have acne here.

Zone 6 & 8: Kidneys — Dark circles are usually a result of dehydration. Drink up!

Zone 7: Heart — Check your blood pressure and make sure you’re not using makeup that irritates your skin.

Zone 12: Stomach — Consider a detox or adding more fiber to your diet to help with digestion.

Zone 11 & 13: Hormones — Stress and hormonal changes can sometimes be alleviated with more water and a few extra servings of dark, leafy greens but if breakouts in this area persistent, make an appointment with your doctor to look into a possible hormonal imbalance. Additionally, breakouts in this area also indicate when you are ovulating (and which side).

Zone 14: Illness — Can be a sign of your body fighting bacteria to avoid illness. Take a breather and drink plenty of fluids.

So the next time you breakout or notice dark under eye circles, look to your map (or shall we say face map).

The Health Benefits of Oil Pulling

/0 Comments/in , /by

Early detection of disease is important.  Our mouth may hold the key to identifying what ails us before we have noticeable bodily symptoms.  Working in the dental field for almost seven years, I saw a lot of dirty mouths; if that was the only issue, I’d be relieved, however, dental professionals can see much more than a bacteria infested mouth. We see larger issues at work in the body.  In simple terms bacteria, grows on the teeth and when that bacteria spreads to the gums they can become infected and inflamed as the body works to fight off the invaders.  If the body is unable to fight off the infection, patients develop periodontists.  Periodontists is a disease that can eat away the gum and bone tissue in the mouth.  There is a correlation between periodontists and other diseases of the body such as diabetes, osteoporosis, acid reflux, cancer, heart issues and more.  Poor oral health can indicate disease through the mouth-body connection.  To learn more about the specifics of how each of these diseases seen in the mouth effect the correlating body system, check out this website.

Now that we understand what is lurking in our mouths, it is important to take care of our oral health and protect our bodies from these awful diseases.  Besides brushing, flossing and eating well, there is one single practice which we feel is important. Its benefits are immeasurable; it is the ancient practice of oil pulling. My grandmother, a naturopath told me about oil pulling over a decade ago however, it was not until this year that I started practicing what she has been preaching to me. The health benefits of oil pulling are immense.

Oil pulling can be done with organic, unrefined, cold pressed sesame seed oil or coconut oil.  I have used both and I will tell you coconut oil is my preferred method even though sesame seed oil is touted as the best oil for this practice.  The sesame seed oil has a very distinct flavor that is let’s say interesting. We are specific in the type of oil used because it makes a big difference in the results we get.  Refined oil is heated to high temperatures and will lack nutritional value due to this process.  We want to use organic oil so as to avoid the pesticides that are used on conventional crops and cold-pressing preserves the life force of the oil.  Use the best quality oil you can get your hands on.

The health benefits of oil pulling are best seen when done routinely. It is suggested that it is done first thing in the morning before we have had anything to eat or drink.  Here’s what you need to do:

  1. Put one tablespoon of oil in your mouth, I like liquid coconut oil, so if your coconut oil has set in the container, give it a minute to melt in your mouth before you begin swishing.
  2. We want to swish the oil in our mouth for a full 20 minutes. 20 minutes is a magical number as it is long enough to break down the bacteria and plaque in the mouth and not long enough for the body to reabsorb these toxins.
  3. After 20 minutes spit the oil out in the trash can; it should be a milky white color.
  4. Rinse your mouth with water and then brush your teeth well.

The Health Benefits Of Oil Pulling

The health benefits of oil pulling go beyond drawing bacteria out of the mouth and throat while brightening your smile. We know that coconut oil has many health benefits. Here are the health benefits of oil pulling according to the Global Healing Center .

• Overall strengthening of the teeth and gums and jaws
• Prevention of diseases of the gums, mouth, such as cavities and gingivitis
• Prevention of for bad breath
• Potential holistic remedy for bleeding gums
• Prevention of dryness of the lips, mouth and throat
• Possible holistic treatment for TMJ and general soreness in the jaw area
• Migraine headache relief
• Supporting hormone imbalances
• Reducing redness and swelling in bones and joints
• May help with gastroenteritis
• Aids in the reduction of eczema
• Helps support normal kidney function
• May help reduce congestion
• Some people report improved vision
• Helps promote normal sleep patterns
• Reduced hangover after alcohol consumption
• Aids in reducing discomfort
• Helps detoxify the body

With so many benefits and no side effects, it is logical to try oil pulling for yourself and reap the health benefits of oil pulling.  If you found this blog helpful, share it with your friends so we can all lead happy, healthier lives.

DYI Bath Salts

/0 Comments/in /by

There is nothing quite like a warm bath to melt away the stress of the day. By adding Epsom salt to our bath water we can reap many health benefits. Epsom salt eases muscle pain, stimulates relaxation and well-being in the brain, improves oxygen use and absorption while improving concentration. It helps maintain proper calcium levels in the blood as magnesium and calcium go hand in hand. It is great for ridding the body of dead skin cells, keeping the skin soft. Epsom salt reduces pain, inflammation and eases migraines. It detoxifies the body of pollutants. This is just a few of the benefits of Epsom salt as the list can go on and on. Now lets melt away the stress and take an Epsom salt bath.

DIY Christmas Projects

/0 Comments/in /by

Whether you are looking to make homemade Christmas gifts this year or simply need a project to keep the kids busy over Christmas break there is an idea for everyone here.

Click on the image to follow a the link to the DIY tutorial.

3850044221_28061c3fed_o

Garden-Therapy-Handmade-Soap-made-by-www.gardentherapy.ca-as-seen-on-Etsy     il_340x270.396771349_6toc

 

 

 

 

Mason Jar Goodies                                   Soap                                       Studded iPhone Case

instagram-coasters-diy imagesdiy_gold-leaf-paper-mache-bowls

 

 

 

 

Instagram Coasters                  Scrabble Coasters                   Decorative Bowls

image-vodka-infusion

4-Slouchy-645x428bookend1-2

 

 

 

 

 

Infused Vodka                              Artsy Clutch                            Book Ends

container-rubs_300

imagesft_kidsfall03_xl

 

 

 

 

 

BBQ Scrub                                  Relaxing Bath Salts             Crazy Crayons

finished-framedsc_00264IMG_0278

 

 

 

 

 

Jewelry Holder                         Wrap Bracelets                      Dry Erase Calendar

97905171d17cdda0b8b748c97eea80c944fc2l_101789132_w

 

 

 

 

 

Lip Balm                                     Stationary Sets                       Aluminum Lanterns

Peanut Butter Granola Balls

/0 Comments/in /by

Peanut Butter Granola Balls

L1060745What you’ll need:
2 cups rolled oats
1/2 cup unsweetened coconut
1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
1/2 cup honey
1/4 cup packed brown sugar or coconut sugar
1/2 cup trail mix

 

 

 

What ya do:
Preheat the oven to 350°. On a baking sheet, toast oats and coconut for 10 minutes. Combine peanut butter, sugar and honey in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir continuously. Pour toasted oats and coconut along with the trail mix into a mixing bowl. Add the peanut butter mixture to your bowl of oats and stir. Let the mixture cool for 5 minutes. With dampened hands shape into 1″ balls. This recipe makes about 20 granola balls. Store in an air tight container.

L1060749L1060750L1060753

 

DIY Lip Balm

/0 Comments/in /by

What You’ll Need:

2 oz. + 1 heaping Tablespoon Organic Extra Virgin Coconut Oil
1.5 tsp vitamin E Essential Oil
2 oz Cosmetic Grade Beeswax
Plastic Lip Balm Containers or small craft jars
Optional: Essential oil for fragrance
Optional: A slice of your favorite colored lip stick if you’d like to add a slight tint to the balm.

Other Items:
Double broiler or sauce pan & metal mason jar lid ring
Wood stick for stirring

311133_540925589268989_273339176_n

What You’ll Do:

Step 1: The first step is to place your coconut oil, beeswax, and vitamin E oil into a glass measuring cup. The vitamin E will act as a moisturizer and preservative, the coconut oil is our moisturizer, and the beeswax will hold everything together.

Step 2: If you do not have a double boiler get a pan and fill it about half way with water and bring it to a boil. Put a metal mason jar lid inside the pan to create a homemade double boiler. (You do not want to place the glass measuring cup right in your pan as it may crack from the heat. Place the glass on the mason jar lid instead).

Step 3: Once the water in the double boiler is at a slight boil, place your glass measuring cup into the water to melt the oils. After all of the oils are melted together, you should have a nice golden liquid.

Step 4: If you want to a scent or flavor to your lip balm add it now.

Step 5: Carefully pour mixture into your containers and allow to cool fully. Once the lip balm is set you can share them with your friends.