Tuesday, December 6, 2011

Stress: How Heavy is Your Glass of Water?

Stress is a matter of opinion - is it a positive or a negative for you??  How do you benefit from it?  How can you change the negative effects??  This message I received from my mom puts it all in perspective!  As we draw near the holidays many people are over stressed - find the blessing in the message below...

A young lady confidently walked around the room while leading and explaining stress management to an audience; with a raised glass of water, and everyone knew she was going to ask the ultimate question, 'half empty or half full?'..... She fooled them all... "How heavy is this glass of water?” she inquired with a smile.

Answers called out ranged from 8 oz. to 20 oz.

She replied, "The absolute weight doesn't matter. It depends on how long I hold it. If I hold it for a minute, that's not a problem. If I hold it for an hour, I'll have an ache in my right arm. If I hold it for a day, you'll have to call an ambulance. In each case it's the same weight, but the longer I hold it, the heavier it becomes."  She continued, "And that's the way it is with stress. If we carry our burdens all the time, sooner or later, as the burden becomes increasingly heavy, we won't be able to carry on."

As with the glass of water, you have to put it down for a while and rest before holding it again. When we're refreshed, we can carry on with the burden - holding stress longer and better each time practiced. So, as early in the evening as you can, put all your burdens down. Don't carry them through the evening and into the night... pick them up tomorrow.

Whatever burdens you're carrying now, let them down for a moment. Relax; pick them up later after you've rested. Life is short. Enjoy it and the now 'supposed' stress that you've conquered!"
 
1.      Accept the fact that some days you're the pigeon, and some days you're the statue!
2.      Always keep your words soft and sweet, just in case you have to eat them.
3.      Drive carefully... It's not only cars that can be recalled by their Maker.
4.      If you can't be kind, at least have the decency to be quiet.
5.      If you lend someone $20 and never see that person again, it was probably worth it.
6.      Never put both feet in your mouth at the same time, because then you won't have a leg to stand on.
7.      Nobody cares if you can't dance well. Just get up and dance.
8.      Birthdays are good for you. The more you have, the longer you live.
9.      You may be only one person in the world, but you may also be the world to one person.
10.  A truly happy person is one who can enjoy the scenery on a detour.
11.  Share a smile with everyone you meet, you never know whose life you may be saving!
12.  Pay it forward; you never know when you may need the kindness of a stranger.
13.  Have an awesome day and know that someone has thought about you today.

Blessings to you all this holiday season!  E

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Eating Your Way Healthy - Wonderful Ebook!

A new friend posted a link to an ebook on nutrition, health, food, cravings, etc.. and I only found the time this weekend to sit down and actually read it.  WOW!  So much of what I have passed along is in there with additional facts to back it up.  Please take time to read this ebook - it may just change your life. 

By reading this life-changing book, you will give yourself the tools to improve your own health and increase your happiness. You will learn:
  • why you crave certain foods (and what those cravings mean)
  • how you can enjoy food without guilt (really!)
  • the pros and cons of dozens of diets, cleanses, and eating plans
  • why adding more variety to your plate can improve your well-being
  • the connection between food, relationships, spirituality and career

At the Institute for Integrative Nutrition, we’re on a mission to improve the health and happiness of the world. For more than 20 years, we have achieved this mission through education and action. Today, we are broadening our reach to help people around the world by giving away copies of Integrative

Nutrition.
You can join the wellness revolution by spreading the word.
Getting healthier is even easier when you have the support of your friends and family. Share a free copy of Integrative Nutrition with your friends, loved ones, co-workers, and anyone you know who wants to live a healthy, happy life!

I hope you get the "wow" out of the book as I have.  There are good recipes and lots of good information on how and why to eat certain foods.  As always - think for yourself... search for the answers you are desiring to find.  Blessings... E

Monday, November 21, 2011

Creating Meals to Heal?

Let's take a journey together down a side path that not many Americans travel.  I lived in Asia for many years and find their cultures fascinating and so much more advanced (or should I say steeped in history) when it comes to food than ours. 

MOST Americans eat for pleasure.  There is no other way to put it.  We don't eat for nutrients, we don't eat for health, we don't eat for healing.  If we have a craving - we fulfill it.  Managing how we eat, and what we eat is quite important for that second pillar of health - diet. 

I guess part of the reason I love Asian food so much is that they don't use a lot of fillers, sugars, or straight salt in their foods.  No substitutions.  Lots of herbs, fish, and fresh vegetables.  They eat very little in the way of "bread" and instead eat quite a bit of rice - rice is their base in almost every meal.  Their deserts are based around fruits and enhancing their flavors. 

Asians shop daily for the freshest foods - both meat, freshly slaughtered; and fruits and vegetables, pulled in fresh from the fields.  They have small refrigerators, because they have no need to store things for long periods of time.  Everything is eaten fresh.

We have known for a LONG time that Asians live longer than Americans.  They have far less heart disease, obesity, strokes, cancer, ADD / ADHD, and high cholesterol.  Part of it can be contributed to the fact that most Asians live a much less hectic lifestyle than Americans, but that is only a small contribution.  Their diet plays a much larger part.

Vegetables should be the core to all our meals.  If you are like my nieces that only eat "certain color" vegetables - and none of them are green, you are weakening your system.  It is important to remember that we have one body - and however we feed it will be returned to us when we get into our 60s - 70s - 80s - and hopefully beyond.  If you feed your body processed foods, processed sugar, processed pre-prepared foods - you are not giving your body anything to help it heal itself - grow new cells - help your existing cells live longer... we all would love to look 10 years younger - but if you feed your body trash - it has no way of rejuvenating itself to create a longer life for your body.  Not only do these vegetables help your physical body - they help your mental well being too.  They make you happier, calmer, energized, relaxed... all the things you need to live a long healthy, happy life!

Try your vegetables in different preparations.  Try them raw - all of them.  Even the ones you aren't used to eating raw - you may like them better this way.  There are certain vegetables I won't eat cooked, but I will raw.  Try both baby vegetables and fully grown to see if you like the sweetness of the young vegetables better than their robust flavor when fully grown.  Try them stir-fried or sauteed - again all of them.  I love stir frying my vegetables.  I prepare in the morning - julienning my carrots, chopping my vegetables, and setting them aside in three separate bowls - foods that take 2 - 3 minutes (cauliflower / broccoli / carrots / asparagus), foods that take 1 - 2 minutes to cook (mushrooms, pea pods, red cabbage), and then foods that just need to get a kiss of heat (bok choy, Chinese cabbage, spinach, bean sprouts).  Add some fresh cilantro, basil, garlic, onion, or any other herbs that you might like to try.  Experiment!  You will know that you have cooked them long enough as soon as they change color.

Try vegetables that you didn't like as a child.  Our taste buds change constantly.  And as you remove the processed foods, artificial colors and flavors, you may find that certain foods you didn't like five years ago, you now crave!  Asparagus and Avocados are two of them for me.  I can't get enough of them now - but I use them very differently than I did many years ago too. 

Herbs are just as important for your diet.  The more herbs you use the less salt and flavorings you will need.  I am quite heavy handed when it comes to herbs in my foods.  I also like lots of heat - cayenne is a standard in almost all my meals. 

Dr Hyman also has some good reasons to try the Asian diet style.  In this article he provides detailed benefits of certain Asian vegetables, herbs, roots.  http://drhyman.com/eat-your-medicine-food-as-pharmacology-7716/?utm_source=Publicaster&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=drhyman%20newsletter%20issue%20#37&utm_content=Get+the+story

Blessings... E

Sunday, November 20, 2011

Diabetes Type 2 - Can It Be Reversed?

Diabetes is a growing problem in this country.  With all the sugary treats and drinks available to our youth that disease has spread like wildfire into our young.  Diabetes was a rare thing in my generation - but to see how it has spread with the addition of so much sugar into our culture concerns me greatly. 

This has concerned doctors for quite some time and there are several studies going on that may influence the way this disease is managed.

Let's start with sugar - we have had several conversations now about sugar.  Do NOT listen to the marketing hype on TV that states that all sugars are the same - THEY ARE NOT.  Every sugar is broken down differently and could even overload different organs.  As I have stated before, refined white sugar is the worst.  Stick with darker sugars if you must go with refined, if not raw sugars, and honey are far better.  The best is honey as it has already been broken down by bees - it is by far the gentlest on your system.

Additional Reading: http://finallyhealing.com/sugars-affect

What organs can be affected by sugar?  Obviously, the pancreas, but also the liver, heart, and the kidneys.  Sugar (that includes fake sugar) is one of the biggest causes of excess weight, heart disease, kidney disease, liver disease, and pancreatic failure.  Sugar is an additiction that must be faught daily to be controlled. 

Additional Reading: http://www.sooperarticles.com/health-fitness-articles/sugar-disease-articles/organs-affected-diabetes-646683.html

Obviously, the pancreas is one of the most important organs, initially in this discussion because it is Pancreatic failure / overload that is the trigger for diabetes.  How do we help strengthen and heal our Pancreas once the damage of sugar has been done?  REDUCE your sugar intake.  I know it sounds silly for me to say this - but it is step one and it might take a while for you to get there.  Toss out all the sugar and sugary foods in your pantry and fridge.  I will tell you, this takes time - reducing slowly is typically much easier than going cold turkey.  Step two, is to get rid of most (not all) of your starchy foods (bread / pasta) as these quickly break down into sugar in your body.  And don't forget your alcohol - not saying you need to quit that all together as some wines are quite healthy for your heart when taken in moderation. But alcohol also turns almost immediately into sugar in the body.  Next, you need to start eating more fish (Omega 3), nuts, beans, raw vegetables, and fruit.  Yes, I did say fruit.  As your body adjusts to the lower levels of sugar in your system, your taste buds change too - things that weren't sweet at all - now taste sweet.  For example, when I started removing sugars from my diet I LOVED chocolate (even though I am lactose intollerant) but couldn't stand dark chocolate - it was too bitter.  Now, I can't eat milk chocolate it is WAY too sweet and dark chocolate is PLENTY sweet enough for me.  Another recommendation is to do a detox.  Get rid of tobacco as it also leads to pancreatic overload.  Finally, you will need a good active exercise regimen.  Start slow if you aren't currently working out regularly - you have to walk before you can run! 

LiveStrong has a good list of foods that help promote a healthy pancreas: http://www.livestrong.com/article/36490-foods-heal-pancreas/

Dr Hyman has a great article on how to begin the reversing of diabetes and that if done properly it can be reversed in two weeks.  This means a radical change in your diet.  Now, I will remind you to take every bit of information I provide with a grain of salt - and THINK.  If it doesn't sound right - do your own research and come to your own conclusions. 

Dr Hyman's article: http://drhyman.com/new-research-finds-diabetes-can-be-reversed-6187/?utm_source=Publicaster&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=drhyman%20newsletter%20issue%20#27&utm_content=Get+the+story
Here is the site that is doing the diabetes trials / studies.  It provides some good info.  Just remember is is based on allopathy and naturopathy not just naturopathy: http://www.diabetologia-journal.org/

Blessings... E

Saturday, November 19, 2011

Making My Own Soap - Soap Making Day!

Good Morning!
This morning we spent a couple hours making our own soap.  The house is filled with many different scents - some new favorites, some old ones. 

The melt and pour type of soap making is quite simple.  You melt your base (I chose goat milk) over low heat (my electric range - 2) and it took up to ten minutes to melt the bar.  I created three different types of bars - base with coconut lime oil // base with bronze mica powder and cinnamon oil // base with manoa oil (plumeria or frangipangi scent) butter and a mixture of green melt natural color and turquoise mica powder mix. 

Coconut Lime Goat Milk Soap
1/3 of the 2lb goat milk base, melted
.25 ounce of coconut lime organic scent

Over low heat in a medium sauce pan, melt the base.  Once completely melted, remove from heat.  Cool about five minutes and add fragrance.  With a spoon, scoop the mixture into the molds.  Let cool completely.

Cinnamon Stick Goat Milk Soap
1/4 of the 2lb goat milk base, melted
1/3 of one of the 1/4 blocks of goat milk base, melted
.30 ounce of cinnamon stick organic scent
1/4 tsp bronze mica powder

Over low heat in a medium sauce pan melt 1/4 of the two pound bar.  In a small sauce pan over the same heat melt 1/3 of one of the remaining quarters and the bronze mica powder to make color base.  Once melted, cool for five minutes and then scoop the colored portion by tablespoon to the bottom of the mold and let it cool until it was almost firm - about five minutes.  Spray with rubbing alcohol (helps both pieces stick together). When the soap in the medium sauce pan has melted completely, take it off the heat and add fragrance.  Scoop by tablespoon over bronze colored base.  Cool completely.

Manoa Butter Goat Milk Soap
1/4 of the 2lb goat milk base, melted
1/3 of one of the 1/4 blocks of goat milk base, melted
1 Tbsp manoa butter
1/4 tsp green mica powder
1/4 of one of the small bars of green color bar

Over low heat in a medium sauce pan melt 1/4 of the two pound bar and most of the manoa butter. In a small sauce pan over the same heat melt 1/3 of one of the remaining quarters, the manoa butter, and the green colors to make color base. Once melted, cool for five minutes and then scoop the colored portion by tablespoon to the bottom of the mold and let it cool until it was almost firm - about five minutes. Spray with rubbing alcohol (helps both pieces stick together). When the soap in the medium sauce pan has melted completely, take it off the heat and cool for about five minutes. Scoop by tablespoon over green colored base. I had some of the green mixture left over and tried adding swirls of green in base once I had cooled the base a little in the molds... didn't do so well... but I do have flecks of green embedded in my base.  Cool completely.

Notes:
* I found that very low heat on the stove worked best.  I could stir the base and not get bubbles.  It didn't take long to cool though.
* Using a tablespoon to scoop into the molds worked best.
* I liked the mica base best and it worked best either being added to the butter first and then melted, or added the powder in right as the soap base has started to melt.  If you wait until it is mostly melted it doesn't mix well.

The melt and pour variety is very easy to make on your own... and not much of a challenge other than if you want to build lots of layers and colors.  Cold preparation will be my next foray.  I also want to try adding some seeds and / oatmeal to a couple bars and see how that works. 

Blessings... E

A couple things to note:
* I found that the individual molds worked better for me.  I was able to stack them (they have lids), they take up less space, and they unmold easier.
* I used my manoa butter goat milk bar this morning... mmmm... smells heavenly of Hawaii.  The manoa butter has a frangipangi / plumeria smell to it.  There was very little lather, but that is fine with me.  And afterwards my skin felt very soft and supple!  Yumm.

Friday, November 18, 2011

Is your water safe?

Good Morning!  I apologize for being late... yesterday and today were both absolutely crazy days... the soap making stuff has arrived... so we will be playing with that tomorrow.. can't wait!!!
My cousin sent me a link through Facebook about Aspartame (we will talk again about that soon) which lead me to a site called Health Freedom Alliance.  There are some very VERY good articles here one which really made me think about the water we drink.  This, of course, set me on a path of discovery.  We just moved from a rural area to a metropolitan area and I knew that our little Britta filter probably wouldn't handle the work needed in the city. 

Here is the link from the site: http://healthfreedoms.org/2010/10/29/fluoridated-water-the-ultimate-evil/
What is the difference between rural water sources and city water sources?  Too much to go into detail about here.  Basically, take a few people in a rural environment polluting the water source with herbicides, pesticides, and landfills... to a metropolitan environment that now multiplies those AND requires fluoride, chlorine, and other chemicals be added to the drinking water not to mention the run off of pharmaceuticals and big business.  Problem compounded. 

Everyone should have their water tested.  I believe you can get it done through Home Depot in the US.  Some of the Extension offices will also test your water.  You can be guaranteed if you live in a metropolitan city anywhere, there are contaminants you would rather not know about in your water.  The plastic in bottled water also causes problems and is just as dangerous as tap water. 

What to choose?  Do some good research... whole house needed?  over the counter?  under the counter?? Single / dual / triple filter?   this is the site that we got our new system from... they have some good articles.  http://www.filterwater.com/asp/cs/water-purification-technologies.asp

Take a serious look at your water source... along with the toxins that are being included in your water.  You should be very concerned about heavy metals, fluoride, chlorine, pesticides, herbicides, and pharmaceutical products.

Blessings... E

Thursday, November 17, 2011

Chai Tea

I love tea.  I have learned though over the years, and with lots of trial and error, that I don't like all teas.  I am primarily a green or a white tea drinker, that loves spice and fruity flavors.  I stay away from the Lipton teas (no offense - just don't really like the black tea flavor) and any of the black tea - if I am drinking it straight.  If you are one that says, "Ugh. Tea!" take another look - try a different type... experiment.  Tea has so many benefits that you are crazy not to give it another try.  In March I wrote a post about the benefits of teas.. start there with your experimentation..
I have a beautiful friend that has a tea site online (www.konitea.com.)  She has a blog she writes with recipes, ideas, how to use tea in your cooking, etc.. She has a beautiful outlook on life and some great ideas for you to try!  My favorite tea is Chai.  I love cinnamon, cloves, and all the warm spices... I have a hard time finding the proper blend for me - Phuong has several options and I am going to add several more below for you to try.

Phuong's options for loose leaf chai teas:  https://www.konitea.com/advanced_search_result.php?search_in_description=1&keywords=chai&osCsid=65ijo0n9irhcd9rpso227j7t74&Submit=Search
Phuong's blended chai latte recipe: http://www.theteachick.com/2010/12/30/Masala-Chai-Latte
Phuong's aphrodisiac chai cake recipe: http://www.theteachick.com/2011/07/23/Koni-Aphrodisiac-Chai-Cake

Chai tea is a combination of either green or black tea leaves and a variety of warming spices - cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, cloves, licorice, cardamom, etc... The health benefits are quite numerous when you think of all the spices that you add to your Chai concoction. 

Gentle Green Chai
This is a yummy variation of kahwah, a Kashmiri green tea that serves two.
• 1½ cups cold water
• 2 heaping teaspoons green tea
• Seed of 1 cardamom pod
• 2 whole cloves
• 2 strands saffron (optional)
• 6 blanched almonds, chopped
• ½ cup milk
• 1 tablespoon honey
1. Combine water, tea, spices and almonds in small saucepan. Cook over low heat until hot (do not boil). Partially cover; steep over low heat 10 minutes. Remove from heat; stir in milk and honey.
2. Pour through fine wire-mesh strainer into warm teapot, discarding solids. Serve.

Read more: http://www.herbcompanion.com/cooking/make-chai-gentle-green-chai.aspx#ixzz1dnMUVRd6

Basic Black Chai
If you prefer, omit the milk and sugar and offer them separately.  Or try soy / almond / rice milk as an alternative.  Serves two.
• 1½ cups cold water
• One 2-inch piece cinnamon stick, broken
• 2 heaping teaspoons black tea
• Seed of 3 cardamom pods
• One ¼-inch-thick slice fresh ginger
• 3 whole cloves
• 2 black peppercorns
• ¼ to ½ cup milk
• 1 to 2 tablespoons sugar (or honey)
1. Bring water to a boil in small saucepan. Add cinnamon, cover, remove from heat; steep 2 minutes. Return pan to heat; bring to a boil. Add tea, spices, milk and sugar; cover, and remove from heat. Steep 3 minutes.
2. Pour mixture through fine wire-mesh strainer into warm teapot, discarding solids. Garnish with cinnamon sticks.

Read more: http://www.herbcompanion.com/cooking/make-chai-basic-black-chai.aspx#ixzz1dnMvYlBr

Tulsi Chai
In India, Tulsi Chai, made from holy basil (Ocimum sanctum), is used to treat colds and reduce stress.  Sweet Basil can replace the Holy Basil if none is available.  Serves two.
• ½ cup holy basil leaves
• 2 cups cold water
• 2 heaping teaspoons green tea
• Seed of 1 cardamom pod
• One 1⁄4-inch-thick slice fresh ginger
• One 2-inch cinnamon stick, broken
• 2 whole cloves
• Pinch of nutmeg
• 1 tablespoon honey
• Milk, to taste
1. In small saucepan, boil basil and water. Reduce heat, cover and simmer 3 minutes. Stir in tea, spices and honey: bring almost to a boil. Remove from heat, cover and steep 3 minutes.
2. Pour mixture through fine wire-mesh strainer into warm teapot, discarding solids. Serve with milk. Garnish with skewered crystallized ginger cubes, fresh basil leaves and grated nutmeg.

Read more: http://www.herbcompanion.com/cooking/make-chai-tulsi-chai.aspx#ixzz1dnT0Gp5U

Hot Chai Latte
By: RILEYCARLSON
"A delicious, warm, old-fashioned style Chai Tea. With yummy spices, and authentic flavors, it's bound to be a hit with the whole family!"

Ingredients
* 1 cup milk
* 1 cup water
* 1 large strip of orange peel
* 3 whole cloves
* 1 (3 inch) cinnamon stick
* 3 whole black peppercorns
* 1 pinch ground nutmeg
* 4 teaspoons white sugar
* 2 teaspoons black tea leaves

Directions
Combine the milk and water in a saucepan over medium-high heat. Once this mixture has warmed, place the orange peel, cloves, cinnamon stick, peppercorns, nutmeg, sugar and tea leaves into the pan. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer until the color deepens to your liking. Strain out spices, and pour into cups.

Nutritional Information Per Serving Calories: 111 | Total Fat: 2.8g | Cholesterol: 10mgPowered by ESHA Nutrient Database
Health Benefits: Antioxidants abound in Chai tea.  Warming spices are always beneficial to migraines, muscle aches, digestive tract, respiratory system, and your heart.  Why would you not give this flavorful, aromatic tea a try?  Blessings... E

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

Wintering Herbs

I was kind of puzzled when I first read the title of an article I read about wintering herbs.  The first thing that went through my head was - why would I only winter my herbs?  Meaning, why would I only bring in my herbs during the winter?  We should all have a container in one or more windows of our homes / condos / apartments / etc... that holds fresh herbs. 

While outside in the fresh air is always preferred - having them inside provides several benefits - most all of your herbs are very fragrant and we just learned how beneficial smells are to our well being.  In addition, all plants provide a "cleansing" to our air.  Our homes tend to be a more harmful environment than a smoggy city street, if we are not opening our windows regularly to sweep out the bad air and bring in the good air.  Our homes are filled with chemicals - from cleaning products, from carpet and furniture, from paint, from sickness, etc...

In February I posted to the blog about the health benefits of Herbs - take a look and decide which herbs you want to bring inside.  Standing planter boxes will cost you about $75.00 US, unless you are or have a carpenter available to create one for you.  Some of these you can put in separate pots, some are a single trough that you integrate all your plants together.  Make sure you use some good organic soil for your herbs a pH reading between 6.5 and 7.0 works best. 

In preparing your planter for use indoors, you will need a rubber coated box to control your water flow (and ensure that it doesn't leak all over your floor), and it is very important that you have good drainage - put lots of pebbles / rocks in the bottom of your pot before adding your soil so that the herbs do not sit in heavily watered soil. 

Once your box is prepared, you will need to decide if you can house all your herbs together, or if you will need to have smaller separate pots.  Some herbs like full sunlight, some like partial sun, some like lots of water, some don't... like everything else. :) 

If you are bringing in herbs from outdoors, this next option is a moot point.  Will you be starting plants from seeds, layers, cuts, or seedlings?  All good choices.  If you are starting from seeds, remember you will not have fresh herbs for some time.  But as you grow your herbs, you will be able to start cuts and layers so that you are perpetually growing your beds. 

Additional Reading - this has herb descriptions along with good info on planting: http://www.savvygardener.com/Features/herbs.html
More Reading - this has lots of good help for indoor plantings: http://www.organicgardening.com/learn-and-grow/edibles/herbs
More Reading - indoor herb gardens: http://www.natural-health-and-healing.com/indoor-herb-gardening.html
More Reading - wintering your herbs: http://www.herbcompanion.com/Gardening/Wintering-Herbs-Indoors-06.aspx?newsletter=1&utm_content=11.1.11+HBC+eNews&utm_campaign=HBC_ENEWS&utm_source=iPost&utm_medium=email

I love the smell of herbs... time to get them inside (northern hemisphere) and enjoy the scents of your favorite herbs!  Blessings... E

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

Making My Own Soap - Tips & Tricks

Here are some tips and tricks for your soap making adventure.

When I went to purchase my base, I had several options on amount - for every 2lbs of base you will get approximately 8 bars of soap. Obviously that depends on the size and thickness of your bars - but is a good rule of thumb.

For your essential oils, the rule is approximately .5 oz per one pound of base. For fragrance oils (not recommended as they have colors and other chemicals that may irritate skin) .5 - 1 oz per pound of base.

Never add your fragrance / essential oil while the soap is still over heat.  Allow it to cool slightly to ensure you don't burn your fragrance off the soap.

One of the issues with adding spices, flowers, seeds, grains to your soap mixture is that they will float to the surface and it is difficult to keep them suspended properly. There are a couple options you have - there are certain mixes that are created for suspension - choose the proper one. Secondly, you can add your items only after the soap begins to thicken.

Avoid high temperatures - be patient.  You may notice your soap sweating, which means you have used too high a temperature and the glycerin is sweating out of the soap.

To avoid air bubbles, stir slowly if at all.  Spray top of soap with alcohol.

Preparation. preparation. preparation.  Make sure you have everything ready when you begin melting your base.  Once the base is fully melted you will have about 8 minutes of work time for the glycerin base, and only four to five minutes with goats milk base. 

When adding color - use 1/8 - 1/4 tsp per pound of base for the mica coloring, and one drop at a time for the liquid.  Make sure that you do NOT use regular food color in your soap - they have chemicals in them, artificial colorings, and they will come off on your body and towels - stains!

If you want to add butters / oils to your soap for that luxurious feeling and added healing power the rule of thumb is 1 - 2 tsp of carrier oil to pound of base and 1 tsp of any additional liquids (coffee, tea, cream, etc).

If you want to add cubes of colored soap in your bar, lay them in the mold and spray them lightly with rubbing alcohol.  Ensure that your soap base has cooled sufficiently or your cubes will no longer be square!

If your soap is sticking to the mold even after you have sprayed it with alcohol, pop it into the freezer for a couple minutes.  It should come right out. 

Monday, November 14, 2011

Making My Own Soap - Recipes

I think we are ready to figure out our recipes... not that the melt and pour method (our first try) requires a lot of parameters to work through.  I wanted to provide you with lots of ideas - so will be including recipes that are very different in nature. 

El Don Soap Bar El Don Soap Bar (Intermediate skill level)

Ingredients: Commercial crafting melt and pour soap base, cosmetic grade colorants, soap fragrance (Leather, Masculine Musk, Juicy Lime, Green Tea (Soap Crafters), Sandalwood, Frankincense, Myrhh).

Canola Harvest cooking spray used for mold release. 70% rubbing alchohol sprayed on for soap layer adhesion and bubble reduction.

This batch was made mostly from leftovers that already had some fragrance in it. I added some extra Frankincense and Sandalwood during Step 3. All of the color mixes I used in this soap were opaque.
  1. Mix up a batch of light brown soap, about the color of hot chocolate. Pour into a container and let it harden.
  2. Cut curls from the light brown with a melon baller or your curl-cutting tool of choice. Fill a suitable container or loaf mold with the curls, spraying periodically with rubbing alcohol or Bubble Buster. I used a large yogurt container for this project.
  3. Mix one batch of pearly white soap and one batch of pearly green soap in separate glass measuring cups. You'll be pouring these two colors simultaneously, so try to melt them at the same time and get them to the same state of liquidity at the same time. It doesn't have to be exact, just close. Add fragrance now.
  4. Let the two melted batches start to form a skin on top.
  5. Remove the skin, then pour both batches at the same time, one on each side of the mold. Don't move the cups much while you pour if you want a two-tone effect like my sample.
  6. Gently tap the sides to dislodge any bubbles and allow them to float to the top. Use the alcohol or Bubble Buster to break bubbles on the surface.
  7. Let the mold sit undisturbed until the soap is hard. Such a large chunk of soap might take several hours to harden completely. To be safe wait until it has cooled off completely and then wait some more. It will be worth the wait!
  8. Pop the loaf out of the mold, slice, and enjoy!
I liked this recipe for all of the swirls in the soap.  This one was pulled from http://www.chasenfratz.com/soaprecipes/#eldon.  They have some good ones here - so check them out for some other interesting ideas.

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Cocoa Vanilla Layered Soap Recipe (Intermediate skill level)

Submitted By:
Aaron of Mulberry, FL

Summary:
A pretty layered soap

Ingredients:
2 oz clear melt & pour base
2 oz white melt & pour
10 drops chocolate fragrance
10 drops vanilla fragrance
Cocoa powder or brown colorant

Instructions:
Melt the clear soap in double boiler and add the cocoa powder to get a nice deep brown color and a natural cocoa scent. Alternatively, you could also let the clear MP cool slightly and form a light skin, then sprinkle it liberally with the cocoa powder and swirl loosely with a toothpick before pouring. This will cause a swirl effect of chocolate instead of a clear brown. Let it cool briefly. Add 10 drops chocolate fragrance oil if you wish. *You may wish to make this bar extra special by adding a little cocoa butter to the brown batch*. Pour into a mold, filling halfway up. Let the clear sit for about twenty minutes until it is slightly tacky at the top.
In another pan melt the white soap. To this you may add a little shea butter or coconut oil. Allow the melted base to slightly cool and then add vanilla fragrance oil. After letting it cool a few more minutes, pour over the cocoa colored soap.
Let the soap sit for a few hours to firm. Overnight would be best. Pop out and voila! Layered Chocolate-Vanilla Soap! Some other ideas are: Chocolate-Peppermint Honey-Almond Lemon-Orange Mango-Shea Use your imagination!

Many people like layering either scents and / or textures.  This one allows for mixed scents and a pretty change of color.  Consider some of your favorite combinations - Cinnamon / Cloves, Apples / Cinnamon, Orange / Cream, Blueberries / Cream, etc... This one came from http://www.fromnaturewithlove.com/recipe/recipe.asp?recipe_id=328 and they have some great ideas. 

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Oatmeal Soap (Beginner skill level)

(1) Melt 8 oz. of white/opaque base
(2) Melt 8 oz. of clear base
(3) Optional: Grind up 1/2 oz. of Oatmeal in coffee grinder for a smoother,
lighter exfoliation. Also, the smaller the particle, the easier to suspend in the soap.
(4) Combine the two bases
(5) Add your fragrance oil - approximately 1/2 oz. (Oatmeal, Milk and Honey is a good one!) and stir in well
(6) Optional: Add colorant
(7) Add the oatmeal and stir. Wait 20 or 30 seconds - is the oatmeal sinking to the bottom of your bowl/Pyrex or is it staying suspended. If it is staying suspended, skip to step 8
(8) If the oatmeal is sinking, this simply means that your base is not thick enough to support the oatmeal. Either cover the bowl/Pyrex with saran wrap and wait for the base to cool, or stir the melted base until it is becomes thick enough to suspend the oatmeal.
(9) Pour your oatmeal soap into molds
(10) Spritz with alcohol to finish the soap and break up any bubbles on the top of the soap
(11) Wait 2 to 3 hours (or even better, overnight!) to pop the soap out of the molds. Wrap with saran wrap and you're done!

I LOVE oatmeal soap.  It is one that I have in my shower always.  It is a wonderful exfoliant and it aids in clearing up acne and softening skin naturally.  I prefer to have LOTS of oatmeal in my soap and for it to be roughly ground.  This recipe came from http://www.teachsoap.com/recipes.html

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Loofah Soap (Beginner skill level)

You will need :
a loofah
melt and pour soap
A spray bottle full of water
fragrance or essential oil (optional)
liquid color (optional)
A shallow dish( like a jelly roll pan). It should be a little larger than the length of your loofah.
Some small disposable plastic plates

Melt a small amount of CLEAR soap and pour it into your shallow dish. Spritz your loofah with water until damp. Take the loofah and roll it in the soap, so that it completely coats it. Set it on some wax paper to dry.

After it has dried and set, cut into slices. Melt some more CLEAR soap and pour a small layer onto each plastic plate. Take the loofah pieces and set one of the cut ends into the layer of soap while it is still soft. (One loofah per plate)This will seal your soap on one end. (I tried just wrapping some plastic wrap around the end instead, but it didn’t work.) Melt some more soap, color and fragrance it and fill the loofah. It works best if you pour it in after the soap is cool enough to form a light skin on the top.

This one looks definitely interesting.  I will have to get some natural loofahs and try it out.  This recipe came from http://www.soapcrafters.com/how_to_make_loufa_soap and there are other options on the page.  Here is another page where they show step by step photos which helps.  http://candleandsoap.about.com/od/soaprecipes/ss/loofahsoap.htm

If you have any recipes you would like to share... please reach out to me.  I would love to hear about them.  Blessings... E

Sunday, November 13, 2011

Making My Own Soap - What Else Will I Need?

Hello!  Unfortunately, my order hasn't arrived yet - which gives me more time to research.  I ordered goats milk as my base, some "butter" - which we will discuss later in this post and in the next one, a variety of essential oils, and some natural colors.  So, what else will I need? 

Here is a list of the additional items needed to make soap:
* Double boiler - to melt my base
* Wooden spoon
* Large glass bowl
* molds or cookie sheet
* spray olive oil
* rubbing alcohol
* natural colors (micas / ground vegetables / etc)
* botanical oils / essential oils
* Butters - these add a luxuriousness to the soap, and another layer of healing

I am going to also list several sites that have supplies and others that have good recipes to get you started.

Supplies:
https://www.fromnaturewithlove.com/default.asp
http://www.bulknaturaloils.com/Default.aspx
http://www.organic-creations.com/servlet/StoreFront
http://www.brambleberry.com/

Recipes:
https://www.fromnaturewithlove.com/recipe/default.asp
http://www.pureandnaturalsoaps.com/soap-recipes.html
http://www.naturalpuresoap.com/soap-making-recipes/

I also found these books that looked very interesting:
http://www.amazon.com/Soap-Makers-Workshop-Natural-Homemade/dp/1440207917/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1321159984&sr=1-2#_
http://www.amazon.com/Natural-Soapmaking-Marie-Browning/dp/0806962895/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1321159984&sr=1-3
http://www.amazon.com/Soap-Book-Sandy-Maine/dp/1883010144/ref=pd_sim_b_1
http://www.amazon.com/Soapmakers-Companion-Comprehensive-Techniques-Know-How/dp/0882669656/ref=pd_sim_b_3

So... the more I get into this, the more I realize there is a LOT to know about soap making.  There are several different types of soap making processes - melt and pour (newbies), cold process, hot process, hand milled... we are going to start with the easiest one and move on. 

Not a long post today... sorry guys!  I was hoping to turn my kitchen into a chemistry lab!!  Until tomorrow... blessings... E

Saturday, November 12, 2011

Making My Own Soap - Importance of Scents?

The next step of my soap making journey revolves around choosing the proper fragrance.  Smells do many things - bring back cherished memories from childhood - help aid in pain relief - energize us - relax us - I think you get my point ... so it is important that you consider what you want your soap to do for you.  This is the great thing about soaps - you can use one for morning showers to get you energized for the day - and a different one when you need a stress relief / a relaxing moment away from the craziness of the day. 
Always try to find organic supplies for soap making.  Remember that your skin is the largest organ you have and is the entry point for everything.  Be very careful what you choose to include in your soap.

For me, I have some favorite scents that I will be using in my first trial run of soap making... but for you, let's give you some more ideas for what scents will offer you...my post from a couple days ago will give you some more good information on other scents...

Rosemary - Rosemary is a very ancient herb of the evergreen family.  In ancient times it was known as sacred.  There are many medicinal benefits of rosemary.  It is known to activate the brain and clear away cobwebs.  It helps with headaches, migraines, pain, mental fatigue, nervous exhaustion.  It is also effective for bronchitis, whooping cough, and asthma.  It also encourages hair growth and helps fight any skin maladies. 

Benefits: http://www.essentialoils.co.za/essential-oils/rosemary.htm

Sage - Sage boosts short term memory, balances hormones - reducing hot flashes, decreasing excessive menstruation, and lactation.  In a recent study, sage was found to protect your genetic DNA from damage. Sage also has a relaxing affect.  There is a difference between Clary Sage, and Sage.  Clary sage has been used for centuries medicinally for labor.  Many women say that they do not need additional pain killers with the addition of Clary Sage.  It can be put under the pillow or directly into the skin.  Caution though is needed when using it directly on the skin as it is very strong.

Benefits: http://www.anniesremedy.com/herb_detail52.php

Basil - Basil has many of the same benefits as Rosemary.  Do not use during pregnancy.

Benefits: http://www.livestrong.com/article/198886-basil-in-aromatherapy/

Orange - Sweet orange helps calm and relax one.  It is a sedative, and is also know for its ability to lower high blood pressure.  It can aid in bronchitis, asthma, muscle cramps, anxiety attacks, congestion, and insomnia. 

Benefits: http://www.essential-oil-recipes.com/orange.html

Lemongrass - Ivory soap has a lemongrass base.  It is an astringent, antiperspirant, and an antiseptic.  Caution - it is quite strong - a little goes a long way and can be an irritant to skin.  It has been used for respiratory infections.  Lemongrass is great for slightly oily skin and is a great boost for mental well being.

Benefits: http://aromatherapy.savvy-cafe.com/the-benefits-of-lemongrass-essential-oil-properties-2007-10-01/

Jasmine - There are many nuances to jasmine that I love.  My favorite is a night blooming jasmine... just thinking of the smell relaxes me.  Jasmine is well known for its relaxing capabilities as well as it's ability to take the edge off migraines.  It also is known to relieve muscle cramps, depression, and anxiety.  It has been used to relieve impotency and frigidity in both men and women. 

Benefits: http://www.essential-oil-recipes.com/jasmine.html

Rose - Rose water has many benefits - not only the scent but the oil itself.  It is an anti-depressant, aphrodisiac, astringent among others.  It also helps lower fevers, reduces scarring, purifies the blood, aids in regulating menses.  The list goes on and on. 

Benefits: http://www.organicfacts.net/health-benefits/essential-oils/health-benefits-of-rose-essential-oil.html

Vanilla - Vanilla is a comforting aroma for both men and women.  It is one of the scents that will aid you in falling and staying asleep faster / longer.  It is an antidepressant - with tranquilizing and sedating properties.  It is known to be an aphrodisiac for men. 

Benefits: http://theresaann.hubpages.com/hub/the-benefits-of-using-vanilla-essential-oil-in-aromatherapy

Of course, I could have missed many, many of your favorites, as I know I haven't touched on a couple of mine... start paying attention to how scents affect you and make a list of the ones you may want to incorporate into your own soaps one day!  Blessings... E

Friday, November 11, 2011

Making My Own Soap - How To Choose My Base?

A couple weeks ago I got an email from "Herb Companion" about handmade soaps.  I have such a hard time finding natural soaps that I like the texture and the scent, that I have decided that this weekend I will be trying to create my first batch of soap!

So, the first thing I need to do is figure out what a beginner like me will need to know.  I find that there are hot processes and cold processes.  In addition, there are glycerin bases, goats milk bases, lye bases, clear bases, and cloudy bases... ok... too much to process for a beginner I believe.  We are just going to start with a simple basic recipe.  But I do want to know what the differences are between all of these things so I know the path I want to take in improving my soap making abilities.

As a reminder - antibacterial soap is NOT a good thing.  We are beginning to see super bugs / viruses / bacteria due to the excessive use of antibacterial soaps and hand sanitizers.  The best thing to keep away germs is to frequently wash your hands with soap and water. 

Neem Base - Neem is a natural antibacterial.  It is a resin from the bark of an evergreen tree native to Asia.  It is used primarily as a pest control, and a natural medicine to help heal skin problems, malaria, jaundice, bronchitis, diabetes, arthritis, intestinal parasites, among others. 


Aloe Vera Base - Aloe Vera is a well known desert plant that aids in the healing of burns, scratches, and the like.  Those suffering from skin rashes, and other topical challenges should consider using an aloe vera base in their soaps.  Honestly, we all should have a bar sitting around.

Find base: http://www.georgiabodyandbath.com/servlet/the-44711/aloe-vera-melt-and/detail

Cocoa Butter Base - Cocoa butter is a wonderful moisturizer.  If you have chronically dry skin (you may want to figure out why and correct your diet) this is a great choice for a base.  In addition, cocoa mass polyphenol (CMP) can suppress the immuno globulin (IgE).  In simple terms it means that cocoa butter naturally fights psoriasis, dermatitis, and other skin ailments.  Also remember that many of these bases have their own scent - when adding other essential oils to your base, you will want to find complimentary smells.

Find base: http://www.georgiabodyandbath.com/servlet/the-35841/cocoa-butter-melt-and/detail

Coconut Milk Base - Coconut Milk is high in antioxidants and is a wonderful moisturizer.  It is a natural antifungal, antibacterial, and antiviral substance.  It is also rich in Vitamin E.  There are many good reasons to choose coconut milk as your base.  Coconut milk also has a calming effect on your skin - reducing rashes and other skin ailments.

Find base: http://www.georgiabodyandbath.com/servlet/the-54987/coconut-milk-melt-and/detail

Glycerin Base - This is the most popular base available.  In a later post (once I get going on my soap making adventure) I will provide the directions on how to make your bases, but I have heard that making clear base is extremely difficult, so we will leave that until another time.  Glycerin or glycol is a colorless or yellow sugar alcohol.  It is used for a whole host of things other than soap.  Glycerin's benefits on skin include moisturizing, healing (used on skin graft patients), makes skin more supple, aids in the life process of cells, reduces swelling and bruising, and protects skin against irritants.

Find base: http://www.georgiabodyandbath.com/servlet/the-35730/glycerin-melt-and/detail

Goat Milk Base - Goats milk has been used for centuries in the Mediterranean as a natural cleanser.  It is touted as being one of the best moisturizers and contains vitamins A and the B complex.  With the alpha-hydroxy acids in goats milk, you get rejuvenating properties for your skin while softening it.  Goats milk feeds the skin calcium, and allows the skin to find its natural PH levels.  This is my first choice for my first try at soap!

Find base: http://www.georgiabodyandbath.com/servlet/the-35732/goat-milk-melt-and/detail

Well... I have figured out my base... now tomorrow we will discuss scents... Blessings... E

Thursday, November 10, 2011

Pain Cures You Can Find in Your Kitchen

I am going to share again from my wonderful Grandmother who was a registered nurse and has taught me a LOT about natural medicine... Thanks Grams! I am not sure where she got this info, but it is good and definitely needs to be passed along!

Make muscle pain a memory with ginger
When Danish researchers asked achy people to jazz up their diets with ginger, it eased muscle and joint pain, swelling and stiffness for up to 63 percent of them within two months. Experts credit ginger’s potent compounds called gingerols, which prevent the production of pain-triggering hormones. The study-recommended dose: Add at least 1 teaspoon of dried ginger or 2 teaspoons of chopped ginger to meals daily.
Cure a toothache with cloves
Got a toothache and can’t get to the dentist? Gently chewing on a clove can ease tooth pain and gum inflammation for two hours straight, say UCLA researchers. Experts point to a natural compound in cloves called eugenol, a powerful, natural anesthetic. Bonus: Sprinkling a ¼ teaspoon of ground cloves on meals daily may also protect your ticker. Scientists say this simple action helps stabilize blood sugar, plus dampen production of artery-clogging cholesterol in as little as three weeks.
Heal heartburn with cider vinegar
Sip 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar mixed with 8 ounces of water before every meal, and experts say you could shut down painful bouts of heartburn in as little as 24 hours. “Cider vinegar is rich in malic and tartaric acids, powerful digestive aids that speed the breakdown of fats and proteins so your stomach can empty quickly, before food washes up into the esophagus, triggering heartburn pain,” explains Joseph Brasco, M.D., a gastroenterologist at the Center for Colon and Digestive Diseases in Huntsville, AL.
Erase earaches with garlic
Painful ear infections drive millions of Americans to doctors’offices every year. To cure one fast, just place two drops of warm garlic oil into your aching ear twice daily for five days. This simple treatment can clear up ear infections faster than prescription meds, say experts at the University of New Mexico School of Medicine. Scientists say garlic’s active ingredients (germanium, selenium, and sulfur compounds) are naturally toxic to dozens of different pain-causing bacteria. To whip up your own garlic oil gently simmer three cloves of crushed garlic in a half a cup of extra virgin olive oil for two minutes, strain, then refrigerate for up to two weeks, suggests Teresa Graedon, Ph.D., co-author of the book, Best Choices From The People’s Pharmacy. For an optimal experience, warm this mix slightly before using so the liquid will feel soothing in your ear canal.
Chase away joint and headache pain with cherries
Latest studies show that at least one in four women is struggling with arthritis, gout or chronic headaches. If you’re one of them, a daily bowl of cherries could ease your ache, without the stomach upset so often triggered by today’s painkillers, say researchers at East Lansing’s Michigan State University. Their research reveals that anthocyanins, the compounds that give cherries their brilliant red color, are anti-inflammatories 10 times stronger than ibuprofen and aspirin. “Anthocyanins help shut down the powerful enzymes that kick-start tissue inflammation, so they can prevent, as well as treat, many different kinds of pain,” explains Muraleedharan Nair, Ph.D., professor of food science at Michigan State University. His advice: Enjoy 20 cherries (fresh, frozen or dried) daily, then continue until your pain disappears.
Fight tummy troubles with fish
Indigestion, irritable bowel syndrome, inflammatory bowel diseases...if your belly always seems to be in an uproar, try munching 18 ounces of fish weekly to ease your misery. Repeated studies show that the fatty acids in fish, called EPA and DHA, can significantly reduce intestinal inflammation, cramping and belly pain and, in some cases, provide as much relief as corticosteroids and other prescription meds. “EPA and DHA are powerful, natural, side effect-free anti-inflammatories, that can dramatically improve the function of the entire gastrointestinal tract,” explains biological chemist Barry Sears, Ph.D., president of the Inflammation Research Foundation in Marblehead, MA. For best results, look for oily fish like salmon, sardines, tuna, mackerel, trout and herring.
Prevent PMS with yogurt
Up to 80 percent of women will struggle with premenstrual syndrome and its uncomfortable symptoms, report Yale researchers. The reason: Their nervous systems are sensitive to the ups and downs in estrogen and progesterone that occur naturally every month. But snacking on 2 cups of yogurt a day can slash these symptoms by 48 percent, say researchers at New York’s Columbia University. “Yogurt is rich in calcium, a mineral that naturally calms the nervous system, preventing painful symptoms even when hormones are in flux,”explains Mary Jane Minkin, M.D., a professor of gynecology at Yale University.
Tame chronic pain with turmeric
Studies show turmeric, a popular East Indian spice, is actually three times more effective at easing pain than aspirin, ibuprofen or naproxen, plus it can help relieve chronic pain for 50 percent of people struggling with arthritis and even fibromyalgia, according to Cornell researchers. That’s because turmeric’s active ingredient, curcumin, naturally shuts down cyclooxygenase 2, an enzyme that churns out a stream of pain-producing hormones, explains nutrition researcher Julian Whitaker, M.D. and author of the book, Reversing Diabetes. The study-recommended dose: Sprinkle 1/4 teaspoon of this spice daily onto any rice, poultry, meat or vegetable dish.
End endometrial pain with oats
The ticket to soothing endometriosis pain could be a daily bowl of oatmeal. Endometriosis occurs when little bits of the uterine lining detach and grow outside of the uterus. Experts say these migrating cells can turn menstruation into a misery, causing so much inflammation that they trigger severe cramping during your period, plus a heavy ache that drags on all month long. Fortunately, scientists say opting for a diet rich in oats can help reduce endometrial pain for up to 60 percent of women within six months. That’s because oats don’t contain gluten, a trouble-making protein that triggers inflammation in many women, making endometriosis difficult to bear, explains Peter Green, M.D., professor of medicine at Colombia University.
Soothe foot pain with salt
Experts say at least six million Americans develop painful ingrown toenails each year. But regularly soaking ingrown nails in warm salt water baths can cure these painful infections within four days, say scientists at California’s Stanford University. The salt in the mix naturally nixes inflammation, plus it’s anti-bacterial, so it quickly destroys the germs that cause swelling and pain. Just mix 1 teaspoon of salt into each cup of water, heat to the warmest temperature that you can comfortably stand, and then soak the affected foot area for 20 minutes twice daily, until your infection subsides.
Prevent digestive upsets with pineapple
Got gas? One cup of fresh pineapple daily can cut painful bloating within 72 hours, say researchers at California’s Stanford University. That's because pineapple is naturally packed with proteolytic enzymes, digestive aids that help speed the breakdown of pain-causing proteins in the stomach and small intestine, say USDA researchers.
Relax painful muscles with peppermint
Suffering from tight, sore muscles? Stubborn knots can hang around for months if they aren’t properly treated, says naturopath Mark Stengler, N.D., author of the book, The Natural Physician’s Healing Therapies. His advice: Three times each week, soak in a warm tub scented with 10 drops of peppermint oil. The warm water will relax your muscles, while the peppermint oil will naturally soothe your nerves -- a combo that can ease muscle cramping 25 percent more effectively than over-the-counter painkillers, and cut the frequency of future flare-ups in half, says Stengler.
Give your back some TLC with grapes
Got an achy back? Grapes could be the ticket to a speedy recovery. Recent studies at Ohio State University suggest eating a heaping cup of grapes daily can relax tight blood vessels, significantly improving blood flow to damaged back tissues (and often within three hours of enjoying the first bowl). That’s great news because your back’s vertebrae and shock-absorbing discs are completely dependent on nearby blood vessels to bring them healing nutrients and oxygen, so improving blood flow is essential for healing damaged back tissue, says Stengler.
Wash away pain injuries with water
Whether it’s your feet, your knees or your shoulders that are throbbing, experts at New York’s Manhattan College, say you could kick-start your recovery in one week just by drinking eight 8-ounce glasses of water daily. Why? Experts say water dilutes, and then helps flush out, histamine, a pain-triggering compound produced by injured tissues. “Plus water is a key building block of the cartilage that cushions the ends of your bones, your joints’ lubricating fluid, and the soft discs in your spine,” adds Susan M. Kleiner, Ph.D., author of the book, The Good Mood Diet. “And when these tissues are well-hydrated, they can move and glide over each other without causing pain.” One caveat: Be sure to measure your drinking glasses to find out how large they really are before you start sipping, she says. Today’s juice glasses often hold more than 12 ounces, which means five servings could be enough to meet your daily goal.
Heal sinus problems with horseradish
Latest studies show sinusitis is the nation’s number one chronic health problem. And this condition doesn’t just spur congestion and facial pain, it also makes sufferers six times more likely to feel achy all-over. Horseradish to the rescue! According to German researchers, this eye-watering condiment naturally revs up blood flow to the sinus cavities, helping to open and drain clogged sinuses and heal sinus infections more quickly than decongestant sprays do. The study-recommended dose: One teaspoon twice daily (either on its own, or used as a sandwich or meat topping) until symptoms clear.
Beat bladder infections with blueberries
Eating 1 cup of blueberries daily, whether you opt for them fresh, frozen or in juice form, can cut your risk of a urinary tract infection (UTIs) by 60 percent, according to researchers at New Jersey’s Rutgers University. That's because blueberries are loaded with tannins, plant compounds that wrap around problem-causing bacteria in the bladder, so they can’t get a toehold and create an infection, explains Amy Howell, Ph.D. a scientist at Rutgers University.
Heal mouth sores with honey
Dab painful canker and cold sores with unpasteurized honey four times daily until these skin woes disappear, and they’ll heal 43 percent faster than if you use a prescription cream, say researchers at the Dubai Specialized Medical Center in the United Arab Emirates. Raw honey’s natural enzymes zap inflammation, destroy invading viruses and speed the healing of damaged tissues, say the study authors.
Fight breast pain with flax
In one recent study, adding 3 tablespoons of ground flax to their daily diet eased breast soreness for one in three women within 12 weeks. Scientists credit flax’s phytoestrogens, natural plant compounds that prevent the estrogen spikes that can trigger breast pain. More good news: You don’t have to be a master baker to sneak this healthy seed into your diet. Just sprinkle ground flax on oatmeal, yogurt, applesauce or add it to smoothies and veggie dips.
Cure migraines with coffee
Prone to migraines? Try muscling-up your painkiller with a coffee chaser. Whatever over-the-counter pain med you prefer, researchers at the National Headache Foundation say washing it down with a strong 12- ounce cup of coffee will boost the effectiveness of your medication by 40 percent or more. Experts say caffeine stimulates the stomach lining to absorb painkillers more quickly and more effectively.
Tame leg cramps with tomato juice
At least one in five people regularly struggle with leg cramps. The culprit? Potassium deficiencies, which occur when this mineral is flushed out by diuretics, caffeinated beverages or heavy perspiration during exercise. But sip 10 ounces of potassium-rich tomato juice daily and you'll not only speed your recovery, you'll reduce your risk of painful cramp flare-ups in as little as 10 days, say UCLA researchers.
What have you found to ease pain in your kitchen?? Blessings... E

Wednesday, November 9, 2011

What is in a scent?

Did you know that smells can increase your libido?  How about increase your memory?  Or help you lose weight?  Our sense of smell is one of the best memory triggers we have... have you ever walked past a restaurant and remember a favorite event from childhood?  Or walked passed someone, and remembered a loved one long gone? 

We are inundated with smells every day without paying attention to how those smells affect us.  Let's take a look at several... and let's see if you can add to the list I start.

1. Peppermint.  The smell of peppermint has been known to soothe a sour stomach, relieve the pain of a migraine, invigorate your workout, and help relax one for restful slumber.

2. Cinnamon. Has long been known to be an aphrodisiac.... light some cinnamon candles on a night you want some romance!!

3. Favorite scents.  Having some of your favorite odors around will help you stay away from the refrigerator... as long as they are not foody smells!!  :) 

4. Rosemary.  Long known to increase your mental acutity.  Rosemary not only helps you study better, but will help you the night before a big test to sharpen your memory.

5. Green Apple.  This like your favorite scents, will reduce your food cravings. 

6. Orange.  The citrisy smell of the orange is known to relax and destress.

7. Lavender.  Lavender has been known for centuries to relieve stress, pain, help relax, and aid in deep slumber.  Be careful though, many people - and especially babies - are sensitive to lavender.  If you try sleeping with lavender in your pillow - or add the essential oil to your rinse cycle for your bedding and develop a rash - you might want to try something else.

8. Baby powder.  Has been known to increase sexual urges in women.

Aromatherapy has been used for centuries to heal many ailments.  Grab a book from the library or go online and do some research as to how you can use scents to help you get to your center.

Additional reading: http://azer.com/aiweb/categories/magazine/91_folder/91_articles/91_scents.html
More reading: http://serendip.brynmawr.edu/exchange/node/1887
More reading: http://ezinearticles.com/?Delight-the-Senses---Breathe-Scents-to-Heal-Body,-Mind-and-Soul&id=3579330

I hope you find a way to smell yourself healthier!!  Blessings... E

Tuesday, November 8, 2011

Food Additives

Over the past 100 years many things have changed in our society.  We no longer grow our own fruits and vegetables - we get most of them from another country.  We no longer butcher our own meat - what preservatives, additives, hormones, steroids have been given to the livestock?  Most of our food is purchased from a store where we get the cheapest price.... what is important to know about the additives that are used not only in our fresh produce but our canned foods, and meats.

Additives have been included in most all of the food you buy to increase shelf life.  Whether it is a preservative or a virus (yes, I did say virus) it allows the grocer a longer amount of time to sell the product before it goes bad.

Here are some additives that you should avoid at all costs.

1. Sodium Nitrite.  This is your virus - bacteria.  It is added to almost all of what we call "cold cuts" - processed deli meat, hot dogs, sandwich meat, bacon, smoked fish, among others.   "This would be at the top of my list of additives to cut from my diet," says Christine Gerbstadt, M.D., M.P.H., R.D., L.D.N., a spokesperson for the American Dietetic Association. "Under certain high-temperature cooking conditions such as grilling, it transforms into a reactive compound that has been shown to promote cancer."

2. BHA and BHT - Butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) and butylated hydrozyttoluene (BHT).  These antioxidants are added to foods to limit or restrict oxidation.  They can be found in gum, oils, cereal, and a variety of other foods.   "The structure of BHA and BHT will change during this process [of preserving food], and may form a compound that reacts in the body," says Gerbstadt. "BHA and BHT are not stable or inert. They're not just hanging out and being excreted by the body."  These antioxidants have also been proven to increase the possibility of ADD / ADHD in children.
3. Propyl gallate. This chemical is often used in conjunction with BHA and BHT in oils to prevent them from going rancid.  It can be found in chewing gum, soup bases, and any other food with oil as an ingredient.  It has been known to cause asthma like allergic reations, kidney problems, and increases the liklihood that you will be more suseptible to cancer.
4. Monosodium glutamate (MSG).  If you have ever been to an asian restaurant, you probably have seen signs that state that they are or are not MSG free.  There is a reason for that!  MSG has long been used to increase flavors in foods... especially asian food.  Gerbstadt recommends replacing MSG with a small amount of salt when possible. "Why bother using MSG when you can live without it?" she says. "MSG can cause migraine-like headaches and create other adverse affects for certain people. It is a flavor enhancer, but you’d be better off putting in a few grains of salt."  Remember though, MSG can be found in a wide variety of foods - it is not limited to asian foods.
5. Trans fats.  I think we all have heard that trans fats are bad.  But why?  They have been proven to increase heart disease, increase plaque, increase strokes, and increase kidney failure.  Optimally, we should get two grams or less of trans fats daily.  The FDA has now made it mandatory to disclose how many trans fats are in foods - so that makes your decsision process much easier.
6. Aspartame.  Do I need to refresh you here?  Alzheimers-like symptoms, siezures, brain damage, muscle damage, slurred speach, etc... STAY AWAY!!  I can't stress enough.  If you want more info on Aspartame - do a search on my blog - I have a full post on Aspartame with lots of details. 
7. Acesulfame-K.  I had never heard of this one.  It is a relatively new artificial sweetener.. go figure!  Released in 1998 for use in soft drinks, it is now found in baked goods, gum, and other desserts.  The longterm use of this sweetener can cause headaches, kidney failure, liver failure, depression, among others.
8. Food colorings: Blue 1, 2; Red 3; Green 3; and Yellow 6.  We have discussed food colorings before.  These can be found in your baking, icings, candies, etc... anything that has a bright color is almost assured to have artificial colors.  Artificial colors are known to be a cause of ADD / ADHD, migraines, food allergies, cancer, etc.
9. Olestra. This is a relatively new product on the market, and a dangerous one at that. It can be found in many potato chips and other fried junk food products.  It's marketing is that it inhibits oil from being absorbed into the body... but what it doesn't say in its marketing collateral is that it also inhibits nutrients from being absorbed into the body as well. 
10. Potassium bromate.  This chemical increases the height that flour products rise.  The danger of this product is that even a small amount is known to cause cancer in humans.  The state of California requires cancer warnings to be put on all packaging of products that have potassium bromate in them.
11. White sugar. Need I say more?  Really?  White PROCESSED sugar removes all the benefits of any nutrients and gives you straight sugar.  Brown sugar is better than white sugar, raw cane sugar is better than brown sugar... and THERE IS A DIFFERENCE!  Read up on what additional nutrients are found in what types of sugar... Read up on HOW different sugars are broken down in the body - certain sugars are hard on the liver, and others are hard on the kidneys... of all the sugars out there - Honey is the best.  It has already been broken down in the stomachs of bees - so is the easiest for humans to digest and break down for energy.
12. Sodium chloride. Yes, that is every day table salt.  Now... unlike the other items above, salt is not all bad.  There are differences between salts as there are between sugars.  Sea salt is less pure - and has more nutrients in it.  "Small amounts of salt are needed by the body and are beneficial in preserving food," says Gerbstadt. "Excessive amounts of salt can become dangerous for your health, affecting cardiovascular function, leading to high blood pressure, heart attack, stroke, and kidney failure."
So, make sure you are reading your labels and questioning everything you purchase.  The fresher the ingredients, the better for you.  Always look for products that are organically grown - not chemically altered - no antibiotics / steroids... not only are they better for you, they also taste better!  Blessings... E