Babies, toddlers, preschoolers and even school aged children are known for their love of arts and crafts. The messier they are the better. Messy arts and crafts sometimes mean that little fingers full of paint, glue, clay, or other materials end up in the mouth. Sometimes the art supplies themselves end up in the mouth. I don't know about you, but I absolutely do not want any synthetic concoctions, chemicals, or questionable substances entering my little girl's precious body. My ... continue reading...
Coconut Oil For Acne
The subject of acne is a rather complicated one. You see, most of us probably believe that acne is caused by an infected sebum gland under the skin. While this is not wrong, it is also not the entire story. Acne really begins in the gut. An imbalanced or "leaky" gut manifests itself in all kinds of fun ways, acne being one of them. So don't assume that your pimples are just a result of oily skin, overuse of pore clogging products, or a less than stellar skin care routine. You can do your ... continue reading...
Healing Crystals For Children
Children are deeply rooted in and connected to the natural world. Crystals are a key element of the natural world and play an important role in physical, emotional, and spiritual healing. Children have a profound and innate connection to the healing attributes and energies of stones and crystals so much so that they naturally gravitate towards these at a very young age. Yet so many children are not encouraged to explore the healing powers of these natural elements. Gemstones and crystals have ... continue reading...
Natural Bug Spray Recipe – 4 To Choose From
It's Summertime- that means, GET OUT THE NATURAL BUG SPRAY! I love summer time, don't you? The sun shining down, the fresh air, outdoor parties, daylight savings time and with all of that fun comes the mosquitoes, deer flies, no see ‘ems, and other pesky insects looking for their next meal… you! When you think of bug spray, what normally comes to mind? I think of Deet, or Off. I think that is probably what the average consumer thinks of as well. This summer, instead of reaching for chemical ... continue reading...
Oxalates and Juicing
Oxalic Acid (aka Oxalates) are naturally-occurring substances found in plants, animals, and in humans. In chemical terms, oxalates belong to a group of molecules called organic acids, and are routinely made by plants, animals, and humans. Our bodies always contain oxalates, and our cells routinely convert other substances into oxalates. For example, vitamin C is one of the substances that our cells routinely convert into oxalates. In addition to the oxalates that are made inside of our body, ... continue reading...
Coconut Oil and Cholesterol
Let's talk about cholesterol shall we? How about coconut oil and cholesterol? Come on…don't be scared. Despite what you have been brainwashed into thinking, cholesterol is your friend not your enemy. It's really very good stuff! Many people believe that cholesterol is some sort of saturated fat since it is mentioned casually alongside saturated fats in conversation. In fact, cholesterol is not a fat at all. It is this cool waxy substance created IN our bodies from small molecules of acetate ... continue reading...
The Benefits of Soaking Nuts and Seeds + How To Soak Nuts
Nuts come in all shapes, sizes, textures, and colors. There are big nuts, small nuts, round nuts, oval nuts, oddly shaped nuts, hard nuts, soft nuts, nuts with bumps, smooth nuts, dark nuts, light nuts, spotted nuts, nuts with ridges, and nuts with wrinkles. Nuts really vary in taste as well as texture. Raw nuts allow you to experience their flavor as nature intended. However, not everyone likes the taste of nuts in the purest form. For those individuals there are crispy nuts, salty nuts, ... continue reading...
30 Responses to Parenting Criticisms
Once upon a time I wrote about how judgment of others is natural and not necessarily unhealthy. It is condemnation that becomes the real issue. While I did receive a few comments and emails that opposed my line of thinking, most everyone who spoke up about my post agreed that it is near impossible to avoid judging others and that yes, condemnation was the line that need not be crossed. I received two VERY good questions as a result of that post. The first asked me to discuss how I dealt ... continue reading...
Natural Sunscreen With Essential Oils
Here is the desert my "summer" is actually February - April. Now way am I going out when the thermometer soars to 115+ on a daily basis. But for the rest of you, fun in the sun is probably just beginning. And that means.... sunscreen! I avoid conventional sunscreen at all cost. You can learn more about why that is in my post about coconut oil for sunscreen. I go over all kinds of great information including how to select the right SPF for your skin and how to protect yourself from ... continue reading...
Indian Paneer Cheese – The Easy Way
A special favorite with North Indians, paneer cheese is used all over India to make delicious dishes ranging from curries to desserts. Eaten alone, it has a delicate milky flavor but readily takes on the flavor of the spices in which it is cooked. When used to make desserts it gives a rich and creamy flavor. Paneer is made by curdling warmed milk with an acid like lemon juice or vinegar. The curds are then drained and pressed into a solid block. Paneer is a fresh cheese, like mozzarella or ... continue reading...
Coconut Oil and Blood Type O
There is a lot of confusion about coconut products (namely coconut oil) and the blood type diet. One of the most frequently asked questions from those who read my 333 Uses For Coconut Oil post is what my take is on the blood type diet and the concern for Blood Type O people consuming coconut oil and other coconut products. Coconut Oil and Blood Type O I wrote a post on What To Eat On The Blood Type Diet some time ago. You might want to check it out if you have no idea what the ... continue reading...
Nourishing Chai Tea Muffins (Two Recipes)
Fall and Winter absolutely scream Chai Tea at me. Don’t get me wrong, I love pumpkin during this time of year but there is the strong possibility that I like the flavors of chai a wee bit more. Yes, I said it. I might like chai more than pumpkin. Don’t hate me. A few years ago (yikes – I can’t believe it’s been that long), in a quest to combine my love of chai with my love of cupcakes, I stumbled onto a new breakfast creation that was mostly allergen free! Whoo hoo! The chai tea muffins I ... continue reading...