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...
Coconut Oil for Thyroid Health (Including Hashimoto’s)
Thyroid health is extremely important but most people don't know much about it. Before we dive into coconut oil for thyroid health and Hashimoto's specifically, let's talk thyroid basics. Why Is The Thyroid Important? Your thyroid is a small, butterfly-shaped gland in the base of your neck just below your Adam’s apple. It is a major part of the endocrine system. Your thyroid produces two main hormones called T3 and T4, which travel through your blood to all parts of your body, ... continue reading...
A Guide to Seasonal Festivals – AKA Waldorf Festivals
Throughout the world, in all civilizations, there are celebrations reflecting nature's rhythms, important transitions, and significant moments in the life of the culture. We celebrate these to sustain and renew ourselves. For people today, who can so insulate their lives as to be unaware of the seasons, of reaping and sowing, of dark and light, of birth and death, seasonal festivals can help provide a real touchstone with the cycles of the earth and the soul nurturing they provide. In Waldorf ... continue reading...
Cooking With Essential Oils – Are They Better Than Herbs?
Because essential oils are so highly concentrated, they are 50 to 70 times more potent than the herbs or plants they are derived from! Dried herbs lose up to 90% of their nutrients and oxygen molecules, whereas essential oils do not. How's that for starting this article off with a bang?! Let's look at an example of how essential oils compare to herbs. There are approximately 60 drops of essential oil per teaspoon. While this may not seem like much – it is important to remember ... continue reading...
Ital Curry Eggplant Rundown and Carrot Sweet Potato Casserole
If you're even a casual listener of reggae music, there's no doubt that you've heard the word “Ital” mentioned at one time or another. Ital has been translated from Jamaican patois slang as “pure,” and that's appropriate, especially when taking into account that Ital is usually mentioned in connection with food or cooking. So what is Ital food? Simply put, Ital food is organic, non-processed food from the earth (that is, vegetarian, by most definitions.) “Ital is vital” best summarizes the ... continue reading...
Three Beautiful Waldorf Birthday Traditions
Birthday traditions are a rather important part of a child's life. Look back at your childhood and reflect on the time around your birthday. How do you remember it? I personally love the way birthdays are celebrated in the Waldorf school and home. They really are beautiful birthday traditions! They link children to their past while allowing them to briefly look ahead towards their future without getting too far from the present moment. Waldorf inspired birthday traditions are very calming ... continue reading...
Neutropenia In Children
When I originally wrote this article, I was in the throes of neutropenia with my very young daughter. Many years have gone by and we now know that mold exposure and more specifically, exposure to the mycotoxin Trichothecene, caused her neutropenia. This issue resolved itself very quickly after we left our moldy house and everything we owned behind. I have updated this article about neutropenia in children to serve as a better resource for parents. I am including the original contents of this ... continue reading...