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...
Your Guide To Oil Pulling With Coconut Oil
Oil pulling was discovered by world renowned physician Dr. F. Karach, M.D., while suffering horribly from a blood disease. Like millions of Americans and people around the world, he sought out a solution for his pain. He tried everything until he came upon Oil Pulling, a term he coined. During his study, he realized that oil actually has healing micro-organisms that can treat most medical ailments. What Is Oil Pulling? Oil Pulling is an easy process that only takes 15-20 minutes a ... continue reading...
Chocolate Raspberry Avocado Pudding Recipe
Decadent, nourishing, creamy and smooth, this chocolate pudding is so delicious! Chocolate, raspberry AND avocado? Really? Yes! The avocado is full of healthy fats, protein, vitamin E and makes the pudding so creamy and smooth. The raw cacao powder adds a bold, chocolaty flavor, it's full of antioxidants and very high in magnesium and iron. The raspberries are also an excellent source of antioxidants and are high in vitamin C. Enjoy this rich chocolate raspberry avocado pudding as a ... continue reading...
Coconut Oil for Digestion and Colon Health
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), Ulcerative Colitis, Crohn's Disease, Diverticulosis, Twisted and Redundant Colon, Proctitis, Stomach Ulcers and Duodenal Ulcers are all diseases and health issues associated with poor digestion and colon health. Since digestion and colon health are central to overall health, it's important to provide a brief overview of the properties of a healthy gut before we dive into coconut oil for digestion and colon health. The ... continue reading...
160 Uses For Coconut Oil
I HAVE UPDATED THIS POST AS OF 08/20/2012. PLEASE SEE 333 USES FOR COCONUT OIL FOR MUCH MORE INFORMATION! ... continue reading...
150 Words To Describe Food
This tastes good! Mmmmmm yummy! What a delicious dish! What a nice chicken! The peas are wonderful! As an adult, it bothers me when someone tells me a food or a dish tastes good. Good to one person may be horrific to another person. I always feel obligated to agree that yes, this food does indeed taste “good” even if I do not particularly care for it. I hate to rain on someone's taste parade. I much prefer it when someone says something like “this dish is pretty spicy which I love.” This ... continue reading...
Eggnog Recipes Gone Wild
Eggnog is pretty incredible stuff, in my humble opinion. It is delicious. It is delicious. Did I mention that it is delicious? Behind pumpkin, it is my second favorite flavor of all time. Best part about eggnog? It is incredibly healthy and nourishing if you make it yourself. I have found that you can replace milk with eggnog in many recipes and the results are fantastic. The only trouble I have had making this substitution is where there is chocolate involved. The chocolate tends to ... continue reading...