Natural Oils & Butters Comedogenic Scale Cheat Sheet

Smoke Cleansing

Working with your bodyclock

A good friend of mine is a Dr of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Every now and then she mentions things about health in passing that I've never heard of. Last year she was talking to me about my "poor spleen!" and mentioned the Chinese Body Clock - now wait a minute - go back what was that again? She gave me a brief overview of the TCM belief that different body systems are more and less active at different times of the day and night. She then directed me to google when I started prodding her with too many questions - this happens a lot when she drops these nuggets of wisdom on me. Now whenever I have a mystery ache or pain at a certain time of day I go racing for my chart to see what is going on and try to keep in mind which organ is dominant at a certain time of day or night.

Link below.

http://www.foreverconscious.com/traditional-chinese-organ-body-clock

Histamine Intolerance and Hashimotos

I read an interesting article recently on the effects of fermented foods on people on restricted diets to control Hashimotos. It seems certain fermented food cause some to react with hives, swelling of the face or throat, a headache, nasal congestion, skin problems, a racing heart, anxiety, watery red eyes, heartburn, or irritability. The suggestion is that this may be a histamine intolerance and not an allergic reaction this is makes narrowing down the reason for the reaction more problematic because histamine intolerance builds over time. If you are working on repairing your gut you may want to avoid certain high histamine foods. I've copied a list below. Link to the original article is after the list.

• Fish and shellfish, unless freshly caught
• Eggs
• Processed, smoked, fermented meats
• Leftover meats (bacteria act on leftovers, producing histamines)
• All fermented milk products, including all cheeses, yogurt, buttermilk, and kefir
• Some fruits: Citrus, strawberries, apricots, cherries, grapes, raspberries, pineapple, cranberries, prunes, loganberries, dates, raisins, currants
• Some vegetables: Tomatoes and tomato products, spinach, red beans, eggplant, olives, pumpkin, avocado, pickles, relishes, and other foods containing vinegar
• Food additives: Tartrazine, artificial colors, preservatives, especially benzoates and sulfites (check your medications and supplements)
• Seasonings: Cinnamon, cloves, vinegar, chili powder, anise, curry powder, nutmeg
• Miscellaneous: Fermented soy (miso, soy sauce), fermented foods, tea, chocolate, cocoa, cola drinks, alcoholic beverages, and de-alcoholized beer and wine.

Article here

RSA Shorts - The Power of Empathy

Alternatives to Xenoestrogen laden Fabric Sheets

If you don't already know what Xenoestrogens are here is a quick definition. Xenoestrogens are man-made substances that imitate estrogen. If you've heard the debates about how bad BPA is then you are already aware of some of the harmful effects these compounds can have (especially on children). One of the worst ways to absorb Xenoestrogens is through the skin because when we ingest them (meat/dairy products that are non-organic for example) our liver filters out some of the toxins. When we are exposed to these compounds through beauty products, plastics, sprays, household cleaners, laundry soaps/fabric sheets and the like our skin can not filter what is coming in so the toxic load is even greater. Google Xenoestrogens for more information.

My question is this why would anyone choose to use fabric sheets knowing they are LOADED with Xenoestrogens that penetrate into the fabric of your clothing which is then in direct prolonged contact with your skin.  Guess what - this will work just as well for preventing static. Yep that is a ball of tin foil and you can use the same ball over and over again. It works - honest.

But you like the smell of dryer sheets you say. Try using 6 drops of essential oil on a scrap of old cloth thrown in to the dryer along with your foil ball and voila - natural non toxic scent. I like Peppermint, Spearmint or Lavender but, there are lots of other options out there for essential oils that can be used. Another idea is to add 1/2 cup of baking soda to the rinse cycle of your laundry to help soften clothes (here is another tip - if you use soap and not detergent - you won't need a fabric softener...). 

For laundry soap my favourite is Dr. Bronners it is fantastic plain or with essential oils or use a natural laundry detergents like 7th Generation (read your labels) - there are options out there.

The Beautiful Truth

Interesting information about amalgam fillings, fluoride, msg, and other food additives & Gerson Therapy. This documentary is a bit slow moving but, well worth watching.

Fighting Candida with Coconut Kefir

Atchara (Pickled Papaya)