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)

Winter Blues Cabin Fever Smoothie

I have the February blahs big time. Detoxing might be part of it. Like a lot of people I decided to clean up my food act after some holiday indulgence. Lack of light is probably contributing as well. In the north we are short on sunlight in the winter months in addition to spending most of our time in doors when the -40c weather hits which can leave a lot of people SAD (seasonal effective disorder) and grumpy - me included.
Cabin fever is a common northern saying for the half crazed folks who wander out of the isolation of their cabins into town in the spring after making it through another long dark cold winter. So as a nod to that I like to call this smoothie my Cabin Fever Smoothie :)

 Cabin Fever Smoothie (magnesium-rich)
(magnesium rich foods help to raise serotonin levels - low levels can contribute to the blues)

• 3T Powdered Raw Cacoa
• 1C Coconut Milk (Not the kind in the cans which is high in fat - I use the So Delicious unsweetened kind which is more of a milk than a heavy cream you get from the canned kind) 
• 1/4 T of Cinnamon
• 1 Large Kale Leaf (take out the woody stem)
• 1 Medium bunch of Parsley
• 1T of Cashew Butter or 1T of Coconut Butter
•  1 Banana
• 1/2 C frozen cranberries

Blend all together in a high speed blender I know, I know it looks very "green" but, trust me it is delish. It tastes like bananas, chocolate and coconut. Give it a try if you are feeling down and let me know if it works for you!

* NOTE: foods rich in the hormone melatonin, tend to decrease serotonin levels (magnesium increases serotonin). Some people supplement with melatonin when they are having problems sleeping (me included) so keep an eye on this if you are feeling down. I'll write a bit more about serotonin, melatonin and feel good foods in my next post.

Diffuser World Essential Oil Diffusers Vanderbuilt University Medical Ce...

Loving this!
Did you know: Using scent in hospitals isn't as new as this news feature makes it sound - during the second world war hospitals in the UK would simmer juniper berries in water to help clear the air. Camphor was also sometimes used.

Cephalic Oils & Herbs

Sorry for my LONG absence. Life has gotten in the way of blogging for awhile now. I managed to grab some time for me tonight and thought I'd post a little bit about Cephalic Essential Oils/Herbs. So what is Cephalic? Cephalic means pertaining or relating to the head. In aromatherapy this term refers to essential oils that stimulate and clear the mind.
Studies were done in the 1970s to evaluate the effects of many different types of essential oils. Some oils were found to elicit beta patterns in the brain that are linked to aroused attention and alertness. So what are these oils?

1. Sweet Basil (Ocimum basilicum): This herb is in the mint family and is often used as a culinary herb. In aromatherapy sweet basil is often used for it's stimulating and energizing properties. * Sweet basil blends quite well with rosemary. Ideas for use: Blend into a massage oil, inhale or Make a pesto! Using fresh raw sweet basil, garlic, olive oil and pine nuts or walnuts - inhale as you chop (yum!),
2. Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis): Rosemary has been used to aid the memory for centuries (an interesting note - brides in Scotland and Ireland traditionally would carry Rosemary in their bouquets to symbolize remembrance), rosemary essential oil is often used to stimulate the mind, body & spirit. Ideas for use: Put a few drops in fresh water and use as a hair rinse (rosemary is known to stimulate hair growth when it is used regularly - that is why you see it in hair preparations so often), blend into a massage oil (it is also great for sore muscles & stimulates circulation).
3. Black Pepper (Piper nigrum): Black Pepper Oil is stimulating and is a good choice for inclusion in blends intended to help enhance alertness and stamina. Black Pepper should be avoided before bedtime. Black pepper blends well with most citrus and floral oils. It is known to be great at relieving aching muscles.
4. Cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum): Cardamom is a member of the ginger family. It is often used to for digestion and to stimulate the mind. Cardamom is warming (will induce sweating so great if you have a fever or cold to use in the bath or as a massage oil),

Louise Hay... So great

Never Give Up

I had to share this - so motivational.

Furoshiki Bags

These work so well and will hold a lot of heavy items!

Taurus Full Moon

Kitchen Witchery - You Don't Know Jack...

Hello and welcome to my blog posting for The Bewitching Home Blog Party.
Thank you Tanaé for coming up with this fun event!

For today's post I thought I'd share what happened in my kitchen as I whipped up a few batches of Pumpkin Solid Lotion Bars for an upcoming Halloween Craft Show I'm selling at. I call them "You Don't Know Jack". They are great for eczema and super dry skin.

First and most importantly you need a pumpkin. I found this little cutie at my local Superstore this afternoon... (a used Jack-o-lantern works well for this if you can wait until after Halloween)

I took out the seeds and goo, chopped him in to pieces (poor pumpkin), simmered him in my cauldron (aka my lotion making pot) with oils, butters and a few spices for about 4 hours...

(here it all is before the butters melted)
after letting it all marinate I strained it and added my bees wax. Poured it into my mold popped it in the fridge and sat down with a cup of tea to wait...

And voila - here they are! I took them out of the mold a little bit sooner than I should have so I could snap a photo so they aren't perfect (the friends and family batch :)

Why Pumpkin?

• Pumpkin skin contains vitamin A, C and zinc, potassium, alpha-carotene, beta carotene, and lutein all great for the skin.
• Duke University researchers concluded that when applied daily, Vitamin C can keep the skins elastic fibers, or collagen, from breaking down.
• Pumpkin nourishes tired or dry skin instantly - apply it to chapped hands or a rash and you'll see what I mean.
•  Because of the zinc content in pumpkin flesh it has been touted as being good to help clear up acne
• Pumpkin soothes, moisturizes and acts as a carrier, assisting the other lotion ingredients to absorb more deeply into the skin 
• Pumpkin is great for people with sensitive skin (like me) it is also great for childhood eczema, and in lotions and creams for people who want to reduce facial lines and nourish dry skin (make a fresh pumpkin puree mask! - blend up a little pumpkin and honey and slather it on)

The Bewitching Home

I'm getting ready for the Bewitching Home Blog Party tonight. Come back at midnight PST or all day tomorrow to see what I've been up to! For links to all the blogs taking part visit
The Witch of Howling Creek's site

Flu Soup

It seems everyone I know (including me) is down with the flu right now. If you are too tired to fix anything fancy and want a good clear your sinuses soup give this a try...

4C of cold water
1 bag Asian frozen veggie mix
1 thumb of ginger (to taste) chopped
4 cloves of garlic
sizeable squirt of red rooster hot sauce
1/3C Plum Vinegar
sizeable squirt of braggs liquid amenos
1 package of rice noodles (the Asian kind that come in little squares)

Put water, ginger, garlic, vinegar, hot sauce, liquid amenos in a large pot bring to a rolling boil turn down heat to medium add full (medium sized bag) of veggies let cook for 3-4 minutes then add noodles. Turn down to simmer for another 5-7 minutes. Simple, full of flavour and easy to make when you are feeling under the weather. I'll post a photo when I'm feeling better. Hope it works as well for you as it does for me!

Juliette of the Herbs

Inspirational...