natural remedies

Is Your Child Feeling Sick? Remove These 4 Foods!

January 30, 2014 by Jackie Ritz 2 Comments

I have a secret? I love Kula Mama! She has amazing recipes and remedies and her articles are always so right on point. I love her so much that I asked her to guest blog and write an article for my readers! Thank you Kula Mama for sharing your knowledge with us. This post is so informative and necessary and something that we don’t often think of. Please welcome Heather from Kula Mama!

During cold and flu season children are often fighting off a variety of viruses at varying times throughout the winter months. Our immune systems do a wonderful job of protecting us from illness and most of the time we don’t even realize they are working so hard for us. But sometimes the immune system needs a little extra help. This is when we feel that tickle in the throat warning us of an impending cold virus, or we start to feel tired, achy and sluggish. If your child starts feeling a little under the weather this cold and flu season, there are foods you can remove to help the immune system get back on track.

4 Foods to Remove During Illness:

1. DAIRY
Dairy is mucus forming in the body, so when your child starts showing signs of a runny nose or congestion it is best to remove this food group to slow mucus production. Why throw gasoline on a fire? Dairy is also acidic in the body and the body heals more quickly when in an alkaline state.

2. SUGAR
Sugar, the anti-nutrient, is always a good thing to remove when your child is feeling sick. In order for the body to process sugar it actually has to use up nutrient stores…nutrients the immune system could use to fight off a virus! Sugar also contributes to an acidic pH in the body and for healing to occur it is best to bring your child into an alkaline state. Find out more about how to do that here.

3. DAMAGED FATS/FRIED FOODS
Damaged fats are highly inflammatory in the body. During a cold or flu virus children need to bring inflammation down so their immune systems can do the work of healing. Eating fried food or packaged food made with Trans fats or vegetable oils only increases inflammation in the body which is harder on the immune system.

4. GLUTEN
Gluten, the sticky protein found in wheat, is a very large protein that is hard to digest. When your child is feeling ill, his digestion is vulnerable and it’s better to focus on nutrient-dense foods that are easy to metabolize like clear bone broth and soup. Gluten also causes inflammation in the body and is a problem food for many children whether they know it or not. When your child is sick, try going gluten-free while healing.

What foods to you find best to remove when your child is sick? Tell me in the comments below!

Heather Haynes, MA, is a nutrition and wellness educator working in the field of whole foods nutrition and holistic health. She is passionate about the health of all children and believes raising happy, healthy kids starts with getting back to basics and cooking with REAL food. You can find her blogging most days on her website www.kulamama.com sharing holistic health information and recipes for kids. Find her on Twitter, Facebook and G+!

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Homemade Herbal Shaving Cream & Citrus Spiced Aftershave

September 25, 2013 by Jackie Ritz 10 Comments

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I’m so thankful for all these wonderful bloggers who are willing to share some great stuff with my readers on my page! I just think that is so generous! With my big move to North Carolina, setting up our farm, and settling in with the kids, these guest posts have, not only, been a lifesaver, but I am learning so much from them! Aren’t you? Today’s post is brought to you by Becca at The Dabblist! I am just amazed at how great this recipe works and I do plan on whipping up a batch of the homemade shaving cream for myself! Please welcome Becca!

My poor husband had basically given up on shaving, and had resorted to sporting stubble for several months when enough was enough. His sensitive skin would break out in a rash every time he shaved, and no conventional (or expensive natural brand) skincare products could make it right. So he thought his only option was to not shave anymore, which I wasn’t exactly a fan of. Every kiss would be highlighted with the scrape of needle-like facial stubble. Sometimes I would break out in hives when we would…ahem…have one of our more passionate moments.

So, as you can see, we were in a bit of a pickle. And I wasn’t going to let it go on any longer. So I started researching homemade, herbal remedies for sensitive male skin that would also work for shaving. We needed something to moisturize his skin while shaving, and soothe it afterwards. As I keep finding out in my journey through life, nature has the best recipes – for our skin, for our health, for a happy and healthy life.

Today, I’m sharing with you my recipes for shaving cream and soothing aftershave tonic.

Homemade Herbal Shaving Cream

Ingredients:

1/4c. almond oil (you can also use olive or coconut oil)
2 tbsp. shea butter
2 tbsp. cocoa butter
1/3c. aloe vera gel
1 tbsp. Bentonite or Aztec Indian clay powder
2 tbsp. baking soda
1/4c. liquid castile soap
2 tsp. Vitamin E oil

Instructions:

In a double boiler (or a glass bowl placed over a pan of water), melt the oil and butters together. Once melted, immediately remove from heat, transfer to another bowl, and add in the other ingredients. Blend with a hand blender until frothy and cream-like (should take 60-90 seconds). Place cream into glass jar containers and allow to cool. Store in a cool, dark cupboard (no need to refrigerate). Shelf life is 1 month.

To use, take a small amount of cream in your hand of work up to a lather on your face before shaving. Be sure to splash face with warm water after shaving, and before using the aftershave tonic.

Citrus Spice Aftershave Tonic

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Ingredients:

1c. vodka
1c. witch hazel
1 sprig rosemary
1 sprig fresh mint
1 cinnamon stick
10 while cloves
1 tsp. vegetable glycerin
10 drops sweet orange oil
10 drops lemon oil
1 pinch fresh orange peel zest
1 pinch fresh lemon peel zest

Instructions:

Combine all ingredients in a large jar and seal tightly. Store in a cool, dark cupboard for 2 weeks and allow mixture to steep. Give it a shake every couple of days to agitate the ingredients.

Once mixture is steeped, strain the liquid into a lovely looking container. Your aftershave tonic is ready to use! Store in a cupboard (or refrigerate, if you want it cool) and use within 6 months.

To use, pour a bit of the mixture onto a cotton pad and swipe over skin just after shaving. Another option is to pour the mixture into a spray bottle and spritz the face.

19bc4a93063dc53ad76900340c908f0b Becca is the face behind The Dabblist – her manifesto to declare freedom from the taboo from being known as a “dabbler.” She has found that, through sharing our stories and creations with each other and not being afraid to get our hands dirty, we can remember what our great great great grandmothers once knew – that we can be the creators of our own joy.

You can follow The Dabblist on Facebook, Pinterest, & Instagram.

The Healing Powers of Aloe Vera & How to Use it at Home

August 26, 2013 by Jackie Ritz 69 Comments

Aloe Vera has more healing properties than most any other plants or herbs on the planet! It is a disinfectant, antibiotic, antimicrobial, germicidal, antibacterial, antiseptic, anti fungal, and antiviral!

My husband and I have lived in 6 different places, in 6 six years of marriage (thank you Army), and everywhere we have lived, we have kept an Aloe Vera plant in the yard or in a pot. You may see a lot of Aloe Vera products pop up in the stores as people are becoming more aware of it’s benefits; but the best way to use it is to grow it yourself.

This underrated power plant is one of the best things you can carry in your home remedy arsenal. It comes from the lily family, the same family that garlic and onions belong to. And another incredible thing about this plant is that it can be used both internally and externally:

Here’s How it Helps Our Body:

• Halts the growth of cancer tumors.
• Lowers high cholesterol.
• Repairs “sludge blood” and reverses “sticky blood”.
• Boosts the oxygenation of your blood.
• Eases inflammation and soothes arthritis pain.
• Protects the body from oxidative stress.
• Prevents kidney stones and protects the body from oxalates in coffee and tea.
• Alkalizes the body, helping to balance overly acidic dietary habits.
• Cures ulcers, IBS, Crohn’s disease and other digestive disorders.
• Reduces high blood pressure natural, by treating the cause, not just the symptoms.
• Nourishes the body with minerals, vitamins, enzymes and glyconutrients.
• Accelerates healing from physical burns and radiation burns.
• Replaces dozens of first aid products, makes bandages and antibacterial sprays obsolete.
• Halts colon cancer, heals the intestines and lubricates the digestive tract.
• Ends constipation.
• Stabilizes blood sugar and reduces triglycerides in diabetics.
• Prevents and treats candida infections.
• Protects the kidneys from disease.
• Functions as nature’s own “sports drink” for electrolyte balance, making common sports drinks obsolete.
• Boosts cardiovascular performance and physical endurance.
• Speeds recovery from injury or physical exertion.
• Hydrates the skin, accelerates skin repair.

Aloe Vera contains over 200 active components including vitamins, minerals, amino acids, enzymes, polysaccharide, and fatty acids. This explains why there are so many uses and remedies for the Aloe Vera plant.

FIVE Ways to Use Aloe Vera at Home:

1) Aloe Vera is amazing for your skin. The clear fluid of the aloe vera plant is 99% water, so it’s no wonder why it’s great for your skin. It hydrates, moisturizes, and nourish our largest organ – the skin.

Acne – Aloe Vera has antimicrobial properties that kill bacteria and anti-inflammatory properties with minimal scarring. Rub it directly on acne.
Moisturizer – Aloe is not greasy and perfect for someone with oily skin or looking a for natural regime. Place a small amount on fingertips and smooth over face
Aging – there is vitamin C and E present in aloe which can improve our skin`s natural firmness and keep our skin hydrated. Many of the TOP anti-aging products have aloe vera. Why not save the money and get the product directly from the source – the earth. Dot on wrinkles and under eyes morning and night.
Stretch marks – rub aloe vera on your pregnancy stretch marks to keep them at bay.
Sunburn – this is the most widely known use. Aloe vera gel can reduce the pain and swelling you experience during sunburn, act as a protective layer on the skin, and help replenish moisture.

2) Lowers High Cholesterol – when taken internally, aloe vera rebalances the blood chemistry in a way that lowers cholesterol and total triglycerides.

How to Take: People who suffer from high cholesterol can achieve optimal results by taking 1-2 TB of Aloe Vera juice a day (source).

3) Aloe vera boosts immune function and destroys cancer tumors –

Scientific research shows strong immunomodulatory and antitumour properties for aloe vera polysaccharides. That means the gel helps boosts immune system function while destroying cancer tumors. One study published in International Immunopharmacology (1995) showed that aloe vera polysaccharides exhibited potent macrophage-activating activities including producing increased volumes of nitric oxide, which has antitumor potential.
How to take: Work with a naturopathic physician to learn how to add Aloe Vera into your treatment plan.

4) Aloe Helps Reduce Inflammation – Aloe Vera contains 12 substances, including B-sisterole, which can help to slow down or inhibit inflammation.

How to take: rub the gel onto any areas of pain. For rhumatoid arthritis, take internally by drinking 2 to 3 oz. of aloe juice once per day, and work up to 3 times per day.

5) Disinfectant, Anti-biotic, Anti-microbial, Germicidal, Anti-bacterial, Anti-septic, Anti-fungal & Anti-viral – Aloe Vera’s active ingredients are sulphur, lupeol, salicylic acid, cinnamic acid, urea nitrogen and phenol which are substances that prevent the growth of disease-causing microorganisms and act as a team to provide antimicrobial activity thus eliminating many internal and external infections, also active against bacteria. It also helps to treat fungal and viral infections.

How to take: rub on burns, cuts, bruises, and take internally during times of sickness or just to boost the immune system.

How I Harvest and Use Aloe Vera:

There are many ways to actually “harvest” aloe. You can just cut off a piece of the plant when needed, or you can make a batch of the gel and store in the fridge. I like to make large batches at at time. Here’s my method:

Step 1: Cut off large pieces of the plant near the stem. I usually cut 5-10 at a time.

Step 2: Rinse the cut pieces under water.

Step 3: Cut off the top of the shell.

Step 4: Grab a spoon and scoop out all the gel.

Step 5: Pour the gel into a food processor or blender and process it for a few seconds.

Step 6: Freeze in small ice cube trays and use as needed! I leave a little in the fridge, as well.

A Few Things I do With My Aloe:

Face Mask – I add 2 TB of aloe, 1 TB sugar or salt, and 2 TB of raw milk or coconut milk to a jar and stir. Once the sugar/salt is dissolved, I rub it all over my face and leave it on for up to 10 minutes! Then I grab a hot towel and wipe off. Baby butt soft!

I add 1-2 TB to my smoothies.

I put them on my kids dry skin.

I put them on cuts and burns.

I rub it onto my sore muscles after an intense workout.

I hope you now believe in the incredible healing properties of the Aloe Vera plant. Remember “fresh is best”, so pick up a plant, and start benefiting from it!

Sources:

https://www.naturalnews.com/021858_aloe_vera_gel.html#ixzz2d08K2ftE
https://www.aloeplant.info/harvest-fresh-aloe-gel/
https://sacredsourcenutrition.com/top-12-benefits-of-aloe-vera/#
https://www.aloelf.com/wp-content/uploads/aloe-vera/aloebook.pdf

Shared at: Homegrown & Healthy, Small Footprint Family, and Happy Roots, Happy Soul