Natural Cold Remedy


I very rarely get sick and I attribute this to being in tune with my body. The first sign of a twinge or a sneeze attack, I am in the kitchen whipping up a homemade remedy! I have posted many variations before, so these ingredients should be of no surprise.

Here's what you'll need:

  • 1/8 tsp of Cayenne Pepper
  • 1/8 tsp of Turmeric, grated 
  • 1/8 tsp of Garlic clove, minced
  • 1/8 tsp of Ginger, chopped
  • 1/2 of a Lemon
  • 1 tbs of Raw Organic Honey

Directions: Add all of the ingredients to a cup of boiling water and allow them to seep for 5 minutes. Then drink and chew all of its contents. I would say "Enjoy!", but it hardly enjoyable!! Drink this two times a day, until you are feeling better!

Wellness Break: Natural Products Part V


I am literally a product junkie, oftentimes carrying a long list of products that I absolutely must try! This deodorant is no different. I have been on a quest to find the best natural products that agree with my body. As an aside, I will share that I like this deodorant, I really do! However, I hate the fact that I have to re-wet it before every use. Also, with the re-wetting disclaimer, I should also note that your skin need be clean. This is a con for me, considering that I have been experiencing a bout of overactive sweating.

Nonetheless, this deodorant is good for anyone who doesn't care about the above. Someone who also likes to use natural products. I prefer natural deodorants because of the link between breast cancer and aluminum. The less chemicals I can control seeping into my body, the better. Crystal deodorants are made from natural mineral salts, void of any dyes, perfumes, parabens and any other chemical you can think of! This deodorant is great for combating odor causing bacteria, due to the mineral salt. You can usually find it for roughly $7, although, TJMaxx has an assortment of this brand in spray and rock form for a few bucks cheaper!

Quick Oven Roasted Veggie Recipe!


In an attempt to gain more weight, I am having to eat foods just to keep from being hungry. Here is a quick and easy side dish, using only 4 main ingredients, along with a variety of seasonings.

Ingredients:

  • 10 Red Potatoes, quartered
  • 1/2 lb. Whole Green Beans, trimmed
  • 10 Mushrooms, sliced
  • 4 Garlic Cloves
  • 2 tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil
  • 1 tsp Balsamic Vinegar
  • 1 tsp Organic Raw Honey
  • Seasonings: parsley, onion powder, garlic powder, garlic salt, and black pepper

Instructions: Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Toss all of your ingredients in a bowl, place in a baking dish and cook for 25-30 minutes (or until tender).

Enjoy!

Wellness Break: Natural Products Part IV

If you recall, I have been attempting to add as many natural products to my regime as possible. For an update, see Wellness Break: Natural Products Part I, Part II, and Part III. As you can see, I am a huge proponent for oral health care. I had braces at the age of 5 and have not wavered in my personal oral hygiene ever since.

These two products have been staples in my day to day use for the past year. I found both at one of my favorite stores, Sprouts Farmers Market. (Side-note: there are a lots of new locations, sprouting up all over, so check to see if there is a Sprouts located near you.)

l-r: Dr. Tung's Tongue Cleaner, MouthWatchers Toothbrush
  • Dr. Tung's Tongue Cleaner: tongue scraping has been around for years and it is a commonly known Ayurvedic self-care ritual. Did you know that there are a ton of toxins and bacteria deposited on your tongue while you sleep? Brushing your tongue is helpful, but gently scraping it each day, allows for removal of the toxins, instead of reabsorption. Tongue scraping is great for the following reasons:
    • Taste buds - remove those toxins so that you can taste your food flavors much better!
    • Immunity - as mentioned above, remove the toxins first thing in the morning to avoid them being reentered into your body.
    • Bad breath? Clean it up! Literally!! Ever smelled someone's breath and couldn't breathe? They perhaps may have suffered from Halitosis.
    • Proper digestion. Tongue cleaning activates production of saliva, which aids in healthy digestion.
    • You understand the importance of oral hygiene. :-)
  • MouthWatchers Toothbrush: what can I say about an expensive toothbrush other than I love how it makes my teeth feel? Well, I can tell you that their website promotes it as one of a kind, providing an optimal cleaning experience. According to the site, "The revolutionary antimicrobial dual layer flossing bristles, reach into areas untouched by prior toothbrushes, leaving teeth and gums feeling just as clean as after a professional dental cleaning." I can truly attest to that - remember, I've been in the dentist/orthodontist chair since I was 3-4 years old! This brush also does not allow bacteria to build up as others, so you do not have to discard them as often as your traditional nylon bristles.
What are some of your go-to's as it relates to oral health care? I'd love to know!

Vegan Black Bean Soup Recipe

 
This is an old post, but its so quick and simple to make, I wanted to share it with you! Of course, when I am a pseudo vegan for 100 days out of each year, I like to experiment with different recipes. This time, I opted for a protein rich, black bean soup! It took all of 25 minutes to prepare and cook before consumption. Here's what you'll need:

Ingredients:
  • 4 cups of Black Beans (soaked overnight)
  • 2 whole Tomatoes
  • 4 cups of Vegetable Broth
  • 2 handfuls of Spinach, chopped
  • 2 handfuls of cilantro, chopped
  • 2 handfuls of parsely, chopped 
  • 1/2 Red Onion, chopped
  • 1/2 Red or Yellow Bell Pepper, chopped
  • 4 Garlic Cloves, minced
  • 2 tbs Extra Virgin Olive Oil
  • 2 tbs Worcestershire sauce
  • Seasonings: garlic powder, garlic salt, chipotle, cayenne, cumin, fresh oregano, 1 bay leaf, onion powder (amount varies pending on your taste buds)
Instructions
In a pot, saute your red onions, bell peppers and garlic in your olive oil, along with all of the seasonings. Once finished sautéing, stir in only 2 cups of the black beans, veggie broth and worcestershire sauce. In your blender, blend the other 2 cups of beans, along with your tomatoes and half of the parsely and spinach. Pour this blended mixture in your pot. Bring to a slight simmer, then add spinach, cilantro and parsley. Let it cook for another 10 minutes before serving.

Another tip (especially if you have a high powered blender), is to blend half of your finished soup to a smooth consistency. After blending, add that half portion back to your pot and stir. I am huge on texture and taste, which is why I chose to blend some.

Enjoy!

Evening Primrose Oil Benefits


I'd like to start by saying that every woman should add Evening Primrose Oil (EPO) to their regime. In the past, I have toyed with taking many supplements in pill form, but through the years, I have limited myself to only taking two. The other nutrients that I need, are all within a variety of powders that I toss into my daily green smoothie.

I've noticed a change within the past year, either I have been experiencing early menopause (hopefully not!) or my sweat glands have been working OVERtime! My excessive sweating led me to believe that I may have an overactive endocrine system/hormonal imbalance. I have found that EPO has been significant in alleviating this concern.

So earlier, I mentioned that every woman should add EPO to their daily regime, however, I think it would be beneficial for everyone, especially considering the potential healing properties for symptoms related to:
  • Anti-inflammatory (arthritis, acne, joint health, etc.)
  • Anti-aging (nourishes skin, hair and nails)
  • Chronic fatigue
  • Eczema
  • PMS, menstrual cramps
  • ADHD
  • Diabetes
  • Menopause
  • Asthma
You can find Evening Primrose Oil here. In addition to EPO, I also take Ashwagandha.