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The BEST $20 You Will Ever Spend To Boost Your Health

by March 7, 2016

“You have champagne taste on a beer budget.”

I had not one, but TWO different used car salesmen tell me that… THIS week! I recently returned from traveling abroad for over a year and have been doing my best to settle back into life. From getting new cell service and buying a car to reinstating my at-home health routine, it’s been a bit overwhelming for my bank account.

Can you relate? Money going out and out and out… with minimal money coming IN?

I like nice things AND I want to be as healthy as I can be (by purchasing organic and natural products). BUT one trip to the store to purchase what I “need” (shampoo, conditioner, face moisturizer, toothpaste, lotion, etc..) and all I saw was $$$$$. Yes, there are cheaper unnatural options, but I am not willing to compromise and have to  slather chemicals all over my body and face.

So, how do I get the best of both worlds – natural/organic products that are budget friendly?

Cue in the creativity!

Here are 3 products I purchased for less than $20 – but can make up the majority of your health and beauty routine (Men – this applies to you as well)!

  1. Coconut Oil

WHAT To Buy: Not all coconut oils are created equal. Make sure to check the label and follow these guidelines: unrefined, cold pressed, organic, extra virgin (or virgin), fair trade. I was able to find Kelapo at my local grocery store for around $9. But my preferred brand is Niulife, which I’ve ordered in the past and is what I have found to be the highest quality!

WHY To Buy It:

Contains fatty acids with powerful medicinal properties

Increases your energy expenditure (when consumed)

The fatty acids boost brain function

Improves blood cholesterol levels

The lauric acid kills viruses, fungi and bacteria

Helps with weight loss (reduces appetite)

HOW To Use It:

Moisturizer – Safe to use on your face and body.

Conditioner – Use for hair conditioning treatment.

Energy Boost – Add 2 tbsp to your morning coffee.

Makeup Remover – Effective and chemical-free!

Kitchen Use – Use in the kitchen for cooking and baking.

Oil Pulling – Boosts your dental health – learn about oil pulling HERE.

  1. Apple Cider Vinegar

WHAT To Buy: The ACV needs to be raw, unfiltered, unpasteurized and unheated in order to reap all the health benefits it provides. The most well known brand that is available in most local grocery stores is Bragg’s.

WHY To Buy It: ACV is pretty much beneficial for everything – you hair, skin and even your home! Using ACV instantly eliminates a lot of unnatural chemicals in your daily life.

HOW To Use It:

Morning Detoxing And Energizing Drink – Mix 2 tbsp ACV with a glass of water.

Facial Toner – Dip a cotton ball in ACV (1 part ACV to 2 parts water) and dab on your face to. It can also help reduce the appearance of age spots and acne scars.

Hair Rinse – Mix ½ tablespoon ACV with 1 cup of water and rinse your hair after washing. It will help remove build up and give your hair an amazing shine.

  1. Baking Soda

WHAT To Buy: Pure baking soda. I recommend buying Bob’s Red Mill.

WHY To Buy It: It is super cheap (under $3) and can replace a multitude of beauty items! Simple, yet profound.

HOW To Use It:

Gentle Exfoliant – I love to make a paste in the shower of baking soda and water. I rub it on my face and body to gently exfoliate my skin. It leaves it feeling super smooth!

Tame Dermatological Conditions – The same paste mentioned above can also help soothe skin conditions such as rashes, sunburn, poison ivy and insect bites.Dab the paste onto your skin with a cotton ball.

Hair Wash – I have a jar of baking soda in my shower and simply scoop it out and massage it into my hair (and then follow with the ACV rinse). I have fine hair and have found this method gives my hair a great texture, body and a clean feeling.

Natural Deodorant – Mix a teaspoon with a bit of water to make a paste and rub it under your arms to deter body odor smells.

Toothpaste – Dip your toothbrush in baking soda (and a bit of coconut oil) to create a natural toothpaste that will help remove plaque and improve your oral hygiene.

Already using these products? GREAT! Keep on using them and continue discovering new ways to reap their health benefits.

If these products are new to you, start TODAY by purchasing at least one and incorporating it into your health and beauty routine! Feel free to let us know how it goes in the comments below!

Stimulating This ONE Nerve Relieves Fatigue, Anxiety And Brain Fog

by March 6, 2016

Every organ in your body is connected to the vagus nerve, so there’s little wonder that stimulating your vagus nerve helps relieve fatigue, anxiety, brain fog and more. The vagus nerve is important to your sense of intuition, or your ‘gut sense’ which can help you to pay attention to tiny but important details that help you make good decisions.

Vagus means ‘wandering’ and this nerve reaches all the way from your brain to your intestines. The vagus nerve also connects the brain to many other vital organs. The nerve sends information from the brain and receives information from the organs, which then gets sent back to the brain in a feedback loop.

Think about your fight or flight response for a moment. Your sympathetic nervous system is responsible for getting you ready to face danger. Once the danger has subsided, your parasympathetic nervous system resumes normal, relaxed bodily functioning.

The vagus nerve is responsible for digestion, rest and recovery from an environmental stress. Anything from a hectic day at work to coming back from a run is when your parasympathetic nervous system takes over by activating organs to begin the ‘rest and digest’ mode.

Clinical Psychologist Dr. Arielle Schwartz says that the vagus nerve helps with ‘regulation of nervous system states [and] is critical for the treatment of mental health conditions.’ Anything from mild anxiety to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression are likely liked to the functioning of the vagus nerve.

7 WAYS TO STIMULATE YOUR VAGUS NERVE TO RELIEVE FATIGUE, ANXIETY AND BRAIN FOG

By stimulating the vagus nerve, we are sending a message to our body that we are ready to relax and we want our organs to go into a relaxed state as well. Learning to stimulate your vagus nerve is another tool in your fight against stress and anxiety.

1. MEDITATION

Researchers believe that there is a connection between mood disorders like anxiety and depression and problems in the vagus nerve function.Researchers studying the vagus nerve and its connection to mood, memory and learning believe that ‘understanding the neurobiology of emotional regulation and dysregulation’ when these emotion states cannot be ‘turned off’ will lead to powerful and exciting new treatments for mood and anxiety disorders.’

Stimulating the vagus nerve is one way that we can teach our bodies to turn off arousing emotional states, such as anxiety. Researchers found that a specific type of meditation, called the ‘Loving Kindness Meditation’ helped reduce heart rate variability. Specifically achieving a positive emotion and a positive social connection to others in combination with meditation changed the activity of the vagus nerve.

2. MASSAGE

You can manually stimulate your vagus nerve by massaging several areas. A foot massage can stimulate vagus nerve activity, as can massaging your neck. A neck massage along the carotid sinus (the right side of your throat near where you check your pulse) can also stimulate the vagus nerve.

3. COLD

Drinking cold water or splashing cold water on your face may be enough to stimulate your vagus nerve. You can also take cold showers, take a swim in an unheated pool or try cryotherapy.

4. FASTING

The vagus nerve is responsible for digestion when your brain says that you are in a safe environment. Otherwise, digestion is shut down when the body is dealing with stress. By fasting, an empty stomach sends signals back to the brain that digestion is unnecessary so energy resources can be used for relaxation instead.

5. BREATHING TECHNIQUES

Deep breathing is always relaxing to your body, but you can use other breathing techniques to stimulate your vagus nerve. If you are interested in ways to relieve anxiety, you may have already read our article called This Ancient Breathing Technique Can Help Relieve Anxiety. Alternate nostril breathing or yogic breathing is a great way to stimulate the vagus nerve.

Another breathing technique that you may never have tried is inhaling deeply and then closing your airway while pushing your breath against the inside of your chest and bearing down with your abdominal muscles (like you are trying to pass gas). This method of applying internal pressure from the lungs out to the surrounding organs stimulates the vagus nerve as it connects your heart, spleen, lungs, stomach, and small intestines.

6. CHANTING

Om. That single syllable, often chanted in the key of somewhere between B, C and C# on the musical scale creates an internal vibration in our throat that sends smaller vibrations to the lungs and other organs.

7. LAUGHTER WITH FRIENDS

Researchers in the journal of psychological science found that more social connections led to more opportunities for positive emotions, which also increased stimulation of the vagus nerve. The researchers say ‘This experimental evidence identifies one mechanism – perceptions of social connections – through which positive emotions build physical health.’ Laughter makes you feel good and stimulates your vagus nerve, which helps produce overall good health and well-being.

Make Your Own Fabric Softener to Avoid Toxins

by March 5, 2016

Making your own fabric softener is a great way to create scents that delight you while ensuring your clothing is softened without the use of chemicals. The ingredients won’t cause those with sensitive skin to itch, nor do these products harm the environment. The more fragile fabrics are capable of standing up to them, and it contains an all-natural odor remover that will completely annihilate smells. In this low-cost, simple to make and customizable recipe, you can ensure that you’re using homemade products that have no negative impact. It even works powerfully,cleaning up stains like urine and vomit.

 Homemade Fabric Softener

 

The fabric softener uses simple ingredients to create a powerful cleanser and softener. You simply need a couple cups of Epsom salts, or a very coarse sea salt, to create a base. Keep a few other ingredients on hand, including 20-30 drops of essential oils or blended scents, half a cup of baking soda, a marker and a container with a lid. Be sure the container lid fits snugly to keep everything fresh.

Use the container to mix everything together. Place two cups of the Epsom or coarse sea salt, into the container and add the essential oils. You can use lemon, a refreshingly bright scent, or any other essential oil. Stir these well before you add the baking soda. Baking soda isn’t entirely required, as you can add it to the wash separately. Baking soda does wonders on stains, sucking them away and destroying them. Mix all of these together well, and close the lid tightly. If you plan to make other scents, label the container with the types of essential oils you used in it to keep everything organized. You only need to use 2-3 tablespoons before your clothes rinse through the wash. If you didn’t include the baking soda, add half a cup to each load you wash.

Make adjustments to double or even triple the recipes’ turnout. You can alter the amount of essential oil to create a stronger or weaker scent. If you add more Epsom salts, you can create even more fabric softener. However, be sure to include more drops of essential oils to ensure that you make up for the difference.

fabrick

Benefits of Homemade Fabric Softener

 

Homemade fabric softener allows you to create a completely harmless and effective product. Commercial products might sound innocuous, however they are filled with chemicals, such as benzyl acetate which is linked to pancreatic cancer, which can become absorbed into the skin or inhaled. They are pretty bad for the environment as they are typically petroleum-based, which isn’t biodegradable and is a non-renewable resource. Commercial fabric softeners also contain benzyl alcohol, which causes irritants to the upper respiratory tract, and chloroform, which is a carcinogen and neurotoxin.

When you make your own fabric softener, you can choose what goes into it all! It is the one time when you know for sure what you are getting when you use the materials inside. You can incorporate the use of different herb oils to create intricate scents, such as lavender and rose.

 

SHOCKING Commercial Will Change How You And Your Children Eat. EVERYONE Should See This!

by March 5, 2016

Everyday we’re bombarded with choices regarding what we can put into our bodies. There are fast food joints around every corner, vending machines in every office, and hours of Netflix waiting for us when we get home. This easy access to a lazy lifestyle is creating unhealthy habits for many of us, including our children.

While every parent wants nothing more than to give their kids the healthiest of diets, lets face it, unhealthy habits happen. In order to keep families on the right track, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Strong4Life released the following video to remind parents about the importance of getting your family to eat healthy, make positive choices, and to get up and move around. Their future self will thank you.

In the healthcare’s latest commercial called Rewind the Future, we follow a man whose life flashes right before his very eyes, all the unhealthy choices he made consciously or subconsciously throughout his life, all while he finds himself suffering from a heart attack at 32.

The commercial is terrifying and heartbreaking, but it’s also a very important reminder about the choices we can make to combat this very plugged in life many of us lead.
Please watch this video and then SHARE it with everyone you know.

Hemp: Uses and Cures (Ghee and Herbal Extract Recipes Included!)

by March 4, 2016

Hemp, Cannabis sativa, is one of the world’s oldest sources of food and medicine, with a history that dates back at least ten thousand years. It relieves glaucoma, epilepsy, migraines, insomnia, asthma, the nausea associated with AIDS and chemotherapy, and a host of other conditions. It was once a staple in every American medicine cabinet, but because hemp is the plant from which marijuana is derived, it has been made unavailable to consumers until recently. Now products made from imported hemp-seed are sold by stores and mail-order companies across the United States to satisfy a growing demand.

Why Hemp?

Let’s start out with the irrefutable qualities of hemp, and how resourceful and versatile this God-given plant is. Firstly, Hemp seed is not psychoactive and cannot be used as a drug. As a food, Hemp Seed is far more nutritious than soybean, contains more essential fatty acids than any other source, is second only to soybeans in complete protein (but is more digestible by humans), is high in B-vitamins, and is 35% dietary fiber. For our health, hemp has been proven to create miraculous results. Hemp can also be used to create textiles, building materials and hygiene products. The list goes on…..

A recommended read on the subject is “Hemp for Health: The Medicinal and Nutritional Uses of Cannabis Sativa“. Hemp for Health reveals the developments that have returned this ancient plant to the forefront of health and nutrition and that have doctors calling for its legalization.

The author provides everything from recipes using hemp-seed, and an analysis of cannabis’s therapeutic effect on the nervous system, to current information on bills that are currently moving through several state legislatures to legalize domestic hemp production.

There are Differences Between Cannabis and Hemp…

To break the stigma associated with marijuana, it is important to actually understand the difference between the two plants.

The two are related through the same genus of plant. While industrial-grade hemp is a rather helpful resource in the world, it lacks the stimulating power of the substance known as delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol, or for short, THC. It is this active chemical of THC that brings about the “high” associated with marijuana.

Hemp contains 1.5% of this substance, while marijuana possesses between 4 % and 20%. In Canada, the legal amount of THC used to create products cannot exceed 0.3%. Overall, the plants are rather close in details, but supply very different functions for many dissimilar reasons, which especially shows through in the physical makeup of the two plants.

Hemp is much stronger than the marijuana variety, meaning it holds the possibility to create a wealth of raw materials. Marijuana is actually quite delicate, eliminating it as a contender regarding serving a purpose to benefit mankind in a manner acceptable by law (with the exception of medicinal uses).

Farming practices also dictate the amount of THC produced by the plant. The unfertilized female species of cannabis sativa L contains the highest amount of THC, thus the male species is removed to prevent pollination, increasing it’s psychoactive properties dramatically. Reference

How to Make Tinctures And Herbal Extracts:

Herbs: Either fresh or dried finely chopped herbs can be used. Use of one pint of menstruum to two ounces of dried herbs, or about two handfuls of fresh.

Menstruums: There are three basic menstruums, or solvents used to extract the chemical compounds of herbs in tinctures, alcohol, glycerin, and vinegar. Alcohol is the most used because it can extract fats, resins, waxes,most alkaloids, and some of the volatile oils, as well as many other plant compounds. Water is also necessary to extract the water soluble plant chemicals. Using an 80 to 100 proof alcohol such as vodka, brandy and gin provides the alcohol-water ratio you need without having to add anything. If pure grain alcohol (190 proof) is used, water will have to be added. Don’t use city tap water that contains chlorine, use either distilled or pure spring water.

The important thing is to completely cover the herbs, leaving a couple of extra inches of liquid about the herbs to allow for swelling as the herbs absorb the liquid. Leave some headroom in the jar. If using vinegar, warm first before pouring it over the herbs.

Procedure for making an easy tincture:

Chop herbs finely

Place in a glass jar, labeled with the current date and name of the herb

Add sufficient liquid menstruum to completely cover the herb

Cap with a tight fitting lid, put the jar in a dark place at room temperature, and shake at least once daily.

After 2 to 3 weeks, strain the contents through several layers of cheesecloth.

Allow to settle overnight in a clean jar

Restrain through a filter paper

Store in a labeled, amber glass bottle away from light and heat.

The Chinese macerate herbs for months sometimes even years. For stronger tinctures a suggested time can be 4 to 6 weeks. The duration depends on the mixture and on your patience, in time you will develop your own style. I use a kitchen cupboard that I open on a regular basis, so I don’t forget the shake the bottle. Tinctures will keep for 6 months. The standard dose is one tablespoon in a wineglass of water once or twice a day.

Liniments are made exactly the same as herbal tinctures, except they are meant for external use. Make sure and label your liniments “FOR EXTERNAL USE ONLY” , when using a solvent that is inedible such as rubbing alcohol.

Using vinegar to tincture herbs. Alcohol has mostly displaced vinegar as a menstruum for making liquid herbal extracts, as it is far more efficient in extracting and preserving the medicinal properties of herbs. Vinegar is however passable solvent and useful in cases where you wish to avoid alcohol. When used in conjunction with alcohol, vinegar can sometimes assist in the extraction of alkaloid (base) substances from herbs. Such an extract containing both vinegar and alcohol is known as an acetous tincture.

How to Make Cannabis Ghee

Description:

Ghee is clarified butter. It contains mostly butter fat and trace amounts of water and milk solids.

Ingredients for Ghee:

2lb unsalted butter

Making the Ghee:

  1. Melt the butter in a pan or a double boiler at a low to medium temperature so that the butter is hot enough to boil.
  2. A froth will form on the surface of the butter.
  3. Remove the froth with a spoon.
  4. Continue until no more froth appears.
  5. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

Ingredients for Cannabis Ghee:

1lb Ghee

1oz/28g of finely ground cannabis*

*The finer the powdered cannabis, the better this method will work.

Making the Cannabis Ghee:

  1. The ghee is melted in a pan or double boiler and allowed to simmer.
  2. Add the cannabis slowly, and stir often.
  3. Allow to simmer for an hour.
  4. Strain with cheese cloth or a fine mesh strainer, and allow to cool.
  5. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

“Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food.” ~ Hippocrates ca. 400 BC

Sources:

http://wakeup-world.com/

How to Detox Each Organ To Never Be Sick or Tired Again

by March 4, 2016

Have you noticed that more and more people, even the younger ones, are falling ill with chronic conditions, cancer or autoimmune conditions? Our body has its weaknesses and it’s not imperfect. Hence, the exposure to environmental toxins can alter our genes, leading to physical disorders.

Moreover, genetic derangement’s occur due to stress, spiritual shallowness, hormone disrupters, parasites, viruses, bacteria, Sugar, refined carbs and food-like products, pesticides, heavy metals, and the like., body and spirit are one. True medicine addresses all three areas.

The immune system is brilliantly constructed to be able to expel toxins with fevers, diarrhea, and vomiting. Yet, if a rather silent toxin is continually exposed to the system, it will lead to an autoimmune condition.

Autoimmune conditions are disorders in which immunity has gone awry, causing the body to turn on itself. The remaining “toxin” continues to alert the immune system.

Many autoimmune conditions are triggered by diet, as sugar, wheat, pesticides, gluten, heavy metals and genetically modified organisms cause distention and eventual pH changes.

Acid blockers like Pepcid, Nexium, Prilosec or diet can raise the pH higher than 3, which stops the release of pepsin. Pepsin is essential for protein breakdown.

These excess proteins leak through the permeable gut wall where it alerts the immune system and are detected as a foreign intruder. At this point, the body revs up immunity and inflammation ensues.

Inflammations are the defense reaction of the body and they are short- term, but they can lead to long- term chronic conditions.

The following are some instances of autoimmune conditions:

  • Blood-leukemia, lupus, hemolytic conditions
  • Nerves-diabetic & peripheral neuropathy
  • Muscles-fibromyalgia, muscular dystrophy
  • Thyroid-Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, Graves’ disease
  • Brain-MS, autism, Guillain-Barré syndrome (caused by flu shot or a virus)
  • Bones-rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, polymyalgia rheumatica
  • Lungs-Wegener’s granulomatosis, asthma
  • GI tract/pancreas-Celiacs, IBS, Crohns, ulcerative colitis, diabetes
  • Skin-eczema, psoriasis, scleroderma, vitiligo

Immunosuppression, or depressing our natural immunity rather than finding the cause can be the answer to these diseases, according to allopathic medicine. Humira or Prednisone is an example. However, it is as counter- intuitive as it sounds.

Namely, in that case, we would hinder our body’s natural response to a foreign intruder, rather than trying to pinpoint that said intruder. Instead of eliminating the issue, we would put a band-aid that causes another side- effects.

Nevertheless, there are completely natural ways and methods which can help you detoxify the entire body and strengthen the immune system in order to prevent diseases of any kind.

Here’s how to detox all body organs and boost your immune system:

Diet

You should not consume wheat, gluten, soy, dairy, processed and fried foods, all kinds of GMO and focus on organic foods only. Many of these foods are not inflammatory in their unprocessed, natural states, but due to refining, pasteurizing and genetic modification, they are now disease- causing.

Therefore, avoid sugar, aspartame, MSG, trans fats, hydrogenated oils like canola or vegetable oil. Also, you should not indulge in excessive caffeine and alcohol.

It would be of help if you keep a food elimination journal.

On the other hand, you should consume healthy fats like coconut, avocado, omega-3’s, olive oil or nuts and seeds, and probiotics. Buy a Berkey filter or reverse osmosis filter to remove birth control, toxins, metals, and fluoride from your tap water. Alkaline diets can be of great help- they are low in sodium and high in potassium foods.

Liver cleanse

In order to pull out toxins, you can use burdock root, dandelion root, milk thistle, beets, Jerusalem artichokes, garlic, turmeric or curcumin, fermented foods, and castor oil packs on the abdomen. The liver cleanse should always contain ornithine. The liver is also supported by some sorts of tea, such as tulsi and dandelion. Lugol’s iodine is also supportive of metabolism and liver detox.

Olive oil cleanse for liver

Drink carrot juice and eat tart green apples for a week, in order to soften your gallstones and to prevent them become dislodged during the detox process. Then, take a shot of olive oil with lemon juice and do a castor oil pack at night.

Kidney cleanse

Helpful herbs include horsetail, Flor-essence tea along with Uva Ursi capsules, Ginger, Goldenrod tincture, Vitamin B-6, Black Cherry Concentrate, and Vegetable Glycerin all help flush the kidneys. Extremely beneficial can be the following: lukewarm lemon water, magnesium, organic cranberry juice, apple cider vinegar, and Epsom salt baths. Moreover, note that you should stay away from pesticides as they cause kidney failure.

Colon cleanse

You should be having 2-3 BMs/day. Indian gooseberry or Triphala is a great colon cleanse. Coffee enemas are irreplaceable and double as a colon and liver cleanse. Drink plenty of distilled or fluoride free water, plant based organic diet, aloe Vera water, coconut kefir, ginger, garlic, fennel, bentonite clay or activated charcoal to bind & remove toxins, magnesium, and vitamin C.

Heavy Metals

Zeolite clay and activated charcoal are great chelators. Furthermore, cilantro, chlorella, high sulfur foods like cabbage, onions, garlic and brussels sprouts are amazing natural chelators. You can get a professional IV chelation. Also, avoid unnecessary vaccines which contain heavy metals.

What’s more, mercury is not safe, as it is a neurotoxin and can lead to autoimmune conditions, mood disorders, and mental degradation. Hence, you should see a biologic dentist who specializes in removing Mercury amalgams safely.

Parasites

Important ingredients, in this case, include wormwood, black walnut hull, cloves, as well as cinnamon, garlic, coconut oil, psyllium husks, bentonite clay and coffee enemas, which are also invaluable. Be sure to get organic coffee, distilled water, complete sterility, and lie on your right side, holding for 10-20 minutes.

Lymphatic system

This is the sewer system of the body, but it does not have a pump like the heart. Therefore, for a proper lymphatic movement, you need to be physically active, walk, practice yoga. Also, deep breathing, rebounding, and dry brushing are other excellent methods for the same cause. Lymph massage can remove toxins from the body through soft massage.

Skin

Slathering lotions, makeup, deodorants or fragrances contain parabens, BHT or other endocrine disrupters which can lead to hormone dysregulation, PCOS, endometriosis, and fibroids.

On the other hand, in order to stimulate your lymph system to eliminate chemicals and toxins, you should use infrared saunas, sweating, hot yoga, Epsom salt baths, and dry brush.

Also, you need to exercise and sweat a lot. Avoid any mainstream or synthetic toiletries and go organic. Furthermore, research suggests that vitamin D prevents breast and prostate cancer.

You need to take care of your own health and your body. In order to restore its strength, as well as its functions, you need to detox and help organs work properly. Therefore, remember to take care of yourself.

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